Chapter 3

Adriana’s POV

"What the hell?" I gasped, still reeling from the kiss. It had hit me like a lightning bolt, and now I was struggling to catch my breath.

Zayn's arm slid around my waist again, and I swear my heart skipped a beat. I didn't know whether to be furious or embarrassed, but my body was betraying me, going all soft and fluttery from his touch.

I turned to look at Enzo, who was practically shooting daggers with his eyes at Zayn. If looks could kill, Zayn would've dropped dead right there.

"I didn't kiss your brother, Enzo," I said, trying to steady my breath. "I kissed my boyfriend. This is the boyfriend I told you about."

Enzo's glare didn't waver, his eyes boring into the arm Zayn had wrapped around me. He stepped forward, his posture tense, and his voice came out in a low growl.

"This is my brother, Adriana. What the hell are you talking about?" He shot a look at Zayn that could've melted glass. "How the hell are you dating my brother?"

I froze. Wait, what?

They're brothers?

I whipped around to look at Zayn. He was leaning against the doorframe like it was the most casual thing in the world. His face was the picture of relaxation, but the edge in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.

"Hey, Enzo," Zayn said, his tone almost bored. "Dearest brother."

I swear my brain short-circuited. They were brothers? Seriously?

I looked at them, trying to match up any family resemblance, but no. Zayn was way bigger than Enzo, taller, more built, like a walking tower of muscle. Enzo, on the other hand, was leaner, shorter, and honestly didn't look like he had a muscle to spare.

Enzo never mentioned having a brother. We'd been dating for months, and I had no idea.

I cleared my throat, trying to act like the whole situation wasn't throwing me into a spiral.

"I, uh, guess it's just a coincidence. I didn't know he was your brother," I muttered, forcing a smile. But the second I spoke, Zayn pulled me in closer.

His lips brushed the side of my neck, sending my heart into overdrive, and he murmured against my skin.

"You don't need to explain yourself to him, love," he said, his deep voice sending a wave of warmth through me. I was definitely not prepared for how sexy his voice could sound.

"Sorry I'm late. Had some stuff to handle," Zayn added, now looking at me with this soft, sincere gaze. "Were you okay without me? I missed you so much, I almost couldn't breathe."

God. If I didn't know better, I'd have bought that line.

I couldn't find words for a second. My chest tightened, but Enzo's sharp voice cut through the haze.

"What are you doing here?" Enzo spat at Zayn.

Zayn didn't even blink. "Supporting my little brother. And my date," he said, eyes running over me slowly. I felt a weird heat flood my body when his gaze lingered, the muscles in his arm flexing against me. He looked too good in that leather jacket and pants. Damn it.

"That's bullshit," Enzo snapped. "We both know that's not the real reason."

I was about to speak, but Enzo's focus shifted back to me, and before I could protest, he was standing in front of me.

"Can we talk?" Enzo's voice was tight, almost pleading.

I nodded before Zayn's hand tightened around my waist. He pulled me closer, cutting off any chance Enzo had to talk to me alone.

"Nope, we're not doing that," Zayn interrupted. "I need to catch up with my girlfriend first." And before Enzo could react, Zayn was pulling me out of the club, leading me into the night.

Once we were outside, Zayn let go, and I could finally breathe again. My pulse was still racing, my heart thumping wildly against my ribs.

I glared at him, my skin hot with anger and confusion.

"What was that back there?" I demanded, starting to pace, fanning myself.

Zayn chuckled softly as he stepped closer, his arm reaching out like he was going to touch my waist again. I slapped his hand away.

"Don't call me that. We're alone now, drop the act," I snapped.

Zayn smirked, undeterred, but I wasn't in the mood for his teasing.

"So you and Enzo are actually brothers?" I asked, my voice still shaky.

He shrugged casually, his lips twitching. "Unfortunately."

I felt the anger start to bubble up, my fists clenching at my sides. "So you knew who I was all along? Why didn't you tell me? What the hell?"

He didn't respond at first. When he did, his voice was quieter. "I didn't know."

I crossed my arms, my eyes narrowing. "Don't lie to me, Zayn. I know you knew."

He sighed, finally giving in. "Fine. I knew."

"Why? Why do this?" I asked, frustration creeping into my voice. "This whole thing feels like a mess. Like you're doing it just to get back at Enzo or something."

Zayn stepped closer, his expression more serious now. "I never intended to go to my brother's wedding. But when I found out you were going, I decided to show up. And hey, why not bring you as my date while I'm at it?"

I rolled my eyes. That excuse was weak, and he knew it.

"I don't buy that for a second." I started pacing again, rubbing my temples. "This is too much. It looks like I planned this whole thing just to make Enzo jealous."

I stopped, folding my arms in front of me. "I can't be part of this. We have to end it now, before it gets worse."

Zayn stepped closer, his eyes intense as he moved into my personal space. I could feel the heat radiating off him, and I was suddenly aware of just how big he was compared to me.

He reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm but not aggressive. "Do you really want me to leave, Adriana? Or are you running from what you really want?"

My breath caught in my throat, my heart thudding in my chest. "What are you talking about?"

He smiled, but it wasn't mocking. It was almost knowing. "I think you're just waiting for Enzo to call it off. For him to leave Alicia and propose to you instead."

I froze. The words hit me like a punch to the stomach. I hated that he was right, but at the same time, I couldn't deny it.

"This could be your chance," Zayn continued, his voice dropping lower, more intimate. "To show Enzo what he's missing. Get in his head, make him regret not choosing you."

He stepped even closer, and I could smell his cologne now, something dark and woodsy that made my head spin. "We've got four days left here. Four days to create a storm he can't ignore. I'll help you get his attention. He won't be able to stop thinking about you."

I hated how tempting that sounded. A part of me wanted to believe him, to go along with it. But another part of me knew I shouldn't. I couldn't let myself fall back into the same trap.

"You're really going to help me do that?" I muttered, feeling conflicted.

Zayn's smile widened, his confidence bordering on cocky. "Of course. All you have to do is trust me."

I shook my head, the confusion clear on my face. "Why are you doing this? What do you want out of it?"

Zayn leaned in, his lips brushing dangerously close to my ear as he whispered, "Fun."

I scoffed, pulling back slightly. "You're lying."

He didn't deny it. Instead, his eyes flickered with something I couldn't quite read. Amusement? Challenge? Something darker?

Before I could argue further, his hands were on my thighs, and before I knew it, I was hoisted onto the hood of a car. My legs were spread, and Zayn slid between them, his body pressing against mine. My heart raced again, and I couldn't move as he leaned down, hands braced on the hood behind me, caging me in.

The metal was cold beneath me, but everywhere Zayn touched felt like fire.

"Enzo's coming," he murmured, his face so close I could feel his breath on my lips. "We need to make this look good."

I stared at him, my heart pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it. His blue eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, everything else faded away. The club. Enzo. Alicia. All of it.

"Okay," I whispered, barely able to breathe.

Zayn's hand came up to cup my jaw, his thumb brushing across my cheek in a gesture so tender it made my chest ache. Then his gaze dropped to my lips, and I felt my entire body tense in anticipation.

This was all fake. Just for show. But god, it didn't feel fake.