Lead Player: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

by Alex Grayson

“Whatever,” I mutter and turn away from him. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

  I leave him in the living room and go to my office. I have a whole shelf dedicated to Nikki’s books. I smirk right alongside Nova as I pluck one of the books off the shelf.

  Boy, I wish I was a fly on his wall when he cracks this one open. He’s in for a surprise.

  Going back out into the living room, I find Enzo has made himself at home on my couch. And with my half-eaten bowl of salad.

  Using the fork, he points down to the bowl. “This is good,” he mumbles around a bite.

  I fold my arms across my chest and glare at him. “I wasn’t finished with that.”

  He shoves another bite into his mouth, this time waiting to swallow before he talks. “S’okay. I’ll take you out and feed you.”

  “No thanks.”

  “Fine. I’ll order in.” Before I can protest, he drops his eyes to the book in my hand. “That the book?”

  “Yes. I’m sure you’re busy today, so let me give you this and you can be on your way.”

  Leaning forward, he snatches the book from my hand.

  “Look, Enzo.” I sigh. “I was really looking forward to a relaxing afternoon, something I don’t get often.”

  He leans back, stretches his legs out, and throws an arm across the back of the couch, looking way too comfortable and sexy. “And?”

  I bite the inside of my cheek to calm my mounting irritation. “And you’re interrupting that.”

  One side of his mouth raises and he pats the cushion beside him. “Take a load off, Alaina. You look tense. You sit and watch your show, and I’ll just be here reading. I’m waiting on a phone call from my lawyer, whose office happens to be a couple blocks from here. Once I get the go-ahead from her, I’ll be out of your hair. You’ll be saving me an hour by letting me stay.”

  I drop my arms to my side and my shoulders slump. I could force the issue and make him leave, but really, what’s the harm with him staying for a few minutes? My eyes move to the book that he still hasn’t looked at. Do I really want him here while he’s reading it? Definitely not, but I’m not so much of a bitch to make him leave when my reasons for not wanting him here are my own personal ones.

  “Fine,” I grumble and plop down on the couch as far away from him as I can.

  I’m tempted to change my mind when I spy the satisfied look on his face, but choose to ignore it instead.

  Feeling the heat of his eyes bore into me, I grab the remote and press play. It’s not until minutes later that I see him out of the corner of my eye finally looking at the book. I smile to myself when his eyebrows shoot up. The cover is a close up of a woman pressed against a chain linked fence, her fingers linked through the holes. There’s a man behind her with his hand wrapped around her throat, forcing her head back. His mouth is at her ear, as if whispering something naughty to her.

  Enzo flips the book over and begins reading the back. I give no reaction and pretend like I don’t hear his soft grunt.

  I try to bring my focus back to my TV show, but it’s no use. Especially when he opens the book. I know exactly what he’s reading. I flush as I remember that first scene. Beatrice, the lead female character, likes a bit of danger with her sex. The book starts off with a bang, detailing Bea being fucked in front of a group of bikers in a bar. She’s lying on a pool table and the man has his hand wrapped around her throat, squeezing so tight she’s on the verge of unconsciousness. The scene is both erotic and horrifying, depending on the reader.

  I glance at Enzo when he clears his throat. The look on his face is priceless, and I can’t help but laugh.

  “Do people actually read this stuff?” he asks, pulling his eyes from the page he was reading to look at me. “I thought this was supposed to be dark romance, not… smut.”

  Ordinarily, I’d take offense to that, but he genuinely looks curious, if a bit perplexed. “First, it’s not smut. There’s actually a really good story line, and that scene at the beginning plays an important role later in the book. And second, that scene got your attention, right? It’s called a hook, which is something that draws the reader in and makes them curious to know more.” I turn in my seat and tuck my foot under my butt. “Third, it’s a dark romance. A very dark one. What happens to Beatrice is horrific and terrifying.”

  He flips the book over so the open pages are on his thigh as he mirrors my position. “What happens to her?” he asks.

  “You’ll have to read it and see.”

  “Come on. At least give me something.”

  “Nope. It’s better to read it going in blind. I don’t believe in giving spoilers.”

  He stares at me intently for a moment. “Tell me, do you enjoy reading stuff like this?”

  I don’t answer right away, unsure if I should be truthful or not. On a whim, I decide on honesty. “I think parts of it are hot as hell.”

  “Really?” he asks, looking intrigued and a bit turned on by my answer. A quick glance down at his lap confirms my suspicion. Is it from what he was reading? Or from knowing I like what he was reading? “So, you want to be choked like that?” he continues his questioning, his voice thick.

  Shrugging, I say, “I have no clue. I’ve never had it done to me before. Besides, you can fantasize about something you read or see, but not want it to happen to you.”

  His lips quirk up. “Tell me one of your fantasies.”

  “How about you tell me one of yours,” I counter. I’m a glutton for punishment by making that request. I already feel moisture pooling between my legs with him so close and knowing he’s aroused. But my curiosity has gotten the best of me.

  “I’m the typical male,” he answers with twinkling eyes.

  “Let me guess. Two females at once?”

  He grins unashamedly. “Naturally.”

  I roll my eyes with a laugh. “Okay, so tell me one that’s not your typical greedy male fantasy.”

  Instead of answering, he tosses the book on the table and leans toward me, grabbing my leg and tugging me forward. My legs are spread open as he drapes them over his thighs. I’m forced to lean back on my hands.

  “What are you doing?” I ask suspiciously. Knowing I’ll regret it later, I don’t stop him as he manipulates my body to how he wants it.

  “Showing you my fantasy,” he rumbles, sliding his palms up my thighs, only stopping when his thumbs meet the crease of my legs.

  “This seriously can’t be your fantasy. I’m sure you’ve had many girls in this same position hundreds of times.”

  The heat in his eyes when he lifts them to mine has my stomach clenching.

  What in the hell are you doing, Alaina? How have you gone from practically shoving him out the door, to this situation you’re currently in? I told him a few minutes ago that he lost his mind, but it’s me who’s gone bonkers. My will-power is so weak when it comes to him. Weak? No, not weak. You have to have some for it to be weak. I apparently have none at all.

  “They weren’t you. Having you just like this, spread open for me, is one of my new fantasies. The only thing that would make it better is if these clothes weren’t in the way.”

  I release a stuttering breath as my skin turns feverish. There’s a pulsing achiness in my core, and if I weren’t spread eagled right now, I’d rub my legs together.

  “Enzo, we really shouldn’t be doing this.” My protest is feeble, but I have to at least try.

  His hands slide under the hem of my shirt, and I shiver. “Why not?”

  “Because….” I pause, momentarily losing my train of thought when his fingers skim up my ribs to right below my breasts. My back arches of its own accord. “Because this’ll never work out between us.”

  “We won’t know unless we try.”

  Mesmerized, I watch as he dips his head and kisses the exposed skin on my stomach. I jolt and my legs tense around him. He pushes my shirt up and over my breasts and fingers the lacey edge before pulling one of the cups down. His head lowers again, and I give a low cr
y to the ceiling when his lips clamp down on my nipple, sucking me into his warm mouth. He moves to the other one and does the same, driving my lust higher.

  “I love how responsive you are to me,” he murmurs against my skin. I look down and find him nuzzling his cheeks against my sensitive flesh. The rough hair feels amazing. “It’s like you can’t get enough.”

  I can’t get enough. That’s the problem. Even before our one night together was over, I knew it wasn’t going to be as simple as I wanted it to be. I felt something more, a deeper connection, and I still feel it. It scares the shit out of me.

  His big hands wrap around my waist, and I’m hoisted up until I’m hovering over him, my legs on either side of his hips. My will power dwindling, I settle down until my ass meets his erection. He hisses out a breath and his fingers dig into my waist.

  “Goddamn, woman, you drive me crazy,” he groans and leans forward to lick along my neck. I tilt my head to the side, giving him more of me to explore. “That first night, I couldn’t take my eyes off you, and I knew I had to have my hands on you before the evening was over.”

  I’d felt it, too. That instant attraction. One so strong it was almost painful to think about not being near him, not being able to touch him. Instant lust in its purest form.

  An annoying buzzing starts, and it takes me a moment to realize it’s the vibration from his phone on the coffee table.

  “Ignore it,” he grunts.

  Holding onto my ass, he grinds me down on him, forcing my back to arch, which puts his mouth in perfect reach of my breasts again. He licks, sucks, and nibbles on the pale flesh and it makes me go wild on top of him. My head falls back, and I close my eyes, releasing a deep moan.

  “Oh God, Enzo. I’m going to come if you keep that up,” I whimper, looking down at where he’s still making love to my nipples with his mouth.

  He releases one hard tip with a pop and peers up at me with ravenous eyes. “Not without me.”

  The rational part of my brain screams at me to stop this before it goes too far, but Nova, the bitch, is glorifying in the pleasure she’s receiving.

  I try to think straight, to see past the fog of lust, but my willpower to do so is too weak. This feels way too good to stop. Why do I even want to? I try to remember, but my brain is mush at the moment. Why not enjoy it while I can, and face the consequences later?

  Before I can register what’s happening, my shirt and bra are off me and being thrown to the side.

  We’re both reaching for the other’s zippers when his phone begins vibrating again. I glance over my shoulder at it and see the name Wynona Wicker on the screen.

  “I’ll call her back later,” he says, popping the button to my pants.

  I swivel my head back to him and arch a brow. “Her?”

  He leans up and murmurs against my lips, “My lawyer.”

  Oh. Right. He did say he was waiting on his lawyer to call him back.

  Feeling like a fool for the bout of jealousy at seeing her name on his phone, I begin attacking the fastening to his jeans. He groans when my fingers graze his denim-covered length.

  Unfortunately, we’re interrupted again by his phone. It’s even more unfortunate when he stops shoving his hand into my pants.

  “Fuck,” he hisses, dropping his forehead to my sternum. “She’s not going to stop calling until I answer.”

  I want to throw a tantrum like a spoiled little five-year old when he grabs my hips, picks me up, and deposits me on the cushion beside him. Instead, I sit there stiffly, my body pulsing from its unfulfilled release.

  The phone stops vibrating, but almost immediately starts back up again. Enzo leans forward, elbows resting on his thighs with his head in his hands. His back works up and down as he takes several audible breaths. Just before it goes to voicemail again, he snatches up his phone.

  “What?” he barks. Gritting his teeth, he rakes his hand through his hair. “Yeah, I know I called you, but your return call has bad timing.” He pauses. “No, I need to see you before you leave. I don’t want to wait a week to get this taken care of.”

  While he talks, I get up and grab my bra and shirt from the floor. He watches, and his jaw tics as I cover my breasts and slip on my shirt. I take a deep breath and turn away from him, because the temptation to go to him, tear away the phone, and ride him like a cowgirl is almost too great.

  Stupid, stupid, stupid Alaina.

  I grab my empty bowl and take it to the kitchen, leaving him to finish his call. I’m running a soapy sponge over the glass surface when strong arms surround me from behind. My eyes fall closed when his lips meet the crook of my neck.

  “I have to go,” he says against my skin.

  “Yeah,” I breathe.

  “Will you be around later?”

  I blink open my eyes and stare out the window above the sink. Do I want to be around later? Nova shouts yes, but the rational part of my head says it’s not a good idea. I fight with myself because I want to give in. I want to more than I’ve wanted anything in a long time. But is it smart? Should I go against my instinct and give in to him? Do I want to take the chance of it ending badly, like all of my other recent relationships? I have no doubt Enzo and I could have a lot of pleasurable fun together, but will it be worth it? The better question is, do I really want to give up the chance to have something with Enzo that might lead to something good? Besides his past, one based primarily on tabloids, the news media, and James’ own musings before Enzo joined Phenix, he’s given me no reason to not trust that he won’t do me wrong.

  Dropping the bowl and sponge, I rinse my hands then turn and face him. I tip my head back, look into his eyes, and say softly, “Yeah, I’ll be here.”

  His smile is easy, and he dips his head for a kiss. Rolling to my toes, I meet him halfway.

  “You suck, by the way,” I tell him after we break apart.

  “Yeah?” His brows dance playfully. “I actually do suck.” He drops his gaze to my still stiff nipples.

  I laugh and hit his stomach with the back of my hand. “I’m serious. I decide to give in, and now you have to go.” I drop my chin and look at him through my lashes. “I might just have to take care of things myself. Since, you know, you’re leaving me all hot and bothered.”

  With narrowed eyes, he lifts me up on the counter and wedges himself between my legs. I’m forcefully pulled to the edge until his hardness is pressing against my core.

  “You do that without me, and I’ll make sure to punish you later,” he growls, the rough edge of his voice sending shivers down my spine.

  I give him my best sexy smile. “But how will you know if I did or not?”

  “Oh, I have my ways. I want you just as hot as you are now, if not more. If I have to suffer, then so do you.”

  I pout. “That’s mean.”

  He chuckles. “I’ll make it up to you.”

  “You promise?” I play with the hair at the back of his neck.

  He nips my lips before diving in for a kiss. “I promise. It’ll be worth the wait.”

  All too soon, he takes a step back then another and another. I stay on the counter as he slowly retreats. His eyes bore into me, like he’s trying to memorize exactly the way I look right now. I lean back and jut out my chest, just to give him something else to remember.

  He licks his lips and points his finger at me. “Be good. I’ll be back after my meeting.”

  Giving him a half smile, I say, “I’ll think about it.” Then blow him a kiss and offer a finger wave.

  With a chuckle and head shake, he turns and saunters out of the kitchen. The front door closes a moment later.

  And I’m left feeling giddy and excited, but also a tiny bit nervous.

  Chapter Eight

  ENZO

  I push through the doors of my lawyer’s office and suck in a deep, satisfying breath of fresh air. Thank fuck that’s over with. I am officially no longer the lead guitarist for Phenix. The feeling is bittersweet. It’s been a big part of my life for
so long that it feels weird not having that responsibility anymore. A part of me had been worried I’d regret it the moment I signed the papers, but now, I feel… free.

  Although I won’t be part of the instrumental aspect, I decided I didn’t want to completely cut ties with the band. I just moved roles. Now I’ll only be helping with writing the songs and deciding what music to put with them.

  Pulling my phone from my back pocket when it begins vibrating, I mutter a curse when I see Heidi’s name scroll across the screen. The girl is sweet and has been my sister, Allison’s, best friend since childhood, but her timing couldn’t have been worse. I have no doubt there’s something she needs me to do for her. This is the third time she’s called since I’ve been back in town wanting something. The first was the night Alaina and I met in the bar, which was the reason I had to abruptly leave. What the hell did she do while I was gone for two years?

  Blowing out a calming breath, I swipe to answer her call.

  “Hey, Heidi.”

  “Thank God you answered,” she replies, sounding out of breath. “Can you come over?”

  I rub the back of my neck, easing the tense muscles there. “Why? What’s up?”

  Her breath crackles over the phone like she blew into the speaker.

  “The sink in the kitchen is busted or something. There’s water everywhere, and I don’t know what to do to stop it.”

  I pull my phone away from my ear and look at the time. Irritation hits me when I see that it’s already past eight. It took longer than I thought it would with my lawyer. I could have rescheduled for another day to take care of business, but she’s leaving in the morning for a ten day vacation, and I wanted it taken care of before then. When I left her office, my sole focus was to get back to Alaina. Now that she’s given in to the prospect of something forming between us, I’m impatient to see her again.

  “Have you called a plumber? I have plans tonight.”

  “Oh,” she says quietly. “Yeah, I did, but they want an arm and a leg because it’s after regular business hours.” She pauses. “Umm… don’t worry about it. I’ll figure something out.”