Chapter Three

Ezra

“Hop up on the desk while I get the first aid kit,” I say, nodding at the desk. “It is, Alana, right?” I am sure that is what I heard Colin call her.

“Yes, sir.” She smiles, looking over at me. She has such a beautiful, inviting smile. I am sure it has knocked many men on their asses because it is enough to make me weak, and that takes a lot.

Alana caught my eye the second she came out of the kitchen with a tray balanced on her hand. She is beautiful, which I noticed immediately, but the moment we were in close proximity, her deep brown eyes drew me in even more. They are not only gorgeous but gentle too. I like how her face isn’t caked in make-up. She is a natural beauty. I don’t tend to go for girls like her, ones who aren’t in the same social bracket as me. Yes, it makes me sound like an asshole saying that, and I am one, most of the time, but it was how I was raised. As my parents would say, I shouldn’t be looking at the help. I am sure they will lecture me later about standing up for her, not to mention taking her away to get cleaned up, but frankly, I don’t give a damn.

I easily find the first aid kit. I always familiarise myself with my surroundings because I’m a control freak, and if I don’t, it makes me anxious. There is a story behind it, one I don’t tend to talk about. I make my way back to Alana, taking her hand in mine. I turn it over so her palm is facing up, allowing me to tend to her injury.

“I am sure your girlfriend is fuming. You probably should have let someone else do this.” She sighs, pushing away her bangs that had escaped the tie holding her long, wavy, dark hair in place.

I have to stop myself from scoffing when she calls Bella my girlfriend. She is my girlfriend, and we have been together for six months now, but it isn’t what it seems. I don’t love her. She annoys the hell out of me. The sex is good, but too vanilla for me. I don’t think she loves me either. She’s with me because of who I am. I am with her to keep my parents off my back. It works for us, but I don’t know how much longer I can continue. I’ve cheated on her more than once, but I’m positive she’s cheated on me too, and I couldn’t care less.

“She can be furious all she wants. She is the reason why this happened. I am sorry she did this to you, Alana,” I say, letting out a sigh. I will have a word with Bella later.

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” she replies, rolling her eyes.

I didn’t expect Bella to lash out at Alana because she didn’t get a drink. I was expecting Bella to give a dirty look here and there, and a few snide remarks, but not this. She crossed a line. I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but Bella is a spoiled bitch, and if she doesn’t get what she wants, then she will go batshit crazy!

I clean her hand, causing her to hiss in pain. “Sorry. On the bright side, you don’t need stitches.” I smile as I cover the wound.

“Thank you for taking care of it,” she replies, tugging her lower lip between her teeth. Her eyes are bright with what seems like lust.

A couple of stray hairs fall on her face, and she tries to blow them away but fails. I chuckle as I reach forward to stroke them away for her. A soft whimper escapes from her lips, and her skin is warm under my touch. “You are welcome, gorgeous.” I brush my fingers over her cheek.

Alana swallows hard. “I-I should head back out before Colin fires me, and you should re-join everyone,” she stammers out.

Colin isn’t going to fire her. I will make sure of it. He has catered for a lot of my family’s events because he is an incredible chef, but he is a jackass, and Alana doesn’t deserve to be fired for something that wasn’t her fault.

“No, you stay put. The event is nearly finished,” I state firmly.

“But—”

“But nothing. Stay here and don’t worry about him, okay?” Alana sighs, then nods her agreement. “I will be back.” I smile before exiting.

I dart my way through everyone, ignoring the eyes on me as I search for Colin. I find him in the kitchen. “Mr. Barclay, can I help you with something? Please tell me Alana hasn’t caused any more issues?” he sounds annoyed. He isn’t even trying to mask it. How many times do I need to explain it wasn’t her fault?

“Any more issues?” I question, cocking a brow at him.

“Yes. Your girlfriend informed me she was rude to her earlier, and what happened was Alana’s fault, not hers.” Why am I not surprised? “You don’t need to worry. I plan on firing her tonight.” The annoyance in his voice has now turned to anger.

“No. You will do no such thing! Alana wasn’t rude to her. It was the other way around. If you fire Alana, don’t expect to continue to work for my family,” I warn him. I may be taking it a step too far, but I refuse to let someone lose their job because Bella didn’t get her way.

A shocked look covers his face. “Fine. I won’t fire her,” he says, defeated.

He better not be telling me what I want to hear. I make a mental note to check up on this to ensure she won’t lose her job. “Good!” I stop there and leave the kitchen to return to where I left Alana. She hasn’t moved, not even an inch. She is in the exact same spot. I expected her to run away or at least get off the desk, but I am glad she didn’t.

“Am I fired?” she whispers nervously. “I can’t afford to be fired,” she says as she runs her fingers through her hair, and tears brim in her eyes.

I step into her space, using my thumb, I wipe away the tears before they have a chance to fall far. “You are not fired, I promise. I made sure of it. Call me if Colin gives you any issues, and I will sort him out.”

She is so damn beautiful up close. I should remove my hand, but I don’t. I caress her cheek, and she reacts the same way she did the first time I touched her. My eyes divert from her eyes down to her lips. Alana’s tongue darts out of her mouth, and I mirror her action. I want nothing more than to close the space between us, let our lips meet and see where it would lead if I kissed her roughly.

I let my eyes meet hers again. They seem darker now. “I should go-um-tha-that way,” she stutters, pointing to the office door.

“Why?” I exhale. My breathing has become erratic, being so close to her is affecting me badly.

“Y-Y-You know why.” I seem to be having the same effect on her.

“Why don’t you tell me, Alana?” I encourage her, I’m curious if she will tell me. Alana shakes her head. I take a step towards her, leaving no space between us. I stand between her legs, resting my hands on each side of her body on the desk.

“Ezra, you should go back to your girlfriend before she comes in here looking for you and finds you alone with me. I refuse to cause any trouble between you,” she says confidently to start with, yet the longer she talks, the shakier her words become.

I cup her chin in my hand. “And what if I would rather stay in here with you, kitten?” My voice is low and seductive.

Alana swallows hard before saying, “You shouldn’t. I am not the type of girl to get involved with another woman’s man, no matter how horrible she is.”

Oh, I have heard that excuse before, yet somehow they always end up in my bed anyway, not even regretting it because it was worth it for them. I am a talented man when it comes to all things sexual. “Our relationship isn’t what it seems.” I shrug.

“You aren’t together?” she questions, raising her brows at me.

“We are, but there is a lot more to the situation than meets the eye.” I am not one for sharing personal information with anyone, hence why I keep it simple.

“Still, you are together. I don’t need drama in my life. I appreciate you taking care of me, Ezra, but it’s time I leave.” She doesn’t sound too sure in her words. I don’t believe she wants to go, but her morals are getting in the way of us getting better acquainted.

I hesitantly step back from her. She jumps off the desk and runs out of the office, muttering goodbye. I watch her rush off. I groan in frustration because it isn’t how I wanted it to go between us. I don’t give in easily. Alana hasn’t seen the last of me.

I pull myself together before I head out of the office. I need to leave this party. I glance around, making sure Bella or my parents are nowhere in sight and make a run for it. Usually, I would call my driver, but I don’t want to wait around until he gets here. I manage to escape outside and hail a cab to take me home. I spiel my address to the cabby as I take my phone from my pocket.

I open a text to Bella. Once I finish messaging her, I plan to switch my phone off, because she will keep calling me until I answer her. I just hope she doesn’t show up at my place. I can’t be assed with her tonight.

I’ve gone home. Stay at your own place tonight. Don’t bother coming over.

I switch my phone off and slip it back into my pocket. I rest my head on the seat, closing my eyes, and I take a deep breath. I am ready for home! It has been a long night, and the entire Alana situation is messing with my head. I need to find out who she is, and I know exactly where and how to get the information. I quickly hatch a plan to stop by and see Colin for a chat tomorrow, pretending Alana left something behind that I need to return to her.

I stay in my head for the entire forty-minute journey until the driver announces I’m home. I pay the fare and give him a generous tip before I climb out. Standing before the big metal gates of my house, I look at it. It’s a two story, modern house. I regret buying such a large place only for myself. It has six bedrooms, three bathrooms, a game room, gym, cinema, and everything else in between. The backyard is massive, featuring a swimming pool, hot tub, and a bar, which doesn’t even fill half the area, and the rest of the grounds are landscaped with rooms I don’t use. Thankfully, I have staff who clean my house and take care of the backyard, as I don’t have the time or patience for it myself.

My parents are convinced I am going to marry Bella, have cute babies with her, and we will live out the rest of our lives in this house, which is never going to happen. Not only because I don’t love Bella, but being a husband and a father isn’t for me.

I stroll inside, heading straight for a shower before bed. Alana is on my mind. I don’t understand why she drew me in. But it happened the second I laid eyes on her. I will work it all out when I see her again, because I will see her again.