Chapter 4

The kiss still burned on Zara’s lips as the SUV carried them back to the athlete house in heavy silence. Neither of them had spoken since they left the balcony. The air between them was thick, electric, and dangerous.

Kai stared out the window, jaw locked so tight a muscle ticked in his cheek. His hand flexed on his thigh like he was still fighting the urge to touch her again. Zara sat as far away from him as possible, arms wrapped around herself, trying to steady her breathing.

She could still taste him. Feel the possessive grip of his hand in her hair. Hate and desire twisted so tightly inside her chest she wanted to scream.

When they finally stepped inside the house, Kai closed the door behind them with deliberate slowness. The soft click sounded louder than it should have.

Zara didn’t even make it two steps before he spoke.

“We need to talk.”

She spun around. “There’s nothing to talk about. That kiss was a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

Kai stalked toward her, eyes dark and intense. “You kissed me back, Zara.”

The way he said her name, low, rough, almost intimate, sent a shiver racing down her spine. She backed up until her back hit the wall. He stopped just inches away, caging her in without even touching her.

“I hate you,” she whispered, but her voice cracked.

“I know,” he replied, just as quietly. “I hate you too.”

And yet neither of them moved away.

Kai’s gaze dropped to her swollen lips. His breathing was ragged. “Tell me to walk away right now and I will.”

Zara’s heart pounded so hard she felt dizzy. Every logical part of her screamed to push him away. But her body… her body remembered how it felt when he kissed her like he was starving for her.

She said nothing.

That was all the permission Kai needed.

He crashed his mouth down on hers again, harder this time, deeper. One hand cupped the back of her neck while the other gripped her hip, pulling her flush against his hard body. Zara gasped into the kiss and he took full advantage, tongue sweeping in, claiming her.

She hated how good it felt.

Her hands fisted in his shirt, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer. A soft, traitorous moan escaped her throat. Kai growled in response, the sound vibrating through her.

He lifted her suddenly, hands under her thighs, and pinned her against the wall. The emerald gown rode up her legs as she instinctively wrapped them around his waist. The heat between them was scorching.

“Tell me to stop,” he rasped against her mouth, even as his lips trailed down her jaw to her neck. “Tell me right now.”

Zara’s head fell back against the wall, eyes fluttering shut. “I… I can’t…”

Kai’s grip tightened possessively. His mouth found the sensitive spot just below her ear and sucked hard enough to leave a mark. Zara’s fingers dug into his shoulders as pleasure shot through her.

This was madness.

This was everything she swore she would never do.

But in this moment, with Kai’s body pressed against hers and his mouth driving her crazy, revenge felt very far away.

A loud ringing shattered the moment.

Kai froze. His phone was vibrating on the kitchen counter. He cursed violently and slowly lowered Zara to her feet. They stared at each other, chests heaving, lips swollen, eyes wild.

He answered the call without looking away from her.

“What?” he snapped.

Coach Harlan’s voice was audible even from where Zara stood. “I hope you two are playing your roles well. Because photos from tonight are already circulating. Make sure they look real.”

Kai’s eyes never left Zara’s. “They look real enough.”

He ended the call and tossed the phone aside.

The silence returned, heavier than before.

Zara touched her swollen lips, reality crashing back in. Shame and anger flooded her.

“This changes nothing,” she said shakily. “I still hate you. I still want justice for my brother.”

Kai ran a hand through his hair, looking as conflicted as she felt. “I know.”

He took a step back, putting much-needed distance between them.

“But we’re stuck together, Kane. And whatever this is between us…” He gestured between them. “It’s not going away.”

Zara swallowed hard. “Then we fight it.”

Kai’s smile was dark and full of promise.

“Good luck with that.”

He turned and walked toward his room, pausing at the doorway.

“By the way,” he said without turning around, “that mark on your neck? You might want to cover it tomorrow. Wouldn’t want anyone thinking our relationship is too real.”

The door clicked shut behind him.

Zara slid down the wall, pressing trembling fingers to the spot he had marked.

She was in so much trouble.