by Alex Grayson
Chapter Six
ENZO
Settling my hand on Megan’s lower back, I escort her into the restaurant. The hostess greets us with a smile.
“Hi. Welcome to Hyde’s. Will it just be the two of you?”
“Yes.”
“Follow me, please.”
“This is nice,” Megan comments, looking around, as the hostess leads the way to a corner booth. “I’ve heard good things about Hyde’s, but haven’t had the chance to try it out before now.”
Hyde’s opened while I was on tour and is the newest upscale restaurant in Park Crest. We don’t have many, since the town isn’t very big, so it’s a nice addition.
“This is my first time, too. James recommended it.”
Immediately after we’re seated, the waitress approaches for our drink order. When she walks away, Megan reaches across the table and traces the dip between my fingers.
“I’m glad you called. It was a surprise, but a pleasant one.”
Megan’s a friend I’ve had since high school, but I haven’t seen her in over two years. We’ve had a fuck buddy type of relationship since we were teenagers. She’s known from the beginning that sex was the only thing on the table, and she’s always been cool with that. She believes men and women should be able to enjoy each other freely without a committed relationship, so it works in my favor for what I need tonight. I won’t have to worry about her whining afterward about when she’ll see me next.
“I wasn’t sure if you would agree to meet with me.”
A smile fills her face. “Of course I would.” Her eyes run down my body until they meet the edge of the table, but I’m sure her imagination fills in the gaps her eyes can’t see. “You know I’d never turn you down.”
I chuckle. “What I mean is, I wasn’t sure if you were married or attached to anyone.”
She scoffs, but there’s a twinkle in her eye. “You know me better than that, Enzo. I’ll never let myself get attached to anyone. I’m going to die a single, but very sexually satisfied, woman.”
“You say that now, but one of these days a guy’s going to come along and sweep you off your feet. You’re a good woman, Megan. There’s bound to be a man out there smart enough to snatch you up.”
Her lips tip up into a soft smile. “That’s sweet of you to say, but I’m too much of a free spirit to be tied down. I’d get bored being with one man.”
Our conversation is interrupted when the waitress comes back with a bottle of wine and fills our glasses. While she does so, I take a moment to really look over Megan. She’s always been stunning. Sandy-blonde hair with a slight wave, fair complexion with minimal make-up, and wide light-brown eyes. She’s a natural beauty and doesn’t feel the need to flaunt it. I think that’s why we’ve always gotten along. Most girls feel the need to enhance their looks.
My thoughts drift to Alaina. One of the first things that drew me to her was her exquisite looks. She couldn’t have picked a more perfect fake name than Eve that night in the bar. Despite the sexy dress she wore and the nature of our first encounter and the subsequent night filled with sex, she gave off a pure vibe.
Alaina is by no means innocent—not with those sinful as fuck lips and killer body—but in a sense, she is.
“What are you thinking so hard about over there?”
I blink, not realizing that the waitress is gone, and Megan is staring at me.
I lift my glass and bring it to my lips to give myself a moment to gather my thoughts. It’s been two days since I’ve seen Alaina, but she’s been on my mind almost every second. The woman has told me numerous times she has no desire to explore the sexual chemistry between us, despite how strong it is. So why the fuck can’t I get her off my mind? Tonight was supposed to be a distraction, to help me get over this insane infatuation, but she may as well be sitting right fucking next to us.
Megan tilts her head, her expression turning serious, as she waits for me to answer. We’ve always been frank with each other, so I decide to continue on in that fashion.
“I’ve met a woman.” I don’t worry about offending her. We’ve had many conversations over the years about our past and current fuck buddies.
“So, why are you here with me instead of her?”
Sitting back in my seat, I lace my fingers over my stomach.
“Because she claims to be no longer interested in me.”
One of her brows arch up. “What in the hell is wrong with her?”
She poses the question so seriously, like the thought of someone not being interested in me sexually is absurd. I can’t help but laugh.
“She’s says I’m not capable of a serious relationship, given my past.”
“Manwhore.” She nods, her lips tipping up with mirth. “I can’t really say I blame her for thinking that. You’ve put on a pretty naughty show for the tabloids.”
I shrug, refusing to apologize for my past. “Maybe at one point, but it hasn’t been the case for the past year.”
“Okay,” she says slowly. “I still don’t understand why you’re here with me and not knocking on her door. It’s obvious she means something to you if your thoughts keep drifting to her.”
Blowing out a breath, I shift in my seat. “It would be a wasted effort. She’s stubborn, and I have no inclination to chase after a woman who doesn’t want me. I’ve never had to do it before, and I certainly have no plans to start now.”
“So, in other words, you’re here to use me as a means to get her out of your mind.”
The way she words it makes me sound like a complete ass, but this is us. She gives me sexual relief when I need it, no matter the reason behind the need, and I’ve always done the same.
“Her loss is my gain.” She tosses me a wink and picks up her wine glass.
After the waitress approaches and takes our order, we spend the next little while catching up on what’s been going on in our lives the past couple of years. She was recently promoted to junior partner in her law firm, an endeavor she’s been aiming for the past few years.
She wasn’t surprised when I told her I was leaving Phenix. What did surprise her was that I stayed so long.
“I always knew you’d get out eventually. I could tell your heart was never fully into performing.”
We talk about the places I’ve traveled while on tour, a few of her more interesting cases, and reminiscing about our younger days. Our food comes and we continue to talk even more while we eat. Megan has always been easy to talk to and I’ve always enjoyed her company.
We both decline dessert and after I settle the bill, we get up to leave. Out on the sidewalk, Megan turns to face me once we’re at my car. Her delicate hands land on my upper chest and she stares up at me, her eyes dilated with lust.
“My place or yours?”
Her question gives me pause, and unbidden, an image of Alaina—the night we spent together—pops into my head. I’d asked her the same question that night. My body heats at the memory of what came later once we were at her place.
Shaking my head to rid itself of the thought—the purpose of tonight is for me to forget about Alaina, not think even more about her—I wrap an arm around Megan’s waist and haul her against my chest.
“My place.”
Bending my head, I kiss her, needing that physical connection to Megan. Frustration and disappointment hits when I only feel a twinge in my jeans. Sexual chemistry has always been off the charts between Megan and me, so for my body to not respond like it always has, means I’m in a shit load of trouble.
I mask my features when I pull back from her and open the car door so she can slide inside. The trip to my house is only about fifteen minutes, and it’s made with both of us lost in our own thoughts.
“Would you like a glass of wine?” I ask Megan, which isn’t something I’ve ever done before. We both know the score anytime we’re together. Sex is the reason we’re together, just like any other time we’ve been at each other’s place.
I silently berate myself beca
use the only reason I offered her a drink is because I’m putting off what comes next. I take in Megan and her magical hands and magnificent body. Why the fuck am I stalling when I’ve got a beautiful woman in front of me, waiting for me to sink inside her warm and willing body?
I ignore the small voice inside my head whispering the reason.
Megan’s smile is salacious when she shakes her head and grabs my hand. Leading me down the hallway toward my room, she steps through the door and turns to face me. She reaches behind her and begins to slowly slide down the zipper of her dress. I watch as the material loosens, the straps on her shoulders falling down her arms. When her breasts come into view, my dick finally starts to react.
Reaching over my head, I grip the back of my shirt and pull it up and over my head. Her eyes lock on my torso and she licks her lips.
“Damn, I missed seeing that chest.”
I smirk.
Her dress drops to her ankles and she steps out of it as she approaches me. She’s in nothing but a lace thong. Her tits are on the smaller side, but they’re perky, the nipples hard little buds.
She lightly scrapes her nails down my pecs then follows the happy trail leading to the waistband of my jeans.
“You’re bigger than the last time we were together,” she comments, her eyes lazily tracing the same path as her fingers. “More muscular.”
“The last year has been stressful. I went to the gym anytime my schedule permitted it.”
Her lips tip up. “I have to say, I like it.” She lifts her head. “And I really like the haircut and new beard. It suits you.”
With a grin, I say, “I’m glad you approve.”
She leans forward and places several kisses on my chest. Leaning my head back, I try to enjoy the attention.
Unfortunately, the image of a certain brunette keeps plaguing me, taking away the relaxing feeling I’m supposed to have.
Megan’s lips move over my stomach, and I look down as she drops to her knees. Her nimble hands begin working on my jeans. If she notices I’m not as hard as I should be, she doesn’t say anything.
Guilt begins eating away the small amount of pleasure I’ve managed to find when my jeans fall slack and she reaches her hand inside my boxer briefs to palm my semi-hard cock. When I feel the heat of her breath through the material, I reach down and cup her cheeks, forcing her head up so I can see her face. Her brows slant down into a frown.
“Is something wrong?”
That’s a question I’m not sure how to answer. There shouldn’t be anything wrong—I’m a red-blooded male with a functioning cock. Why the fuck am I letting a woman who doesn’t want me take away something I know will be an enjoyable night of fucking? But goddamn it, she is. As alluring as Megan is, and as good as I know it would be to fuck her, she’s not the woman I want. And the thought of having sex with Megan feels wrong.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter, feeling like an asshole for leading her on.
Her eyes are soft with understanding. “It’s her, isn’t it?” She climbs to her feet.
“Yeah.” I blow out a breath and begin tucking my junk back into my boxer briefs and jeans. “I can’t fucking get her out of my head.”
Bending, I grab Megan’s dress and hand it to her. While she gets dressed, I go to my bed, sit down, and drop my head in my hands.
The bed dips a moment later. “You need to go to her, Enzo. Tell her how you feel.”
I roughly run my hands over the back of my head before looking at her. “That’s just it. I don’t know what I feel for her.”
“Well, whatever it is, it doesn’t seem to be fleeting.”
“It’s not,” I confirm. If it were, she wouldn’t be taking over half of my thoughts.
She grabs my hand and laces our fingers together, bringing the back of mine to her lips. “I have a feeling this will be the last time I see you in this capacity.”
I don’t refute her claim, because I can’t. I have no clue what will happen between Alaina and me, but something tells me whatever it is will alter my life forever.
“I’m sorry about tonight.” Leaning toward her, I press a kiss to her forehead.
The action causes her to laugh. “A kiss to my forehead? What do you take me for? If this is our goodbye, I damn well expect a proper one.”
With that, she tunnels her fingers through the hair at the back of my head and tugs me forward until our lips meet. This kiss couldn’t really be called sexual, but it’s not an innocent peck either. We both pull back at the same time.
“She’s a lucky girl, you know.” Megan gets up from the bed and lightly fluffs her hair. “I mean that. You’re a good man, Enzo, and any girl would be lucky to have you.”
“Thanks.” I grin. “And I expect a wedding invitation when you finally wise up and find a man worthy of you.”
Her eyes roll and she snorts unladylike. “You’ll be waiting a long time for that.”
Getting up from the bed, I go to her, cupping one of her cheeks. “You take care of yourself, Megan,” I murmur.
Her smile is sweet. “You as well, Enzo.” She pats my ass. “Now, stop wasting time and go get your girl.”
“That’s on my must-do list for tomorrow.”
Her eyes narrow as she pointedly says, “And don’t take no for an answer.”
My grin grows. “I don’t plan on it.”
Chapter Seven
ALAINA
I sprinkle small bits of bacon to top off my lunch then carry my bowl and big glass of lemonade to the living room. Dropping down on the couch, I fold my legs in front of me Indian style and put my bowl in my lap. A lot of girls eat salad for dieting purposes. I say fuck dieting. My kind of salad wouldn’t be considered healthy, anyway. Not with it loaded full of chunks of ham, feta cheese, pepperoni slices, and about half a gallon of ranch dressing, but it’s yummy in my tummy.
After shoveling a bite into my mouth, I grab the remote and switch on the TV to one of my favorite shows, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Phil Coulson just found out he has alien DNA inside him, so things are pretty tense with the gang. I already know what’s going to happen, because you know, this is my second round of re-watching the series, but hey, I like to pretend I’m still in the dark.
I’m sitting on the edge of my seat, having switched from eating my salad to biting my nails, when my doorbell rings. I’m tempted to ignore it, but I’m expecting a package today. Pressing pause, I get up and go to the door. Unfortunately, it’s not the mail delivery service I was hoping it would be.
Nope. Instead it’s the last person I want to see.
Taking a deep breath, I pull open the door, then stand there like an idiot because that’s all I can do. Worn jeans hug his trim hips, a white button-up with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, and delicious hair with a rolled out of bed appearance. The man looks way too good.
I break out of my stupor with a head shake to find his amused eyes on me. He knows exactly what he does, and it apparently delights him.
“What can I do for you, Enzo?” I ask, licking the corner of my mouth to make sure there’s no drool there.
He casually leans against the door frame and crosses his arms over his impressive chest.
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten.” His smooth baritone does wicked things to my body.
I play ignorant. “Forgotten what?”
With a smirk, he uncrosses his arms and props his hand on the frame, leaning forward. “The book, Alaina.”
“Oh,” I say quietly. “That. You should have called first.”
“Well, since you haven’t given me your number yet, that would be hard to do. But we can rectify that for next time.” He whips out his phone, keeping his eyes on me as he does so. He waits expectantly.
I scramble for a response.
“Uh. I recently had my number changed, so I haven’t memorized it yet,” I lie. “I’ll give it to you before you leave.”
From the look in his eye, he’s not buying my line of bullshit, but luckily, he doesn’t ca
ll me on it. I’ll conveniently forget to give it to him later since I have no desire for him to have my number.
“Okay.” He shoves his phone back in his pocket. “You gonna invite me in?”
I grip the doorknob, refusing to back away. “I’ll just go get the book while you wait here.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Alaina. It’s not like I haven’t been here before.”
Heat hits my core at the reminder of the last time he was here. We’re two feet away from where he pinned me against the wall and made my body feel things it’s never felt before.
He presses forward, and I have no choice but to move back or allow him in my personal space; a place I definitely don’t want him.
Closing the door behind him, he turns to peruse my living room. His eyes stop on the TV.
“You’re a Marvel fan?”
“Very much so.”
“Let me guess. Your favorite Avenger is… Thor?”
I scoff and roll my eyes. “While Thor may be a whole lot of awesome, the Winter Soldier is my weakness.”
He looks surprised. “I didn’t see that one coming.”
“That’s because he’s a side character. People don’t favor side characters.”
His eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles. “He happens to be my favorite, too.”
I narrow my eyes. “You’re lying,” I accuse.
“Now why would I do that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you want a repeat from a week ago so you figured sucking up to me would help.”
He takes a step closer. “Sorry, baby, but I don’t need to sucker you into sleeping with me again. That’ll happen all on its own.”
His words are so ludicrous that I laugh. Not a cute lady-like laugh either. It’s one of those ones that’s so forceful you snort at the beginning. He watches with an indulgent smile playing on his lips, like he finds my mirth charming.
I wipe tears away from my eyes when my laughter dies down. “You have completely lost your mind.”
“We’ll see who’s laughing in the end,” he says with a grin.
