Her Impossible Mate

21- Is This Love

...Raine...

Cami had helped me get ready for the event tonight. I already felt like a fish out of water in this extravagant getup. Cami did her best to calm me, but my stomach churned at the thought of going to such a large and luxurious event, never mind entering alone. Zander had assured me Luca would be there for me, but honestly, he was a poor replacement for the man I really wanted by my side. 

Leaving the building, my heart warmed to see Zander in all his finery, waiting patiently by the car. He listened. He heard me when I said I wanted more time. I couldn't help run at him when he finally noticed his face dropped in awe, and he hung up the phone immediately to appreciate me. That is the kind of relationship I craved. 

We pull up to the venue with Zander's hand clutching possessively at my thigh. His grip tightens at the sight of the crowds waiting for people to arrive. I imagine I've made him late with his detour to pick me up. I try to remain composed. The idea of tonight already had me nervous but seeing the scale and importance of the event up close is only more nerve-wracking. 

Zander twists to face me with a soft and reassuring smile while his grip loosens, and he rubs my thigh gently. 

"Are you ready?" His voice is calming, his gentle demeanour always soothes my anxieties. I nod.

He hops out of the driver's seat, and I see him throw his keys to someone. I take a few soothing breaths before twisting to leave the passenger side. Before I manage to exit myself, Zander has rushed to my door and extended his hand to help me out. I'm thankful, as I'm sure manoeuvring out of this low car in this dress alone would have been less than graceful. 

He pulls me close and sweeps his hand around my back to hold firmly at my waist. I hear him hum as his hand runs over my bare back and let out a little snort. My hand clings onto the back of his jacket for security as we walk up the red carpet entrance. 

All this feels a bit tone-deaf when it comes to the causes tonight raises money for. Lena had agreed with me when I shared my concerns a few weeks ago, although she reminded me that tonight was about getting large sums of money out of the wealthiest people in the city. They like extravagance, and keeping them happy was key to getting their money. 

I feel Zander's gaze burning into me as he checks that I'm ok. Press are gathered, and flashes blind us as we walk towards the entrance. 

"We'll skip the photo opportunity." Zander leans down so he's close for me to hear, his warm breath falling over my exposed neck and shoulder. I look up at him and see his look of concern for me.

"No. I like being seen at your side." I whisper into his ear and see his face break into a smile. He turns his head to smirk at me, his eyes twinkling with pride.

We pause in front of a backdrop, the photographers perch ready to snap. I stand tall, proud to be on Zander's arm while they attack us with flashes and questions for more of their gossip magazines. I smile politely, refusing to acknowledge some of the personal questions being thrown at me. When I turn to glance at Zander, I see him gazing down at me like his eyes have never left me. Like he never wants to look anywhere else. 

I smile and scrunch my nose playfully to let him know I'm doing ok and he chuckles. He leans down to place a soft kiss on my lips. At first, I'm taken aback but ease into the public display of affection. 

While Zander had been photographed with many women, there hadn't been any with deliberate public displays of affection. I know, I've done the research. 

This felt like his way of showing me- showing everyone- that this is serious. I'm not some drunken fling or 'flavour of the month'. I'm his. And he's mine. The flashes increase, with gasps and squeaks from our audience. We pull apart and smile lovingly at each other. The noise and the chaos around us have slipped away, and I'm lost in his sapphire eyes. They offer me safety and sanctuary. They offer me a home.

"Is this love, Mr Heroux?" The question booms over the rest and snaps me from the refuge of Zander's gaze. He doesn't answer, just as he didn't for any other question, but there is a mischievous glint in his eyes, and I'm sure I see a singular nod of his head. But who can be sure of anything in these blinding lights?

Zander's fingers lace with mine as he guides me away from the chaos and into the venue. 

That question has me thinking, is this love? We've known each other for such a short time, and the amount of time we've actually spent together is minimal. But every time we are together, it's like I've known him my whole life. He's the piece of me that was missing, and now we're together, I feel whole. If this isn't love already, then I'm falling, and I'm falling hard. 

Zander squeezes my hand lightly again to bring me out of my thoughts. The click of my heels on the marble floor is the only noise in the corridor. The noise of outside muffled behind ornate doors.

I smile back at him to keep him reassured that I'm fine. I feel the buzz of adrenaline from surviving another encounter from the press, the pushing of my boundaries will only continue tonight, I'm sure. And the sooner I can get a drink, the better. 

We walk through even larger ornate double doors and into the main hall of the venue. I gasp at seeing the lavish environment. There are giant marble pillars dotted around the massive room. The ceiling is painted with little cherubs and other whimsical themes with golden accents cascading from the roof. My mouth is gaping as I scan the entirety of the room, struggling to absorb it all. Zander's eyes are not the only ones on me as people turn to watch us enter into the lion's den. 

Zander guides me gently through the crowds towards Lena, Bella and Luca gathered at the edge of the dance floor. They all smile warmly and greet us. My mouth still gapes at the excess of luxurious surroundings though I try to compose myself to greet everyone.

"I have to circulate with Lena and greet the guests." Zander leans in again so our conversation is more intimate. His eyes look sad, and I try to hide my own disappointment that he's leaving me. I nod, acknowledging his statement. "F*ck. I don't want to leave you. Especially looking like this." He leans in even closer, his stubble cheek rubbing against my own cheek as his husky voice rumbles directly into my ear. I hum into him, my hand sliding under his jacket and onto his waist to hold him in place. I deliberately breathe heavier into his ear to let him know his effect on me, my chest rising enough to press lightly into his.

"Raine." My name rumbles out of him in a growl. "I can't wait to take that dress off you later." He pulls back, though his resistance is obvious. I smirk up at him, my body almost pulsing with the threat of pleasure. 

"Neither can I." My voice has a seductive lilt. His eyes close with a deep inhale of breath as I chew suggestively at my lip. 

"Luca will look after you." He's calmed his voice though his eyes remain darkened with lust. "And no nicknames." He points harshly at Luca, who raises both hands in submission. I frown at their exchange. Zander presses a gentle kiss to my lips before nodding to Lena, and they both leave.

"Let's get you a drink, Sunny." Luca rests a friendly hand on my shoulder.

"I heard that." Zander shouts back and twists to glare at Luca. We both chuckle, knowing the innocence of Luca's pet name, which causes Zander to roll his eyes. 

Luca leads me over to the bar to order some drinks but is quickly distracted by some beautiful blondes off to our left. He checks I'm ok before slipping over to work his charm on them. I chuckle to myself at his attempts to woo them while casually sipping on my drink.

I scan over the guests in the room. There are elected officials, some celebrity faces and probably many more influential people I've never heard of. To my right, I hear the shrill cackle of Evangeline Blackwood as she tries entirely too hard to flirt with some older looking men. Her father is off to her side doing exactly the same with a few women who look far too young for him. I roll my eyes. Like father, like daughter, huh?

I finish my glass quicker than expected and turn to order a new one. 

A familiar hand sweeps across my back and the figure leans around to the bartender heading in this direction. 

"Vodka martini, extra dirty and a scotch on the rocks." I turn to investigate the familiar figure and almost choke on my own saliva. 

"Jamie?" My mouth falls slack at seeing him in this environment. He looks good all dressed up in a sleek suit, clean-shaven, with his dark hair combed back away from his chiselled features. 

"Raine." He smiles, sliding the freshly made martini towards me. He remembered my drink. I gulp and scan the room worriedly for Zander. I see him at the other side of the room, his back facing us. 

"W-what are you doing here?" This whole thing feels like dejavu but in a much more luxurious environment. 

"I was invited by some business associates. A good cause and a good networking opportunity." I take a sip of my drink and nod along, though I still feel my eyes wide in shock. 

"You're here with Mr Heroux?" I sense he's probing for information, though the article made our connection quite clear, and he had been present when Zander had swept me away in the club. In fact, his hands had been all over me while our bodies-

"Yes. Yes, I'm here with Zander." I spit the words out before going to take another large gulp of my drink. He smiles down, apparently enjoying my discomfort. 

"Are you ok?" I stare up at his question, still thrown off by his presence. He didn't seem like the type to attend things like this. 

"Yeah." I shake my head. "I guess I'm just surprised to see you here among all these..." I look around, looking for the word.

"Rich assholes?" He offers, and I chuckle. I relax and shake my head, remembering how comfortable I was in Jamie's presence. 

"You look so beautiful tonight, Raine." He steps closer, and just as soon as I relax, I tense again.

"I- Jamie- Uhm-" I stumble over my words, not sure of how to respond. He has stepped uncomfortably close as he runs two fingers down the top of my arm. My skin erupts with goosebumps, but not the exciting and enjoyable ones I get from Zander's touch. 

As I stand in front of him, lost for words, a firm hand wraps around my wrists and tugs me away. Jamie shouts in protest as I stumble back away from him and into Zander's hard chest. 

He says nothing though I can sense his fury. He storms around the edge of the room and ducks us down an empty corridor, my heels clicking furiously as I try to keep up. I place the half drank martini from Jamie on a table as he rushes by and away from the party. 

In a dark and deserted hall, Zander swings me around by my wrist, and I land firmly against the wall with a gasp. 

Zander has me trapped between his arms, an angry snarl formed across his delicious lips. My eyebrows knit together in surprise. Sure, Jamie was being inappropriate, but I wasn't.

"Did you enjoy your catch up with your friend?" His voice is rough, but there is no lust present. This is rage.

"I don't know what you think happened-"

"I know what he wanted to happen. I could see it in his eyes." He cuts me off, his jaw tensing with each harsh word.

I breathe heavily. Seeing Zander like this shouldn't excite me, but it does. He's jealous.

"I remember that night in the club. Seeing his hands all over you, you pressing yourself against him. Do you think he doesn't want that again?" His eyes are dark with anger, his nostrils flaring, as he holds me prisoner between his arms. 

"He's a friend, Zander." I hold his gaze and keep my voice strong. His eyes narrow in thought before he leans in, his lips resting at my ear.

"He's nothing." He growls. I clench as heat floods me at his possessive nature. He bends down to sweep his hand under the hem of my dress. His hand runs the entire length of my leg, then pauses at my inner thigh as his eyes land on mine again. I'm glad this dress doesn't allow for underwear, one less barrier between Zander's hand and my pleasure. The shift between rage and lust is minimal but evident. I roll my head back and sigh heavily at his touch.

"You're not his to call beautiful." I bring my head up to meet his gaze, realising he heard Jamie's compliment. "You're mine." He rumbles a growl from his chest as he sweeps his fingers through my slick folds and pushes his fingers slowly inside.

My eyes bulge and scan around in case we're not alone. Thankfully we are. As he curls his fingers in me, I struggle not to let a moan rip from my chest, and I forget all about where we are. 

He kisses up my neck as he strokes inside me. My breathing becomes erratic at the ecstasy he offers me with minimal effort. 

"Say it. Tell me you're mine." He growls into my ear and I hum with delight as his thumb circles firmly over my c**t. 

"I-I'm yours." I shudder through the statement, already winding up for release. 

"Good girl." He croons in my ear, causing my eyes to flutter back at his praise. Just as I feel myself dancing on the edge of release, he removes his fingers sharply. I snap from the ecstasy and scowl at him, only to be met by his mischievous smirk. 

"If you continue to be a good girl, you'll earn your reward." I open my mouth to protest, but he engulfs my lips with his own in a heated kiss. He pulls away abruptly, leaving me breathless and takes the pocket square out to clean off his fingers. He tucks in back in with a small chuckle. I frown at him.

"Now every wolf will smell you on me." His eyes twinkle with mischief as I blush at the thought. He takes my hand in his and walks us back to the party.

Zander keeps me by his side for the remainder of the evening. I see some eyes flicking down to his pocket square as people inhale the scent, and I blush furiously. Thankfully, the number of affluent wolves is less than the number of human guests. But it doesn't ease my embarrassment, the scent of my pleasure a beacon to all those who know. 

An hour or so into boring conversations at Zander's side, my head starts to hurt and my stomach twists. I feel a rush of heat, and it's not the pleasurable kind. I try to take calming breaths to relieve the nausea. 

"I need to use the restroom." I whisper into Zander's ear at a break in his conversation. He looks down at me with concern but lets my hand go for the first time since he captured me. I give him a reassuring smile, though I don't feel fine at all, and trot off to the bathroom. 

On my journey, I notice an unsettling encounter. Jamie is standing alone in a corner with Arthur Blackwood. Jamie looks sheepish while Arthur whisper shouts furiously at him. It looks strange, a man of Jamie's stature cowering at the hand of Arthur. Jamie's eyes flick up to mine, looking sad, but he quickly returns his focus to Arthur.

I've no time to think about what the encounter could be about as I'm sure I might vomit soon. 

I make it to the bathroom in time and burst into an empty cubicle just as the vomit rises up my throat. I cough into the bowl, trying to make sure I get everything up. I wipe at my mouth, feeling disgusting, especially in a dress and venue so beautiful. My stomach twists uncomfortably but feels empty for now. I sigh as I stand and exit the cubicle. 

I'm met with a smug-faced Evangeline, dressed in a green silk dress similar to my own. She looks me up and down and scoffs herself into a little chuckle. I walk past her to the sink to check my appearance. My cheeks are flushed with the effort of vomiting, my lipstick now non-existent. 

Eva moves to stand behind me, her eyebrow quirked in amusement at my situation.

"Not cut out for this lifestyle, sweetheart?" Her sickly tone is mocking. I grimace at her through the mirror as I splash some cold water on my flushed face. 

"Not to worry, Zander will tire of you soon." She smiles wickedly from behind me, and this time I turn to face her.

"You know nothing about Zander and I." My fists ball in anger. 

"Perhaps not. But I know Zander. Very well." She winks suggestively, a growl catches in my throat. "I know that Zander will get bored of you soon and come running back to me. He always does, honey." 

I hold in my rage, my beast threatening to break loose and rip her to shreds. I stand tall and compose myself. 

"Are you not tired, Eva?" She folds her arms, waiting for me to finish. "Tired of being his second choice." It's her turn to growl as I smile smugly at her. 

"I'll give you a tip, Raine." She steps closer as if to seem menacing. Even feeling like this, I know I could beat her. 

"Zander runs hot and cold." My heart clenches as that has been my experience. "And when he's cold, he's focusing his energy on someone else." I gulp back the bile that threatens to come up my throat. Both at feeling nauseous and at Eva's words. She leans in with her wicked smirk. "He knows where to find me." She says coldly, then she struts herself out of the toilet. 

I breathe heavily to calm myself. My head throbs, and I feel a little woozy. I didn't think I had much to drink, but perhaps I had. Feeling like I had at least finished vomiting, I slowly make my way back to Zander. 

He's in a big group, and I tiptoe into place next to him. I wait until the conversation ebbs before tapping on his shoulder for his attention. He turns to me and frowns.

"I don't feel well. I'd like to go home." He looks to the group and then back at me as if battling with what to do.

"Ok, I'll just finish-" I wave him off, knowing this is important to him.

"No, honestly, I'll be fine." I squeeze at his hand to reassure him. He frowns back at me in conflict.

"You're sure?" He looks over my sickly appearance. All this make-up can't hide the beads of clammy sweat and sunken eyes. 

I nod in agreement.

"Call me if you need anything." He brushes the hair from my face and leans in for a kiss. I turn my head so his lips land on my cheeks. I didn't want him to kiss me just after I'd been sick. He presses my chin between his thumb and finger and twists my head to land a tender kiss on my lips. I give in, the kiss comforting me slightly. 

I manage to escape any run-ins with the tabloids and sneak into a cab home.

On the journey, I feel even dizzier. My vision starts to blur on the walk to the elevator in my apartment building. I shake my head, trying to find clarity. There is no reason for me to be feeling this way. I had four, maybe five drinks. I drink multiple bottles of wine a night at this point, this is not from too much alcohol. 

I stumble into my dark apartment, kicking off the heels in the hopes it helps my balance. It doesn't.

As I move further into the room, the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention. Something is wrong. Quickly, I pull out my phone and dial Zander. He answers quickly.

"Z-zander..." Is all I manage to stutter out. Something hard smacks off the back of my head, causing a hollow thud to echo around the apartment. The blow forces me to the ground, the phone sliding across the floor away from me.

The last thing I hear is Zander's panicked voice shouting my name through the phone. A dark figure looms over me as I scramble on the floor. 

Then, darkness.