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