Boys: Alphas of 2017 - Vol 1

by Hazel Parker

  “Where are…?”

  “At my place. Where we could order pizza and get some red wine in so we could totally ravish each other.”

  She rolled her eyes at that. I expected her to decline and demand me to take her back to her place, which I guess was the wisest decision. But Julie surprised me by nodding her head and looking up the building.

  “Sorry I made you miss your dinner. I saw a long table of good food back there.”

  “You didn’t make me do anything,” I scoffed. “I do things on my own. Now come on. We’d better get that gooey pizza now.”

  When we got upstairs, her eyes widened again.

  “Holy cow. You didn’t tell me you lived in a penthouse suite.”

  I smirked. “Much better than Doug’s house, wouldn’t you say?”

  Julie nodded, then wandered around the living room. She looked like a little kid absorbing everything, and I couldn’t exactly blame her. I bought the suite when I had just saved up enough money after my first major wins—another investment of sorts, and I was pretty proud of myself for doing so. I liked luxury, so I made sure that everything was top of the line. Now, after years of living here, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

  As promised, I ordered the pizza and got out the wine, then changed my clothes to a shirt and sweatpants before going back to the living room. Julie was already looking very comfortable on the couch—and eyeing a book that I’d just purchased.

  “You can borrow it if you want,” I offered.

  She looked up, that hazel gaze taking me in. Something must have bothered her again, because she frowned, though I didn’t think it was personally directed at me.

  I definitely needed to get to the bottom of this. I held out the wine.

  She took it and patted the space beside her. “Thanks. I’ll return it when I’m done.”

  As was the usual thing when I brought women up here, I chatted her up. But what was different was I wasn’t actually trying to seduce her now, so there was no need to impress. Not that Julie was easily impressed, anyway.

  I had thought that practice kiss would change the dynamics between us, but to my relief, it hadn’t. I still felt comfortable around her despite the slight tension, which I was confident wouldn’t escalate. I had more self-control than that. For some reason, being friends with her was fun, and I hadn’t really been friends with lots of women to begin with.

  We found ourselves talking about cars and my plan to acquire a new one, and she gave advice on the things to watch out for. Her vast knowledge on the matter got me excited enough to make my speculation into a firm decision, and we planned a date for us to go look around with a dealer.

  The pizza arrived, and our topic switched to our lives outside the race track. I goaded Julie into telling me what types of business she wanted to invest in when she was ready, and she was quiet at first. But my persistence paid off as she glared at me and finally gave up.

  “Fine. Maybe a bookstore. Or a coffee shop. You know how much I love books. I think a coffee shop is a good way to bring clients in and buy books, and vice versa.”

  My brows rose. Ironically enough, I had thought about getting a coffee shop before Jay convinced me that investing in the club was a good idea. While the business was doing well, the idea of a coffee-slash-book place was still in my mind, lingering in the backburner for now.

  We finished the pizza, and I took out a box of my best chocolate.

  “Oh, my God,” she said. “Do you use this to impress the chicks you bring here?”

  I smirked. “You know me so well.”

  She took one piece and bit into it, the caramel at the center oozing out. I shifted my gaze away and gulped on my wine.

  “Oh. My. God.” She moaned. “This is so, so good. Switzerland?”

  I cleared my throat and pointedly stared at the wall on my right. “Yes.”

  She kept making sounds of pleasure, obviously enjoying the chocolate too much. I knew I should be amused. Unfortunately, her sounds of pleasure while eating the chocolate sounded so much like when I was doing my best to please someone, and suddenly I found myself getting jealous of a piece of chocolate.

  I also found myself hardening inside my pants.

  I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I reminded myself that we were friends, and this type of friendship was something I was planning to cherish. Finally, I distracted her with more conversation so she would stop making those sounds, not really wanting to tell her about it and make things awkward.

  It worked. We were talking once again, and the sounds stopped. I inwardly sighed in relief as I threw out the boxes. When I got back to the couch, Julie had refilled our glasses and was looking at me over her glass.

  “What?” I asked.

  She tilted her head. “I’m curious.”

  “About?”

  “Have you ever been with a woman that wasn’t a one-night-stand? You know…like a sex acquaintance or something like that?”

  The question was casual, but there was something loaded hidden in there somewhere. I could feel it. I tried to analyze it, then deduced that it must have something to do with Doug. Was she feeling rejected because Doug asked her out on a date rather than sleep with her now?

  Shit. I hadn’t expected that, actually. Maybe there was more to the man than I thought.

  And it shouldn’t bother you.

  Right.

  I tried to think of a good answer. In the end, I decided to go for being honest. Maybe hearing my end would help Julie see the contrast.

  “There was someone once,” I said. “She was actually the real estate agent who sold me my property in New York. We chanced by the same bar on the same night and got to talking. Talking led to something else, and we decided to hook up. I saw her again whenever I visited New York, though it was all very casual. We stopped hooking up a few months ago.”

  “Why?”

  “Because she was getting ideas. Wanted to go out on dates. Wanted to be seen in public with me. Giving out hints that she wanted more.”

  Julie frowned. “But she knew your deal?”

  “Yeah, she knew. So I got out before things got complicated.”

  Julie sipped her wine, thinking it over. “And now?”

  “I’ve stuck to one-night stands. Ease the urge and all that.”

  “No tears?”

  “I treat my woman great,” I said, meeting her eye. “I never give false promises, Jules. Men who do are scum. The women I sleep with appreciate that honesty.”

  She sipped her wine. Then she nodded. “Good.”

  I sipped mine. “Hmm. What’s with the twenty questions? Surely you know by now that Doug is different from—”

  Julie interrupted me by plucking the glass out of my hand and firmly planting it on the coffee table. I raised a brow, opening my mouth as I shot her a curious look.

  The curious look turned to shock when she began to straddle me.

  Her movements had her dress riding up her thighs, and considering how short the dress already was to begin with, it didn’t take much for more thigh skin to be showing.

  My mouth watered.

  Then Julie placed her hands on my shoulders, and I froze.

  But nothing could have prepared me for the shock when she spoke her next words.

  “You can be my one-night stand.”

  Then she was crashing her mouth down on mine.

  Chapter Fifteen

  JULIE

  It had all sounded and looked good in my head.

  And it was good for the first few seconds, as I felt Scott’s kiss move against mine and felt the same exploding heat that was between us reignite at that touch alone. I kissed him good, and he was kissing me back with such expertise that I felt my arousal fly up and reach an entirely different level.

  In response, I ground my hips against his—and felt what had to be the biggest bulge I had ever felt in my entire life.

  Then I was flying off to the other end of the couch and landing with a soft plop.


  “Julie—what the hell?”

  Scott had stood up and was now on the opposite end, and what had started as practical in my head now just became silly.

  Still, I stubbornly met his incredulous gaze, not missing the way his blue eyes were now a very darkened color. Of course, there was also his erection, which I was trying very hard not to look at as I maintained eye contact.

  “I’m trying to be your one-night stand,” I explained, keeping my voice calm despite my pounding heart. God, and it had only been one kiss. I was tingling everywhere, and it was insane.

  And now Scott was looking at me like I was insane.

  I had to remedy this.

  “I’m a virgin,” I blurted out.

  Silence followed my declaration.

  Then, before I knew it, Scott was taking another step back as he cursed. Not just cursed, but cursed, running his hand through his hair as a frustrated look crossed his face. I waited him out, adjusting my dress and feeling my face grow hot at how I just jumped him like that. It was so unlike me. At the same time, nothing in my life had felt so invigorating.

  Unfortunately, Scott didn’t share the sentiment.

  He looked at me in disapproval. I simply eyed him back. I should act serious and stop thinking about his erection. I should—

  My gaze dropped down.

  My eyes widened.

  Yes, the bulge was still there. And yes, it was very, very huge. My mind bombarded me with images of how difficult that would be to fit inside me, but, well…maybe it would fit in my mouth?

  As if he heard my thoughts, he hardened even further. My body flushed.

  “My eyes are up here,” Scott choked out.

  My gaze snapped back up guiltily.

  Scott sighed. Then, as if realizing I wasn’t going to leave, he sat down on the couch’s other end. He gave me a pointed stare. “Explain,” he growled.

  “I was trying to seduce you,” I said instantly.

  “Why?”

  “Because.”

  “Davis,” he growled again. I winced at the name but stiffened my back.

  “Because of the obvious. I’m attracted to you, McCall.”

  He looked stunned.

  “And you’re attracted to me,” I said, throwing a pointed look at his lap. But I didn’t let my gaze linger, knowing that bulge was just going to distract me.

  Silence filled my declaration.

  “And I’m not feeling anything with Doug. Hence, I have a theory.”

  The silence lasted for a few seconds more before Scott finally spoke. “Pray tell. What theory?”

  “That practice kiss stirred up unwanted feelings—sexual attraction, to be more specific. And I think it’s interfering with whatever good chances I have with Doug.”

  “…and this…?”

  “And this is my solution. I sleep with you. One-night stand. We satiate each other’s lust. No strings attached, as is your usual motto. Bonus points is I get to get rid of my virginity and my first time with Doug wouldn’t be so awkward anymore.”

  Silence.

  Then Scott cursed again.

  “Stop cursing,” I snapped. “I’m not trying to blackmail you.”

  “No,” he snapped back. “You’re just being insane.”

  “It’s the most practical thing in the world!” I said. Mischievously, I leaned forward, giving it a shot. I let my cleavage show—the same cleavage that he told me to be proud of.

  Scott’s eyes predictably drifted down, and a shot of lust heated in his eyes. An answering spark came in mine. But before I could celebrate, he shut it down really quickly.

  “No.”

  I blinked. “No?”

  “No,” he said firmly.

  “No?” I echoed.

  “No, no, no.”

  Was he…was he rejecting me?

  “But it’s a one-night stand! You like one-night stands!” I protested. “And don’t you dare tell me you’re not attracted to me because I know you are.”

  Instead of arguing back, Scott merely folded his arms. The action emphasized the arm muscles beneath the shirt, but I was too stunned to drool over them.

  “Go home, Davis.”

  “Jules,” I corrected.

  “Go home, Davis. I’ll call you Jules when you’ve got more sense into you.”

  I blinked again.

  “So this isn’t happening?”

  “This is never happening,” he confirmed.

  Oh, my God. I truly was getting rejected from my one-night stand offer—by the king of one-night stands, no less. My mischief disappeared, and so did whatever good mood and tingly feeling I had been experiencing.

  This had to be one of the most humiliating moments of my life.

  Scott looked at me coolly, and it was the same look he gave those who tried to bargain with him—and failed. He was really shutting me out and was being adamant about me going home. As if to drive the point across, he even repeated it.

  “Go home, Davis.”

  I glared. Then I nodded.

  “Fine,” I said evenly, not wanting him to see how hurt and embarrassed I was.

  Then I was stalking out the door and muttering under my breath. Once I was in the elevator, I slumped and banged my head on the elevator wall.

  I had overanalyzed everything again, and in doing so had alienated the one person who had actually been a big help in my so-called quest towards becoming a worldlier woman.

  I mean, I knew he was attracted to me. That kiss alone proved it, and so did that massive erection. Scott was pure man who responded to his most basic urges, and it was only natural to think that he’d respond to this most basic urge he had to sleep with me.

  So where had things gone wrong? Why hadn’t he proceeded? I was all but throwing myself at him, for crying out loud.

  Thinking about it was giving me a headache, so I shook my head and forced myself to keep my mind blank. First, there were no sparks with Doug when we kissed—and now there was one with Scott, and he didn’t want it.

  What a disaster.

  It wasn’t until I got home that things clicked into place.

  Scott didn’t reject me because he wanted to.

  He rejected me because he had to.

  I sat in my bed and thought back to how he’d handled the situation—like a goddamn gentleman who didn’t want anything to do with me, despite his tight pants telling me a different story. He even called me by my last name.

  I then recalled what he said before—specifically, when we’d been trapped and I’d been the one trying to get an assurance that he wouldn’t hit on me.

  I don’t do colleagues’ and friends’ daughters. Or sisters. Or wives. Or girlfriends. Or committed women in general. Or anyone from my crew.

  I fell in that category. Twice.

  Crew member. Friend’s daughter.

  And Scott was just being true to himself and following his own odd sense of honor.

  I hashed and rehashed it in my mind, my body loose and languid from the wine and the food. Perhaps I was overthinking things again, but now my thoughts were going in a favorable direction—and I knew what I had to do.

  Scott wasn’t going to chase after me out of respect for my father.

  It looked like I was just going to have to be the one doing the chasing.

  In secret.

  Chapter Sixteen

  SCOTT

  The woman had to be insane.

  That was the only explanation I could find as I watched her come across the racing track in her usual full gear, but with her hair down and her lips as red as they came. Gone was the stricken look during our last encounter in my apartment, which had been almost a week ago.

  In its place was a confident, happy-go-lucky woman who greeted everyone cheerfully before approaching me with a remorseful look on her face.

  “Sorry about that night,” she said, her voice sincere and actually really sorry. Just like that. No explanation, no excuses.

  More taken aback than I cared to admi
t, I could only nod my head.

  “Okay.”

  My answer was purposely short, and I waited for a reaction. None came. Instead, Julie merely smiled up at me, like I said something funny. That goddamn smile was doing things to my stomach, but I tried to ignore it or the memories that flashed in my mind just at the sight of her. I was starting to relax as I realized that maybe our friendship was still good to go after all that had happened.

  Until she stood on tiptoe and placed her mouth near my ear. To anyone watching, it was a casual move.

  But the words out of her mouth were far from casual.

  “I haven’t changed my mind, by the way. I’m going to seduce you until you give in.”

  My cock stirred.

  My mind blanked for a second, up until I realized that we were in a public place and any type of reaction would be witnessed by everyone. Really, all I wanted to do was carry her on my shoulder and spank her ass like the naughty girl she was.

  Wait, that isn’t right. Now more fantasies are coming to life, damn it.

  I kept that thought to myself. Then I stepped back and gave her a smile of my own, confident and unaffected, and her own smile faltered.

  “You’ll lose. See you around, Jules.”

  Then I was out of there before I could do something I’d regret.

  Practice kept me busy, and so did Jay leaving again to see to another business. That man never quit purchasing new locations, and I couldn’t exactly blame him. He had a knack for spending money to make more money, and his billionaire status was no joke.

  Between racing and managing the business, I barely had time to spend anywhere else. Julie, it seemed, was busy too, and I barely saw her as she was in and out of the racing track to fulfill her work duties. But I never saw her with Doug, though that wasn’t saying much, considering I wasn’t even around much, either.

  There was a party, however, for the birthday of one of our pit crew members, Matt—and of course I had to attend. I came late to the bar they planned to meet up in and found most of the crew already sitting in a huge table made up of smaller square ones. They hailed me closer and told me to squeeze in. There were some women along with the men, and it looked like a ton of food and drinks were already being served by a waiter.