Right Girl (10 page)

Present day…

I
suppose that’s how it all started. I moved in and gradually got to know him,
realising along the way that I
did
in fact like him. Of course my
feelings for him didn’t compare to what I once had with Zack but Ian was a kind
and attractive man, he also made it obvious that he was crazy about me.

With
Ian it was easy, uncomplicated and there was no heartache involved. He helped
me forget and my attraction towards him developed as time went by.

We
still don’t live together but he stays over every now and then. I’ve been
adamant that I still wanted my own space and independence, refusing to accept
that he should just move in because he owns the place.

God
knows what will happen once I tell him our relationship is over. He’s bound to
ask me to move out at once and I’ll be forced to say goodbye to the place I now
think of as home.

I
sigh, deciding the only thing I can do is finish getting ready. I’ll face the
consequences of my decision tomorrow but tonight… I just want to forget.

Ian
wanted to pick me up straight from work but I objected, promising to meet him
at the restaurant instead. He’s a project manager and has a hectic workload
right now, struggling to contend with the amount of responsibilities they’ve
placed upon him.

I
figured that meeting him there would make it easier for him and don’t mind
making my own way to the restaurant he’s picked out for us this evening.

Renting
houses is something he does on the side, honouring the inheritance his
grandfather gave him by signing his properties over to Ian when he died.

He’s
an incredible man and I’m lucky to have him. He accepts the desire I have to
remain secretive about my past and his family are lovely. I’ve only met them a
couple of times because his parents live in France for the majority of the
year. However, when I was introduced to them, they were extremely polite and
friendly.

Which
makes what I have to do even worse.

It’s
nearly eight o’clock by the time I’m ready, sending Ian a quick text to let him
know I’m on my way. I slip my shoes on and make my way to the front door, convinced
I heard my taxi pull up outside. 

I
freeze as soon as I open my front door, inhaling sharply as my legs give way
beneath me. I have to hold onto the doorframe so I don’t crumple to my feet,
desperate to steady myself.

Convinced
I must be hallucinating, I close my eyes. Only opening them when I’m certain that
the person standing in front of me is a figment of my imagination.

Except
he isn’t.

It’s
him.

It’s
really him.

Zack
.

He’s
here…

Which
means he’s found me.

Chapter Twelve

“Z-zack?”
I stammer, staring at him in astonishment.

“You
remembered my name?” He asks me, his voice dripping with spite and malice. “I’m
impressed.”

“W-what
are you doing here? How did you find me?”

“You
underestimated me, Samantha.” He gloats, allowing his gaze to travel up and
down my entire body. “It wasn’t too difficult in the end.”

“But
how did you do it?” I persist, holding onto the door’s handle for dear life.

“Same
as I did last time.” He retorts dismissively. “Private investigator.”

“B-but
it’s been two years.”

“That’s
how long it took.” He says, leaning against the doorframe in a deliberately
casual manner. “You
did
change your name after all.”

I
gasp, shocked he found out about this and open my mouth to reply. I’m just
about to say something when the taxi I phoned pulls up outside, causing Zack to
turn around.

“I
was just on my way out.” I explain, wondering if he has any intention of
letting me leave.

“I
can see that.” He comments, perusing my outfit once more.

It’s
clear that the red dress I’m wearing has captured his attention, highlighting
my curvaceous figure. I can almost feel the heat from his smouldering brown
eyes as they absorb every single contour of my body.

“I
need to tell the driver that I won’t be needing him after all.” I say, making
an attempt to leave the house so I can reach him.

“
I’ll
tell him.” Zack commands me, placing one strong hand around my arm. “Now go
back inside.”

I
do exactly as I’m told for some maddening and infuriating reason, gently
closing my front door before I enter my living room.

“How
long have you known where I am?” I demand, turning around to face Zack when he
comes back inside.

“I
only found out yesterday. That’s when I got my hands on your address.”

“So
why are you here?”

“You’re
going to pretend you don’t know?”

“I
don’t
.” I insist, breathing heavily.

There’s
a prolonged moment of silence between us, emphasising the tension which already
exists between us.

“I’m
here to take you back.” He answers, smiling triumphantly. “I’m here to bring
you home.”

Chapter Thirteen

“You’re
here to take me back with you?” I repeat, struggling to comprehend what he just
said to me.

“That’s
right.” He smirks, confident with his statement.

My
phone starts to ring, interrupting our conversation and starling us both. I
reach for it in my bag and take a glance at it, noticing Ian’s name flashing up
on the screen.

“I
really need to take this.” I tell him, wondering why I sounded so apologetic
when I said that.

“Don’t
mind me.”

Ignoring
the sarcastic tone in Zack’s voice, I turn my back on him and answer my phone.

“Hello?”

“Where
are you, Gorgeous? Are you ok? I’ve been waiting here fifteen minutes.”

“I’m
so sorry.”

“Don’t
worry about it, I just want to know that you’re ok.”

“Ian,
I really am sorry but I won’t be able to make it tonight.”

I
hear Zack’s sharp intake of breath, a result of him hearing me say Ian’s name
out loud. I close my eyes, mentally chastising myself for giving away the
identity of my caller.

“What?
Why? What’s happened?” Ian demands, bombarding me with questions.

“Nothing.”
I lie, raking my fingers through my hair. “Everything is fine it’s just…”

“Just
what?” He interjects, clearly alarmed. “Tell me, Sam.”

“It’s…
it’s just my time of the month and I’m not feeling well.”

Zack
chuckles scornfully, making it obvious that he knows I’m being deceitful. It’s
humiliating for me to lie about something so private but couldn’t think of any
other excuse.

“Shit,
I’m sorry. Do you need me to come over? Do you need me to get you anything?”
Ian offers, pulling my attention back to our conversation.

“No,
I’m fine. I think I’m just going to have an early night.”

“Listen,
I have the whole weekend off so I’ll come and see you in the morning, ok?”

“That
should be fine.” I assure him. “But please call me first.”

“You
sure you don’t want me to come by tonight?”

“I’m
sure.”

“Have
a nice rest and sleep well.” He advises, reminding me why I care about him so
much.

“I
will and thanks for being so understanding.”

“That’s
my job.” He says, making light of the situation. “We can celebrate next weekend
or even tomorrow night if you’re feeling up to it.”

“Goodnight.”

“Night,
baby.”

He
hangs up the phone and so do I, slowly turning around to face Zack with a
guilty expression on my face.

“Once
a liar, always a liar.” He taunts, intentionally trying to hurt me.

“What
are you talking about?”

“You
weren’t exactly honest with him, were you?”

“That’s
none of your business.” I snap at him defensively.  

“I
can’t believe you’re actually going on a date with your landlord.” He scoffs,
mocking me on purpose.

“How
do you know he’s my landlord?”

“I
just told you I hired a private investigator to find you.” He reminds me, speaking
to me as though I’m slow to understand. “You really think I don’t know who owns
the house you’re staying in?”

“I
do rent it from him.” I reveal, putting some distance between us. “But we’re
also together.”

“You’re
what
?!” He yells, raising his voice in anger.

“I’ve
been with him for a year now, tonight is our anniversary.”

“Sorry
I ruined your plans.” He snarls contemptuously, making it obvious that he’s
not.

“Who
are you trying to fool? All you care about is hurting me.”

“Damn
right I want to hurt you!” He rages, grabbing hold of my shoulders before
slamming me up against the wall. “You tore my heart out when you fucked off and
left me. Why the hell should I care about
your
happiness?!”

I
tremble beneath his touch, struggling to understand how I can fear him when
he’s got my heart racing. My attraction towards him is indescribable. It’s
all-consuming and I don’t know how to fight it.

“You
know why I left, Zack. I left so you could be a father for Amber.”

“
Don’t
.”
He warns, threatening me darkly. “Don’t
ever
speak her name to me again.”

“Why
not?” I challenge him, pretending to be brave. “You want me to pretend she
doesn’t exist?”

“Of
course not.”

“I
left because I couldn’t watch you be a father to someone else’s child. My
sister’s
child. It would have destroyed me and I didn’t have the strength to tell you
that at the time.” I confess, lowering my gaze from his own.

“You
should have talked to me.” He whispers, grazing his lips against my jawline.
“We could have worked it out… I would have done anything for you and you know
that. Why didn’t you let me?”

“You
needed your daughter and you still do. I couldn’t ask you to give her up for me
back then and I still can’t.”

“She’s
two now. She understands her mum and dad aren’t together and we’ve made it
work. Rachel’s started seeing someone new but I’m still single. I can’t move on
with anyone else because I need
you
. It’s always been you.” He groans,
resting his forehead against mine. “Come back to me.”

“I
can’t.” I murmur, shaking my head. “I-I’ve moved on now. I’m with someone else
and he’s a good man.”

“Do
you love him?”

“Don’t
ask me that.” I beg him, closing my eyes so I can’t see him.

“Do
you love him like you loved me? Does he make you feel like I did? Do you want
him like you still want me?”

He
continues to fire questions at me, breathing heavily as his arms circle my
waist.

“Stop
it!” I protest, trying to push him away from me.

“I’ll
stop it when you answer me!”

“The
answer is no!” I exclaim loudly, managing to escape him. “Is that what you wanted
to hear? Does it make you feel good to know that I’m not in love with him? Does
it please you to know that I actually planned on breaking up with him
tomorrow?”

“Why?”
He barks, shaking me roughly. “Why were you going to break up with him?”

“Because
of you!” I cry. “It’s always you!”

I’ve
reached my limit, realising I can’t do this anymore. I thought I could forget
about Zack by moving away but I couldn’t. The past two years of my life have
been a lie, a pathetic attempt I’ve made to lead a normal life and now I’m
done.

“It’s
because you still love me.” Zack claims, his voice gentle. “Because you know it
all comes down to this… you and me. I love my daughter but she’s not
ours
.
I want
you
to have my baby and until that happens, I’m terrified what I
feel for Amber won’t be enough.”

“Don’t
say that.” I beg him, annoyed that there’s still a small part of me which is
happy about it.

He
takes hold of my wrists, using his thumbs to draw circles against the spot
where my pulse is. I’m sure he can feel it racing, it’s rhythm heightened by my
undeniable response towards him.

“Why
are you doing this?”

“I’m
doing this because I’ve lived in torment for the past two years.” He admits,
hanging his head in defeat. “I can’t do it anymore.”

“I
wish it was that easy.” I confide, surrendering myself to his sensual touch.
“But I have a life here now. I have friends, work colleagues, this house and…
and Ian.”

“We
can figure it all out, you know we can. I’ll take care of you, I promise.”

“I
don’t want to hurt anyone. I can’t do to Ian what we did to Rachel.”

“I’m
not asking you to.” He says, capturing my gaze with his once more. “We don’t
have to do anything tonight. I can wait for you.”

I
exhale slowly, needing to put some space between us so I can clear my head.

“He
loves me, Zack. How the hell can I do this to him?”

“
I
love you. Doesn’t that mean anything?”

“Of
course it does. I just don’t know how we’re going to make this work. There’s
Rachel to consider and your daughter too.”

“I’ll
make
it happen. I’ll take care of everything.”

“But
how
?”

“I’ll
move here if you don’t want to leave the area. I’ll relocate and buy us a
house, visiting Amber at the weekends. I want you to get to know her, Sam. I
need you both in my life.”

“I
don’t think my sister is going to like that.”

“Things
have calmed down since you left. Rachel and I aren’t exactly friends but it’s
amicable between us. I can see Amber whenever I want and won’t let her change
that.”

“Does
she know you’ve been searching for me?”

“She
did at first but I haven’t mentioned it in months. I think she’s assumed that
I’ve given up on finding you.”

“I
see.”

“I
never did.” He adds, coming up behind me so he can whisper in my ear. “I
couldn’t.”

I
simply can’t control what happens next, melting against Zack’s powerful body as
his lips crash against my own.

It’s
been two years.

Two
years since I felt this.

Two
years since I felt alive.

“No…
no… we shouldn’t.” I object, turning my head away.

“Don’t
tell me to stop, Sam.
Please
.”

He’s
practically begging, imploring me to understand the pain in his voice and give
into my temptation.

“B-but
this isn’t right.” I murmur, trying to resist him. “It’s cheating.”

“Since
when has that stopped us before?” He sneers, unzipping my dress with one hand.

“It’s
different now.”

“Why?”
He growls, covering my neck with kisses. “Why is it so different when you want
me just as badly as you did back then?”

His
hand slips underneath my dress, travelling up my thighs so he can reach me. He
uses his fingers to slip my underwear to the side, touching me gently.

“Zack…”
I moan, unable to conceal my arousal from him.

“You
want this.” He murmurs, confirming his suspicions. “Your pussy is so wet… you
need
this.”

“God,
yes… please.”

“Say
that again.” He orders, wanting complete control over me.

“Say
what?” I ask, sounding delirious and vague.

I’m
enthralled by him… captivated and enslaved to the sensations which are taking
over my body.

“Beg
me for it.” He commands roughly, forcing me to look at him.

“
Please
.”

He
smirks, arrogant and smug now he knows he’s won this battle.

“Let’s
go upstairs.” He says, pulling me into the hallway. “I want to fuck you on his
bed.”

“Zack,
we can’t!” I cry, horrified by his suggestion.

“That
wasn’t a question, Sam.”

He
picks me up with zero amount of effort, carrying me upstairs when my legs wrap
around his waist.

“This
is
so
wrong.” I protest, wrestling with what I know is right and what I
need from him.

“Which
room is it?” He asks, completely ignoring what I just said.

“The
one on the end.”

He
kicks open the bedroom door before pushing me down onto the bed. My outfit is
torn from my body in seconds, my red dress now ripped and discarded on the
floor.

“How
many nights have you fantasised about me in this bed?” He questions, taunting
me on purpose. “How many nights have you closed your eyes and pictured me
instead of him?”

“Every
single time.” I confess, closing my eyes when I feel myself blushing.

The
guilt and shame of what I’ve just admitted to is humiliating. I’m mortified by my
despicable actions but don’t seem to have the strength to put a stop to it.

“I
bet he doesn’t give you exactly what you want, does he? I bet he’s never fucked
you like you needed him to.”

“He
hasn’t… he never has.” I unwittingly confirm, relishing in the fact that Zack’s
hands are now wandering all over my naked body.

“Undress
me.” He asserts, speaking with authority. “Take my clothes off.”

I
do as he asks, my hands trembling as I unbuckle his belt from his jeans,
struggling to remove them. I’m clumsy and inept, embarrassed that I can’t
complete such a simple task.

Noticing
my distress and the fact that I can’t stop shaking, he decides to help. I watch
him tug his shirt over his head and kick off his jeans so that he’s only
wearing his boxers in front of me.