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Chapter Twenty-two

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"Are you m-mad at me?"

"Yes," he grits out. His darkened eyes rake over my form and darken even more. I put a loose strand of my hair behind my hair.

"Is it because of the job?"

"No."

I take a step closer and he automatically takes a step back. I take a few steps closer and he does the same, but backwards. I'm pretty sure it is supposed to be the other way?

He mutters something under his breath and walks inside. I follow him to his room and it's quite difficult to keep up with his pace because I'm wearing a dress that isn't meant for running.

Zach faces the window and he looks outside. His fists are clenched by his sides. He is trying to control his anger. I feel a huge grin growing on my lips and I feel giddy with excitement. Paul's plan had definitely worked.

"You're j-jealous," I state in triumph. He grunts in reply and continues to look outside. His jaws are probably clenched and his breathing laboured. Chuckling silently, I walk to him and wrap my arms around his torso.

"You don't have to be," I mumble into his back.

He doesn't reply. I pull away and walk around him so he is facing me.

"It was a f-friendly kiss," I say innocently and stand on my tiptoes to wrap my hand around his neck. "Besides, he kissed me on my cheek. It's not like he-."

"Stop talking," he says. He looks like he's in pain and I give his lips a peck.

"Besides, h-he knowingly did that. To make you jealous."

"I said stop talking." I roll my eyes.

"Y-you don't even get to be jealous, it's not like we're-" Zach's lips come crashing down to mine. He pushes me against the window, his hands grab my sides in an iron grip. The kiss is nowhere gentle but bruising.

I tighten my hand around him and kiss him back, trying to match his intensity. His teeth bite my lower lip and I gasp loudly, giving his tongue the entrance he needed. His tongue discovers my mouth, and I can't help but moan.

The sound causes him to push me deep into the window and kiss me even harder. My toes curl and a weird voice comes from the back of my throat.

We pull back after ages. Breathing heavier than ever, we stay like that. Zach's forehead touches mine and we gaze into each other's eyes. Zach breaks the silence.

"Only I get to do that to you. Because, only you do this to me," Zach's hand slides down my arm and stops at my wrist. He lifts my hand in his and places it over his chest.

I gasp softly when I feel his heart beating as fast as mine.

"And, you were saying?" he says huskily, his ticked-off expression is now smug.

"I.. um.. you.. I..," I take a deep breath and try again.

"You don't get to be j-jealous! Because we aren't in a relationship," I push him away, my body on the other hand misses his touch as soon as he walks a step back.

He lifts my hand again and shows it to me. Tutting playfully, he speaks.

"This ring says otherwise, my sweet Ella."

I look at the sparkling thing and my heart again feels a bit heavy, thinking about my 'fake' marriage. That made me feel like everything we were doing was fake.

"And if we sign the divorce papers?"

My heart falls the moment I see Zach's face fall. His eyes are wide.

"You wouldn't do that."

"No. I won't," I say softly, "I b-believe we had to talk?"

"Yeah," Zach nods his head. "Freshen up, first."

I mumble an okay before walking away. I take out my PJs and walk inside the bathroom. My mind goes back to the kiss we shared and I feel my stomach clench.

I take a quick shower and slip the PJs on. Wrapping the towel around my hair, I walk outside and find Zach sitting on the edge of the bed.

He looks at me and I feel shy all of a sudden. I pass him a shy smile and he passes one back, a dazzling one. I walk to the mirror and quickly get rid of the towel. I pat it over my head and once I'm done, I walk to Zach.

I realize he is now shirtless. My throat goes dry, he has an impressive body.

I blush when Zach pats his thigh. I sit down with heated cheeks and Zach laughs before kissing my very red cheek.

I hide my face on his neck and he holds me. I move around, trying to get comfortable until.. I wake someone. If you know what I mean.

"I suggest you stop moving," Zach says hoarsely and I obey in an instant. We remain silent and it is comfortable. I ignore the certain someone because I don't think I'm ready to meet him. Yet.

I decide to break the silence.

"So?"

"So."

"Talk."

"I am."

Groaning, I give him a glare and he passes me a sheepish smile and leans down to kiss my nose.

"You're still as cute as you were," he mumbles, I blush. He looks at me intensely before speaking.

"I want to give us a second chance." My heart skips a beat.

"You mean.. 'us'?"

Zach hums and looks at my face. Which has frozen because I can't believe my ears. All those times, I had thought I was the only one who had feelings.

"Okay," I reply.

Zach looks surprised. It takes him a moment to process. He then grins and cradles my face before showering me with kisses, everywhere. I giggle while shutting my eyes. He pulls back and looks down at me with what I think is adoration.

"You deserve so much more.. I- I am so sorry for treating you the way I did. Ella, I was just- I loved you. And your words hurt me deep. The things I said, I never meant them. I wanted nothing more than to hurt you, the way you had. And that was very stupid of me " he mumbles softly.

"It's o-okay, you didn't know," I tell him. He gives me a sad smile and kisses my forehead. My stomach does a flip.

"Why would you still want to give me a chance Ella? I'm fucked up," his voice breaks. I cradle his face in my hands and kiss his cheek, hoping to make him feel better.

"All of us are f-fucked up in some way, Zach."

He gives me a small smile, one that doesn't reach his eyes, and places a kiss on my nose causing me to giggle.

"Do you want me to not work for P-Paul?" I ask.

"I don't want to control your life, sweetheart. You can do what you want to and I trust you more than anything. So, no. I want you to pursue your dream."

I look at him in a daze. Melting by his words and soft gaze, I turn my head and kiss him hard.

Taken by surprise, Zach falls on the bed. I put my hand on either side of him and lean down to kiss him. Zach rolls me over so that he is in the top and kisses me deeply while I arch my back wantonly, I don't even know what I'm doing.

However, I stop when his hands fiddle with the top button of my nightwear. He pulls back and looks at me for permission. Thinking for a moment, I nod my head in affirmation.

He unbuttons the first few buttons and dips his head down without warning, leaving kisses over my neck and collarbone.

"Fuck, you're so fucking beautiful. Inside and out," he says before dipping his head down again.

I moan loudly when he nips at the skin, licking it afterwards.

This is going to be a long long night, I hope.

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Unedited.