Zane

by Liv Bennett

  My weary eyes scan the living room, my heart thudding unsteadily against my chest, my breathing shallow and irregular.

  Zane isn’t here. If he’s left without saying goodbye to me, or seeing my updated self in my cute dress, all this stress will have been in vain. Just when the sinking feeling starts swirling around me like a tight robe, I hear his voice, very quiet, but still noticeable, coming from down the hall.

  Nick approaches me right at that moment, holding up a glass of dessert wine. “Where were you hiding?” he asks, his gaze gliding over my body ever so slowly.

  My hands fist in response, but I work hard to resist the urge to cover my chest. He’s a friend, I keep telling myself in my mind. I’ve known him for several years and he saw me in really sexual and revealing dresses when Michael was alive and forced me to look sexy for his clients. Nick didn’t misbehave or in any way make me feel uncomfortable in his presence then. He’s not like the men who took advantage of my circumstances. There’re men who wouldn’t rape a woman even if she’s buck naked before them, and others who would attack a properly dressed women. And Nick definitely belongs to the former group of decent men. Besides, his appreciative gaze is actually an affirmation of the loveliness of the dress.

  “Would you excuse me for a second?” I ask with an apologetic smile. “I think I forgot my purse in the bathroom.”

  “If you promise to come back to me afterward. I have something important to discuss with you.” He nods and lifts the beautiful glass filled with sparkling red wine toward me.

  I turn around and head for the hall, my ears on high alert for Zane’s voice. Muffled sounds come from a room at the end of the hall. I slow my pace to even out the click of my high heels against the hardwood floor as I walk toward the room where Zane must be. Then I stop and listen because Zane isn’t alone in the room.

  He’s with a woman.

  Scarlet.

  First, I can’t make out anything of their conversation. That’s why I lean closer to the door despite the major risk of being caught by them or the guests or both. It seems Scarlet is the only one talking right now. When I hold my breath and stay put, I can clearly hear her words.

  “I’ve been waiting for a long time for the chance to have you all to myself,” she says, her voice clearly tender and layered with affection.

  The door is only a little ajar, keeping me from taking a peek at them. For all I know, she’s in his arms, and that visualization cuts deeper into my heart than a butcher’s knife.

  “I know exactly what you are thinking of me. That I am too young and I won’t be able to handle my emotions if we start seeing each other besides at work,” she continues.

  My lungs will burst if I don’t fill them in with a fresh breath of air, but I hold my posture, not moving a millimeter in order to hear the secret conversation taking place behind the door. I hear footsteps, high heels on hardwood floor, Scarlett’s, specifically, along with soft breathing. The two must have been so engrossed with each other they didn’t hear the sound of my own shoes as I approached the door.

  “But, you’re wrong,” she whispers. “I can and I will keep myself in check, no matter what and be professional even if things don’t work out.”

  Zane clears his throat but doesn’t say a word in response to Scarlet’s confession. My mind plays tricks on me and presents me with the image of Zane glancing at Scarlet with lustful eyes. I swallow the hard lump of frustration blocking my throat and allow myself to take a breath.

  “You’re a great girl,” finally Zane starts. “You’re incredibly talented and impressive in everything you do. And, and, well, you’re breathtaking too, but you must hear that from other men every day of your life.”

  I hear Scarlet giggle and imagine her blushing at Zane’s compliment. I bet she looks astoundingly adorable with her cheeks all red.

  “It’s just… Frat House is my baby, and I don’t want to be the reason for its failure. Getting involved with an actress is a foolproof recipe for that,” Zane says.

  “I totally understand your worries,” Scarlet replies. “But, the same goes for me. Frat House is my life. I won’t let my personal life influence it in any way. You know me. I haven’t stopped being the hardworking, ambitious person that I was the first day on the set. I work hard every day so I won’t fail at what’s expected of me. I know how important the show is to hundreds of people. It’s critical to me, too. It’s what made me a famous actress. It’s what gave me a career. My father passed away last year, and I was back at the set the next day after the funeral and worked my ass off without the loss of my father getting the best of me. I won’t mess it up for anything. Even for you.”

  “In that case.” Zane’s voice comes through confident and clear. “I’d like to take you on a date. But before that…”

  I don’t hear anything for a long second, then Scarlet’s soft breathy moan echoes in my ears along with the sound of lips tangling in a passionate kiss.

  He’s kissing her!

  It’s not the first time I’ve witnessed Zane with another woman, but this time, fear runs thick in my blood, and twines around my heart. I see danger blaring in my face in neon letters. I know it with every fiber of my being. I’ve lost my chance and she’s going to win his heart.

  My legs tremble, and I lose my balance and my hands land against the door to regain what little steadiness is left to me. The door opens as I launch toward it, but I manage to grab the doorknob at the last moment before hitting the floor face-first.

  Wide with surprise, beautiful eyes glance at me. My tongue tied, I mumble, “Ahh…”

  Zane untangles his beautiful girl from his body and runs to help me back up on unsteady legs, grabbing me by my arm. “Are you okay?” His touch on me doesn’t spark an uncontrollable current through my body as it always has. Now it only feels distant and mechanical.

  My eyes drift from him to Scarlet and I quickly nod my head. “Yes. I was looking for Scarlet.” Shifting my pose to stand on both feet, I move away from Zane’s touch. “I got a call from work. I need to leave now. Thanks for having me over. It’s a great party. I love the food,” I blubber mindlessly, grinning like a fool, my eyes carefully avoiding Zane.

  “Of course. Thanks for bringing the cake.” She walks toward me and wraps her arms around my shoulders, pulling me into a tight hug.

  In a different world, she and I could be great friends, best friends even, but right now all I want is to circle my hands around her throat and take her last breath away. Which is why, I pull away quickly, unsure of what I’m capable of if I don’t get a grip on myself.

  “I’ll see you guys later.” I wave my hand in the air awkwardly and dash out of the room, wishing I could dash out of their lives as easily.

  CH 16 - The Winner

  ~

  Finally, the sun had turned her face my way and is shining on my life, warming me from inside out. And that sun has a name. Scarlet. She’s not just a pretty face and a great body. She’s everything I could wish to have in a woman and more…a humble personality, an unshakable work ethic, boundless love and affection, and a soothing smile. With her, I don’t consider myself as a prize, since there can’t be any bigger prize than her.

  Even so, she spoils me with praise and attempts to convince me to give her a chance when it should be me who should be pursuing her. The irony doesn’t even stop there. She takes hesitant steps toward me, her beautiful green irises glued to my lips, her hands splaying against my chest. The way she admires me makes me feel as though I’m some kind of Greek God.

  The strapless dress is generously displaying her silky skin and the curvy tops of her breasts. And her flowery scent…just mind-blowing. Then she rises to her tiptoes in an effort to reach my lips when all I want and can think of is kissing her. The urgency is so strong, I can feel my lungs shutting down as the seconds pass before our mouths meet.

  When she takes the last step and brushes her lips cautiously against mine, I can finally say I’m sold.

  Raising h
er hands, she runs them through my hair and pulls me down harder against her mouth. The attraction I’ve been feeling toward her wasn’t unshared. I had a suspicion of her interest in me but brushed it off as a platonic, friendly interest. The passionate kiss we’re sharing proves to be anything but platonic. Her moves are so precise, yet tentative, I can tell she practiced this scene in her mind over and over again.

  Running my hand up her back, I cup her neck and press her toned body against mine a little too eagerly, the feel of her soft and sizable breasts against my chest pumping life into my cock. Rather than shying away from my aggressive move, she moans a soft sigh of pleasure and thrusts herself against my torso, molding herself to my body.

  This time, it feels right without the slightest hint of doubt. She’s the girl I’ve been longing to have at my side. She knows who I am and how I like to spend my free time. Well, how I used to at least, because that chapter of my life is over. I’m determined to become the man she deserves, although I’m not sure how I’ll figure out how to tame my wild side because her body pressed against me is turning me wilder by the second. If she continues kissing me as if this is the last kiss she’ll ever get, I might lose control and take her right here in this bedroom, only a few feet away from her entire family.

  Fortunately, the door opens abruptly and Julie shows up, nearly tripping over Scarlet and me with her clumsiness. She must have a sixth sense or something for sensing when I’m about to get into trouble with my lack of control and have come to save me before I scare Scarlet away for good.

  The thrill of having Scarlet when I couldn’t even allow myself to think about the possibility of being with her is overwhelming and has me so lightheaded that I miss Julie’s words. She’s bubbling some niceties to Scarlet and then they hug.

  It’s impossible to look away from the goddess of beauty and loveliness before me. When I finally manage to tear my eyes away from Scarlet and land them on Julie, I note the shock tensing her facial muscles. It’s more than the shock she’s trying to hide over her embarrassment with her quick moves and fake smiles, although I can’t put my finger on it. She’s not angry like I expected her to be. I’ve known her long enough to read her face like an open book, but there’s not a single clue to anger on her.

  It’s something else…something deeper, soul-ripping. And I finally realize what when she looks at me one last time. Fear, loneliness, despair…all wrapped up in a hurting glance before she excuses herself and steps out of the room, leaving me gaping after her.

  THE END

  ~

  ZANE 2 is scheduled to be published June 2015. Sign up to my newsletter to get alerts about my upcoming releases: eepurl.com/F_nqD

  ~

  Important note: If you liked ZANE 1, please consider leaving a review. If you email me the link to your review at slivbennett@gmail.com, I’ll happily gift you a digital copy of ZANE 2.

  DECEIVED

  Forget me not: Part 1

  ~

  ~

  Copyright © 2015 by Liv Bennett

  All rights reserved.

  ~

  I'm dirt poor and unattractive, whereas Loraine is a beauty queen and wealthy enough to wipe her nose with hundred dollar bills every day. Yet, she wants me to seduce her husband and the father of her kids—Kenneth, the youngest and the sexiest self-made billionaire alive.

  That she wants to divorce him to get most of his assets is a big fat lie and we both know it, because you don't just give up on a man like Kenneth, the very symbol of power and raw sexuality. You tie him down with chains and barb wires so he can't escape.

  While searching for the real reason Loraine has hired me as a nanny, I'm working hard not to fall for Kenneth. That, too, proves to be a big fat lie.

  Prologue

  ~

  My hands grip the corners of the dryer in the laundry room, my body pressed against it per his order. The sweat-soaked, white, cotton t-shirt is the only thing I’m wearing and it’s barely reaching the top of my bare buttocks. I tighten my fingers against the dryer to keep myself from pulling the hem of my t-shirt down.

  My cheeks feel hot from humiliation and my mind wonders what he must be thinking.

  “That ass…” he once said with an acute longing in his voice, the only time he referred to a part of my body. And even so, he didn’t finish his sentence and kept me guessing about what he meant.

  My knees tremble, and my feet turn colder the longer I stand on the marble floor. The floral scent of the detergent makes me feel nauseous and dizzy but not like the fear of the unknown.

  I dare tilt my head, only a little bit, though, to see if he’s still behind me, although I know there’s no way in hell he’ll forgive my last move and leave me be.

  He’s furious. He’s always been for most of the time I’ve known him, but this time, anger is fuming out of his ears. He’s murderous. Speechless. He’s not even breathing. I can’t foresee his next move. I’m not even sure how long has passed since he cornered me inside this claustrophobia-inducing tiny laundry room. Everything about his house is majestic, save for the laundry room where he has to confront me. My bad luck has always been an active and loyal participant in my life.

  One minute I’m loading the washer with dirty clothes, the next minute he’s shouting in my ear to take off my panties and bend over the dryer.

  My mind is exhausted. I can’t hold in my feelings any longer. I want to turn around to look at him, come clean about everything, and apologize for the depraved games I played with him.

  I feel him move toward me, and my nipples harden against the soft fabric of my t-shirt. I want his hands all over my ass and his fingers to explore my sex, to turn this moment of humiliation into a wildfire of passion. I’ve been longing for him for so long; his mere presence has me drenched and aching for his touch.

  But, he hasn’t touched me. Ever. He’s eye-fucked me countless times. He’s yelled, threatened, and even openly told me to get out of his life before, but he has never laid a finger on my body, never made a physical contact.

  Cold air hits my thighs, whereas hot flames are spreading between my legs. My heartbeats are loud against my chest, my breathing short. The waiting is killing me.

  He takes another step behind me and suddenly his hand threads into my hair and yanks me back with a painful force. I scream in panic and sorrow. The first physical contact between him and me has to be this way?

  I tremble and fall back against his hard torso that I’ve been dying to feel since the first time I met him. The rough surface of his jeans brushes against my buttocks, the warmth of his body turning up the heat inside me to an unbearable degree.

  Panicked and fearful, I glance up at him and see his blue eyes flash with anger as they squint down at me.

  “Did you seriously think you’ve got me figured out?” he whispers, each word radiating menace and revenge. “You think you know my weaknesses. You think I’ll fall for your foolish games sooner or later.” His hand pulls my hair more, forcing my head to press hard against his shoulder. “Don’t you?”

  Unsure of how to answer him, I groan to convey my pain and fear. My tongue wouldn’t move anyway.

  “Answer me!” he yells into my ear, and I wince in more pain. He’ll murder me and bury my corpse in the woods. That’s actually what he should do to fix the problem once and for all.

  I scream again, hoping he’ll see my fear and let me go. Instead, he shoves me against the dryer, my hips hitting hard against the sharp edge of the machine. His hand lands on my back between my shoulder blades and presses me down to keep me in place. An unnecessary move, since I wouldn’t be able to run away anyway.

  My nipples harden both in pain and pleasure. My thin t-shirt is rolled way up around my waist. And his hand is still on my back, slowly moving down toward my ass. My breath is caught up in my throat as the anticipation builds inside my chest. I can feel my sex swell and dampen for him, for his touch I’m pretty sure he’ll deprive me of.

  Nonetheless, his palm is now
crossing from my t-shirt over to my bare skin. This is the very first time his skin has touched me. The thrill of finally feeling his heat and the hard planes of his body will make my heart explode. My clit throbs in hunger; desire is pulsating through my wet folds. I’ve been yearning for this moment and dreaming it every night.

  My senses are heightened; my lips part to gasp for air.

  He runs his finger down the crack of my ass. He grunts when his fingers slide between the moist lips of my sex, probing my tender flesh, his skin coated with my arousal. “Jesus!”

  My mind turns foggy and my eyes close, the rest of my senses focused on only him. I still sharply when I feel his finger move further until it hits the tight knob of my clit. Even with my back turned against him and my eyes closed, I can sense his struggle as he circles the tip of his finger around my clit. Both of us know this will bring his end without a doubt, although neither of us can stop.

  I wiggle my hips in rhythm with his moves, unable to stop the moans escaping my lips each time he presses the pad of his thumb against my clit, the heated pleasure of it making my eyes roll back in their sockets. The muscles inside my sex clench as the craving for release wraps around my body like a thick blanket. Sweat drops gather around my forehead. Each new second he keeps his hand between my legs is another step into insanity.

  His finger moves back slightly, abandoning my trembling clit, and then suddenly dips into my wetness, rubbing the throbbing flesh inside my sex. With a moan, I push my ass against him, wanting him deeper and harder.

  “You want me to rub your little cunt until you come, don’t you? You need it so badly, you’re ready to throw away your life for a momentary pleasure.” He chuckles, clearly amused, then his voice turns stern when he says, “Some nights I go to bed with the thought of fucking you senseless driving me crazy. I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. I can’t work. It’s your doing, all of it.”