Chapter 3

The next morning, sunlight sliced through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the athlete house like a knife. Zara hadn’t slept more than two hours. Every time she closed her eyes, she felt Kai’s body pressed against hers, his breath on her forehead, the dangerous heat in his eyes.

She hated how her body remembered every second.

She emerged from her room in black leggings and a cropped hoodie, determined to act normal. The smell of coffee hit her immediately. Kai stood at the kitchen counter, shirtless again, pouring two mugs like he owned the entire world.

He didn’t look at her. “Coffee’s there. Don’t expect me to make it every morning.”

Zara walked over and took the mug, careful not to let their fingers brush. “I don’t expect anything from you except staying out of my way.”

Kai finally turned, leaning back against the counter. His eyes slowly dragged down her body before snapping back to her face. The look was so intense it felt like a physical touch.

“We have our first public appearance tonight,” he said flatly. “Team fundraiser. Black tie. Coach already sent the details. We show up together. We smile. We sell the lie.”

Zara’s stomach twisted. “I have nothing to wear to something like that.”

Kai’s smirk was sharp. “Then I guess we’re going shopping. Together. Like a happy couple.”

The thought of being seen in public with him made her want to scream.

By evening, they were in the back of a tinted SUV heading to an upscale boutique downtown. The driver was one of Coach’s men, a silent reminder that they were being watched.

Inside the boutique, soft lighting and classical music did nothing to ease the tension. The sales associate kept glancing between them, clearly sensing the storm brewing.

Kai sat on a plush couch, legs spread wide, watching Zara with hooded eyes as she stepped out in the third dress, a sleek, backless emerald green gown that hugged every curve.

His jaw clenched visibly.

“Turn around,” he ordered, voice low.

Zara’s cheeks burned, but she did, slowly. When her back was to him, she heard him inhale sharply.

“Too revealing,” he growled.

She spun back around. “You don’t get to decide what I wear.”

Kai stood up in one fluid motion and closed the distance. He towered over her, one hand reaching out to brush a stray braid from her shoulder. The touch was light, but it sent electricity racing down her spine.

“In public, you’re mine,” he said quietly, dangerously. “That means I decide what other men get to see.”

Zara’s breath hitched. She stepped closer until they were almost chest to chest. “I am not yours. This is fake. Remember that before you start acting possessive.”

Their eyes locked. The air between them thickened until it was almost impossible to breathe. For a heartbeat, Zara thought he might kiss her right there in the middle of the store, hard, angry, and punishing.

Instead, Kai reached behind her, zipped the dress up a little higher with deliberate slowness, his fingers grazing her bare skin.

“Wear this one,” he murmured, voice rough. “You look… dangerous in it.”

Zara wanted to argue. She wanted to rip the dress off and throw it at his face.

But the way he was looking at her, dark, hungry, possessive, made her stomach tighten in ways she refused to name.

“Fine,” she snapped. “But only because I don’t have time to try on ten more dresses.”

Kai paid for the gown without another word, his credit card hitting the counter with more force than necessary. The tension between them was so thick the sales associate kept glancing nervously as she wrapped the dress.

Neither of them spoke again until they were back in the SUV heading to the fundraiser.

***********

The fundraiser ballroom was packed with wealthy donors, university officials, and football elite. The moment Kai and Zara stepped inside together, all eyes turned to them.

Kai’s hand settled possessively on the small of her back, bare thanks to the dress. His touch burned.

“Smile,” he whispered against her ear, lips brushing the shell. “They’re watching.”

Zara forced a smile and leaned into him like a loving girlfriend. But under the table, where no one could see, she dug her nails into his thigh in warning.

Kai’s hand tightened on her waist in response, a silent battle only they understood.

Halfway through the night, a tall, beautiful woman in red approached them. Kai’s ex, Maya.

“Well, well,” Maya purred, eyes flicking over Zara with disdain. “The famous journalist who almost ruined the team. And now you’re dating her, Kai? How convenient.”

Kai’s body went rigid beside Zara. His arm slid around her waist, pulling her tighter against his side.

“She’s mine now,” he said coldly. “Back off, Maya.”

The possessiveness in his voice sent a confusing rush through Zara. She hated it. She hated how good it felt.

Later, when they were alone on the balcony for a “romantic moment” the PR team had requested, the mask finally slipped.

Zara shoved away from him the second they were out of sight.

“I can’t do this,” she hissed, tears of frustration burning her eyes. “Pretending to want you when I want to destroy you. It’s killing me.”

Kai backed her against the balcony railing, hands gripping the metal on either side of her. The city lights glittered behind him, but all she could see was the storm in his eyes.

“You think it’s easy for me?” he growled. “Every time I touch you, I remember what your article cost me. Every time I look at you, I want to hate you… but I can’t stop thinking about how good you feel against me.”

Zara’s heart slammed against her ribs. “Then stop touching me.”

“I can’t,” Kai admitted, voice breaking with raw frustration. His forehead dropped to hers. “God help me, I can’t.”

Their breaths mingled. The tension snapped.

Kai kissed her.

It wasn’t gentle. It was angry, desperate, and consuming. His mouth claimed hers with punishing intensity, one hand tangling in her braids, the other gripping her waist like he owned her.

For one dangerous second, Zara kissed him back just as fiercely, hate and desire exploding between them.

Then reality crashed in.

She shoved him away, breathing hard, lips swollen.

“This never happened,” she whispered, voice shaking.

Kai stared at her, chest heaving, eyes dark with something far more terrifying than hate.

“Whatever you need to tell yourself, Kane.”