Chapter 5 Jealous Flames

Zara’s POV

The shopping trip had left me emotionally drained and physically on edge. Marcus’s constant teasing me with touches in the car, his fingers brushing my thigh, his heated glances in the rearview mirror and had kept me wet and restless the entire time.

By the time we got back to the mansion, I was desperate for a moment alone.

I had just stepped out of the shower and slipped into a soft silk robe when the doorbell rang downstairs.

Curious, I padded toward the staircase. Talia’s voice floated up from downstairs , sounding surprised.

“Daniel? What are you doing here?”

My heart sank.

I hurried down the stairs and stopped midway when I saw him.

Daniel stood at the entrance holding a beautiful bouquet of red roses, my favorite. His face was full of remorse, eyes soft and pleading.

“Zara,” he said the moment he spotted me. “Baby, I need to talk to you,Please.”

Talia turned to me, confusion written all over her face.

“Zee? What’s going on? Why is Daniel here?”

Before I could answer, Daniel stepped forward, ignoring Talia’s question.

“I know I messed up badly, I was an idiot. That girl meant nothing to me, look I was drunk and stupid.” He held out the roses toward me.

“These are for you,I spent hours picking them because I know how much you love red roses. Just give me one more chance. I love you, Zara. I can’t lose you..please .”

Talia’s eyes widened as she looked between us.

“Wait… what girl? Daniel, what the hell are you talking about?”

Daniel hesitated, realizing his mistake too late. Talia’s expression shifted from confusion to shock and then anger as the pieces clicked into place.

“You cheated on her?” Talia’s voice rose. “On your anniversary? Are you serious right now?”

I felt exposed and embarrassed. This was exactly why I hadn’t told her yet I didn’t want her to look at me with pity, or worse, anger at Daniel on my behalf.

Daniel ignored Talia again, focusing only on me.

“Zee, please,we’ve been together too long to throw it away over one stupid mistake. Let me make it right.”

The air downstairs suddenly grew heavier.

Marcus appeared at the top of the stairs, descending slowly like a predator sensing weakness. He was wearing a fitted black button-down with the sleeves rolled up, exposing his strong forearms. His sharp, dark eyes took in the scene.

Daniel holding flowers, me in nothing but a silk robe, and Talia looking furious.

His jaw clenched the moment he registered what was happening.

“Is there a problem?” Marcus asked, his deep voice calm but laced with unmistakable danger. He stopped beside me, standing close enough that I could feel the heat of his body.

Daniel straightened, trying to look confident.

“This is between me and Zara. I’m her boyfriend.”

“Ex-boyfriend,” I corrected quietly.

Marcus’s eyes darkened with jealousy, I could see it. He placed a large, possessive hand on the small of my back, his fingers pressing into me through the thin silk. The touch was clearly territorial.

Daniel noticed the intimate gesture immediately.

His gaze flicked between Marcus and me, suspicion flaring.

“Who the hell are you?” Daniel demanded.

Marcus’s lips curved into a cold, dangerous smile.

“Marcus Reid,Talia’s father. And the owner of the house you’re standing in.”

His hand slid lower, resting just above the curve of my ass in a silent, possessive claim.

My breath hitched.

Even though Talia was standing right there, the heat of his touch made my core throb.

Talia crossed her arms, still processing everything.

“Daniel, you need to leave. Zara doesn’t want to see you right now.”

But Daniel wasn’t giving up easily.

“Zara, baby… don’t do this. Those flowers are for you. Remember how good we were together?”

Marcus’s grip on me tightened. I could feel the jealousy rolling off him in waves. He leaned down slightly, his lips brushing my ear as he spoke loud enough for Daniel to hear.

“Do you want him here, Mi cariño?” His voice was low, rough, and dripping with dominance.

“Or should I escort him out myself?”

The possessiveness in his tone sent a rush of arousal through me. I hated how much his jealousy turned me on, especially with Talia standing just a few feet away.

“I don’t want to talk right now, Daniel,” I said, my voice shaky.

“You should go.”

Daniel looked hurt, but his eyes narrowed at Marcus’s hand on my back.

“This isn’t over, Zara. I’m not letting you go that easily.”

As soon as the door closed behind Daniel, Talia turned to me, eyes wide.

“Zee… why didn’t you tell me? I can’t believe he cheated on you!”

Before I could respond, Marcus pulled me closer to his side, his hand still possessively on my waist.

Talia didn’t seem to notice the tension between her father and me. She was too focused on her shock and anger at Daniel. “I’m so sorry, Zara. You deserve so much better than that asshole.”

Marcus’s fingers dug into my hip, a silent reminder of exactly who he thought I deserved.

“I need some air,” I muttered, slipping away from Marcus’s grip and heading toward the living room.

But I barely made it ten steps before Marcus followed. The moment we were out of Talia’s sight, he grabbed my wrist and spun me around, pressing me against the nearest wall.

His eyes were blazing with jealousy.

“You let him call you ‘baby’?” he growled, voice low and dangerous.

“You let him bring you flowers and beg for you like he still has any claim?”

“Marcus… Talia is right there..”

“I don’t give a fuck,” he cut me off, pressing his hard body against mine. “Watching him look at you like you’re still his made me want to bend you over and fuck you right in front of him. To remind him and you exactly whose cock you were screaming for two nights ago.”

His hand slipped inside my robe, fingers finding me already wet. He stroked my slick folds slowly, teasingly.

“Already soaked, Mi cariño,” he murmured against my ear, voice thick with lust and jealousy.

“This pussy knows it doesn’t belong to him anymore.”

He kissed me hard, claiming, his tongue dominating mine while his fingers continued their torturous teasing.

When he finally pulled back, his eyes were dark with promise.

“Next time he shows up,” Marcus growled, “I won’t be polite. I’ll make sure he knows exactly who you belong to now.”

He stepped away just as Talia’s voice called from the other room, leaving me breathless, aching, and painfully aware of how dangerous this forbidden desire had become.