Lead Player - Alex Grayson Page 0,80

eyes, and there’s not a damn thing I can do to stop them.

One minute I’m looking up at Enzo, the next I’m forced to drop my chin to keep him in view as he goes to his knees before me. His head is bowed with his hands resting gently around my waist. When he lifts his head, his eyes glisten. The look is so unlike the strong and happy-go-lucky man he’s always been. His tortured expression calls to me, making my own broken heart crack even more.

He stares up at me with pleading eyes. “Look at me,” he pleads hoarsely. “Look in my eyes, Alaina. You said you’d be here waiting for me when I realized my mistake and, baby, my mistake was huge. But I’m here, on my knees before you, begging you to give us another chance. To give me another chance. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” One of his hands hesitantly moves to my belly. “Our baby….” His eyes squeeze shut. “I’d do anything for both of you. I swear to you, I’ll never take you for granted again. I swear I’ll always be there for you and our child every single minute of my life. I trust you with my heart, because I’ve got no choice. You already hold it in the palm of your hands. I’m asking you, begging you, to not crush it. I love you so fucking much.”

My breath catches. Hearing him say the words I only ever dreamed I’d hear from him has something warm and comforting swelling in my chest. With the exception of the day we buried my mom, the worst day of my life was when he left me alone in my living room. I didn’t realize how strong my love for him was until he crushed my heart and left it bleeding on the floor.

Looking down at him, at the utter devastation and longing on his face, is it possible for me to deny him? I’ve never been as happy as I was when I was with him. I fought him in the beginning because I was afraid I would get hurt, and I was hurt. But I also pushed him away because I never thought he would settle for someone like me. I’m not like the women he’s used to. The rail thin models, stunning actresses, or the groupies that would drop their panties at the first flick of his fingers. I labeled Enzo a womanizer and a flirt from his past exploits, but I’ve learned since then there’s so much more to him than that. Yes, he may have been a womanizer in the past, but I truly believe that’s no longer him. A man who’s only after a quick lay wouldn’t be on his knees right now. He wouldn’t be begging me. He’d be leaving me in the dust, pregnant and all.

Instead of giving him a verbal response, I sift my fingers through his hair. His eyes close and something akin to bliss crosses his face. I drop to my knees to be on the same level with him and he opens his eyes.

“I love you,” I whisper.

His expression morphs into sheer happiness, taking away the hurt look I hate so much.

“Thank Christ,” he mutters right before he wraps his arms around me and crushes his lips against mine. “You won’t regret this, baby. I promise I’ll never make the same stupid mistake again. I’ll make it up to you every day, over and over again.”

“Just promise to love me. That’s all I need right now.”

“I do. I love you so fucking much it hurts.” He kisses me again. I’ve missed his kisses. Pulling back, he cups my cheeks. “Say it again,” he demands huskily.

Giving him his request, I tell him with conviction, “I love you, Enzo.”

Again, he closes his eyes, as if savoring those words. When he opens them again, they fall to my stomach. Grabbing my waist, he forces me to stand before lifting the bottom of my shirt. He presses soft kisses to my lower abdomen.

“I love you too, little baby,” he coos tenderly, softening my heart even more. “And I’ll never leave you or your mother again. I swear I’ll be the best dad there is in the history of dads.”

I giggle and brush back the hair that’s fallen on his forehead. I really love this soft side of him.

He stands up, and I’m immediately in the air when he scoops me into his arms. He