Chapter 3: ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ

🌼Ｅｍ ｍａ🌼

Flimsy dust float as I tool my car down the dirt way. Excitement and nervousness mingle in the pit of my belly.

I spent the whole night berating myself for letting Zain intimidate me. But not anymore. I'm so done being a coward, backing down from confrontations when my emotions get too tough on me. It's time I stood tall and fought for what I want.

And I want no one else but Zain.

On reaching the location, I step on the brakes and scrutinize the house for confirmation. It's just like Kevin described to me on the phone: cozy and painted in yellow with tones of green dazzling through it.

It's one of Zain's two houses, this one situated on the outskirts of LA. Wooden stairs lead up to a just big enough porch with wooden railings. At the right corner and secured to thick posts is a net hammock, large enough to contain two people at once.

I get out of the car, leaving my belongings as I make my way toward the door, feeling more nervous with every step. God, I hope I arrived before Zain.

I reach for the doorbell and press it, waiting a few seconds before pressing again. When I press a third time and nobody answers, I sigh with relief. Waiting for Zain is far better than him slamming the door in my face.

Reaching for the large net hammock, I lie in it, forcing myself to relax. I know Zain isn't going to be happy to see me here but it is something I'm ready to risk.

I breathe the crisp, cool air, knowing I have an assortment of models who would be more than willing to take Zain's place. Maybe that would be a better choice, especially with how Zain almost melted my senses with his kiss last night.

My fingers find my lips, caressing them as the memory of the scorching kiss runs through my mind. It's not the first Zain has kissed me. Last night's kiss just felt different. Better.

Maybe it is my urge to try now, as compared to my cowardice two years ago.

I wince. Back when I'd been afraid of the things Zain made me feel, I'd done my best to push him away.

What I did to finally get him to back off was the final straw. My heart bleeds whenever I remember the look on his face on that day, the tears shimmering in his eyes.

It's haunted me since we parted ways. Yet I convinced myself that it was for the best. Now I realize I was nothing but a coward. I haven't even had the guts to apologize to Zain or bring it up, afraid it's only going to spite him more.

Maybe that's why he refuses to even work with me; because he resents me after what I did to him and wants nothing to do with me.

But that's why I'm here. To change his mind, make him see that I'm sorry about what I did to him, and show him that I'm ready now to take a risk with him.

The sudden screeching of car tyres interrupts my thoughts. Opening my eyes, I find my already dust-covered Rolls-Royce surrounded by a billow of dust. Beside it is Zain's convertible Mercedes-Benz, Zain behind the wheel.

His fingers are tightly wrapped around the steering wheel, staring at my car in shock. The shock remains on his face as he shifts his eyes to me.

Zain's expression suddenly changes from shock to anger. He seems to drag in a deep breath as the car begins to close up. He then slides from the driver’s side of the car.

He opens one of the backseat doors and grabs two white polythene bags together with a laptop bag before heading toward me.

No one has to tell me the man is furious. I can tell from how rapidly his jaw seems to be working and the dark look on his face.

He walks past me, and without so much as looking at me or acknowledging me, he unlocks the door, enters the house, and slams it behind him.

Startled, I bounce off the hammock, my heart beating furiously. Did I do the right thing by coming so unannounced?

I lower myself back into the hammock, expecting him to come out and vent out his displeasure any minute. He can't ignore me forever, can he?

I wait for what feels like an eternity and he still doesn't come out. I realize I need to take things into my own hands. The door thankfully opens when I turn the knob. At least he didn't lock me out.

With all the courage I can muster for the confrontation ahead, I step inside, setting my bag in the living room. Glancing around I admire the simple but beautiful décor. It is an oak-furnished room with beige tones accentuating manly taste.

There looks to be three rooms, one I assume is a bathroom together with a cozy dining area which is an appendage to the kitchen.

Seeing no sign of Zain, I turn a doorknob and enter one of the rooms. He isn’t there either. I'm about to exit when I hear a click on the bathroom door. I turn and immediately swallow a lump in my throat.

I'm met with the half-naked body of Zain. He has obviously taken a shower because rivulets of water are running down his body, disappearing into the towel he has wrapped around his wt.

My eyes trail from the bulge in the towel to his beautiful six-packs to his pecks and biceps, making liquid heat sizzle between my thighs.

I look away to hide my suddenly flaming cheeks - blushing he doesn't even bother to notice as he reaches for another towel hanging on a chair and starts wiping at his body.

Then he saunters out of the room, once again pretending as if I don't exist.

After regaining my composure, I step out of the room to find him in the living room. He is standing in front of the refrigerator, stocking perishable goods and convenience foods.

Not turning from the fridge, he refuses to acknowledge me even though I know the click of my heels against the tiled floor announced my presence.

Well, no problem. I can enjoy the view for now.

His muscles flex and bunch with every move he makes, displaying manly prowess. His rides now ride temptingly low on his lean hips.

Before he was more on the chubby side. Frequent workouts have definitely paid off and added to his masculinity. He's now tall, with wide shoulders that taper down to his lean waist.

His thighs look very well-developed, round, and firm. He is now without an ounce of fat. Everything about him is simply attractive and had always been. No wonder he's become such a fast-rising modelling star.

Frustrated with my unacknowledged presence, I clear my throat. Loudly. He still refuses to spare me a glance, his body tensing up even more.

I sigh. “Listen, if you’re worried about how I’ll fare here, then don’t, I don’t need much, and I also bought some groce–”

In one swift move, Zain spins around, causing me to trail off. His menacing-dark-brown eyes sear into mine, heating my body with their intensity.

“What the hell do you want?” He demands.

I quirk a brow at him. “I hope your memory is not failing you, because if I remember clearly, you invited me-“

“I was only joking!” He runs a frustrated hand through his tousled, wet, silky hair.

“Well, it didn't seem like that to me last night.”

My breath hitches as Zain's eyes rake up and down the length of my body, lingering on my chest. It's as if he is undressing me with his gaze. My breasts swell and my nipples tighten and protrude in the blouse I'm wearing because I have no bra on.

I gasp when my eyes catch the lower part of his body. Bulging beneath the towel is his thick arousal, so pronounced it steals my breath. He stands still, seemingly making sure I'm aware that his want for me hasn't disappeared overnight.

"How did you get to know about this place?" He questions gruffly.

I hesitate, wondering whether to spill, then realize Zain probably suspects it already. "I contacted Kevin and he gave me the address, though reluctantly."

“That guy is gonna hear from me.” He says through gritted teeth. “And you,” he points a finger at me, his stunning blue eyes flaring at me. “you better get out of here.”

"I'm not leaving here until I get what I came here for, Zain. We had a deal, and here I am to honour my part.”

“We had no...” Zain snaps, then pauses. He raises his hands in obvious exasperation, then finally lets out a breath as if coming to a decision.

"Fine." He nods vehemently. "I accept to be your model, happy now? Now please get out of here to prepare the contract or whatever. I'll see you at your fashion house on Monday."

Then he storms off, leaving me staring after him in shock.

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How's it going, guys? Hope you're loving this so far. What do you think Emma did to Zain? Things are about to get steamy so watch out.

LOL(Lots Of Love)

-Enock