Elise Collins P.O.V

We climbed out of the car and made our way to the front door where Zachary was sitting on the porch. He was wearing a black tux, his tie was loose around his neck and he looked furious and sexy as hell. I tripped and Nathan instantly caught me.

"Careful beautiful,"

"My hero" I giggled but stopped when I noticed Zachary standing up and coming toward us glaring. "Oh no, he's mad." I hid behind Nathan as everyone else just went inside the house.

"Look I don't know who you are but she obviously doesn't want to speak to you so would you please just... I don't know to leave?"

"Leave? That's none of your business and I suggest you take your hands off her!" Zachary threatened.

I felt Nathan's grip on my arm tighten "I can't do that." He pulled me upfront and wrapped his arm around my waist just to make a point. I was trembling knowing that would only worsen things. I heard Zachary growl before I registered what happened next. He launched himself at Nathan and tackled him to the ground. He was too quick for Nathan who was a little tipsy and threw a punch at Nate's jaw.

"Zachary! Stop!" I tried pulling him off of Nathan but couldn't he was too heavy. I saw Paul running to us and pull Zachary off.

"Easy man! Calm down!"

I helped Nathan up making sure he was okay. His lip was a little busted but there was no other damage "I'm so sorry Nate."

"Don't worry beautiful I'm fine."

We both looked at Zachary and I glared at him "What the hell were you thinking! You can't come to my house this late and punch my friend!"

Paul chuckled "Trust me, Elise, he wasn't thinking" he earned a glare from Zachary and cleared his throat. "Come on Nate, let's give them some space." They both left leaving me with a very angry, very glaring, and threatening Zachary. I saw him take a step forward and I took one backward.

"Elise" he whispered but I kept taking backward steps.

"Elise stop I'm not going to hurt you" I paused looking up in his eyes, there was still a hint of anger but he seemed more composed. He was starting to calm down and I didn't want to rile him up again so I stopped moving.

He closed the distance between us until we were toes to toes. His closeness was affecting me so much and I wanted to reach up and kiss him while running my hand through his hair. But before I could do any of those things he grabbed my head pulling me closer to him and claiming my lips. The kiss was nothing like the ones we shared before; this one was full of anger and demand.

Zachary was being very possessive pressing me against him wrapping his arms around me even tighter. He probed my lower lip and I grant him access letting his tongue explore my mouth and dance with my own as I did the same. I felt him relax a little as his hand went to my lower back and drew circles getting lower with every stroke. I moaned as I felt him grip my ass and squeeze it without breaking the kiss. He was now kissing me with more passion and hunger making me gasp for air. He rested his forehead on mine his breathing hard, matching mine.

"You are mine Elise" his voice was husky and deep but also held a little threat.

I shook my head "I'm only your fake girlfriend. I agreed not to see anyone while we do this... but that does not mean I'm yours." I pulled away reluctantly and instantly missing his touch. "I saw your picture with Jamie. I'm not your real girlfriend, I have no right to be jealous or angry but I was angry. You just told me not to date and here you are showing the world you're back with...whatever she is."

"Elise" he sighed "Is that why you didn't want to go to the gala?"

"Of course; I have feelings you know," I smiled "I'm putting my life on hold so you can fix an issue in yours and that is how you thank me? I want this to end Zachary."

"It can't end Elise, not now not after that picture. Please I beg you."

I shook my head "I'm the one begging you. Please set me free. It's too much for me. Find someone else."

"What about my parents? What should I tell them? My mother was disappointed when she didn't see you tonight. I told her you were sick and promised we would go out next weekend..."

I could hear a hint of panic in his voice and I just wanted to tell him everything will be ok and I will help him deal with his mother but I couldn't. I wouldn't do that to myself. I took another step back and looked at the house and smiled when I saw Nathan watching us from the window. He was as protective as a brother could be, at least more than my real brother could ever be. I felt Zachary's fingers on my cheek and looked back up at him. I had mixed emotions and I knew he felt the same.

"I'm sorry I hurt you, Elise. I didn't mean to. And Jamie... we were never together she's just a friend of mine. She called me, she was in trouble and I went to get her. That's all. Don't always believe everything you read" he dropped his hand and forced a smile "I'll respect your wishes and let you be. Good night Elise".

He turned around and without a second glance just climbed into his car and drove away. I stood there staring in the distance for a while until I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and saw a smiling Nathan. I returned the smile and hid my face in his shoulder trying to hold in the tears.

We didn't sleep that night. Instead, we changed into comfy clothes and lounged outside by the pool just the two of us. Talking about everything; I told him about my deal with Zachary and of course, he told me I was stupid for agreeing. But he knew I couldn't say no. I don't know how to say no to people.

"You have feelings for him" he stated at six in the morning letting out a yawn. We had been arguing about it for about half an hour.

"I don't."

"Elise, just admit it. Every time you freak out you either see an ex calling or see an article about him. Why would you if you felt nothing for him?"

I sighed knowing he wouldn't drop it. "Alright, you win! I'm falling for him. Hard. And that's why I wanted to end all this. I don't want to get hurt again. But it doesn't matter now. It's over."

I saw Nathan smile shaking his head "It's not. It's just the beginning beautiful. I promise you he'll call or text by the end of the day. You'll see"

I shrugged and let my eyes close for a few minutes. Minutes turned to hours and I woke up to the sound of loud music and singing. I stretched and rubbed my eyes a little looking around. I was in my bed with the door open and Nathan sleeping next to me. I pushed myself up and went to wash my face and brush my teeth.

Walking downstairs, I found Paul and Aria dancing in the middle of my living room while Katia was still passed out on the couch and Lydia was setting the table.

"You're up!" Aria pulled me to them and urged me to dance but I had a heavy headache and just went to turn the music off.

"Buzzkill!" she slumped down on the couch and I ignored her going to take some aspirin.

"I made lunch, I hope you don't mind?"

"Don't be silly Lydia" I smiled and sat on the kitchen bar "It smells delicious"

"Thank you, it's chicken curry. I thought after last night you might need a good lunch with a great desert and greater company!" she beamed and I laughed slightly.

"The greatest of all indeed".

After lunch, both Paul and Nate left while the girls and I stayed home. We got snacks and drinks and Netflix all afternoon. I kept glancing at my phone checking if Zachary had texted and Aria noticed. She was eyeing me and smirking while shaking her head. I ignored her and threw my phone away before opening a pack of chips.

A few hours later, Katia and Lydia left promising we would be doing this again next week. Aria and I cleaned up everything before heading upstairs.

"I'll take a shower and then cook dinner, what would you like to eat?"

"Oh... um, I was going to pack. It's about time I go home Elise, plus I have a meeting in Chicago tomorrow so I'll be away for a few days"

I pouted "You can't leave me here all alone."

"Elise you have security everywhere. Don't worry you'll be fine. Or call Nathan, tell him to come over."

I just nodded and bid her goodbye before going to my en-suite bathroom. I sat in the bathtub closing my eyes thinking about the kiss we shared last night. I thought after ending things I'd be relieved, but I wasn't. I felt like something was missing like I made a huge mistake by ending things. I thought back to the look in his eyes when I told him I wanted out of this game and my heart hurt. He looked upset yet said nothing about it, probably so he didn't hurt me further and I felt very bad about it.

Later that evening, I put on white satin shorts with a crop top, let my hair fall over my shoulders even if it was still a bit wet, and went downstairs to the living room to get my phone. I froze when I saw I had a message from Zachary.

ZW: I'm sorry about everything Elise.

ZW: I hope you don't change your mind about working with me.

ZW: See you on Monday.

I felt giddy, like a little girl who got her favorite toy on Christmas. And that was just over a few SMS. I stared at the screen for a few minutes reading and re-reading the messages not knowing what to write back. I sighed leaving my phone on the coffee table as I went to the kitchen and made some tea. I wasn't a tea person, more of a coffee girl, but tea would help me relax right now. I wandered around the house cup in one hand and phone in the other, still not knowing what to write.

EC: Want to come over?

I pressed send before even thinking about it. "Oh my god, what have you done Elise!" I groaned glaring at my phone worried about what he might think of me now.

ZW: I would love to

ZW: Are you sure though?

"Well I guess it's too late to tell him I'm not sure about this"

EC: Yes I'm sure.

I ran to get the door as soon as I heard the bell. "Hi!" I smiled big as I opened it and let Zachary in.

"Hello," he smiled looking me up and down. I hadn't changed, I didn't feel like it.

"Someone looks happy, you had a good day?"

"Oh, yes. I spent it with the girls, it was like old times and we had fun. Come on, let's sit outside by the pool, I cooked us dinner."

He raised an eyebrow suspiciously as he studied my face but led the way outside anyway and I noticed his smile when he saw the table set for two.

"That smells delicious."

Dinner went by smoothly, we talked about random things, laughed and he even made a few jokes which surprised me a little. He was in a suit as he normally is. But it didn't take him long to take off the jacket and the tie. He even rolled up his sleeves up as he relaxed in his chair. We had both been looking up at the sky silently for about fifteen minutes when he broke the silence.

"Elise?"

"Yes?" I looked at him still staring at the sky. His profile was beautiful, with a straight nose, high cheekbones, and plump lips. I could even see his long lashes from here. I pressed my legs together as I saw him rest an arm under his head making his muscles flex.

"Why did you invite me here?" he finally turned his head and held my gaze.

I was silent for a few seconds but ended up telling him the truth. "After I told you I wanted this game to end, I felt wrong. Empty actually. Maybe it is due to the fact I've never broken a promise before. Or it's due to the fact I got used to you, I'm not sure. Anyway, I told you to come over because I felt like I needed to be with you. Not because I work for you, nor because we have to since we're pretending. I just wanted us to hang out and be real about it."

"But we are real. We've always been real together. Even when I took you to dinner with my parents, we weren't acting. That's why I wanted us to keep pretending. They would have never realized we were lying. We're comfortable with each other, we know each other and we know how the other will react. That's what made us credible. And my parents loved you right away. My mother hasn't spoken about Ashley this whole time, except for last night"

"She was there?"

"Yeah, she was, with her family."

I felt bad for not going, and I felt a pang of jealousy because Ashley was there. He probably danced with her while I was drinking my ass off.

"You... have you danced with her?" I asked him softly looking away avoiding his piercing eyes.

He chuckled slightly and shook his head "No" he reached out and took my hand in his making me look at him. "I haven't danced with anyone last night. I was so mad you didn't show up. I only stayed for an hour before I drove back here and waited for you to get back." He leaned a little his face closer to mine.

I looked down at his lips and back into his eyes and saw something in them I never saw before. Affection. I placed my hand on his cheek and took a deep breath before speaking up.

"Zachary, would you spend the night here? With me?"