~ Zara (Pronounced ZAR-ah) ~

I did my best to be polite as I paid the taxi driver quickly, not really hearing his small talk because excitement and thrill made it hard to breathe. Then as the car pulled away, I turned and looked up at the tall, luxurious apartment building where Nicholas lived.

I took a deep breath. I couldn't stop smiling.

I'd finally found The One. I was certain of it.

After two disastrous relationships in high school and college in which my boyfriends turned out to be assholes to rival my father, I'd been ready to swear off men forever. Then six months ago, I met Nicholas.

He was handsome, rich, charming, and not an asshole. He was generous and funny. And he made me giddy.

I insisted on waiting to sleep with him. Because my previous boyfriends had all turned out to be cheaters or narcissists. And if this was The One, I wanted it to be special.

He'd only proved my point by being willing to wait.

I'd spent the last six months pinching myself in case it was all a dream and I was going to wake up. No matter how heavy things got between us, no matter how hot, when I'd put on the brakes, he'd always stopped.

I could tell it was killing him. But his control was impressive.

Then, last night, he showed up unexpectedly at my modest apartment, his fancy car parked at the curb outside and standing out in my neighborhood.

He still made me a little nervous, but in the good, fluttery way. When I opened the door and saw him there I'd sucked in a deep breath.

"Nicholas, what is it? Are you okay?" He never showed up unannounced. He was a self-confessed Type A organizer and planner.

But there'd been an intensity in his handsome gaze that I'd never seen before.

"I need to talk to you."

My heart had dropped to my toes. I'd thought he was going to break up with me, and I'd turned and led him to the couch in my living room, walking like I was going to the electric chair.

I should have known he wasn't like the others.

We sat next to each other and he took my hand and started talking. It took me several minutes to realize these weren't the words of a man who was trying to soften the blow and get rid of me. They were heartfelt declarations about love and a future, and wanting to build a family… with me.

"…I've never wanted anyone the way I want you. I've never seen a future with any woman before…"

Afterwards, I laid in my bed, giddy with joy because he'd claimed he was in love with me and begged me to let him prove it—talking about marriage, though he'd stopped short of an actual proposal.

I'd told myself I would wait twenty-four hours before I gave in and slept with him. But I hadn't been able to think about anything else.

Now, sixteen hours later, here I was. I knew Nicholas had the day off, so I'd convinced my boss that I wasn't feeling well and gone home to shower, do my make up and hair, put on lingerie and my long coat to cover it.

This was happening. Right now.

The doorman to the building let me in because he recognized me. Though he looked surprised because I didn't usually come here alone.

"Zara! What a surprise! Are you–"

"No time, Derek. I need to see Nicholas. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

He opened his mouth, but I rushed across the lobby towards the elevators, my hands shaking with anticipation and nerves.

This was happening. It was finally happening.

I'd had sex before, but never good sex. I had high hopes though. Kissing Nicholas was a dream. And his touch lit me up inside. I prayed that it would be good between us, because if it was, I was gone. Done. Finished looking.

This man was going to be my husband. I was sure of it.

I danced on my toes as the elevator slowly rose, making my stomach dip and turn even more. Then I hurried to his apartment door–one of only two on the top floor of this building that took up half the city block. Thanking God that Nicholas had given me a keycard for emergencies, I unbuttoned the top two buttons of the coat as I walked, to show just a hint of cleavage.

Underneath I was wearing nothing but lingerie. I tried to imagine how his eyes were going to light up when he saw me and I almost laughed with joy.

The little sensor light on the lock lit up under the card and the door clicked. I pushed it open, scanning for him, looking, surprised when he wasn't in the living room, or his study.

Then there was a small noise from the bedroom.

He must have just worked out and gone for a shower or something. He would smell divine.

Perfect.

Sucking in a deep, bracing breath, I hurried to the bedroom door and pushed it open.

"Nicholas! I–"

The keycard fell from my numb fingers to click two or three times on the hardwood floor as I tried to tear my eyes off the scene in front of me.

Pink flesh. Wide lips. Grasping hands. Fingers clawed into hips. The air shuddering with groans.

The sight was erotic. And devastating.

Something in my chest just... caved.

But just as I convinced myself I had to have the wrong apartment, Nicholas's burnished brown hair flipped back, out of his widening eyes as he snapped up his head and saw me standing there in the doorway, staring at him.

Nicholas. My boyfriend. Plunged hilt-deep into another woman.

*****

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