CHAPTER 5

He was taller than she had remembered, his perfectly tailored tuxedo hugging his broad shoulders. The sharp angles of his face accentuated by the soft light of the chandelier, and that dammed sexy scar gleaming. His silver eyes swept over her in a slow, deliberate once-over, lingering on her lips, chest and hips as though committing it to memory.

The pulse quickened as she realized she wasn't the only one taking stock. His gaze met hers again, and there seemed to be some kind of charged electricity crackling in the air between them. For a moment, the noise of the gala faded to nothing, the room shrinking until it was just the two of them.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Zane said, his baritone voice sending shivers down her spine.

Before Maya could utter a word, one man stepped forward, his presence sudden and invasive. He barely glanced in her direction before turning to Zane. "Mr. Moretti," he began to say, voice slicker than oil and haughty. "I've been trying to catch you all evening to discuss—"

Zane didn't so much as glance in his direction. His eyes never once strayed from Maya, his face unyielding. "I'm talking with her," he said, his firm tone a command not to be argued or debated.

The man faltered and stammered out a forced apology before stalking off, his stiff gait speaking of wounded pride.

Maya blinked, taken aback by the exchange. The way Zane had dismissed the man so easily...she was flattered and more than a little impressed.

"You didn't have to do that," she said, unable to keep the small smile from her lips.

"He interrupted," Zane replied simply, his gaze never wavering.

Maya tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and her cheeks warmed beneath his regard. "Your name sounds familiar," she said, wracking her brain. Then it clicked. "Zane Moretti. You're the CEO of Moretti Corps. The one who made it an international sensation."

Zane inclined his head slightly, as if it were merely a fact, not some kind of achievement. "Yes."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Why are you here, then? Networking?"

"I was," he said with a smooth smile. "But now, I'm grateful to find a far more interesting reason for staying on."

Maya's cheeks flushed further. "You're good at this," she groused.

"Good at what?" he asked, his voice tinged with amusement.

"Flattery," she said, aiming for nonchalant but miserably off mark.

"It's not flattery if it's true," he said, his voice so low. "You're gorgeous tonight, Maya. I'm finding it hard to look away."

She played with the stem of her champagne glass, twirling it in her fingers, knowing not how to respond. To steady herself, she changed the subject. "How old are you?"

"Thirty-six," he said.

Her eyebrows lifted. "You're twelve years older than me. I'm twenty-four.

He stepped closer, an intoxicating presence. "Age does not matter," he said, the timbre of his voice dropping to husky. "What matters is what I want-and I want you. Perhaps you need a man who knows exactly what he's doing."

Her heart raced; her breath was caught between disbelief and intrigue. "You barely know me," she said, quiet now.

"Give me one night," he said, his eyes ablaze. "One night, and I'll change your world. To make you feel things you've never felt before."

Maya's mind was jumbled by lust, but she searched for an excuse. "I just can't leave. I came with a friend."

"Then go say goodbye," Zane said smoothly, stepping back to give her space but never breaking eye contact.

Her feet went into action before her brain caught up, weaving her through the crowd towards Reese. When she reached her, Maya hesitated, fidgeting with nervous hands.

Reese furrowed her brows and demanded, "What's wrong?"

Maya bit her lip. "I… I think I'm going to leave."

Reese glanced behind her, eyes wide when she spotted Zane standing by the bar, waiting. Her mouth fell open. "Is that Zane Moretti? The Zane Moretti?"

Maya nodded, her face scarlet.

Reese grabbed Maya's shoulders and gave her a little shake. "What are you still doing here? Go!"

"You're sure?" Maya asked, hanging back.

"Completely," Reese said, shooing her away. "I'll catch a cab. Go have your Cinderella moment. We'll talk about this tomorrow. Every. Single. Thing."

Maya grinned thankfully and turned back toward Zane, who was watching her with an intensity that made her feel like the only person in the room.

"Yes," she said softly as she reached him.

His lips arced into a slow, pleased smile. "Good choice."

He extended an arm to her, and after only a moment's hesitation, she took it. His touch was warm, firm, and grounding as he led her toward the exit.

---

The soft click of the doors shut behind them, as they slid into the sleek, black-tinted car. Maya's nerves flared, her fingers twisting together in her lap as the car began to move. She could hardly believe she was really doing this.

Zane sat beside her, cool and casual with heated eyes.  The silence was quiet, yet with a sparkling undercurrent of tension that was their attraction.

"You're nervous," he whispered, his voice low and husky, making her shiver.

Maya laughed unsteadily. "I'm not exactly used to...this."

He smirked-a slight. "Then perhaps, stop thinking so much."

Before she could utter a word, Zane had tipped her chin up and his lips were covering hers in a kiss that wiped her mind completely clean. It wasn't tentative, testing-it was commanding, claiming. His lips moved against hers with a hunger that made her heart race and, without even thinking about it, she was responding, her hands instinctively clutching the lapels of his jacket.

By the time he drew back, her breathing was coming in short, sharp gasps. His dilated gray eyes stabbed into hers.

"Better?" he asked coarsely, his lips hooking upward in a knowing smile.

She didn't trust herself to speak, so she merely nodded, her face flushed.

The car came to a smooth stop, and Zane helped her out. Maya looked around, realizing they were in front of a luxurious hotel.

She barely registered the walk that carried her across the lobby and into the private elevator. Her heart pounded louder, then Zane's hand settled on the small of her back, the touch warm and reassuring, and the tension in her chest eased.

A soft chime sounded and the elevator door slid open, releasing them into an elegant suite. No sooner had the door closed behind them than Zane spun around, his composure snapping like a string pulled too tight.

He pulled her into another kiss, this one more insistent, his hands tangling in her hair as he pressed her against the door. Her fingers found their way to his jacket, tugging it off his shoulders with a clumsy urgency.

Zane didn't waste a second. His hands slid to the zipper of her dress, and in one swift movement, the fabric pooled at her feet, leaving her standing in her heels and lingerie. He stepped back just enough to let his gaze sweep over her, his breath hitching slightly as his eyes darkened.

"Beautiful," he uttered in a low murmur, his voice rough with desire, his tongue flicking out to lick his lip.

Maya's knees almost buckled under the weight of that stare. Zane's hands were back onto her, his touch firm as he lifted her effortlessly. Her legs wrapped around his waist as their lips met again, this time sending sparks through her body.

Her fingers stumbled over the buttons on his shirt, tugging the material off his shoulders until it fell to the floor beside her dress. His skin was warm to her touch; the muscles beneath her fingertips convulsed as he held her tight.

Zane swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. His big veined hands clasped her thighs as he set her down gently. The plush mattress dipped under their weight as he hovered over her, lips trailing down her neck. Maya's head arced back and a soft gasp escaped her lips as her hands found their way into his hair.

Her doubts and nerves evaporated in the heat of the moment, replaced by an overwhelming need to be closer.

She surrendered.