CHAPTER 57
**WINTER**
"What’s going on here?" a familiar voice shouted over the music.
I was jolted from my argument with the creep to see Zion braced in the doorway between the pool room and the stairs.
His arms were stretched above his head, hands gripping the door frame. Seeing him made everything else fade from my mind.
What had I been discussing? I struggled to recall, but my focus was pulled to the sight before me. Despite my aversion to him, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his chiselled chest and the way his muscles tensed with every subtle movement.
His dark brown hair and deep eyes seemed to enhance the glow of his tanned skin. The sharp line of his brows only amplified his imposing presence. He was clad in nothing but loose black pants, with a tattoo blazing across his upper arm.
His blue boxers peeked out from beneath his pants, which sagged loosely due to the unfastened belt around his waist. I shut my eyes, feeling tears sting as I recalled he had just been screwing another girl.
My gaze shifted past Zion as Ronald appeared behind him, his eyes fixed on me. A striking redhead—whom I presumed was Cindy—slipped through the gap, a self-satisfied grin on her face. She was the one Zion had been screwing, the same girl I’d seen grinding against him at the party earlier.
Cindy was clad in a tight red dress and towering red heels. Despite the six-inch boost, she still didn’t reach Zion’s chin. She was undeniably attractive in every sense.
Suddenly, Zion stormed toward me with a fierce, almost predatory look. His anger was so palpable it felt like it was burning through the air. I was momentarily transfixed, every ounce of my attention riveted to him, pushing the creep who had been bothering me to the recesses of my mind.
Zion’s gaze shifted sharply to the creep, and I saw the anger ignite in his eyes. He moved swiftly, positioning himself between me and the man who had been a nuisance. His presence alone was enough to make the creep’s bravado falter.
“Hey man, I was just messing with her, relax...” the creep stammered, trying to sound casual, but the fear in his voice was unmistakable. He glanced nervously between Zion’s fierce glare and the floor, clearly realizing he had crossed a line.
“I didn’t mean anything by it, seriously. It was just a joke, alright? No harm, no foul.” His voice wavered, his attempt at a confident smirk failing miserably.
Zion’s hand shot out, grabbing the creep by the collar with a fierce grip. His eyes locked onto the creep’s, seething with raw, unchecked fury.
“Didn’t you get the message, Shane?” Zion’s voice was a low, menacing rumble.
“Zion, I... I didn’t mean to—”
Zion cut him off, stepping closer, his tone turning deadly. “I’m only going to say this once, Shane. She’s off-fucking-limits. If you ever touch her again, you’ll regret it more than you can imagine.”
Zion’s threat was clear, each word dripping with hostility. He yanked Shane forward, their faces mere inches apart. Zion’s gaze was a cold promise of what awaited anyone who crossed him.
“Do you understand?” Zion’s voice was a low, menacing hiss.
Shane’s voice trembled slightly as he stammered, “Understood.”
After a heartbeat of tense silence, Zion pushed Shane away with a force that made him stumble backwards.
“Leave!” Zion spat out the command.
Shane, now visibly shaken, turned and hurriedly walked away, leaving me with Zion.
Zion's gaze snapped to mine, his eyes locking onto me with an intensity that made my breath catch. I crossed my arms defensively, determined not to show any sign of unease. He mimicked my stance, his lips tight, though a flicker of amusement played at the corners of his mouth.
"What the fuck are you even doing at my party?" he demanded, his tone sharp.
"I don’t recall sending you an invitation" he added, his eyes narrowing. "And how the fuck did you get out of your room?"
“The window. You locked me in remember!”
“You climbed out of the fucking window?” Zion’s voice rose in disbelief.
“Do you have any idea what would’ve happened if you fell? Your dad would never let me live it down! Were you trying to get me into trouble on purpose?” Zion’s voice was sharp, laced with irritation.
His eyes bore into mine as he continued, not giving me a chance to respond.
“Seriously, what the fuck were you thinking? Climbing out a damn window? You could’ve broken your neck! Do you want to make my life miserable? Because that’s exactly what you’re doing!” He was practically shouting now, his frustration pouring out like a flood.
Jesus, he’s so wrapped up in himself.
“I just needed to talk to you,” I said, frustration lacing my words.
Zion let out an exasperated sigh. “So, you decided to climb out the window just to talk! Haven’t you heard of a fucking cell phone? You could have just called.”
“Like you’d answer. Besides, I don’t even have your number. Anyway, what I need to say is—”
“Not now, Snowflake,” he interrupted, casting a sharp look at me. “I have guests.”
“Yes, I can see that,” I said, my gaze drifting past him to the redhead who had appeared beside him, her grip on his arm unmistakably possessive.
“You can go back to screwing your guest in a minute. But before that, you’re going to listen to what I have to say. I didn’t risk climbing out of the window for nothing.”
Cindy, the redhead, shot me a glare and tightened her hold on Zion’s arm. Her gaze flicked between Zion and me before she planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Well, don’t just stand there!” Cindy said impatiently.
“Hurry up and say what you need to so Zion and I can head back upstairs.”
“Zion, tell her to hurry up,” Cindy said, her voice low as she leaned in to whisper something in his ear.
The music drowned out most of her words, but I caught a few scattered phrases about what she was going to do to him.
Zion’s gaze remained locked on me as he snapped, “Didn’t I already tell you to leave?”
“I know, but I thought—”
"Don’t bother thinking," he cut her off, his voice ice-cold. "Just go home. Now."
Seeing her expression fall made me realise one thing: guys like Zion are total jerks because women like her let them get away with everything, fueling their endless bullshit.
Cindy’s smile wavered as she glanced around, a hint of embarrassment crossing her face. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned on her heel and began to walk away.
Over her shoulder, she threw Zion a final, slightly awkward wave.
“Okay. Call me when you’re free,” she said, her voice carrying a trace of disappointment.
Seriously!
Zion didn't bother responding to her. His eyes remained fixed on me, irritation clear in his expression. His tone was cold and dismissive.
“I’m waiting, Snowflake. I don’t have all night—or what’s left of it. What do you want to say”
Summoning my resolve, I lifted my chin and said, “I have to be up in a few hours for my first day at work. I’m asking, politely, that you turn down the music.”
I hoped, more than anything, that he wouldn’t be a jerk about it.
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