Are you inviting me in?
1728 Words
Chapter Five
Kacie
I let out the breath I didn't know I'd been holding, as I watched their limousine drive off. The past few weeks had taken its toll on me.
I'd been afraid to even breathe normally, for fear that Zayn's parents might catch on the lie.
After days of wining and dining with Humairah, they were finally leaving. They'd gotten an emergency call earlier this morning, and had made preparations for a last-minute flight.
Mental note to self- Make lots of money, and buy a private jet in your next life.
At the present, I tried to ignore the throbbing in my core, as Zayn brushed past me. We hadn't seen much of each other for the past few days.
“You look tired.” I said after some hesitation. I didn't know why I said that. Why the tired look on his face bothered me.
Maybe I was slowly turning into a masochist. That explained why I was concerned about my own abductor.
A brief look of surprise crossed his face, as he turned to look at me. My heart stopped beating for a moment. He was wearing his signature black shirt, with grey pants. He always looked casual, and I realized I hadn't even seen him in an official suit.
“Tired? I've been working, that should be expected.” He said in a low, deep voice. I doubled my pace to match his quick strides.
His pleasant arab scent covered me and I fantasized grabbing his collar, and leaning on his broad chest.
“I haven't seen you go to work.” I retorted, and he halted. It was so abrupt, that I almost bumped into him.
“Hey, why did you-” The words trailed off, when I saw the amused look on his face.
Okay, I was probably hallucinating. Or I woke up on the weird side of my bed this morning. One of them explained why I was hallucinating about Zayn smiling at me.
The only thing was, I wasn't. Zayn was actually smiling at me.
“Are you keeping tabs on me?” He asked, pushing his hands into his pockets.
Deep red stained my cheeks, and I almost dipped my gaze. At the last moment, I swallowed and tilted my chin defiantly. “We are a couple. I didn't want your parents to notice anything.” I said, in my defense.
More lies.
Everything about him fascinated me. But I couldn't say that aloud, of course.
A strange look flashed in his eyes, and disappeared quickly. Without a word, he turned and resumed walking.
I hesitated, before I followed suit. “So, what next?” I asked in a soft voice.
He didn't stop walking. If he heard what I said, he didn't show it.
I parted my lips to ask again, when he abruptly faced me. “What?”
My breath caught in my throat as I met his gaze. His eyes bore into mine, and his fresh, cleanly shaved face could give a god a run for his money.
I pointed towards him, and back at me. “Between us. I've fulfilled my end of the deal. What happens next?”
That was the question that kept me up at night. I wanted to go back home.
He studied me for a moment, before bursting into laughter. His rich velvety voice stirred my heart, and made the butterflies in my belly go haywire.
“Fulfilled? You haven't done anything, Kacie.” He drew close to me, and I couldn't help taking a step back.
His gait and looks were overbearing, and I felt if I stood within close proximity to him, I wouldn't breathe well.
“W-what do you mean?” I stuttered, feeling the sweat trickling down my back.
He bent to my eye level, his warm breath fanning my face. “My parents have officially acknowledged you as my fiancèe. You'll stay here, until I say otherwise.” He said, his calmness a sharp contrast to his words.
I couldn't tell which was sharper. His words, or a knife. My mouth went dry, and I couldn't come up with any coherent word to say.
“I-”
“Save your breath. Unfortunately, I don't have time to waste.” And he was gone.
I stood there for heaven knows how long. Feeling my legs fail me, I sank to the floor as hot tears trickled down my cheeks.
I was stuck there, till he said otherwise.
How long would that be?
I cursed at him, then at myself, at the art piece, and more at my parents.
But I had no one but myself to blame. I caused all this for myself, and I had to face it alone.
***
I pulled the robe tightly around my body, as I leaned on the headboard. I typed frantically away at my phone.
Me: Are you asleep?
Josh: Human!!! You're alive.
The knot in my chest loosened a bit. After what seemed like eternity, Zayn had allowed me to use a phone again. The person I naturally reached out to first, was my best friend.
I was about to type in my reply, when a knock came at the door. I threw down the phone on the bed, and stood up. I was afraid Zayn would see me getting too comfortable, and confiscate the phone.
A maid sauntered in. She bowed gracefully. “The Sheikh requests your presence.” She said in an Arabic-laced accent.
“Where?” I asked, as I wondered why he was asking for me. He was the one who told me to stay away from his path, as long possible as I could.
“The jacuzzi.” She bowed again, and left the room.
For a brief moment, I was torn between taking a quick shower and putting on something more decent.
I stood in the mirror, studying my figure. Josh had always teased me about my curvaceous looks and sensual face. But at that moment, I decided to use it to my advantage.
Who knew? I could seduce my way out of this godforsaken beautiful mansion. It was more expensive than my condo, but I'd rather stay there, than here. Here, I didn't quite fit in. I didn't belong here.
After seconds of contemplation, I decided against changing, or taking a quick shower.
I had no problems finding the jacuzzi. Humairah had dragged me there when she'd been around.
As I walked into the familiar room where the jacuzzi was, my legs wobbled. Different reasons why Zayn was asking for me flashed through my mind. My head throbbed at the many thoughts.
Maybe he'd found someone else to be his fiancèe. Or his parents had discovered we were lying.
The first part made my heart squeeze. Although it shouldn't, I hated to imagine another woman being Zayn's fiancèe. I should-
“Are you going to stand there all night long?” His deep voice rang out in the large room, and I almost jumped.
There he was, in the steaming hot tub with the most seductive of looks. His hair was wet from the water, and he looked more relaxed than this morning.
My legs pulled me over to the jacuzzi, and I sat on the comfy chair few meters away from it.
“You called for me.” I said after a moment's silence. After trying to ignore how hot he looked. Or how I badly wanted to grind against his body.
Rein in your thoughts, girl, I chided myself.
“I am not the only one who looks tired, Kacie.” He said, flicking his fingers casually.
My neck burned at the thought of Zayn's eyes on any part of my body.
“Oh.” I merely said, and clasped my fingers like I always did whenever I was nervous.
“And except you'd rather sit there and watch me, you can come in.” His words surprised the hell out of me.
Was this really Zayn? The Zayn who'd threatened to kill me?
“Are you-” I began, a smile touching my lips. “-inviting me to join you in the jacuzzi?” I asked, the smile broadening.
“Don't read much into it.” His eyes narrowed.
I was already up, before he changed his mind. As I took off my robe, his gaze followed me through every step. I suddenly felt naked, despite the lingerie I was putting on.
I hurried into the jacuzzi, before he could see how nervous I was.
The water felt warm and relaxing against my skin. A moan of satisfaction left my lips, and I closed my eyes to savor the feeling.
“My parents like you.” His voice drew me out of my momentary trance. My eyes snapped open, and I met his darkened gaze.
He let it linger on my bare shoulder, before looking at my face again.
“Your mother, yes. But your father -” He cut me off, with a low chuckle.
“If my father didn't like you, he'd have sent you off.”
“He's weird.” I muttered beneath my breath.
I shrieked, as he suddenly pulled me over to him. The water splashed, and my body tingled all over, as he stared hard at me.
“What are you doing?” I hissed.
“Did you just call my father weird, Kacie?” He asked, his voice dangerously low.
The sound of my name on his lips turned my insides. But I couldn't help it.
I hadn't realized I had said that aloud.
“I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.” I stuttered nervously, as he pulled me closer.
Our gazes locked and something more intense than electricity sizzled between us. I was suddenly conscious of his hold on my waist. I lowered my gaze to his lips, which looked deliciously alluring.
“Are you?” He pushed my head gently towards his, and alarm bells went off in my head.
I hated to admit it, but I wanted him to kiss me.
Our lips were a few moments from touching, and I couldn't control the rapid acceleration of my heartbeat. My breath turned raspy, and my chest heaved.
“Zayn-” I called out softly.
“f**k,” he cursed, and slammed his lips on mine.
- Writer
