Page 74 of Between the Ropes

Ryan exhales sharply, like the weight of everything is just now settling in. Then, with a smirk, he shifts the belt off his shoulder and holds it out to me. “Here,” he says, eyes dark with satisfaction. “Hold it.”

I blink, surprised, but take the championship in my hands. It’s heavy—more than I expected. I trace my fingers over the engraved lettering, the intricate details of the UXW Heavyweight Championship.His name will be on this soon. Forever.

Ryan watches me, his smirk widening. “Feels good, huh?”

I laugh softly, lifting it just a little. “Damn good.”

He takes it back, slinging it over his shoulder with easy confidence before scooping me up into his arms, his chest heaving against mine. Without another word, he carries me toward the locker room, his grip on me just as strong as his grip on that championship.

“You were amazing out there,” I murmur as he sets me down, my fingers trailing over his slick, sweat-coated skin.

Ryan grins, adjusting the belt before placing it gently on a nearby bench, his eyes dark with something else entirely now. “Icould be more amazing,” he growls, his voice low and rough as he nips at my neck.

I barely get a chance to respond before his hands are on me, his touch filled with the same intensity that won him the title tonight.

He may be the new UXW Heavyweight Champion, but right now—righthere—he’s mine. And I’m his.

My breath hitches as he peels his wrestling gear off, piece by piece, revealing his perfectly sculpted body. His skin glistens under the locker room lights, every muscle defined, his tattoos stretching across his back and arms. He’s breathtaking, and the way he looks at me—like I’m the only thing that matters—ignites a fire deep within me.

Ryan steps closer, his fingers trailing down my chest before slipping under my shirt. He lifts it over my head, his eyes roaming over every inch of exposed skin. “You’re so damn beautiful,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion.

He doesn’t stop until I’m completely naked before him. His hands and lips are everywhere, worshipping every inch of me, making me feel cherished and desired. When he leads me to the shower, the anticipation is almost too much to bear.

The hot water cascades over us as Ryan presses me against the cool tile, his lips claiming mine in a searing kiss. His hands grip my hips, his fingers digging into my skin as he turns me around, bending me over slightly.

“I’m going to make you mine,” he growls, his voice a low rumble in my ear.

“Please, Ryan,” I beg, my body trembling with need.

He doesn’t make me wait. With one smooth thrust, he fills me completely, his cock stretching me in the most delicious way. A strangled moan escapes my lips as he sets a relentless pace, his hands gripping my hips as he drives into me over and over again.

“You feel so good,” he groans, his voice thick with pleasure. “So tight, so perfect.”

The combination of his words, his touch, and the sensation of him moving inside me is overwhelming. My nails scrape against the tile, my body quivering as I spiral closer to the edge.

“Ryan,” I gasp, my voice barely audible over the sound of the water.

“I’ve got you, baby,” he murmurs, his pace quickening. “Let go for me. Come for me.”

And I do. The intensity of my orgasm crashes over me like a tidal wave, my body shuddering as I cry out his name. Ryan follows moments later, his release powerful and all-consuming.

He wraps his arms around me, holding me close as we catch our breath, the water washing away the evidence of our passion. My legs are shaky, my body spent, but I’ve never felt more alive.

Ryan presses a tender kiss to my temple, his lips lingering there. “I love you, Natalie,” he whispers, his voice soft but filled with conviction.

“I love you too,” I reply, my heart full.

52

The second I step out of the arena, the night air slams into me like a shock to the system, cool against my overheated skin. My lungs expand, dragging in deep, uneven breaths, but it’s not enough to steady the riot inside me. My muscles ache, my body is wrecked, but none of it matters.

I did it.

I fucking did it.

The UXW Heavyweight Championship is slung over my shoulder, its weight sinking into my muscles, but it’s a weight I welcome. It’s more than just gold and leather—it’s every sacrifice, every sleepless night, every drop of blood I’ve spilled in this ring. It’s years of grinding, of fighting through the pain when no one was watching, of clawing my way to the top because I refused to be anything less.

And now, I’m here.

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