Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

MARIGOLD

H e leaned in closer, his hot breath teasing my skin as he gently kissed the crook of my neck. The intimate act sent chills down my body. My heart raced as he pulled me closer, our bodies melding together. I could feel the hardness of his muscles against mine, and just when I thought I was about to lose myself in his touch?—

"I hope you're not thinking what I'm thinking," he said, pulling back reluctantly and sharing a knowing smirk. He had read me like an open book.

Without waiting for my response, his lips covered mine and his tongue pushed into my mouth. I opened my mouth like an anaconda feeding. His hands were everywhere, in my hair, on my waist, tracing the line of my back. His touch was electrifying, sending shockwaves through my body. I responded in kind, our tongues dancing a complicated waltz.

The taste of him was intoxicating, rich with the bitter tang of the whiskey he'd been sipping earlier.

I pulled back first, gasping for breath, my heart pounding in my chest like a war drum. Zayn took a step back as well. I didn't know if it was out of respect for my space or acknowledging the fact we were surrounded by at least a hundred people.

My entire focus was on Zayn—the way his hands framed my face, the way his lips moved against mine, slow at first, then with a growing urgency that left me breathless.

Okay. Wow. I had never been kissed like that before.

For the first time in my life, I wasn't thinking about being perceived. I wasn't worried about what people might think if they saw me like this—locked in a heated embrace with my supposed fiancé. The opinions of everyone at the wedding, the ones I'd been so anxious about all evening, suddenly felt inconsequential. They melted away in the heat of the moment, leaving nothing but the raw, undeniable chemistry between us.

Zayn kissed me like he meant it, like he wasn't just playing a part. And for a moment, I let myself believe it. I let myself sink into the fantasy that this was real, that he wasn't just doing this because we'd made some ridiculous pact to fake an engagement for the sake of convenience.

But that was the thing, wasn't it? It was all a lie.

Too bad it was such a good one.

Zayn rested his forehead against mine. I could feel his breath, warm and uneven, brushing against my lips. His dark eyes searched mine. I wondered if he could tell how much I wanted him right then. Or if he felt the same.

"Marigold," he murmured, his voice low and rough, sending a shiver down my spine.

I didn't trust myself to speak, so I just nodded, my hands still clutching the front of his shirt like it was the only thing anchoring me to reality. His gaze flicked to the crowd, and I knew what he was thinking.

Too many damn eyes.

He made an incredible fiancé—charming, attentive, and so damn irresistible.

But we both knew the truth. None of it was real. At least, it wasn't supposed to be.

Zayn's hand found mine, his fingers lacing through mine with a familiarity that felt both comforting and dangerous. "Let's get out of here," he suggested, his voice barely audible over the music.

As if I would tell him no.

With a subtle glance around the room, we slipped away from the dance floor, using the throng of guests to our advantage. No one noticed as we made our escape, their attention diverted by the upbeat music and the whirl of colorful lights.

Zayn nearly dragged me through the hotel. His grip on my hand was like a vise, similar to what Courtney had on that microphone he'd ripped from her claws. Every step we took further away from the reception felt like a step closer to something inevitable, something I wasn't sure I could—or even wanted to—stop.

By the time we reached his suite, I was practically buzzing with anticipation. The door hadn't even fully closed behind us before we were on each other, our hands frantically tugging at clothes, mouths colliding in desperate, hungry kisses.

My dress was the first to go, the delicate fabric sliding down my body and pooling at my feet. Zayn's jacket followed, then his shirt, the buttons popping off in our haste. There was a brief moment of fumbling with his belt, both of us too impatient to manage it properly, before we were finally free of the last barriers between us.

"Wait!"

He stopped, as if he'd been hit with a stun gun. "What's wrong?"

"I stink."

He blinked. "Excuse me?"

"I was sweating my ass off earlier. I'm gross."

He leaned forward and licked a trail from the top of my breast, over my throat, and to my chin. "You taste salty."

I gulped. Maybe he was the anaconda. I was both incredibly turned on by his apparent taste for me and just a little self-conscious.

"Five minutes." I heard myself say. "Let me jump in the shower."

He undid his pants, kicked off his shoes, and let them fall down his legs. My mouth dropped open. The man was built. I knew that, but getting to see it again was confirmation it wasn't just a dream. This man was sculpted by God himself. He was the measuring stick to all other men.

And from what I had seen in my twenty-seven years on this planet, none of them came close to meeting the standard he set.

"Get in the shower— dirty girl ."

I couldn't breathe. His sexiness sucked the oxygen out of the air.

"Take that shit off," he said with a wave of his hand.

I looked down and saw the shapewear that had rolled down at the waist and up on my thighs. My bra bunched around the band.

This was not sexy.

I nodded and reached behind me to undo the bra.

Zayn walked by me and a few seconds later I heard the sound of the shower. With a great deal of effort that was about as far from sexy and seductive as one could get, I peeled off the shapewear, promising my poor body I would never stuff myself into the contraption again.

I took a deep breath, put my shoulders back and sweat-stained boobs out, and walked into the bathroom. I nearly choked when I saw the size of the bathroom. It looked like a spa.

"Wow."

He grabbed me hard enough to jerk my body against his. "That's what I was going to say. Get in there. I want to wash you from tip to top and then I'm going to feast on you."

I nearly swallowed my tongue. He gently shoved me into the shower. The hot water hit me from all sides. Jets from the side and a rainwater feature overhead made me feel like I was standing under a waterfall.

Zayn followed me into the shower, the water running down his sculpted body. He was a magnificent sight, the rivulets cascading down his well-defined muscles. His eyes were hypnotic under the warm light. I couldn't help but stare, forgetting for a moment that I was supposed to wash myself.

He chuckled softly, stepping close before reaching for the shower gel on the ledge. His hands slid over my skin, lathering me up. His touch was both gentle and firm, making my heart flutter in my chest and my skin tingle.

"Turn around." His voice was gruff and demanding.

I did as he asked. He grabbed my wrists and jerked my hands above my head before pressing them against the cool tile.

"Assume the position," he ordered.

I didn't have to wonder what position he was referring to.

I pressed my palms to the tile, my heart kicking against my chest. I had never been arrested before, but if he was the cop, I would break every law in the book.

He used his knee to shove my legs apart. His hands roamed my body with a possessiveness that sent shivers down my spine. He was thorough, leaving no part of me untouched. I let out a gasp as his fingers traced the curve of my hips and ran down the back of my thighs, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

"I meant it when I said I wanted to feast on you," he murmured against my ear. The heat in his voice matched the heat radiating from his body and I let out a small whimper, unable to contain the anticipation building up inside me.

His hand went between my legs, cupping my pussy. The dominance the man exerted over me was something I had never experienced before. I never thought I would like being dominated, but with him, I was willing to roll over and play the submissive part.

His lips found their way to my neck, grazing the sensitive skin there before sinking his teeth into it lightly. The sudden sharp sensation sent a jolting shock of pleasure through me. A low moan escaped my lips as my knees threatened to give out.

"Stand straight," he commanded, his fingers tightening around my waist to keep me upright.

I obeyed immediately, the memory of his lips on my neck making me shiver in anticipation. His hands roamed freely, exploring every inch of my body with a slow intimacy that left me weak.

He paused for a moment. "You're a bad girl. Shame on you for bailing on your friend's wedding to get bent over in the shower."

As his words washed over me, a sense of naughtiness mingled with the arousal that clouded my mind. I could hear the smirk in his voice without having to look back, and it made me hotter than I had ever imagined anyone could be.

"I'm sorry," I said, but there was no sincerity in my voice. I was far from sorry about this.

His laughter rumbled through me as he continued to explore my body. His hands moved up along my sides, tracing the sides of my breasts before moving to cup them fully. The sensation of his hands on me was electrifying, his fingers expertly playing with my nipples. He pinched them, pulling a sharp shriek of pain and pleasure from me.

"You should be," he stated sternly, dropping his hands to my waist and pulling me closer. His voice was heavy with desire, his words more of a growl than a statement. "And I'm going to make sure you never forget it."

His other hand slid down the curve of my back, tracing the swell of my backside before dipping between my thighs. I gasped, bucking against his touch as his fingers found their way inside of me. "Oh god." The words slipped out of me before I could stop them.

"Not god," he murmured in my ear. "Just Zayn." His voice was a purr that made my pulse quicken. His fingers moved inside me, exploring and teasing. Each stroke sent waves of pleasure radiating through my body. I could hardly breathe, let alone speak, as he worked his magic on me.

His other hand left my waist and found its way back to my breasts, kneading them slowly. I bit my lip to stifle the moans that threatened to escape me.

"Let them hear you," he whispered huskily into my ear, making me shudder. "I want everyone to know who's making you feel this good."

His hands, his voice, his presence—everything about Zayn was intoxicating. I felt a flush creeping up my neck and cheeks as he continued to press himself against me. The water, now almost cold, splashed around us but the heat radiating from his body kept me warm.

Zayn's strong fingers continued their exploration beneath the flow of water, coaxing soft cries from me that echoed off the tiled walls. His free hand trailed down my stomach, following the curve of my hip before joining the other between my thighs. His touch was electric, sending jolts of pleasure throughout my body. My knees began to buckle, but his grip on me remained firm as he held me up against the wall.

"I've barely started," Zayn murmured in my ear, his voice low and husky. His words were like a promise, sending another wave of anticipation through me. He continued his tormenting play between my thighs, fingers dancing in a fervor that left me breathless and wanting more.

"Zayn," I gasped, my voice echoing through the bathroom. My hands clung to the cool tile desperately as I struggled to keep myself grounded.

"That's it," he encouraged, his breath fanning the wet strands of hair clinging to my neck. "Say my name."

"Zayn," I breathed out again, my voice a shaky whisper drowned under the water. Each syllable was punctuated by a moan as his hands worked their magic beneath me. His laughter, low and husky, echoed in the steam-filled air.

"Hmm, that's more like it," he purred, rubbing over my clit. The sudden onslaught of pleasure was overwhelming, and a strangled cry slipped past my lips.

I nearly collapsed with the power of the orgasm. He jerked his fingers away and pulled me out of the shower, not bothering to shut off the water. Walking felt impossible with the vibrations tearing through my body. I fell face first on the bed while he pulled a condom from his suitcase.

A second later, he pulled me to the edge of the bed and lifted my ass in the air. He pushed inside me with one long stroke that had me crying out.