Forbidden Ballad - Rock My World

by Reese Summers

  “Fuck,” Leo mutters, pushing me forward.

  Click. Click. Click.

  “Just ignore them,” Leo says tightly. “Fucking parasites have nothing better to do.”

  I try to ignore the paparazzi but it’s hard. I’ve been recognized a few times in New York, but I know I would be recognized more if my picture suddenly appeared in a magazine next to Leo.

  “Next time we’ll have to do transportation,” he murmurs, walking me around a large brick building. I have no idea where we are going.

  “This way,” he says, rapping on a non-descript red door.

  “Leo?” I question. We are in the back of some building and I wonder if he actually knows where we are.

  “Mr. Nash,” a small man exclaims, pushing the door open and ushering us inside. “Come in, come in! We’ve been waiting for you.”

  I give Leo a sideways look and he grins. It melts my insides.

  “The space is all yours for an hour,” the man explains as we follow him down a fluorescent-lit hallway. “I’m sorry we couldn’t accommodate you for two hours.”

  “It’s not a problem,” Leo says graciously, taking off his baseball hat and stowing it back in his pocket. “I appreciate the hour.” His voice is warm but in control. I forget that a certain power must come from being so famous.

  I still have no idea where we are yet, before I know it, the man is pushing open two swinging doors and suddenly we are in a large gymnasium filled with ping-pong tables.

  “Ping pong?” I ask stupidly.

  Leo grins. “Do you like ping pong?”

  “I haven’t played in years,” I admit. I think the last time I played was in gym my sophomore year of high school.

  The man who led us here disappears, and Leo guides me towards a table.

  “I thought this would be fun,” he says with a competitive glint in his eyes. He picks up a paddle and turns it over in his hand. “Up for the challenge?”

  I laugh. “Of course I’m up for the challenge,” I say, grabbing the other paddle on the table. I’m fairly certain that Leo will kick my ass, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to have fun trying to beat him regardless. Once the surprise of our date sinks in, I’m actually excited to play. Leo has surprised me; this is not something I ever would have expected from him.

  It’s so…normal.

  Leo starts off with the ball, and he’s good. I laugh as I try to serve it back just as well.

  “I didn’t take you for the sporty type,” I tease as we start our second game.

  Leo lets out a laugh. “This is about as sporty as I get. Don’t get me wrong, I love to play sports. It’s just that I’m not very good at them.”

  “Leo Nash not good at something?” I mock.

  “Smart ass. You’d be surprised to learn how many things I’m not good at it.”

  “Alright, like what?”

  “Besides sports, I can’t cook to save my life.” He hits the ball hard and I lunge to get it.

  It bounces clear off the table and across the floor.

  I jog after it.

  “Okay what else?” I ask when I return.

  He shakes his head, as if he lost his train of thought. “I’m sorry but I’m having a hard time concentrating because I keep watching your ass in those tight little shorts.”

  “Leo!” I screech, embarrassed.

  He shrugs. “I’m only being honest. I can’t help who I am.”

  “A pervert,” I mutter, though I’m secretly pleased that he’s been checking out my backside.

  “Don’t get me started,” he says darkly, twisting the paddle in his hand. I don’t quite catch on at first and then my eyes widen. Was he alluding to spanking?

  “I hope you don’t mean, what I think you mean,” I say carefully, serving the ball.

  He hits it back, his eyes mischievous. “And what if I do?” he challenges.

  Oh, boy. This is getting hot. I’m out of my comfort zone here.

  I grab the ball and hold it, looking directly at Leo.

  “Spanking?” I whisper, as if other people could hear us. We’re completely alone.

  Leo gives me a smoldering look. “Don’t knock it till you try it.”

  “We’ll see,” I shoot back, serving the ball again. But I can’t deny the way my heart is thudding in my chest, and the tugging I feel in my groin. Something about Leo makes me consider doing things I would never dream of doing. And being spanked by Leo doesn’t seem all that bad.

  I screw up the next five plays, and Leo chuckles.

  “I think somebody is thinking about something naughty.”

  “Shut up,” I snap, serving the ball way too hard, and forcing Leo to jog after it. He comes back to the table smirking, but doesn’t bring it up again.

  Our hour goes by way too quickly, and all too soon, the man is coming back to collect us.

  “Thank you so much,” Leo says again, as we’re escorted to the back entrance again.

  “No, thank you,” the man says. “Come back anytime.”

  Once we’re back out on the street, I turn to Leo.

  “That was really nice that they let you use the building for an hour.”

  Leo gives me a half grin and shakes his head while putting his cap back on. “Sure it was really nice. I’m also pretty positive they appreciated the substantial payment too.”

  My eyes widen. “You had to pay to have the whole place to ourselves?”

  “Carly, money talks. Did you think they would give up an hour of business and let fifteen tables sit empty? Or more like fourteen?”

  “Leo! You shouldn’t have! I feel so bad!”

  “Don’t feel bad. I don’t mind paying; I was happy to do it.” He pauses as we walk down the street. “You’re still just a naïve girl from Nashville, aren’t you?” he asks softly.

  The way he says it makes me nervous. Like he’s afraid of how fragile I am, and he’s reconsidering spending time with me.

  “I didn’t live in Nashville my whole life,” I argue, “I grew up in Baltimore.”

  “Oooh, Baltimore. I’m sure a pretty girl like you really roughed it up in the city, huh?”

  Busted. I grew up in a nice little suburb twenty minutes north of Baltimore.

  “Whatever. Just because I didn’t live in the city, doesn’t mean that I’m naïve. I went to public school after all!”

  Leo laughs, and puts his arm around my waist. “Let me guess. You grew up in a nice home, three or four bedrooms, with a dog or a cat. Your parents are happily married, and you had a little brother or sister who adored you. You got good grades, took ballet or piano lessons, and disappointed your family when you didn’t go to college.”

  I gape at him.

  Leo laughs loudly. “I hit the nail on the head, didn’t I?”

  I don’t know if I should be impressed or pissed off.

  “Are you always this obnoxious?” I ask.

  “No, just observant.”

  “And did you grow up slumming it? Knew all about the world before you were in kindergarten?”

  Leo’s face changes; it softens yet becomes harder.

  “No,” he says quietly. “I didn’t slum it. But I knew far too much too young. My parents believed in telling us kids everything. Their world was medicine; a practical world that didn’t involve things like the tooth fairy or Santa Claus,” he tries to keep his voice light but I can hear the bitter edge.

  “No Santa?” I ask in surprise.

  He shakes his head. “Only foolish children believe in a fat man who squeezes down a chimney bringing a sack full of presents,” he quotes.

  “I’m sorry,” I say, taking his hand. “That’s so sad.”

  He squeezes my hand, and it feels nice. It also makes me greedy for more of him, but I know I can’t.

  “Alright, enough family talk,” he says, leading me into a deli. “Let’s get some sandwiches. And if you don’t mind, let’s eat them at your place.”

  I nod and we order our meal.

&nbs
p; All too soon, we’re finishing up our sandwiches in Quinn’s kitchen, and Leo is standing to leave.

  “Sorry to have to cut out again,” he says apologetically.

  “You’re not cutting out,” I point out, “We’ve been together for over two hours.”

  He glances at his watch. “You’re right.”

  I bite my lip and wonder how we’re going to leave things today.

  Leo pulls me to him and whispers in a throaty voice, “When can we have date number two?”

  I laugh nervously. Being around Leo feels a lot like playing with fire. It’s fun and exciting, and then turns suddenly dangerous. I never know what to expect. One minute we’re playing an innocent game of ping-pong, and the next minute he’s alluding to kinky bedroom behavior.

  I don’t want to be greedy and say tomorrow, but I find myself speaking before thinking.

  “What about tomorrow?”

  Leo starts to nod, and then his face clouds over.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t tomorrow.”

  He doesn’t say anymore, but I can tell he’s bothered by something. I don’t want to press the issue, but I’m curious.

  “Already have a date?” I ask lightly.

  “Hardly,” he scoffs, “Trust me, I would rather scrub floors with you tomorrow, but we’ll have to pick another day. How about the following day? Wednesday?”

  “Sure.”

  My head is still pressed against his chest, and I wonder if he’s going to say anything else. “I think I have an idea of what we can do. How about I pick you up at one? I’ll be in a car, so I’ll text you once I’m outside.”

  I nod.

  Leo places his hand under my chin and tilts it up so I’m looking at him.

  “You’re so sexy,” he murmurs and then his mouth finds mine, and we don’t waste any time with a slow build up. The kiss is hard and urgent, and I think about the pent up desire I’ve had for him all day.

  I’m desperate to have more, and I have to force myself to remember that I’m not giving into Leo this easily.

  “Christ,” he groans, pulling me hard to him, and I feel the hard mass in his jeans.

  “What?” I pant, though I think I know what he means.

  “You have no idea how badly I want to fuck you!”

  I want to be horrified, but I’m turned on.

  “Is that all you want?” I ask, my voice laced with desire.

  “No,” he gasps, kissing me harder, thrusting his tongue in my mouth. “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, but I want you to know how much you turn me on.”

  I break away and look at him. I can feel that my cheeks are flushed.

  “Am I just a conquest?” I ask, truly wondering. “Will you be done with me as soon as you get me into bed? Is this just one big game for you?”

  I don’t want to believe that this is the case with Leo, but I need to be realistic. For someone who is used to girls throwing themselves at him, he seems to be working awfully hard for me. I don’t get it.

  “No, you’re not a conquest; please don’t think that. I really like you, Carly. I respect what you’re doing.”

  “Respect?” I’m skeptical.

  “Respect,” he assures me. “I didn’t say that I liked it, but I respect it.” His eyes bore into me, and he grasps my hands, pinning them gently behind my back. He leans in so his mouth hovers just above my ear. When he starts to speak, I shiver from his warm breath against my ear.

  “But don’t think for a minute that I’m not imagining how incredible you must look naked, and the way your tits will spill out of your bra.”

  My jaw hits the floor.

  “I imagine what your nipples will feel like when I suck them into my mouth, and the way you’ll taste. Christ, just thinking about the way you’ll taste drives me out of my fucking mind!” He pauses, to collect himself. My chest is rising and falling, and I’m frozen to the spot as I listen to his dirty talk. “And don’t even get me started on what you’ll feel like.”

  He holds both my wrists together with one hand, and trails his other hand down the line of the zipper of my shorts. He stops himself, and then releases me.

  “I have to go,” he croaks.

  I walk him to the door, still in shock.

  “Did I scare you with my vulgar language?” he asks suddenly, turning around in the doorframe to stare at me. His eyes look so pained, that I want to take him back in my arms.

  I shake my head wordlessly.

  “Say something,” he pleads.

  “I liked it,” I whisper.

  A slow smile spreads across his face.

  “You constantly amaze me, Carly Michaels.”

  He pecks my cheek and saunters down the hallway.

  ~~~

  The next thirty-six hours are a blur, and I barely remember going to rehearsal. I don’t even see Quinn until two days after my date with Leo. Over breakfast she wants to hear every detail of our date.

  “Oh my god, Carly, I cannot believe you went out with Leo Nash!” she squeals over her cup of coffee.

  I give her a strange look. “Two days ago you were telling me to be careful.”

  “Well, yeah. I still agree you should be careful, but come on. I’m a little star struck myself. You’re a lucky bitch!”

  I chuckle nervously. “Either that or really stupid.”

  “Who can blame you? So, where is he taking you today for date number two?”

  “I have no idea,” I say honestly, “after ping pong the other day, I have no expectations. I thought he might try to take me to some fancy restaurant to try to impress me, but I was so relieved that he was so casual!”

  “Does Walker know?” she asks in a low voice.

  Walker’s name sends a dagger to my heart, but I’m able to recover more quickly this time.

  “No, and he doesn’t need to.”

  Quinn gives me an obvious look. “He’ll find out soon enough,” she points out, picking up her phone and scrolling through it. “Here.” She thrusts her phone in my face.

  It’s Perez Hilton’s website, and there’s the photo of Leo and I walking across the street together, Leo’s hand protectively on my back. The caption reads:

  Famous man-whore Leo Nash of Cobalt, escorts a mysterious brunette who resembles B-lister country star Carly Michaels of the recently destroyed Sideroad. Could it be her? Guess she likes Leo’s…-rock!

  And there’s a crudely drawn white line circling Leo’s crotch.

  “Crap,” I mutter, putting the phone down.

  “Carly, be realistic here. You know it had to only be a matter of time. Leo is off-the-charts famous, and you’re well known too. This was going to get out at some point.”

  “Well, hopefully Walker will let it go. I can’t deal with anymore of his shit.”

  “Amen, sister,” she says, chewing on a piece of toast. “Oh my god! I almost forgot to tell you!” she cries, nearly falling out of her chair.

  “What?”

  “Jake and his girlfriend broke up!”

  I’ve been so wrapped up in my own world that it takes me a moment to process what she means.

  “Oh! Wow! Congrats?”

  “Yes!” she crows, “I’m going to give him some time to mourn, like maybe a week, and then I’m going to have Beth suggest to him that we go out.”

  “Nice!” I’m happy for Quinn. She deserves a sweet guy and she and Jake would certainly make gorgeous babies together.

  “I need to go before I’m late,” she says wistfully, dumping her dishes in the sink. “I guess I’ll see you late tonight or tomorrow?”

  I nod and wave as she hurries out the door. I debate laying around and being lazy for the next few hours, but I remember how Leo mentioned that he worked with a trainer, and I have the crazy desire to work out. I’m in good shape, and I worked out in Nashville, but I haven’t had the urge to do so in New York.

  There’s a small gym on the top floor of Quinn’s building, so I decide that an hour on the treadmill or elliptical won’t
kill me. I change into some work out clothes and make my way upstairs.

  The gym is great, with floor to ceiling windows that look out over the city. It’s definitely small, with a few machines and some weights, but I have the entire place to myself. I get on the treadmill and jog for thirty minutes, before moving to the elliptical for another thirty.

  When I’m finished, I feel sweaty but empowered. There’s nothing like a good work out to make you feel like you can kick the world’s ass. I head back to the apartment to shower and get ready for my date with Leo.

  I’m not sure if I’m more nervous or less nervous this time. It’s like I’m addicted to Leo. He’s been sincere and honest with me from the beginning, so I have to trust him. I still can’t deny the warning bells going off in my head, but I’m in too deep now.

  I dress quickly, deciding to look a little fancier today since Leo didn’t give me any wardrobe requirements. I put on a green and yellow maxi dress, and leave my hair long down my back. Not long after, my cell goes off and I see that Leo is downstairs.

  It’s now or never, so I grab my purse and head outside the building. Sure enough, I see a sleek black car pulled up along the sidewalk. The door opens and Leo grins from inside.

  “Come on in!”

  I smile widely and slide into the car. It’s all dark leather and luxury inside, and then I see Leo. He takes my breath away.

  He’s dressed in black slacks and a button down gray shirt.

  He raises an eyebrow at me; it must be obvious from my expression.

  “I clean up well, huh?” he asks dryly.

  I nod, still speechless. His stubble is gone, and his normally wild dark hair is slicked back. His eyes look more blue today than green.

  “I guess you like what you see,” now his voice is dripping with sex, and I shift uncomfortably in my seat, because all I can think about is how Leo looks without any of his clothes on.

  “So what are we doing today?” I ask nervously, trying to change the mood in the car.

  “I thought we’d see a Broadway show.”

  “Seriously? Broadway?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  I stop, feeling silly. “You just don’t strike me as a Broadway person.”