Chapter 4

Zayn’s POV

“He’s gone now.” I stepped back, finally releasing her. She gasped, still catching her breath. Her cheeks were flushed, and she slapped my hands away, hopping off the car in one swift motion.

“Do you have to be so close to me like that? Without warning?” She shot me a glare, clearly uncomfortable.

I fought the urge to laugh. The way her little nose scrunched up made her look impossibly cute.

“Of course,” I said, keeping my tone casual. “For this to work, we need to stay in each other’s spaces. You know, make it believable.”

“Not everyone in relationships should be glued together all the time,” she grumbled, crossing her arms.

I raised an eyebrow. “You’re right. But if I was in a real relationship, I’d want to be close to my girl all the time. I wouldn’t be able to get enough of her.” I made it sound simple, logical even.

I’d never actually been in a real relationship, but I assumed that’s how it would be. And for some reason, the thought of her as my girl didn’t feel completely off.

“Just... next time, give me a heads-up before you get all handsy,” she insisted, brushing her curls out of her face.

I noticed her then, in a way I hadn’t before. She wasn’t dressed for a club, but I wasn’t about to call her out on it. I had a feeling it’d lead to an argument.

“So, should we head back to the club?” she asked, her voice uncertain.

I shook my head, pulling my keys from my pocket. “Nah. We’ll go back to the island.”

Her frown deepened. “Wouldn’t that be weird?”

“No. Going back to the club would be weird. People will think we’re sneaking off to—” I cut myself off, watching her face turn bright red.

“You don’t need to be so... crass.” She coughed awkwardly, eyes darting away from mine.

I smirked. She blushed easily. Interesting.

I unlocked the car, and we got in. As I started the engine, I glanced over at her. “What? You don’t cuss?”

She rolled her eyes, folding her arms across her chest. “Of course I cuss, but I’m not crass. There’s a difference.”

I grinned, easing into the highway. “Are you saying I’m crass? That’s a pretty rash judgment, don’t you think?”

Her expression turned deadpan. “You’re teasing me.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Of course I am.”

She huffed, her eyes narrowing. “I really didn’t expect you to show up. You ignored all my calls. I was annoyed. Disappointed.”

I stiffened, glancing away. “I didn’t ignore your calls. I was just... unavailable. Wouldn’t bail on an agreement without notice,” I lied smoothly, barely feeling the sting of my own words.

The truth was, I’d ignored her calls, along with Connor’s, this morning. I had second thoughts about showing up, but after a talk with my grandfather, everything changed. Now, I am stuck in this ridiculous game.

I glanced at Adriana again, letting my eyes linger a second too long before turning back to the road. She wasn’t just pretty. She was... striking. Her face was soft, round, her lips fuller than I expected. Her beauty was dangerous.

I quickly shifted my focus back to the road before she caught me staring.

When Connor asked me to help his best friend, Adriana, by pretending to be her boyfriend at the wedding, I was ready to say no. It sounded stupid, like a waste of time. But then I saw her photo, and I recognized her. She’d been in Enzo’s life five years ago.

I never met her, but I’d seen the picture. Our parents didn’t approve of her then. I remember them trashing her over dinner. “Not good enough for Enzo.” “Too poor, too plain.”

Apparently, they made her cry when she visited. Enzo never brought her around after that.

My family, my parents, cut me off, leaving everything to Enzo. Even the private island I owned was practically his now. But I wasn’t done. I had a plan, and Adriana was part of it.

I glanced at her again. The air hit her face, and her hair danced around her. The memory of our kiss earlier flashed in my mind. I swallowed down the sound she made.

I didn’t expect to find her... alluring.

I thought it would just be a job. Help Connor, pretend, and leave. But now... I wasn’t so sure. She was funny, grumpy, silly. And, yeah, pretty damn cute.

The island came into view, and I pulled into the drive, parking by the mansion. I glanced at her again.

“So, how did you manage without a date?” I asked, opening my door.

She frowned. “Horribly. I stood out. Everyone else had someone, but I didn’t.”

I laughed. “Well, now you’ve got me. We’ll make quite the show. But hey, standing out isn’t always bad. Sometimes, it’s exactly what you need.”

I reached for her hand, but she jerked it away.

“No PDA. Not yet.” She was stiff, all business.

I smirked and slid my hands into my pockets. She was feisty.

Her arms folded tighter as she gave me a sharp look. “Listen, Zayn, I’m serious. Don’t play games with me. I know you have an ulterior motive. I’m not stupid.”

I leaned back against the car, watching her closely. “I’m not gonna pressure you to tell me anything you don’t want to, Adriana. Just don’t get caught up in anything you don’t want to be part of.” I let my tone slip into something less friendly.

With that, she turned and walked toward the mansion. I caught myself staring at her, but quickly looked away. I was here to use her. Nothing more. But damn, she had a way of making it hard to stick to that plan.

I followed her inside, but before I made it up the stairs, Enzo appeared, furious, practically radiating rage.

“Why are you here, Zayn? No one wants you here. You don’t belong.”

I smirked, leaning back against the bar. “This is my island, Enzo. I can be wherever I want.”

He sneered. “Yeah, sure. Last I checked, our father left everything to me. Even this island.”

I laughed in his face. “Not yet. You still have to get married.”

The vein on his forehead bulged. “You’re here to ruin my wedding, aren’t you?”

I rolled my eyes. “Trust me, Enzo, I’ve got better things to do.”

He narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. “What’s your deal with Adriana? You really think you can just waltz in here and make her your girlfriend?”

“What’s it to you?” I shot back, dropping the act. “She’s just my girlfriend. I don’t owe you an explanation.”

His eyes turned ice-cold. “You’ve never been in a relationship. And now you’re with my ex? Cut the bullshit.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know she was your ex. Believe me, I’m just as surprised as you are.”

“You think this is a coincidence?” he sneered.

“Believe whatever you want.” I shrugged, finishing my drink in one go.

“I see through you, Zayn. Whatever plan you’re cooking up, it’s not gonna work.”

I smiled. “We’ll see, won’t we?”

He was practically shaking with rage, but there was nothing he could do. I’d already won.

I turned to leave. “I’m going up to meet my girlfriend now. Goodnight, brother.”

Enzo opened his mouth to shout, but I was already gone. Alicia was waiting at the top of the stairs. She blushed when I kissed her cheek, and I offered her a polite hug.

She was drunk, swaying on her feet.

I steadied her, wondering if she could even remember what she was saying.

“Want me to show you to your room?” she asked, her voice soft, her cheeks still flushed.

I shook my head. “No need. I’ll be staying with my girlfriend.”

I climbed the stairs, feeling her gaze on me the whole time.