PROLOGUE – Zara’s POV
2177 Words
Inside the bar, the music was too loud but it’s perfect for people who wanted to forget something temporarily. My friend, Anttoinette, and I were sitting on bar stools with drinks in our hands just like the other patrons.
I laughed when she laughed, sipped when she sipped, and together, we let the alcohol loosen the tight knot in my chest. I wasn’t fond of drinking alcohol or going to bars but for the first time, I appreciated what the place could offer. Antoinette was talking about men as usual and I laughed because it was easier than thinking.
Then the door opened, and I saw him.
Lucas Blackwood.
My heart stumbled like it forgot how to work and everything inside me stopped!
Lucas Blackwood has been my ultimate crush since college days but ever since, I never had the courage to confess to him.
As Lucas Blackwood walked in with his natural swag, my heart stuttered like it recognized danger. The room didn’t change though, but I did. Lucas was tall and unfairly handsome in all angles.
He has a strong jaw, high cheekbones, and eyes like storm clouds just before the rain. His hair was a mess sweep of light bronze that brushed his collar, giving him that rugged and wild charm that made people look at him twice. Not only his appearance, but there was something dangerous about him.
But when I looked closely, I realized that his aura was different. His shoulders looked heavier than before and his face looked tired, and even hurt. I am not sure though but he looked pitiful as if he wanted someone to comfort him at the moment.
He was sitting at the far end of the bar and a drink was placed in front of him. He didn’t touch it yet, and for some reasons I couldn’t understand, seeing him like that hurt me more than it should. Earlier, he walked in looking tired, not just exhausted but worn down in a way that makes something ache inside me.
I knew I shouldn’t give a f**k about him but as his eyes scanned the room, as if he felt it that someone was watching him, I knew immediately that something was wrong, and he needed someone to talk with.
“Zara?” Antoinette nudges me. “You okay?”
I nodded too fast. “Yeah.”
But I wasn’t okay. I was just staring at Lucas like a lunatic! Unfortunately, Antoinette followed my gaze and then she raised her eyebrows at me.
“Look,” Antoinette whispered, grinning. “That’s your chance.”
“No,” I said immediately. “I’m not doing that kind of stuff, my friend. Never!” I vowed, not because I was scared to make the first move, but because Lucas has a girlfriend!
“Are you sure? This might be your last chance to ever see him, Zara. Besides, Giselle just stole him from you!”
I just took a deep breath because I didn’t want to recall those times but I kept stealing glances at Lucas. Even though it’s impossible to capture his heart now, seeing him upset was impossible to ignore.
“I know you are considering it. Right, darling? Go on, girl. Now is your chance. Go and talk to him,” Antoinette suggested.
“It’s unethical,” I replied. “I really have no intention of flirting with a man who is taken.”
“Who says about flirting? Lucas seems to be alone, and I guess he needs someone he can talk to,” she insisted.
“But what about you? I don’t want to leave you right here,” I told her.
“Don't worry about me, Zara. Remember, this bar is my cousin's place. I won't be alone,” she assured me that she would be fine being left alone but the thought of approaching Lucas was daunting.
It had been a while since we last saw each other and I feared he might dismiss me with a mere flick of his hand. Damn it, but that would be mortifying!
But Antoinette could be right. After tonight, I might never see him again. So, I made a decision. “I'll be right back,” I mumbled to Antoinette.
“Go ahead,” she said with a flick of her fingers as if she really wanted me to leave right away.
After taking a deep breath, I composed myself before letting my legs carry me toward Lucas. It could be the alcohol or what, but I felt a little bolder, and without another thought, I slid onto the stool next to him. Lucas gasped in surprise and he frowned as if he was trying his best to remember my face.
“Zara Delafontaine? What are you doing here?” he inquired.
His use of my full name surprised me. He remembered me. “Hello, Lucas Blackwood,” I replied, a grin tugging at my lips. He shifted his gaze from his drink to me so I thought he would offer me one.
“Please leave,” he stated abruptly.
Damn! I didn’t expect it but of course, I wouldn’t let his harsh words dampen my spirit. So I persisted, much to his chagrin.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
“Just a rough day. I'm fine. I just need a drink...or more,” he replied.
“Lucky for you, I'm an expert at turning bad days around,” I informed him, eliciting a chuckle.
“Are you alone?” he asked after a sip of his drink.
“No, I'm with Antoinette, but she had to step out,” I fibbed.
As he scanned the bar, I grew nervous. When he narrowed his eyes, I resisted the urge to check where Antoinette and I had been sitting. Luckily, she was nowhere in sight. She probably went to chat with her cousin.
Thank God!
“So, technically you are alone now,” he mumbled.
“Alone and all yours for tonight,” I replied in a not so conservative way that I probably shocked the hell out of him.
“You are funny now…unlike before,” he said.
I frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
“Never mind,” he dismissed me again by sipping his drink instead.
But of course, since I already embarrassed myself by approaching him first, there’s no way I would back down ever!
I stayed with him even though he told me to leave him alone more than once. Gosh, that was humiliating but I chose to be stubborn and thick-faced. I even ordered another drink for both of us…and gradually, Lucas accepted my companion.
As the night progressed, Lucas and I engaged in deep conversation, and I found myself flirting with him in a subtle manner. I learned from Antoinette, of course.
Later on, the bar faded into the background, and somewhere, my hand found its way to his thighs. It was just a subtle touch, a bold one I guess. His eyes flickered to my face and as he stared at me for a long time, I became nervous. What if he would call me a slut or a w***e for flirting with him?
“Let's go,” he said suddenly, grabbing my hand.
I hesitated as he led me towards the exit, thinking of Antoinette. But then it hit me: I might never get another chance to be with Lucas Blackwood. So, I followed him, not looking back or worrying about Antoinette.
Stepping outside the bar, Lucas led me to his car. Without questioning his intentions, I slid into the passenger seat as he held the door open for me. As he started the car, I stole a glance at his chiseled jawline.
Damn!
He was really pleasant in the eye and I wondered how he would look while on top of me. Oh no, what was I thinking? I immediately scolded myself for thinking that way.
Inside his car, I felt like I was in a dream. Everything was too perfect to be real. Like seriously? Me in Lucas Blackwood’s car?
I was so engrossed in my thoughts that the sound of his car’s engine humming to life startled me. Later on, we arrived at a towering penthouse. Lucas helped me out of the car and led me into his private sanctuary.
“Come in,” he said, his voice low and inviting.
I stepped inside, instantly awestruck by the opulence of his home. It was magnificent, from the luxurious furniture to the grand bed that dominated the room. His masculine scent lingered in the air, a fragrance I had always loved ever since I got to know him.
“Lucas, when did your voice become so deep?” I asked, my gaze lingering on the bed. He didn’t respond so I called his name again while walking closer to the bed.
Still, there was no response. I turned around and he was gone! Where did he go? I was wondering until I heard the sound of running water. So, he was taking a shower. Did he tell me beforehand?
Maybe he did but I was too drunk to care, and as my body felt warmer than usual, I started adjusting my clothes to cool down. I unbuttoned my shirt but it was not enough…until I slowly peeled off my clothes one by one.
I was about to close my eyes when he emerged from the bathroom and the sight of his well-defined muscles glistening with water made my heart race so fast.
He was breathtaking!
“Why are you naked, Zara?” he asked but I was too tired to care actually.
“I felt hot…that’s why I need to undress,” I replied without thinking before making myself comfortable in his bed.
He probably thought I was being dizzy or what but he suddenly rushed to my side, extending his hand to help me up.
“Lucas,” I murmured, wrapping my arm around his neck.
“Rest for a couple of minutes. I will take you home later. Perhaps, do you need a shower? You are sweating,” he observed.
“Yes, please,” I replied, allowing him to lead me to the bathroom for a cold shower but the shower didn’t help actually.
I was still drunk and when I got out of his bathroom, everything felt hazy. I tried to make sense of the situation but my thoughts were clouded with confusion.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Lucas asked.
I wanted to reply, but my mind was a whirl of sensations. His words felt distant, as if they were coming from another world. A giggle escaped my lips as I tried to focus on his face.
“What do you think you're doing right now, Zara?” he snapped.
“I feel hot and uncomfortable, Lucas,” I managed to say, my voice barely a whisper.
Leaning into him, I pressed my face against his chest and with my eyes closed, I let the moment carry me away. As I clung to him, a silent yearning for his touch took hold of me.
“You're drunk, Zara,” he pointed out.
My body was warm, and alcohol coursed through my veins like liquid fire. My thoughts were scattered, making it difficult to piece everything together.
“Kiss me, Lucas,” I found myself begging, the words tumbling out without thought. “Please, Lucas Blackwood, please kiss me,” I mumbled.
“Oh God, woman! Are you crazy?” he asked.
I nodded in response but before I knew it, I was pressed against him, our mouths meeting in a heated kiss and the world around us seemed to fade away.
It felt as if time had stopped, and all that mattered was the sensation of his lips on mine. As our lips danced passionately, I decided to surrender myself to Lucas Blackwood.
His touch was both tender and urgent as his fingers traced a fiery path along my skin, igniting a trail of sensation that sent shivers down my spine. And as he deepened the kiss, every nerve in my body seemed to come alive. My fingers found their way into his hair, pulling him closer.
“I want you, Zara,” he said, breaking away from our kiss.
“I'm all yours, Lucas,” I replied, my eyes widening in shock as I realized we were already in bed.
He was above me, his legs nudging mine apart. As I complied, he claimed my lips once more before he entered me in one swift motion. I winced in pain at his intrusion, and he was equally shocked to discover he was my first.
“You are a virgin! Why didn’t you tell me?” he yelled but it was too late.
“I love you, Lucas. I love you so much,” I whispered incoherently.
“Damn you, Zara!” he cursed.
- Writer
