GAME OF LOVE: PLAYING WITH FIRE

CHAPTER 3

The plane touched down in Rio, and Zara's excitement was palpable. Alex smiled, observing her gaze out the window at the vibrant cityscape. She had initially refused to come, citing work as an excuse, but he had been able to convince her to use it in her favor. She had told her editor she had an all-expense paid trip to Rio de Janeiro for a week and wanted to use it to gather research for their recently published column on South American cultural heritage.

As they exited the airport, the warm Brazilian sun enveloped them. Zara's hair danced in the gentle breeze, captivating Alex. He offered his arm, and she accepted, her hand brushing against his. She tensed for a second, shocked by the hot warmth that crept through her body at that subtle bodily contact.

“What's wrong with me," she thought to herself. “It's not like our bodies haven't touched all these years we've been friends." Zara couldn't deny the fact that her body was beginning to give a different response to Alex's presence around her now.

Through all these years she had stayed friends with him, she had been able to bury her s****l attraction to Alex, knowing it wasn't reciprocated. Now, with Alex's sudden interest in her, and the fact that he was intentionally wooing her even with his actions and the way he spoke now, her body seemed to have developed a mind of its own with one intent. Salivating after Alex. NO! She wasn't going to become like all those girls who could not compose themselves around him.

She knew he always had an uncanny hold over women, but it had never worked on her. She had always prided herself on it and bragged to him how immune she was to his charms. She wasn't so sure about that now. Maybe not now that the charms had been directed towards her, full force.

Their penthouse hotel suite boasted breathtaking views of Copacabana Beach. Zara gasped, spinning around the luxurious apartment. "This is stunning!"

Alex chuckled, pleased with himself. "I'm glad you like it."

"By the way, what's the room plan?" Zara asked, raising an eyebrow.

Alex grinned mischievously. "Well, I thought we could just share my lovely master suite."

Zara playfully rolled her eyes. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Mister."

"You can't blame a man for trying," Alex replied, chuckling. "But seriously, there are two bedrooms. You can have your own space."

Zara smiled, teasing. "So you get the master suite, isn't that supposed to be between the borderline of sexism and narcissism?”

Alex's eyes sparkled. "Ohhh! I'm sorry Miss journalist, I don't know the meaning of those fancy words you just used, I'm just an ordinary man fancying the nicer room."

"Yeah. Ordinary my ass!” She laughed out before turning to head into her room with her luggage.

Alex's eyes followed her perfectly rounded butts, like the words she said had been a command to stare, unable to tear his eyes away until she shut her room door behind her, her laughter cut off by the abrupt closing of the door.

“What the hell is wrong with me? I'm not just seeing Zara, so why am I gawking at her like a depraved maniac?" Alex chided himself.

Over dinner, Zara shared stories about her grandmother's time in Brazil. "My dad used to tell my sister Zoe and me about his mom's life here before she moved to Spain, where she fell in love with my grandfather."

Alex listened intently, captivated by Zara's warmth. "That's beautiful. Your family has a rich history. I know you've always talked about how you would probably love to visit Brazil, at least once, so I knew this would be a perfect opportunity.” He dropped his fork, stretching his hand out to rub her knuckles from across the table. “I know what's good for you, Zara."

Zara snorted, trying to hide the blush that had crept up her cheeks by the intensity of Alex's gaze and words. “And you believe you're it?"

Alex smiled sheepishly, revealing his perfect set of white teeth. “Well, we will never know now if you don't give me a chance."

The next morning, Alex departed for the tech conference, leaving Zara to her research. “Three days, and I will be back. Just three days, and I promise to make this trip unforgettable for you,” he had said to her that morning before leaving.

"Hmmmm, Mr. Steele, hasn't anyone told you never to make a promise you're not certain you could keep?” She replied to him, with a curt smile, throwing an inviting gaze at him.

He had bent down to give her a kiss on her forehead before replying her. “Ohhh! I'm sure I can, Miss Natchios. I'm sure I can."

She hired a guide, Paulo, who took her to local communites of Rio and surrounding cities where she could get to do documentative research on the cultural heritage and religious diversities of some tribes in Brazil.

Meanwhile, Alex found himself distracted during presentations, his thoughts drifting to Zara. He wondered if he was genuinely interested or just caught up in the thrill.

As the conference concluded, Alex was approached by Rafael, a prominent figure in the finance sector.

"Alex, we're heading to São Paulo for a finance summit. The crème de la crème of the industry will be there. Care to join us?" Rafael asked.

Alex hesitated, his mind already with Zara. "Thank you, Rafael, but I'll have to pass."

Rafael's eyebrows shot up. "Pass? This is an opportunity to network with the biggest players in the game."

"I understand, but I have other commitments," Alex replied firmly.

Rafael nodded, though clearly puzzled. "Suit yourself, Alex. Maybe next time."

As Rafael walked away, Alex felt a pang of surprise. He had never prioritized personal relationships over business. What was happening to him?

With renewed urgency, Alex headed back to the hotel suite, eager to rejoin Zara.

As he arrived at the hotel suite, expecting to find her relaxing. Instead, as he stepped out of the private elevator, which served directly as a door into the penthouse, he saw Zara with another man, looking quite at home as she laughed heartily at something he had just said into her ear. For a moment, they didn't even notice he had just stepped into the suite.

All of a sudden, Alex could feel his blood boiling and his temperature rising as he watched this stranger casually lay a hand on Zara's face, lightly flicking his thumb across her cheek with dexterity.

“Who the hell is this? What is he doing here? Why does Zara look so comfortable with him?” His thoughts raged in his head, his inner will fighting to cover the few feet between him and this man and overpower him.