Chapter 4

ZARIA

I used to think that falling in love with Roman Wolfe was the safest thing that could ever happen to me. Not because I loved him, but because being attached to a name like his meant I would never be touched. No one would dare and for a long time, that was enough.

Roman was everything the world respected. Calm and powerful. The heir to a legacy that could make or break empires. And me? I was the daughter of a hero and a disgrace. My mother had died for justice. My father had traded me for a debt. But somehow, that didn’t matter when I was on Roman’s arm. His name silenced the whispers and his presence turned threats into silence.

We played the part well.

The perfect couple with shared smiles, elegant hand touches in public and matching designer outfits.

People adored us. He wasn’t cruel, he never was to me. In private, he was gentle in a distant way. We weren’t lovers, but we were allies and there was a strange comfort in that. A scheduled wedding two weeks away, headlines ready to crown us the royal couple of the elite.

That morning, he stood by the glass door of his study, adjusting his cufflinks while I sat on the couch sipping tea. He looked tired, like the weight of his empire never truly left his shoulders.

“I won’t be gone long,” he said without looking at me. “Four days max, the Mexico summit with the usual faces.”

I nodded. “Should I reach out to the gallery about the fundraiser in your absence?”

His lips twitched with a soft smile. “Already handled, but thank you.”

He finally turned and walked over, kneeling in front of me and It surprised me. Roman rarely let moments linger too long.

“Zaria, while I’m gone… keep things steady here. The board looks to you now just as much as they do me.”

“I know,” I said, placing my hand on his. “I’ll hold the fort.”

He studied me for a moment, then brushed a strand of hair from my cheek. “You look beautiful today.”

I laughed lightly. “Trying to make up for the fact you’re leaving me behind?”

“Maybe or maybe I just wanted to say it before I forgot.” His hand squeezed mine gently. “You’ve been good to me, Zaria. Better than most would be in our… arrangement.”

“There’s comfort in knowing where you stand with someone,” I said quietly.

He nodded like he understood exactly what I meant.

When he kissed my forehead before leaving, it wasn’t romantic. But it was respectfuland sincere. A goodbye shared between two people who understood their roles, even if it lacked passion.

But no headline knew the truth. Not the media, not even Roman. No one knew that behind those grand doors, my heart belonged to his younger brother.

Darian.

Where Roman was order, Darian was chaos. Sharp edges, quick wit, and reckless eyes. Everything in him screamed danger. I never meant to fall. But I did and it was hard, quiet and irrevocable.

It started with a stare too long. Then a touch too soft. Then we stopped pretending we didn’t crave each other. Our affair was a secret. One that could burn everything down.

When Roman left for the summit in London, he didn’t ask me to come. He said I needed to stay and handle state affairs. I nodded and played the dutiful fiancée. But inside, I knew what that meant. One weekend, one window and one chance to see the man who made my pulse stutter.

I returned to the estate that afternoon. The halls were quieter without Roman’s staff around. I slipped off my heels and walked to the lounge, only to feel a strong hand pull me into a corner.

Darian.

He pressed a finger to his lips, his eyes staring with mock seriousness, but his mouth was already curling into a grin. I tried to scowl but failed. We both broke into quiet laughter.

“You missed me,” he murmured.

“You’re insufferable,” I whispered back.

He leaned in. “And yet here you are.”

His lips touched mine and the whole world melted. The kiss was soft at first, like remembering. Then it grew deeper, hotter, like wanting and finally getting. His hands roamed my back and mine tangled in his shirt, pulling him closer.

“You’re late,” I teased breathlessly.

“You were early,” he said, lifting me with ease.

“Well let’s not waste the moment.”

He carried me to his room like I was his to devour. The door shut with a soft click, and then the silence stretched, it was thick, electric and full of want.

He didn't waste time. His mouth was on mine again, hot and demanding, and I melted into the kiss like I’d been waiting my whole life to taste him again.

“Take this off,” he growled against my lips, tugging at my dress. I peeled it down my arms, letting it fall around my ankles, I had no shame, not with him.

He stepped back for a second, his eyes raking over me like he was memorizing every inch.

“Fuck, Zaria,” he breathed. “You’re driving me insane.”

He moved in fast, unclipping my bra in one flick. It slid down and his eyes darkened. He took my left boob in one hand, rough and slow, while his mouth wrapped around my nipple. The way he sucked with slow licks, warm mouth, and gentle bites had me whimpering and grinding against his thigh without even realizing.

I reached down to unbuckle his belt, but he caught my wrist. “Uh-uh,” he said, voice low and wicked. “I’m in charge tonight.”

He lowered me to the bed, kissing a trail down my stomach, dragging my panties off with his teeth. His fingers slipped between my legs, teasing my pussy, spreading me open.

“So wet already,” he murmured, brushing his lips over my inner thigh. “You missed me, didn’t you?”

I was too breathless to answer.

One finger slid into me, then another. He curled them just right and I gasped, clutching the sheets.

“Say it,” he whispered. “Say you missed me.”

“I missed you,” I moaned, arching into his hand.

“So fucking much.”

That smirk returned and then his mouth was on me.

His tongue circling my clit, his lips sucking and his fingers stroking me. I bucked against him, moaning shamelessly.

“Don’t stop…fuck, Darian…”

He didn’t. He held me down, his mouth was locked on me like he was starving.

When the orgasm hit, it tore through me like a wave, my thighs were shaking and my toes curled in pleasure.

He rose over me, licking his lips. “You taste like heaven.”

Then he stood, dropped his pants, and holy shit, he was thick, hard, and more than ready.

He grabbed a condom from the drawer, slid it on, and positioned himself between my legs.

“You sure?” he asked, voice husky, almost teasing.

“Darian, if you don’t fuck me right now…”

He thrust in with one long stroke, filling me completely. I gasped, clawed at his back, holding on for my dear life.

He moved slow at first, letting me feel every inch. Then he picked up the pace. Faster and deeper with punishing strokes.

Our bodies slapped together, loud, sweaty, and desperate.

“Mine,” he groaned, grabbing my leg and hitching it over his shoulder. “You’re mine.”

“Yes,” I cried, meeting his thrusts. “All yours.”

He kissed me hard, his tongue claiming mine while he pounded into me like he couldn’t get deep enough.

I came again, screaming his name, my body shuddering under him.

And still he didn’t stop.

He flipped me over, pulled my ass up, and slid back in. This angle was ruthless and every stroke hitting a spot that had me begging.

“Darian…oh my fucking god…”

“You like that?” he panted, gripping my hips. “Say it.”

“I love it,” I cried out. “I love you.”

That made him pause.

He leaned over, his chest pressing to my back, lips at my ear. “Say it again.”

“I love you.”

He slammed into me again, groaning, and holding my body like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

We came together that time, our bodies locked and hearts racing.

He collapsed beside me, both of us gasping, our skin slick and sticky with sweat.

No words were spoken, just the sound of two hearts that knew they’d gone too far.

But fuck, it felt too good to regret.

Hours passed and the sky outside darkened, which dimmed the room and I woke first.

My phone buzzed on the side table. I slipped out of his arms carefully, not wanting to wake him. I padded over and answered, whispering into the receiver.

“Yes… it’s done,” I said.

I didn’t realize Darian had stirred. That he was awake, watching me and listening.