Sleeping with the Enemy

"Zee?"

The younger woman lets out a cry of surprise upon hearing Nic's voice, and a curious little ache squeezes my chest when I see the way Nic's gaze narrows as he watches another man gently help Zee down to her feet.

Don't be a jealous little twit, Francesca!

Nic's heart is mine, and while I'm willing to bet my own life that he would never betray me for another woman...what if Zee turns out to be different?

While I also know without being told that Nic has always been completely oblivious to Zee's feelings, what if seeing Zee with another man changes this?

Will Nic still choose me...even if he learns that a girl like Zee could've been his all along?

Just imagining Nic having second thoughts about us is enough to give me stomach cramps, and I shove all such ideas out of my mind lest I end up driving myself crazy with my doubts and insecurities.

Zee and her mystery date have finally stepped out of the elevator, and I'm caught off guard by how devilishly attractive he looks. He's the complete opposite of Nic, whose blond hair and blue eyes make my fiancé appear deceptively angelic.

Does that mean Zee's taste in men has changed...or is this guy someone she's simply dating on the rebound?

While I'm not quite sure what to make of it, one thing I definitely find impressive is the way he's able to effortlessly meet Nic's gaze while keeping Zee's hand in his.

"Rafael Accorsi."

The other man is the first one to offer his hand, and I'm bemused when Nic takes it for a rather civilized shake.

A part of me has expected (and dreaded) to see Nic bristling at the sight of Zee standing so close to another guy, but...

"Nicolaas Verhaege, and—-" He pulls me close and smiles down at me. "This is my fiancée, Francesca." Nic glances back at the other man, and his gaze turns contemplative. "You're the boxer, right? Welterweight, if I'm not mistaken."

Zee is visibly surprised, and I feel just as incredulous. I can't believe Nic knows who the other guy is...and he's being so cool about it, too.

"Yeah. But I got up to middleweight since last year."

The other man's tone is no longer as guarded, but he only releases his hold on Zee's hand to curve an arm around her waist...which has Nic raising a brow.

"Is your brother aware of your relationship with Mr. Accorsi?"

Zee lifts her chin at this. "I don't need his permission to do anyone—-"

I struggle to keep my face expressionless, but when I see the way Nic and Mr. Accorsi smirk at the same time—-

I end up coughing to hide my laughter while Zee turns red as she corrects herself in a hurry.

"Anything! I meant to say do anything—-"

"Sure you do." Nic is still smirking. "But it's hard to take you seriously when you have that on your neck..."

Zee's cheeks turn a deeper shade of red even as she hastily covers the hickey that I've also noticed just now.

"In any case..." Nic's tone turns sober. "You're damn lucky Francesca has changed me. Otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate to tell your brother about this."

Nic glances at Rafael, and I find myself holding my breath.

"You obviously have more experience than her brother and I do when it comes to punching the shit out of people," Nic drawls, "but I'm sure you also know there are other ways for us to make your life hell...which we'll fucking do in a heartbeat, if we ever learn you've done anything to hurt Zee."

I was so, so terrified I'd hear the smallest trace of jealousy in Nic's voice, but all I can see and hear is a man who's being protective towards a girl he cares for like she's his own flesh and blood.

Thank You, God.

This was the one and only thing that's been secretly bothering me, and realizing that I've been worrying myself for nothing is a huge weight off my shoulders.

"Will you please stop talking like I'm a helpless little girl that needs protecting?" Zee grumbles. "It's seriously embarrassing—-"

"Is it?" Nic deadpans. "I thought you'd find being caught making out in an elevator more embarrassing—-"

Zee reaches up to cover Nic's mouth to stop him from talking, and that's when shit hits the fan—-as Rafael catches Zee's hand mid-air while I unthinkingly pull Nic back to keep him out of reach.

Oh shit.

All four of us look at each other, and the truth is immediately and painfully obvious.

Rafael knows Zee has feelings for Nic—-

Zee now knows I'm equally aware of this—-

While my Nic is looking at the three of us like we've all lost our minds.

Zee

I think I'm in shock.

After years of successfully hiding my feelings for Nic, my worst nightmare has come true in a blink of an eye, and the fact makes me feel sick to my stomach.

While the dismay on Francesca's face is painfully mortifying, it's the way Rafael is tightly gripping my hand that I find absolutely excruciating. How is it possible that someone whom I've just met...is so effortlessly able to discern my feelings for another man?