Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Zach's POV

I watched her play my words over in her head before she glanced up at me from underneath her thick lashes, then licked at her plump glistening lips and my heart rate kicked up again as it had done while I had kissed her. I subtly took a step back because I couldn't fucking think. All I wanted to do was to put my fingers on her skin, and connect with her until I could rid of the ache that settled in my chest at the thought that she wasn't mine.

The kiss messed me up, but in a good way because I had never felt such real passion for anyone before. I had only wanted to tease her when I had leaned in to kiss the corner of her lips, but from that point on it just felt like I had an out-of-body experience where I got to feel something earth-shattering and it had felt so bloody divine that my skin still tingled from it but then she'd looked mad that I kissed her, reminded me of Markus, who I officially hated because he was the barrier standing in my way.

"It was just a stupid kiss Zach and I'm definitely not stupid to fall for you just because of that".

Her words were like knives slicing through my chest and it was absurd. We'd just met recently so why the fuck was I affected so much by her?

"Why do you hate me?" I asked because every girl I knew freaking loved me even with my shitty attitude. It was all pretending, of course, so they could get whatever it was they wanted from me but no one had ever blatantly disliked me

Vega stared at me for a beat, then glanced to her feet. "I don't hate you" she muttered in a voice that felt choked. "But I should. I should hate you but you've messed with my head" she confessed, glaring at me as if the feelings tortured her. But maybe I was twisted because I was glad I had such an effect on her. I was happy that I wasn't the only one fighting myself about the insane attraction I felt for her.

Should I just ask her to be my girlfriend? I was almost certain that she would break up with Markus to be with and for the first time it would be because she really wanted to be with me. It would be because she couldn't fight her attraction for me and not just because I was the son of Dante, or because I was rich, or because she wanted to know how it felt getting together with someone from my family.

The idea of someone loving me because of me was refreshing and it made my heart thud in my chest.

"You've messed with my head too" I admitted, allowing myself to be vulnerable and she gazed at me with so much intensity I found it hard to take in a decent breath, but there was something in her eyes that hinted at a struggle and it was insane but it made me feel bad that something was bothering her, and that she'd probably never ask me for help.

"Babe, what are you doing here" Markus's voice sliced through the moment, breaking whatever magic had been swirling between us.

Vega jerked to face him and her eye widened in surprise as he pulled her in for a hug, then pressed a quick kiss to her lips.

I saw red and I had to clench my fist to keep from shoving him off her.

Vega stared at him, a question in her eyes before she laughed nervously. "Babe, what are you doing here," she said, asking the same thing he had just asked her.

I watched Markus's hand circle around her waist possessively as he gazed pointedly at me. "I came because I saw a little video of you forcing a kiss on my girlfriend"

Vega gasped in shock, then pulled out of his hold. "There's a video of us... "

"Yes, and it's getting quite popular as we speak" Markus answered and stared at her, jealousy and anger rolling off him in waves and Vega's expression became confused.

It was odd, but it almost seemed as if Vega didn't expect Markus to be mad about the video, or maybe the real reason was that Markus never cared what she was up to, maybe in the past, he'd always prioritized Jake and not her. The guy wasn't even supposed to be here, didn't Jake say something about going to meet him after lectures someplace that was not school? Well, whatever, I wasn't going to apologize for my action just because of the douchebag.

"I didn't force a kiss on your girlfriend," I said and Vega's gaze jumped to mine. "You shouldn't believe everything you see online, some of them are not even real".

Markus stepped toward me, his gaze darkening. "Really, so are you saying the video is fake and you didn't kiss Vega".

I matched his energy, stepping closer to him. "Now why would I deny something as beautiful as kissing Vega," I said and Markus's temper flared and I was almost sure he was getting ready to punch my lights out.

"What's going on here," Jake asked as he stepped toward us, his gaze slipping from Markus who seemed to immediately back off, then to me. "You guys look like you're about to start world war three".

Vega quickly stepped toward him. "What, why would you think that? They're just... They're just" she said, her voice faltering when she failed to find an explanation for our standoff.

"It's no big deal. I was just telling playboy here not to mess with Vega" Markus gritted out, his voice still filled with venom and I noticed Jake also taking notice of it with a confused frown on his face.

"I'm sorry... It's all my fault" Vega got out and I hated the fact that she was looking at Markus as she spoke.

Markus stepped away from Jake who watched him dazedly, his eyes widening as he took Vega's hand. "Don't feel bad babe, I know it's not your fault."

Vega smiled, but I noticed the worry in her gaze as she glanced toward Jake. Did she feel guilty that she was taking all of Markus's attention for herself? For the love of God, he was supposed to be her boyfriend too, so why did Vega look like she was committing a crime?

Vega pulled her hand from his slowly with a nervous laugh. "Um, I'm gonna go now. I just remember that I have another lecture so I'm just gonna go now..." She rambled and made to go, but Jake stopped her and she stared at him, a look of dread lurking in her eyes.

"I'll come with you... " He said, and Vega stared at him then it seemed a look passed between them that they both seemed to understand even tho there were no words spoken.

"Let's go, and you both, please try not to kill each other" Jake warned, pecking Markus on the cheek even tho he still stood rigidly.

Vega glanced at me at the last minute, then followed Jake.

I turned my attention toward Markus.

"Stay away from Vega!"

"I don't take orders from you and you don't deserve Vega".

Markus smirked, then stepped closer to me. "Too bad she's already mine," he said cockily.

I smiled, matching his stance. "It won't be for long Markus.".

Markus smirked once more, pissing me off than I already was for the shit he put Vega through.

"It's all a game, Zach. We both know Vega is never going to leave me for you" he said, laughing like he was in on some big secret that I didn't know shit about then he walked away.

"We'll see about that!".