HERO (The Complete Series)

by Bella Love-Wins

  “Yeah…yep, that’s how it is.”

  “How do you stand it, Clint? I’m trying hard not to sink under the weight of this. I just want to get back to work, but what if—”

  “Stop feeling sorry for yourself,” Clint muttered. He shook a cigarette out of a pack. He rarely smoked, but he did when he was choked up about something.

  Sebastian studied him and realized something he said probably ticked him off. “I’m not. I’m just saying, I’m having a hard time.”

  “So why are you looking like you’re feeling sorry for me?” he gruffly countered.

  “No, no…I mean. Christ, Clint. You know what I mean.”

  Finally he laughed a little, puffing on his cigarette and staring at the TV. “Sure I can relate. When this first happened to me and I found out I’d be stuck in a wheelchair the rest of my natural born life, this big ole tattooed firefighter blubbered like a newborn squealing for a suckle. I couldn’t function. I had no idea how to accept my fate. What brought me out of the woods was surrendering my pride long enough to realize one man can’t take on the whole world. I needed help, and people around me. Bash, the truth is you have to make sure you see the big picture and don’t lose out on those opportunities.”

  “You’re talking about Lexxi again, aren’t you,” he asked, shaking his head. “You know, I did just tell you I’m going to ask her to move in.”

  “Yeah? When?”

  “I said…when she’s back in town.”

  “Okay, so when’s that?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “That’s my point.”

  “What kind of point is that?”

  Clint pointed at Sebastian, squinting. He blew out a cloud of smoke. “The point is you. I’m talking about you. I’ve watched you for years, and I know you hide out whenever you hit a rough patch. You did it after what happened with Aileen last Christmas. That’s the worst thing you could do right now. You need to come out into the open, Bash. Frankly, if that means picking up the phone and asking Lexxi tonight…well then, I reckon you ought to ask her. If it means sitting around my ole stoop half the night, you’re welcome to do that, too. So long as you do something and stop feeling sorry for yourself. Cause hell, we all could be worse off, and we all need to count our blessings. No sense in comparing hardships.”

  “Point taken,” Bash said with a nod. Sighing, he leaned into the firm chair back, inhaling the smell of fried chicken and field peas. He checked the time and decided he’d get home before it got too late. He didn’t want to intrude on their family time. Pulling out his phone again, he called a cab to get him. When it arrived, he grabbed his crutch, said his goodbyes and went home.

  Finally at home, he looked around his house, thinking of the nights Alexandra had stayed here with him.

  Yes. I’ll phone her now.

  I’ll ask her to move in with me.

  If she asks me to move out there, I’ll give some serious thought to that too.

  With his thoughts on her, he pulled out his phone and called, trying to picture what she might be doing. At her office working her ass off. Recording a new song. In her mansion. It struck him that he didn’t even know how she spent her days.

  The call went to voicemail. Sebastian hung up without leaving a message. Moving off from the foyer, he grabbed a plate of leftover grilled chicken from the fridge, warmed it up, and ate alone in the kitchen.

  We’re worlds apart.

  I can only guess what’s going on in hers.

  Fuck. I’m not going to let her go.

  Time to fight for my woman.

  Chapter 10

  ALEXANDRA was satisfied after wrapping up another recording session, then poring over online catalogues for hours. Working with Gerry for a third evening, she came up with the perfect combination of dapper and dainty for her wardrobe. She had also popped by the photographer’s set again, for just under four hours this time to wrap up another few looks for the album. It had been a long day. Now all that was left was to drop by her office to wrap up a few loose ends.

  There were a couple of times over the past few days that she wondered if taking over the label was sustainable, but overall, she secretly reveled in the opportunity to demonstrate her true business savvy. There were far too many times where people who didn’t know her would automatically underestimate her ability, simply because she was a rock star. Now, not so much.

  Ultimately, her goal with Purple Blaze Entertainment was to transition it from a traditional record label to a twenty-first century online entertainment brand. Of course, having billions in a nest egg to pull from allowed her to take some risks, sign new artists, and smartly fund projects that might otherwise not be given a chance.

  She took the elevator to the top floor where her corner office sat. From the landing, looking down through the glass walls to the main lobby gave her a sense of hope. There was much to accomplish, and she was certain she could make it happen.

  Her smartphone buzzed in her purse when she stepped inside her office. It was Bash.

  Strange that he would call this late.

  She took the call anyway, glad to get him even for a few minutes at the end of a packed day.

  “Hi Bash.”

  “Alexandra.”

  “You’re up late.”

  “Yes. I meant to wait until tomorrow, but…do you have a few minutes?” There was something not quite right in his voice. He was nervous. She wondered why.

  “Of course. Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. I’m fine. Listen…there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

  “Okay.”

  “I thought I’d wait until I see you, but…I just wanted to get it off my chest. It’s going to come off as premature, I know, and you don’t have to answer right away, but…after you get your album released, what I’m asking Alexandra is, will you move in with me?”

  Alexandra was speechless. The question came from left field, at a time when she didn’t think Bash was that ready to commit, and gosh, how exactly was that supposed to happen with her in Los Angeles and him out in Tucson?

  She wasn’t sure what to say. When no words would come, Bash went on. “I’m not asking you to leave everything in Los Angeles. I know you’ll always be needed out there. What I’m asking is that when you don’t need to be out there, I want you here with me. I’ll also do what I can to get out there when I can…which can end up being a lot depending on what happens with this knee. I’m not asking you to give me an answer now. I just had to make sure you know what I’d like for us. I don’t ever want you guessing or wondering. All right, I think I’ll stop now. Think about it, okay?”

  Alexandra couldn’t think straight. If this was Bash’s idea of a proposal, it may not be the most romantic thing she had ever heard, but the sound of his voice as he said the words I want you here and what I’d like for us, it was like music to her soul. There was no fanfare, or exaggeration, or even the three words she thought she might have heard from him by now, but every word from Bash was honest, authentic and real. God, she loved the sound of being with him more than a few days here and there. His proposal took all the guesswork out of any questions she had, not that he ever left her guessing since that night she admitted she was Lexxi Rock and he had told her she’d never want to be with anyone else.

  “Wow. Bash…you’re right. I wasn’t expecting this, and I’ll be honest and say I have no idea how to make it work, but…”

  Suddenly she didn’t want to wait to tell him what she had been feeling since that night. He had taken a leap of faith in telling her his intentions, and she was ready to do the same. Maybe it was sitting in this office that gave her the guts, or maybe it was how Wilkes has been pursuing her with his single-minded focus and determination, even when she told him she didn’t want to be with him. Wilkes was misguided, but she admired how sure he was about it, and his persistence. Now it was time for her to take a step forward with the man she wanted. Just as she did with Purple Blaze, she was ready to claim what was hers and wor
k her ass off to make it happen.

  “Yes.”

  “What?”

  “Yes. I want the same thing, Bash.”

  “Really? Wow…That’s great! God, I didn’t think you’d have an answer for me right away, but that’s just incredible. I’m going to take good care of you, Alexandra.”

  “I know, Bash. You’ve been doing that for some time, and it means so much to me…and Bash?”

  “Yes?”

  “There’s something else.”

  “What’s that, hun?”

  “I love you.”

  There. I said it. I don’t even care that I said it first.

  “And I love you, doll.”

  “I can’t wait to see you, Bash.”

  “Me too. Do you have any plans to come out here? Not that I’m pressuring you or anything. Actually I’m asking because my physical therapy sessions will wrap up this week. I was thinking I could come see you for a few days…after my firefighter’s fit test.”

  “That would be great. Yes. Come anytime. I may need to come out there in about a week or two, so we can plan.”

  “Great. This is just amazing. Okay I’d better let you go before I find a way to fly out there right now, just so I can kiss you.”

  Alexandra laughed. “Okay, babe. I’ll call you tomorrow. Or you call me.”

  “Will do. Night hun.”

  “Good night, Bash.”

  * * *

  Alexandra was in the clouds the next morning. She had her work cut out for her, but everything in her life was on the right track. It didn’t even seem real, but it was, and hell, she was going to enjoy it and not second guess herself.

  She headed into the studio bright and early today. Her goal was to cram two recording sessions into the morning so she could finally announce that all the songs for her album were ready. Dropping two tracks in one morning was not going to be easy, but with the release scheduled in a few weeks and the tour starting a mere month after that, the ticking clock in her head reminded her there was no time like the present. It helped that she was feeling this upbeat. Her creativity was through the roof, and the music just flowed out of her. Bash’s call had everything to do with it.

  By the evening, the day had gone to plan, with her two songs wrapped up nicely with a big bow, and all her Purple Blaze meetings completed with no new issues. Sometime in the afternoon, Wilkes had phoned to ask again if Alexandra would come by for dinner with Emma-Jane. None of the other times worked out earlier in the week, but as the day had been moving along so smoothly, she agreed to make time to see them, and for Wilkes to pick her up at her place. Probably because she knew he wouldn’t stop pestering her until she said yes. She wrapped up at the office and hurried home in her sports car to get it over with.

  Her Mediterranean style home in the hills was usually a place of solitude, but tonight it was different. She could already picture driving up to the front door and walking in to see Bash waiting for her at the front door. Tucson would be great too, but there was something about hearing him end the silence in the long halls and empty rooms with his laughter, or that deep sexy voice that could move her soul.

  Sighing from the sweet daydream, she parked the car in the garage and rushed into the house, calling out a quick greeting to her housekeeper, Lilly, before heading up to her bedroom to change.

  ‘What to wear the first night after you say yes to moving in together,’ she typed into Google. Her mind was on Bash. If he did get out to Los Angeles, she wanted to be ready, and searching out what to wear seemed the least insane place to keep the fantasy alive. The first two outfits that came up on the image search were short, sexy and scandalous lingerie made of tiny pieces of silky lace fabric that would barely cover her. She rolled onto to her back and giggled. “I could rock that in the bedroom,” she said to herself. “Not that Bash would let it stay on me for long.”

  Feeling impulsive and a little giddy, she ordered both items online, then grabbed her phone and opened the order confirmations in her email messages. She copied the images and sent it to Bash in a text that read, ‘Will be wearing these the day you to come to Los Angeles.’

  Less than a minute later he replied with ‘So damn hot. Ready to pack my bags and come ravage you right now, doll.’

  Alexandra was beaming, the thought of that happening sent a flush of heat up her neck and cheeks, and a wicked heat to her core. A minute after that his next text read. ‘I can’t wait. How about this weekend?’

  The weekend didn’t sound too bad, actually. There was one outdoor photoshoot scheduled, and part of a music video they were planning to film at the Hoover Dam. Thankfully, the Purple Blaze offices were closed on the weekend. Rick had also risen to the occasion and was handling pressing issues, so even if something came up, he would handle it.

  She answered with ‘Yes. I’ll be here. Can’t wait either.’ Bash replied finally with, ‘Me too. Love you. Ttyl.’

  Alexandra was swooning, full of butterflies and ready to sing her heart out. She dropped the phone beside her on the bed and rolled onto her stomach. “He loves me,” she said aloud.

  “Ms. Storme?”

  Alexandra jerked upright, startled to hear Lilly’s voice at her door. “Hi, Lil. Heading out?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Is there anything you need before I leave?”

  “Not at all, dear. Have a safe drive home.”

  “Will do. I’ll lock up and set the alarm. I know you’re going out to dinner, but just in case you feel for a snack later, I left iced lemon cake in the fridge for you.”

  “What would I do without you?” she smiled with appreciation.

  Lilly ducked out of her room, and her footsteps faded down the hall.

  Alexandra closed her eyes, remembering every detail of Sebastian’s face. She would see him soon enough, and next time she planned to take a lot of pictures of him. It felt so surreal, yet it made more and more sense as time passed. Their connection was real, and all they had to do was keep it alive. How they did that was between the two of them alone. Nothing else mattered.

  A wave of lightheadedness came over her. She massaged her temples, and her eyes stung, as though her allergies were acting up. Sniffling, she glanced at the clock to see how much time she had left before Wilkes would get here. There wasn’t much time. She stripped off her clothes and headed to her bathroom for a quick shower. Fifteen minutes later, she was ready, dressed in dark blue jeans, a white camisole and a black blazer.

  She looked down at her outfit, smiling as she remembered the texts she sent to Bash.

  He loves me.

  God, her heart had gotten a taste of his sweetness, and now that was all it craved. Her body screamed fire, and spoke the language of cinders and smoke, heat singeing the tongue, flames blistering the lips, and Bash felt the same way. Their love couldn’t be put out. She was burning for him.

  Chapter 11

  ALEXANDRA yawned and looked at her watch for the third time, hoping Wilkes would get the hint. He had shown up in his limo, and the driver had taken them to meet Emma-Jane. On the way to his place, Emma-Jane sent him a text message saying she was still at the mall and would meet the two of them soon. So instead of going to Wilkes’ place, they opted for a small restaurant a few blocks from the downtown mall. That was an hour ago.

  Alexandra had a mind to reschedule and return home. She also wasn’t sure if Wilkes set this whole thing up and used his little sister to execute the ‘I’m running late’ plan. Either way, she was not enjoying the evening. What was worse was Wilkes would not stop talking—about Lydia.

  This is why I left my house?

  Crap.

  “So,” Wilkes went on. “There we are in the middle of dinner in this super upscale restaurant. I’m talking five-star, haute cuisine. And Lydia throws a tantrum over black olives in her salad because she asked for green olives. Some paparazzi dude pops up out of nowhere to get it all on video. I was kind of expecting something like that to happen, so I tried to stand clear, but holy hell I was kicking
myself for even asking her out at that point.” Wilkes wheezed with laughter.

  Alexandra smiled tightly, trying to act like she was following along in the conversation. This had to be at least the fifth lame ass story about Lydia Daniels since they sat down to have dinner in Emma-Jane’s absence.

  “Next I overhear the photographer say something like, ‘She’s such a bitch!’ Lydia piped up and said, ‘Excuse me?!’ I’m thinking she’s ready to pound on him or ask me to do the honors in her defense. She told him, ‘If you’re gonna take shots of my ass, at least have the decency to get my good side first!’ With Lydia, she’s the star, even when she’s just an extra on set.”

  “Hmm,” Alexandra feigned amusement—poorly. He might have thought otherwise, but his attempts at painting the starlet as empty-headed and superficial didn’t exactly match up with his interest in talking incessantly about her. Then again, maybe that was what he wanted in his women.

  Couldn’t be. I’m not empty-headed or superficial.

  Wait, he cheated on me.

  Well, that explains that.

  She took another sip from her wine and tried not to look bored or let her internal dialogue take over. So far, the best thing about this dinner was the food and the laid back atmosphere. She was halfway expecting him to try to impress her with some fancy restaurant. Instead, Wilkes had picked a cozy cantina where the jeans and blazer she chose to wear didn’t look out of place. And not one person even so much as looked at them. It was a relief to be somewhere that people didn’t give a damn who they were.

  Wilkes was dressed in khakis and an untucked polo shirt with boating shoes on his feet—a bit uncharacteristic for him. There was no cowboy hat or leather boots. His dark hair was parted and combed to the side, and he was wearing glasses. She didn’t even know he had glasses. He looked more like a high school teacher than a country singer. Not that he looked bad, he didn’t, but there was definitely no cowboy charm to distract her tonight—and that was perfect.