Chapter 7

Lauren's pov,

Ezra’s hand slipped over my shoulder pulling me closer to him, his touch fell warm and possessive as he pulled me closer.

“This is my wife, Lauren Lennox,” he said, proudly.

“It's Wright, Ezra–” I mumbled.

Ezekiel's lips curved into an easy smile as he stretched his hand forward.

“Wow–Brother you do have an eye for beautiful things, by the way Lauren, that's a really beautiful name,” he murmured.

My fingers trembled slightly as I shook his hand– I felt the heat against his palm. I forced a smile as the air between us was too still, too knowing. I tucked a strand of hair behind my hair, before withdrawing my hand from his. Then I turned to Ezra. “You never told me you had a brother,” I said, forcing a casual tone.

Ezra chuckled, giving my arm a playful mean squeeze.

“I think I did. I guess you've just forgotten,” he said,grinning. Then he continued like everything was alright, “ Anyway, Ezekiel was just telling me how he fell in love with a beautiful lady in Athens, and guess what the lady left him on the third night–no note, no number.”

My breath hitched.

“Did you know my wife was actually in Athens for a trip– I wish I had gone with her.” He muttered, kissing me on my forehead.

“Oh really,” Ezekiel's voice resounded.

Ezra laughed and looked at his brother. “What did you say her name was again?”

Ezekiel's gaze never left mine. His lips parted slowly before he answered, every word was deliberate.

“Ophelia Sinclair.”

The sound of that name– the name I'd used– felt like a knife pressed gently to my skin.

My heart raced as I tried forcing a lame smile. Ezra chuckled, shaking his head. “Don’t worry, she'll come around,” he said, then he turned towards me again. “He’ll be staying for a while.”

“A while–” I repeated, my brains were actually really slow to catch up with the joke.

My eyes widened , but before I could protest, Ezekiel slung an arm over Ezra’s shoulders and spoke up smoothly.

“Why don’t you show me my room instead?”

“Yeah, yeah, sure,” Ezra replied, leading him upstairs.

Meanwhile Ezekiel didn't look away–not even once. His gaze stayed locked on mine until he reached the top of the staircase and disappeared from my sight.

Ezra strolled down the next minute as he walked towards the door.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“Oh, my bad, I have a late night work at the office– I just came to drop my brother off– just take care, I'll be back before you know it..” 

But before I could say another word, his ass was out the door and it was slammed shut.

_______

The next morning….

I woke up to an empty bed, as always. Ezra had never made it back home, and I had no idea if it was for work or maybe to say “hi”to his–God knows who.

The other side of the mattress was cold, it felt untouched. I yawned and reached for my phkne– still I hadn't gotten a reply from Vivian. She hadn't picked up any of my calls last night. I tried hard to convince myself that she was asleep but I guess the mind knows what the mind knows.

I pulled my robe back around my shoulders, and the moment I opened my room door–I froze.

Ezekiel was just stepping out of his room across the hallway. He looked fresh, composed and his expression was utterly unreadable.

I tried to hide, but a subtle reminder that this was my house sprung into my head. He didn't even bother to look at me as he walked past me like I didn't exist.

“Did you really have to stay here?” I blurted.

“There are hotels everywhere –why here?”

He stopped, turned slightly and with a faint smile curved at the edge of his lips he answered.

“Did you really have to give me a fake name?” he asked quietly. “Lauren… or should I say Ophelia? Or lie about being married?”

My heart stuttered.

He turned to leave, but I rushed forward and pushed him back against the wall.

“I don't know what you are doing here,” I whispered, my voice trembling the moment my eyes met his– sending shock waves down my spine.

“I love my husband. And I need you to leave my house.”

“Oh really?” He murmured, the smile deepening. “Are you sure about that?” He asked.

My words caught in my throat and before I could react, he leaned closer, his body moving closer to mind until I felt my back clapped on the cold wall.

His fingers slowly traced my jawline and his breath was warm against my neck.

“I have no idea why you left me that night,” he said softly, “But I'd bet anything you haven't stopped thinking about me.”

His lips hovered near my ear– close enough that I could feel the heat of his breath.

Then, as quickly as it happened, he stepped back, but when I opened my eyes, the hallway was empty.

I ran to the balcony just in time to look for him only to find him at the front door.

He looked up, met my gaze and smiled before blowing me a kiss and slipping into his car.