Insidious Obsession

Chapter 1

Amber Star walked the arena's interior hallway, the sound of her footsteps buried beneath the beat of Triple H's big boots. Still not quite believing her eyes, she slid a sideways glance at the superstar. Was she really here? Had all those years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication really paid off? Even as she worked to keep up with the legend's big stride, the moment felt surreal, as if she were still tucked in her bed dreaming.

"I'm sure this is all a big blur to you right now," Hunter said. "I still remember when I first started. I was excited and scared out of my mind all at the same time." He cast a quick smile her direction before pointing down the hall. "I'm taking you to catering. You'll find most of our wrestlers there at any given point during the day. With any luck, it's where we'll Lexi. I'm going to ask her to kinda mentor you until you're settled."

The lump in Amber's throat grew larger and she swallowed hard. "Lexi? As in Lexi Hart?"

His grin widened as he reached for the door handle. "The very same."

Lexi Hart, daughter of the great Bret 'Hitman' Hart, was one of the top WWE Divas. At the age of twenty-seven, she'd spent six years establishing her superstar stature in the company. Amber's already nervous stomach did a little flip. During her climb to the top Amber studied Lexi and patterned herself after the superstar. Hopefully Lexi didn't end up being a bitch like so many of the women she'd worked with on her way through the ranks.

Hunter pulled the door open and ushered Amber inside. The yummy aroma of pot roast or was it meatloaf, billowed through the air mixing with music and conversation. Several long tables, covered with food stretched along the back of the room. Tables and chairs scattered across most of the room, some empty, some filled with stars eating and talking. Their conversations mixed and mingled creating a lively atmosphere.

A sitting area containing several couches and small sitting cubes peppered the space to her left. Hunter headed in that direction and she followed closely. She spotted Lexi Hart draped across the lap of The Shield member Roman Reigns. His large hands held her in a way that telegraphed his protective nature. Together, they appeared to be watching an arm wrestling match taking place at a nearby table.

She turned her attention to the men at the table and nearly tripped over her feet as her mind tried to process everything. The legend, Chris Jericho with a look of determination on his face arm wrestled The Shield member Dean Ambrose. On screen, Dean acted eccentric, almost crazy in nature. If the relaxed, almost blissful look currently on his face was any indication, she'd bet he was like that in real life too.
"Come on, Chris. You're not gonna let Ambrose beat you," Randy Orton urged from a few feet away.

"Kick his ass, Dean," a voice came from across the room. She turned to see who yelled, and stopped dead in her tracks. With a cup in each hand, Seth Rollins strode toward the group, a grin spread across his face. The Shield had just left NXT when she arrived, so she hadn't gotten a chance to meet them. Instead, she'd watched Seth and company rise to fame over past six months. Seeing him in person was very different from watching him on television.

As if he sensed her attention on him, he turned his head and looked directly at her. Amber's stomach did another little flip and an unfamiliar warmth burned low in her abdomen. His smile widened and the feeling intensified. "Well, hello." He took a small step toward her. "I haven't seen you around here before."

"That's because she's just starting today," Hunter cut in. He nodded at her. "Follow me."

She gave Seth a shrug and small smile then turned back to Hunter. With his two-tone hair, and near permanent five o'clock shadow, Seth appeared to be a bit of a wild child. Not normally the type she found attractive, but something about him struck a chord deep inside.

Still, the last thing she needed right now was any type of romantic entanglements. No. She'd worked too hard for far too long to allow something as elemental as sex get in her way. No matter how attractive she found him, she couldn't risk derailing her focus.

Doing her best to dismiss him from her thoughts, Amber turned her attention on Lexi who was now speaking with Hunter. She remained on Roman's lap, with one arm draped lazily around his neck. Amber knew the on-screen story had Lexi and Roman as a couple, but it appeared as if they might be one in real life too. Interesting.

"Amber," Hunter motioned to her. "This is Lexi Hart." He turned to Lexi. "This is Amber Star. She's our newest addition to the Diva's roster. Lexi if you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate it if you'd look out for Amber for a little while? At least until she settles in a bit more."

Immediately her smile morphed into a frown and she folded her arms across her chest. "Yes, I mind. What? Do you think I have time to babysit some rookie?"

Shock ripped through Amber as she cut her gaze from Lexi to Hunter and back. Had she really just back talked her boss?

Before Hunter could reply her frown was gone, replaced with a large smile. "I'm just screwing with you. Of course, I'll help the newbie out."

Amber let out a breath she didn't even realize she'd been holding as relief washed through her. The last thing she needed right now was any problems.

Lexi reached in front of Hunter and extended her hand. "Nice to meet you, Amber."

She accepted Lexi's hand. "You too. I just have to say it's an honor to meet you."

"Oh don't say that," Roman groaned. "You'll give her a big head and her ego gargantuan already."

With her free hand, Lexi grabbed a handful of his long dark hair and pulled. "My ego? You might want to look in the mirror sometime, buddy boy. We need a full size tractor trailer for your ego."

He leveled his gaze on her. "You're playing with fire, sweetheart. Unless you want to get burned, I suggest you let go of the hair."

"In other words," Seth added from over Amber's shoulder. "He's gonna beat her ass, until she stops being a brat."

"Which pretty much means she'll never be able to sit down again," Randy quipped.

Lexi cocked her head to the side and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Oh!" Cheers went up from the table as Dean raised his hands in victory. "Oh yeah, and another one bites the dust."

Chris shook his head and rubbed his wrist. "Damn, Ambrose."

Dean leaned back in his chair and smiled. "Best two out of three?"