A Second Chance At Love

Chapter 5: Almost.

Zara’s eyes widened in sheer shock, her mind struggling to process what she had just heard. She stared at Xander as if he were a complete stranger.

Zara Collins?

“Now, if you’ll excuse us,” Xander spoke smoothly, completely ignoring the stunned Mr. Zack.

Zara said absolutely nothing as Xander navigated them away. He was standing right beside her, but to her, he felt worlds away. The moment they reached a less crowded area, Xander excused himself to greet a group of associates.

Zara used the opportunity to slip away, finding a quiet corner near the dessert section. She stayed focused on her task, though her thoughts were spinning. She helped herself to a small plate of pastries, trying to find a moment of peace.

Meet my wife, Zara Collins.

Xander’s words kept echoing in her ears.

“That bastard…” she muttered under her breath, her jaw tightening. “Is he trying to make her life a living hell?” She scoffed, taking a bite of a cookie. “His wife? He must have lost his mind.”

The dessert was rich and full of flavor, and Zara appreciated the brief distraction. That was, until a sharp, irritating voice ruined her moment of peace.

“I didn't know Asterion Group opened its doors to just anyone these days.”

Zara turned slowly to face the speaker. The woman was undeniably elegant, with long blonde hair and a royal blue gown that commanded attention. She reeked of privilege—and trouble.

Behind her stood a small group, looking ready for a confrontation.

“And you are?” Zara questioned, raising an eyebrow, already exhausted by the incoming drama.

“This is Xander's companion, Elizabeth Rodwood,” one of the others snapped.

Zara gave a slow, bored nod. “Alright. So?” she asked, casually continuing with her dessert.

Her unbothered attitude clearly infuriated Elizabeth. The woman stepped closer, invading Zara’s personal space. Zara set her plate down, loosing her appetite. Her gaze turning cool and steady.

“I've seen women like you before,” Elizabeth said haughtily. “You pretend to be all innocent while trying to stay close to someone else's man.”

Zara stood up to her full height, her heels giving her a commanding presence. She looked Elizabeth dead in the eyes, a slow, wicked smile playing on her lips.

“So…” Zara started, tilting her head to the side. “You do consider me pretty after all.”

Elizabeth frowned. “When did I—?”

“Oh, did you not?” Zara looked at the others as if asking for confirmation. She sighed, shaking her head. “If I'm as capable of seducing someone as you claim, I must be quite remarkable, wouldn't you say?”

Elizabeth was boiling, but she had an image to protect. She could only glare.

Zara took a deliberate step forward, her voice dropping. “If you're so worried about my influence, Elizabeth…” she glanced meanifully at the man with blond hair now talking to Liam. “Perhaps you should focus more on your own standing.”

Elizabeth’s face turned crimson. In a moment of lost control, she grabbed a glass of champagne and splashed it toward Zara.

The crowd around them gasped.

Zara didn't hesitate. Reaching out, she picked up a bottle of red wine from the table. From the corner of her eye, she saw Xander moving toward them, but she didn't stop.

With absolute precision, Zara emptied the contents of the bottle over Elizabeth. The dark liquid ruined the royal blue gown instantly. The room fell into a shocked silence.

Zara gently set the empty bottle back on the table. Without a word, she turned and walked out of the room, her head held high and her stride full of confidence.

She had been standing on the terrace for only a few minutes when a familiar presence appeared.

“Zara.”

She froze, taking a stabilizing breath before turning around. “Is there something you need, Mr. Collins?” Her voice was devoid of emotion, her eyes presenting a wall he couldn't penetrate.

Xander approached her carefully. He reached out as if to touch her hand, but Zara immediately took a sharp step back, her back hitting the cold stone wall of the terrace.

“Don't touch me,” her voice was firm, a clear line drawn between them.

The blunt rejection seemed to hit Xander right in the chest. A flash of genuine hurt crossed his features, followed by a sudden wave of raw determination. Step by step, he closed the distance until he was towering over her. Before she could slide away, he grabbed her hands and pinned them securely above her head against the wall.

Zara gasped at the sudden show of dominance. She raised her head, glaring fiercely into his eyes as she tried to wrench her wrists free.

“Let go of me! “ she struggled, twisting her body to escape his frame.

“Stay still,” Xander murmured, his voice incredibly deep and calm, though his chest was heaving.

With his free hand, he pulled a clean silk handkerchief from his breast pocket. Zara braced herself, expecting aggression, but his movements were shockingly gentle as he began to meticulously wipe the stray drops of champagne from her face. He took his time, his touch light and gentle.

Zara’s heart began to beat furiously in her chest. It thundered so loudly she was terrified he could hear it.

Xander’s eyes darked, greedily observing every single angle and inch of her face. His thumb brushed gently over her left eyelashes, tracing the curve of her cheekbone with a soft, trembling touch. His fingers traced a path down to the nape of her neck, and his gaze dropped entirely to her lips.

Zara's breath hitched, her throat tight.

Xander swallowed hard, his grip tightening around her pinned wrists as his other hand settled firmly against her neck, his thumb resting right over her racing pulse. He noticed the dark flush creeping up her skin, noticed how her body was reacting to him despite her anger. She looked so beautifully tempting in the moonlight that it was destroying his sanity and self-control.

Zara's breathing quickened. His touch made her skin tingle with an unwanted familiarity; it made her entire body roar to life. Her mind screamed at her to fight him, but her body was an absolute traitor—and so was her heart.

Xander leaned in closer, his heavy scent of cedarwood and amber enveloping her. He deliberately pushed his right leg in between her thighs, pressing his lower body flush against hers.

Zara let out a shaky breath, a soft, helpless whimper escaping her lips at the sudden, burning friction.

“Zara,” he whispered her name against her skin, the word heavy with years of agonizing longing. He tilted his head, his lips hovering mere inches away from hers, his breath hot against her mouth.

Brrrr—Brrrr—Brrrr.

The loud vibration of the cell phone in Zara's clutch broke the suffocating tension between them like a shattering spell.

Zara was the first to snap out of the trance. Shocked by how close she had just come to surrendering, she forcefully broke free from his loosened grasp and pushed against his chest, quickly stepping aside to yank her phone out without even checking the caller ID.

“Hello?” her voice came out breathless and ragged.

Thank goodness, her mind screamed in a panic as she stared blankly at the terrace floor. I almost made a terrible mistake. For a second, my mind went completely blank. We almost kissed.

“Hello, Zara.”

She took a quick, glance at her screen.

“Dr. Mike? Is everything okay with my mom? What's wrong?” Her heart was now drumming for an entirely different, terrifying reason. The doctor calling this late could only mean one thing.

“Zara, you need to come to the hospital right now,” the doctor’s tone was dead serious. “Your mother is in critical condition.”

Oh God, no…