Chapter 6

Zara’s POV

I didn’t know how long I sat here, frozen. I couldn’t move, my brain find it hard to process what I have done.

How he didn’t react, not even a flicker in his eyes. His expression was completely blank just like when he first walked in, no shock, anger or confusion. Hell! Not even recognition.

And next thing, he turned and walked away, again making feel foolish and disposable.

I stood there, my fingers tightly curled into my palms, my chest was too tight and too hollow at the same time.

My cheeks burns embarrassment first, hot and sharp. Then confusion, I had expected him to react at least half of how I did.

Shame, slowly and quietly sinking into my bones. I felt guilty in a way I didn’t how to name. I felt guilty toward Rosa, I had unknowingly had sex with her man.

But more guilty towards myself, the fact that I had let myself fall into a stranger’s arms so easily.

If I hadn’t gone to that club. If I hadn’t let the mask make me reckless enough to sleep with a stranger….

I wouldn’t have slept with my stepbrother.

The word alone made my stomach twist, I pressed my lips together, breathing through the nausea that filled the thought.

God, I didn’t known, I wish I could turn back the hands of time. But regret didn’t undo the images that were still fresh in my memory. His hands, mouth and the way he had looked at me like I was something he wanted without apology.

And now..?

It turned out to be a taboo, something that was not supposed to happen.

I found myself pacing my room, stopping just to starting again. My thoughts were all over the place, should I talk to him?

Should I pretend nothing happened, like he clearly wanted to? Should I apologize? But for what, exactly?

I stopped walking.

Before I could overthink, I made an impulsive and again reckless decision, and headed for his home office.

He’s likely going to be there.

The walk there felt longer, maybe because it was my second time walking down this hallway, Rosa had gave me a tour of the house. By the time I stood before the door, my hands were shaking.

I knocked anyway, before I scurry away in fear.

The door opened almost immediately, but not by Matteo.

It was a man I didn’t recognize, he had almost the same built like Matteo. Tall, sharp eyed, dressed like a typical bad boy, one who knew how to hurt people for a living. His gaze swept me over quickly, assessing me.

“I.. sorry,” I said instantly, panic flaring. “I didn’t know you guys were busy. I’ll just..”

I stepped aside just enough to see inside, another man is sitting across the desk. And Matteo was seated behind it, relaxed in a way that came off dangerous to me. Broad shoulders filling the chair, sharp jaw set, eyes that looked darker than they had in the kitchen.

Colder and focused.

Power seems to sit on him like a second skin.

“I’ll come back later,” I rushed already backing away.

“No,” Matteo spoke calmly. I halted, peeping at him.

He didn’t look at me when he spoke, his gaze stayed on the man across from him.

“Leave us,” he added.

The man stood immediately, so did the one at the door. They brushed past me, neither questioned him. As soon as I stepped in, they closed the door, leaving us alone.

Silence followed, neither of us spoke. I stood there, hands clasped together, my heartbeat was accelerating rapidly, I’m so sure he could hear it. He finally looked at me, the same unreadable expression.

I swallowed nervously.

“I..” My voice came out weaker than I wanted it to. I cleared my throat. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“You already did,” he replied evenly.

I visibly flinched.

“I just… I needed to talk to you.” I forced myself to meet his gaze. “About what happened.”

He leaned back slightly, studying me. The stare wasn’t like a man looking at his sister, like a puzzle.

“I think it was a mistake.” I added quickly before I lose my nerve. “What happened at the club, and now that we know…” I trailed off.

“I think we should forget it, and pretend it never happened.” My chest tightened.

For a moment, I thought he would laugh at what I said, but he didn’t.

Instead, something shifted in his eyes, subtle. Like he was letting me speak because he already knew how this would end.

“If that’s what you want,” he said calmly. And instant relief wash through me.

“Yes, it is.” I breathes.

He stood, and came around the desk, closing the distance between us with quiet confidence that made my pulse betray me.

“You’re shaking.” He observed.

“I’m not.” That’s a lie, a big one. Even a blind man can tell that I was shaking.

I hadn’t processed the fact that he was now standing barely an arm length away from me, I could already feel the heat of his body. When all of a sudden his hands reached out andgrab my waist, and lifts me up on the desk.

I instinctively hold his shoulders for support, but now I wish I didn’t because I can feel the warmth of his body underneath my hand. He pushes my knees apart and steps between my legs.

I lean back in shock, nearly falling over of not for his strong hold still on my waist.

“What the hell?” Shocked, that was the only thing that would leave my mouth.

My mouth parts involuntarily when his thumbs brush across my rib cage with the barest touch. He leans forward until our faces are inches apart and smirks lazily at whatever expression I’m wearing on my face.

“Why… why are you touching me?” I hate how breathless I sounded.

“Look how breathless you are and you want us to forget last night?” He taunts, voice low and tone hard.

“Yes.” I nodded, barely getting the word out. “It wasn’t supposed to happen, a mistake.”

His eyes flashed and then I’m being yanked toward him, his hands guiding my legs to lock around his waist. A noise of surprise gets better of me when he holds me there with one hand on my back, his other hand creeping into my hair and pulling my head back.

He grinds his hips into mine and a shaky breath passes through my lips. Because I feel him, big and solid, pushing against the most sensitive part of me.

I wanted to push him away, every part of my brain cell screams for me to run out. But my body betray, lifts and n its own accord, seeking his touch before realizing what I’m doing and pull my hips back again.

Get a grip on yourself, Zara. I slap myself inwardly.

“Last night doesn’t disappear just because you want it to.” He said softly.

“I know.” I croaked. “But it has to.” I whispered.

I don’t understand what he’s driving at, maybe I did but I’m too distracted by how much harder he’s getting and his won’t stop leisurely rocking into me. And I’m point blank horrified that my lower tummy tightens with the tension of a building orgasm.

I snapped back, this pull shouldn’t exist.

“No,” I said, sharper now. “This exactly why I came here. We can’t do this. I can’t do this,”

Something unreadable crossed his face, I pushed him and he took two steps back, leaving room for me to stand.

I stood up and fled before he could say anything else.

I didn’t stop running until I was back in my room, the door locked behind me with my back pressed against it as my chest heaved.

I know he wouldn’t follow me in here but I don’t trust us around each other. I blow out a shaky breath and try not let my mind go to traitorous places.

Never again.

I promise myself that it won’t happen again, I need to keep my distance if that’s what it will take.

Arghhh!

It could have been any one, but why him. My stepbrother.