Legends

Hammering Hearts

Romans POV

All I can say is WOW! The Hound had opened up to me, Dean and Renee. That same night she showed all of her scars. My heart jumped to my throat when she allowed me to touch her bare skin, to run my fingertips over the claw and bite mark scars.I could feel her heart hammering in her chest, a single tear slid down her scarred cheek. She was terrified. All this time she had been scared, lost and alone with no one to give a damn about her.I felt so angry at all those who had rejected this incredible young woman. I wiped that single tear away from the four claw marks on her face.

"Don't you cry no more baby. No one will EVER ridicule you again nor will they reject you I promise you that.. If anyone does I will tear them apart." I tilted her chin so she looked in my eyes "You don't need to hide from me baby girl.. Not now not ever. I promise you we will go at your pace, I'm not going to rush nor force you. Believe that baby girl."

She gave me a small smile. Then reached up and stroked my face.

" That goes for me too sweetheart. You have us now and we will never hurt you..." Dean piped up.

Renee came forward with gentle tears in her eyes and just hugged the Hound. She didn't need to say a word.

I gently took her in my arms and kissed her.

Then she whispered three little words that made my heart hammer with joy " I love you"

I smiled down at her "I love you too, always will"

"Can I ask something guys" Her voice almost a whisper

"Anything"

"Can we keep this to us four.. I don't feel ready for the world to see me just yet."

We all smiled "Of course sweetie but one question... Do you prefer Hound or Cassidy?" Renee asked

The Hound threw back her head and laughed.

"Hound when we are round others but Cas in private. Cassidy is too damn snobby nosed for me."

Now it was our turn to laugh

We spent the rest of the evening getting to know Cassidy properly. She had had some really shitty times. She majored in Aeronautical Engineering, despite constant bullying and ignorance. She started wrestling at fourteen and by the time she was sixteen she was wrestling all over the world as The Hellhound. She was only 24. In turn she got to know us. I was surprised when she knew I had been an American Footballer and not only that she knew how to pronounce my name. As time wore on I fell more and more in love with her.

Dean and Renee called it a night around 11 so I was alone with her. We sat drinking a rather nice sweet rose wine.

She had music playing softly in the background. Nina Simone's "Put a Spell on you" began playing. I took her wine and put it on the table and came to stand in front of her

"Dance with me?"I held out my hand and with a smile she took it.. We danced slowly with me reveling in her touch. She was a delight to dance with, graceful and fun. She rested her head on my shoulder her breath tickling my neck. I rested my head on hers and smiled.

Tilting her chin I kissed her. I looked at her she looked tired.

She smiled

"Come on you... bed"

She looked surprised.

I scooped her up bridal style and headed to her room switching off everything as i went. I helped her change into sweats and a t shirt. She went into the en suite and brushed her teeth. Switching off the light she came over to the bed and lit a candle by the bed on the night stand.

I smiled and went to brush my teeth etc. When I returned she was laying on her side facing me.

"Will you hold me for a while?" She licked her lips nervously.

I went over and pulled her into my arms. her head on my chest and my arm over her waist. Within a few moments she fell asleep. I smiled and blew out the candle. I listened to her breathing in the darkness. I closed my eyes and slept.