Wrong Girl (14 page)

He
circles my face with his hands, lowering his mouth towards mine. He hesitates
for just a moment before making his decision, crashing his lips against my own.
It only takes me a couple of seconds to respond to him, moaning into his mouth
as he tongue separates my lips, demanding an entry. He walks me backwards,
placing his hand on my lower back to support me as he starts to push me down
onto the bed. I almost let him, just as his powerful weight is encouraging me
to submit to him and lie down, I come to my senses.

“We
can’t do this, Zack! We have to stop. She’s my sister and I love her. As much
as I want you… I can’t do it to her.”

“So
you
do
want me?” He growls, nuzzling into my neck and inhaling deeply.

I
can’t believe he actually asked me that question.

“Of
course I want you! I wanted you since the first moment I saw you. My body aches
for you and regardless of the fact that every single one of my instincts is screaming
at me to say yes… I just can’t do it to her.”

“Fuck!
This is madness. Absolute madness.” He yells, stalking away from me towards the
open doors leading onto the balcony.

The
rain has now stopped and I watch him with caution as he goes out there. Today
he’s not wearing a suit, he has on a black pair of jeans and a light grey
T-shirt. It accentuates his toned physique and I can’t help admiring the
muscles in his arms as he leans against the railing outside. I’m still wearing
my towel and quickly hurry back into Rachel’s en suite to grab a dressing gown
instead. Rachel could be back any minute and I don’t want her to find me in a
compromising position with her fiancé, especially in a towel.

Zack
is back in the bedroom by the time I open the bathroom door, sitting on the
edge of Rachel’s bed with his head in his hands.

“Rachel
should be back by now, shouldn’t she?” I enquire hesitantly, slowly making my
way back into the bedroom.

“She
went out for coffee. She only left a few minutes ago.”

“Why
are you even here? I don’t know why Rachel would invite you, she told me it was
just going to be the two of us this weekend.”

“I
know, she told me the same thing. That’s why I came here with some lame excuse,
I wanted to see you.”

“You
shouldn’t have come here.”

“You
don’t think I know that?” He snaps, glaring up at me.

“I
don’t know what you want from me.”

“Yes
you do. You know exactly what I want and I’m not going to quit until I get it. Only
then will I be able to get you out of my system, only then will I be able to
focus on the woman I’m actually engaged to and until then… I’m screwed.” He
sighs wearily, his shoulders slump as he hangs his head.

“Zack…”

“Look,
Rachel’s going to be back any minute and I know we can’t discuss this here. I’d
arrange to meet you again but I know we’re only going to go around and around
in circles like last time. I need us to do this and I need you to be certain. I
want you to pick a time and a date, wherever you want and whenever you want it
to be. I’ll be there.”

“This
isn’t happening to me, this isn’t happening.” I say to myself over and over
again, wringing my hands together as I pace back and forth in front of him.

“It
is
happening and there’s only one thing we can do about it. Do you
really think I want to be like this? Doing everything in my power to steal a
moment alone with you, begging and pleading with my future sister-in-law to
sleep with me so I can get some peace!” He jumps up and takes hold of my hands,
holding me still. “Do you really think we will feel any worse than we do right
now? Yes, we might feel guilty but at least we’ll
know
.”

“Know
what?”

“What
it will be like! I hope and pray I’ll be able to get some peace after we’ve
spent the night together.”

“A
whole night?”

“Yes.
I want a whole night with you, Samantha. I don’t want anything less.”

He’s
so insistent, tightening his grip on my hands, only releasing his grasp when we
hear the sound of the front door downstairs. Two voices make their way down the
hall and into the kitchen before we hear frantic footsteps making their way up
the stairs. A tall, dark haired guy hurtles into the room, colliding with me
and Zack in the process.

“Shit!
I’m so sorry!” The stranger yells, coming to a halt in front of us. “I’m looking
for the bathroom.”

“Get
the fuck out, Aaron!” Zack shouts angrily, shoving him out the door.

Aaron…
why does that name mean something to me? It’s as though I’ve heard it before
but can’t remember where from.

“Calm
down, bro. I’m bursting so tell me where it is real quick.”

“It’s
the last door on the right.” I inform him politely, gently moving Zack to the
side so I can get a clear view of the guy who just barged in on us.

“Thanks,
gorgeous. Back in a sec.” He takes off out the door and speeds off down the
hallway.

“Who
is that?” I ask, turning around to face Zack.

“My
brother.” He growls, folding his arms across his chest. “I don’t know what he’s
doing here but I plan on finding out.”

“He
seems… nice.” I whisper softly, feeling uncomfortable and awkward now that Zack
and I are alone again.

“Trust
me, he isn’t. Can you please put some clothes on before he comes back in here
and hurry downstairs? I don’t want you up here alone with him.”

“Scared
he might kiss me like you just did?” I joke, playing with the soft material of
my sister’s dressing gown.

“Yes.”
He says curtly, storming out of my room with his jaw clenched.

I
have no other choice but to quickly get changed, blast my hair with the hair
dryer and make my way downstairs. I can hear the three of them laughing and
joking in the kitchen and want nothing more than to sneak out without any of
them knowing. Of course I know this is impossible and tug my fingers through my
tangled hair, hoping to make the best of my appearance before I make my
entrance.

“There
you are! We were wondering where you got to.” Rachel announces the second I
walk into the kitchen.

“I
was upstairs… changing.” I mutter quietly, hoping my sister will be the only
one to hear me.

Zack
is standing by the window, gazing out of it whilst keeping his back to us.

“I’m
Aaron, Zack’s brother. It’s great to meet you, Sam. Although, you really didn’t
have to bother getting changed. That dressing gown you had on looked fine.” He
grins at me, his eyes twinkling with playfulness and fun.

“That’s
my
dressing gown!” Rachel scolds me, gently slapping my arm before
switching her attention to the now boiling kettle.

“Erm…
thanks. I’m Sam, Rachel’s younger sister.”

I
hold my hand out towards him, expecting him to take it. He pulls me in for a
hug instead, crushing his chest against mine until I can barely breathe.

“You’re
the Maid of honour, right?” He whispers into my ear.

“Yes.”
I answer, struggling to speak because he’s squeezing me so tight.

“That’s
awesome. Save a dance for me, won’t you? I’m the Best man.” He winks at me
flirtatiously, raising his eyebrows suggestively.

I
can’t help laughing at him. He’s clearly harmless and only messing around. I
don’t feel uncomfortable around him at all and that’s a very good sign. I
always trust my instincts and my instincts are telling me Aaron is a good guy.

“That
can easily be changed.” Zack makes his way over towards us, fixing an angry
pair of eyes on his brother.

“Chill,
bro. I’m just playing. Sam knows I’m only joking, don’t you?” Aaron turns to
look at me, rolling his eyes at his brother who’s standing behind him.

“Sure,
its fine. Besides, I don’t mind promising you a dance.” I smile at him,
ignoring the ferocious stare being directed at me by Zack.

“It’s
great you two are getting on so well. Sam’s going to look beautiful in her
dress, I’ll make sure of that.”

My
sister adds, standing in front of Zack before placing his arms around her
waist. She grins at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. It’s obvious she’s
already pinned all her hopes on Aaron and me getting together and there’s no
chance of discouraging her when she gets an idea in her head.

“I’m
sure she will.” Aaron replies, smirking at me.

 His
gaze wanders up and down my body, clearly checking me out. It makes me feel
slightly uncomfortable and I don’t know where to look or how to act. I’m not
used to being the subject of such a blatant perusal and I’m not sure I like it.
It felt different when Zack’s eyes were on me, I was startled to find him
watching me from the doorway of Rachel’s room but after my initial shock, it
actually felt good to know the smouldering intensity behind his eyes was
because of me.

Zack’s
glare switches to his brother, a fierce scowl transforming his breathtakingly
good looks as he continues to glower at him in contempt and dare I say…
jealousy?

“Anyway,
I promised my little sister a man-free zone this weekend. You two need to clear
off right now.” Rachel admonishes, moving away from Zack to throw a
conspiratorial arm around my neck.

“Aw,
do we have to? I was looking forward to becoming more acquainted with Sam. My
brother is marrying her beautiful sister.” He beams at Rachel, clearly hoping
his flattery will win her around.

“Nice
try, Aaron. Now go.” She playfully ruffles his hair as though he’s a child and
places a delicate kiss on Zack’s lips. “I’ll call you later, baby.”

“Will
you call me later, Sam?” Aaron smiles, sauntering across the kitchen towards
me.

He
doesn’t make it very far, Zack grabs hold of his brother’s arm and practically
marches him out the door.

“We’re
going. See you later, Sam.” He only turns back to look at me once, locking
those magnificent eyes of his upon my own. They linger for a couple of seconds
before he’s forced to turn around, leaving Rachel and I alone.

“So
that’s Aaron?” I try to sound casual about it, taking a seat at the kitchen
table whilst watching my sister make the coffee.

“Yeah,
he’s a bit of a handful, isn’t he? He’s harmless though, just a huge flirt.
Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.”

“I’m
sure I will if he’s going to be Zack’s best man.” I say, thanking her for the
coffee.

“He’s
leaving in a day or so. He’s been staying with Zack and his parents for the
last week or so. He was supposed to be at the meal we had with Zack’s parents
last week, remember?”

“Yeah,
I remember. Well, he seems nice.”

I
really don’t want her to get the wrong impression. Aaron is really handsome but
I’m just not interested. I’m not interested in anyone. Except
him
.

“He
is. Although, Zack didn’t seem too pleased with him when he left.” She joins me
at the table, flicking through a magazine absent-mindedly.

“I’m
sure everything will be fine.” I murmur quietly, praying that my wish will come
true.

I
have a great night with Rachel, we spend the entire evening catching up with
one another in a way we never have done before. I completely reconnect with my
sister and it’s wonderful. We watch ‘Titanic’ for the three thousandth time and
both end up crying by the time we reach the end of it which is sometime after
midnight.

“I
don’t think I will ever get over the death of Jack Dawson.” My sister chuckles,
wiping away her tears.

“Me
neither. It broke my heart when I was eight and it’s still not properly
healed.” I agree, laughing at the state of us both, crying our eyes out and
surrounded by tissues.

“Well,
I’m official exhausted. I’m ready for bed, are you?” Rachel yawns, switching
off the TV and gathering the empty plates from the take away we ordered
earlier.

“Definitely.
We’re still sharing, right?” I ask anxiously, grabbing hold of her arm.

“Sure
we are. Come on.” My sister knows I would never, ever sleep alone in this
house. She doesn’t know the exact reason why but knows it’s not a definitive
condition of me staying here.

It’s
so weird being here at night. I moved out so long ago, it made me forget what
it was like to stay here. At least I don’t have to spend the night in the room
I once called my own… the last place I want to revisit is the location where
all my nightmares take place.

“Sam,
can I ask you something?” Rachel turns over in bed to face me, a worried
expression on her face.

“Sure,
what’s up?” I mirror her actions and turn to face her, knowing she wants my
undivided attention.

“What
do you really think of Zack?” She whispers, staring at me with her unblinking
eyes.

“What
does that matter?” I shift uncomfortably, averting my gaze from hers.

“It
matters.” She insists.