5. Zack
Chapter 5
Zack
W hile pacing the length of my home office, I glance through my floor-to-ceiling windows at the Vegas skyline as evening arrives. One by one, each ornate building turns on its glowing lights, but the view can’t hold my attention tonight, because all I can think about is her—Bianca.
The memory of our accidental wedding is an itch I can’t scratch away. I married her and foolishly skipped the best part—the moment where she opens her legs for me.
I want her—badly, and it’s more than physical. It’s all-consuming.
Damn it. I shouldn’t have left her this morning without satisfying my needs. By the expression on her face, she had wanted it too, just as much as I did.
Decision made, I grab my keys and head out. My Lamborghini roars to life, a beast eager for the chase. As I drive towards Fitzgerald’s, my grip on the steering wheel tightens. While I hate the idea of stepping into her territory and giving her the upper hand, desperation makes a man do foolish things.
The neon sign of Fitzgerald’s blazes against the darkening Vegas sky. I despise the fancy, upscale vibe of this club, but it’s where she is. I push through the velvet ropes, ignoring the murmurs of recognition.
A bouncer smirks as he unhooks the rope. “Mr. Wolfe, to what do we owe the pleasure?”
I don’t bother with a response.
Inside, the chandeliers glow over the refined crowd. Laughter and clinking glasses fill the air, but it gets quieter as all eyes turn to me. I ignore it and stride toward the back, my pulse quickening with every step as I get closer to her office.
I knock once and then enter without waiting for permission. Power move.
There she is. Bianca stands by the window, a vision in a form-fitting dress that stresses every curve. Her mane cascades down her shoulders in loose waves, framing her tan complexion and showing off her addictive caramel eyes.
My heart hammers in my chest as she draws me in. I swallow and play it cool, even though my manhood twitches against the fabric of my suit pants. “Honey, I’m home.”
As she stands up straighter, she’s not laughing. In fact, she looks downright serious. She peers into a distant corner of the room before she looks at me with a crease in her brows. “Did you know we’re married for real?”
A surge of panic runs through me. “What uh … what are you talking about?”
Her glossy lips part. “Elvis—I mean Eddie King—filed the certificate with the county. It’s not fake.”
My heartbeat booms in my ear as I stare at her and blink. “What?”
“Look it up,” she snaps. “It’s all over the internet.”
Sinking down into a seat, my brain spins at the gravity of the situation. I never wanted this level of commitment with anyone, let alone my rival. We’re enemies. This should not be happening.
“Zack?” Her voice breaks through my thoughts.
Our eyes lock. “Yeah?”
“Are we going to…you know, annul this?”
My heart pounds, a drumbeat syncing with the distant throb of bass from the club. “Should we?”
She bites her lip. “It’s the logical step.”
“None of this is logical.” I run my hand through my hair, pondering a way out of this mess. But the more I think about it, the clearer it becomes that there’s no easy fix. “We can’t just annul this and pretend it never happened. We happened.”
“But none of it was real.” She tilts her head. “Was it?”
My brain races to think of a logical response but I come up empty. I’m not ready to cancel anything—not without thinking it through. “Well, the numbers were phenomenal last night. People swarmed into all twelve of my clubs, hungry for more. And I’m sure your club was just as packed.”
She crosses her arms, her expression guarded. “So, this is just business to you?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. I just don’t see the logic in panicking and making another rash decision. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
Her brows crease together as she scratches her head. She opens her mouth to argue, but I cut her off.
“Then it’s settled,” I declare, my tone final. “Our little arrangement has been a lucrative business move. We’ll just let this scandal blow over and part ways quietly when the time comes.” My eyes narrow in challenge, daring her to oppose me.
Bianca sighs, her posture stiffening. This wasn’t part of her plan. “Fine, but we’ll need ground rules. This is a business arrangement only.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Of course. Strictly business.”
But even as I agree, my gaze lingers on the curve of her neck and the swell of her lips. A business deal never felt so electric.
Bianca struts to the bar cart and pours herself a drink. The crystal clinks delicately as she adds ice.
“First rule,” she says without looking at me. “No touching. We keep up appearances in public, but that’s it.”
My shoulders drop. There’s no way I’ll agree to that. Leaning against her desk, I purse my lips. “We’ve already broken that rule.”
She whirls around, eyes flashing. “Yeah, but that was when we were drunk and out of our minds.”
The truth is, I crave her more now than I did last night. The desire just grows, taking on a life of its own. I must test this out—to see if her desire is real. Holding my breath, I close the space between us. “We’re not drunk now, though.”
She stiffens like she’s ready to retreat, but something holds her back. Her teeth sink into her lip, a tiny gesture that sends my pulse racing.
“So, tell me something, and please don’t lie.” I close the gap until I’m inches from her. “Do you still want me like you did last night?”
Her breath is hot against me. “Yes, but… it’s complicated.”
“Maybe.” Arousal spreads across my groin and I need to touch her. “Or maybe it’s the simplest thing ever.”
She sighs. “Zack, I won’t deny there’s something potent between us.”
I nod. “Is that why you’re not pushing me away?”
Her breathing increases as she gestures vaguely between us. “This could ruin us.”
My head tilts as I view her from a different angle. “Or make us unstoppable.”
“Unstoppable…” She trails off, and I see the raw need in her eyes mirroring my own.
I lean closer until I’m mere inches away from her face and I can smell her alluring floral scent. “Think about it, Bianca. Together, we could redefine this town.”
Her breath catches and her body leans into mine longer than necessary. “Redefine, or destroy?”
This is insanity, but it’s the kind of stuff that could burn a skyscraper down.
My fingertips graze her jaw, and I feel her warmth against my skin. “Accidental or not, it was one hell of a night.”
“Zack…” Her protest is weak, and her desire is clear as she meets me halfway.
“Tell me to stop.” I dare her, knowing full well she won’t.
She doesn’t. And in that silence, everything changes.
I close the distance and pull her to me, my lips capturing hers with a ferocious hunger that surprises even me. Our lips explore at first, and then the air vibrates as the kiss deepens.
Bianca’s arms snake around my neck, pulling me deeper. Our bodies meld together as we kiss, a perfect fit.
I lose myself in the taste of her sophistication and wild abandon.
Our kiss is a promise, binding. It’s forbidden, but who cares? I stroke her cheek with my hand.
Her breath hitches, and she leans into the touch, closing her eyes. When she reopens her eyelids, her brows crease again. She wants to tell me it’s wrong, but she doesn’t.
She’s my wife, and she’s mine.
So, I cup her face, my thumb brushing over her full lips. “Shhh.”
Our gazes lock, amber to caramel. My heart thunders in my chest, drowning out all external sounds.
She breathes against my lips and her walls come down, laid bare just for me. It’s raw and real.
A surge of victory races through me as I claim her lips again and she kisses me back with fervor. With each kiss, she unlocks a new flavor. Her taste is as addictive as a fine wine or a decadent dessert. It's a potent blend of sweetness and spice, and it drives me even more wild.
I groan, pressing her body against mine. Every point of contact arouses my senses, branding me with a fierce craving. The smell of her skin, her hair, and her breath mingles, creating an intoxicating aroma that fills my senses.
She gasps again when we finally break for air, her eyes dark with longing. But there’s fear there too.
I breathe against her lips, tasting the remnants of our passion. “Are you scared?”
Her breaths come out like cumbersome pants. “Terrified.”
And just like that, we’re not enemies. Not lovers.
Something new. Something wild.
Something inevitable.