Rachel closed her eyes as her heart tore open at the scene. When she opened her eyes again the tears nearly spilled over.

Rachel was shaking and literally in tears, ignoring the fact that there were hundreds of guests witnessing this debacle.

How could he do this to her?

She was the one he was supposed to be winking at. She was the one allowed to put her hand on his.

These were intimate things that they shared together; things that made her heart flutter and put a smile on her face and made her feel special because he was doing them with her and only her.

And now . . . now it meant nothing. It was thrown into her face as if it were some joke.

Not even a week and he was already meeting other girls behind her back and all this time she thought he loved her.

She was stupid enough to believe him. She buried her face in her hands willing herself to not let her tears fall at her stupidity and Chris’s betrayal.

Chris seemed moved looking at Rachel standing in front of him. No woman had ever moved him this way, his mind travelled back in time reminiscing the days when they were together and perfect. There was that confidence surrounding her that always attracted him to her.

He looked at her dress and just wanted to remove it and have his wicked way with her. The dress was simple yet drew attention to her long graceful neck and the beauty of her face. He knew her waist was narrow but the dress seemed to accentuate her gorgeous body and Chris sighed in longing as he remembered those legs that were long and slender.

Even angry with her, he was dangerously attracted to her.

The ambience turned from one being serene to almost sensual. He looked at her again and felt a deep guilt sear his heart seeing her puffy eyes.

He knew, she looked exquisite and could overcome any problem and hardship. She was poised and graceful and so very beautiful. Her smile seemed to light up the entire room and he loved the way the moonlight coming in through the windows bounced off her glorious locks.

His heart jumped at these thoughts, at the fact; how much he loved her.

Chris cleared his throat and mumbled a hello at Rachel while hugging her parents with a familiarity that stumped Rachel.

Rachel clenched her fingers into a fist; she was determined not to make a spectacle. She was not a coward; she glared at the woman sitting beside him.

Rachel gulped, nervousness wrecking her body as she nodded at Anna who looked at her in shock and encouragement as she walked forward and sat at her assigned seat, right next to Chris’s as Chris helped her in her seat, keeping their actions normal for propriety sake.  

“Thank you,” Rachel muttered to no one, not truly intending to address Chris.

Rachel watched Chris and her father talk to each other as if they were long lost friends but she didn’t miss the respect present in both their tones as they discussed Chris’s fabulous achievement in the Asian market.

Her father looked at Rachel his eyes gleaming in excitement, “You know, Rach. This man is fantastic. His innovative idea has infused a new life in the Asian market. I bet you would enjoy comparing notes with him.”

Rachel lowered her eyes, her dad didn’t know but she had already compared notes and much more with the said ‘fantastic’ Chris.

Chris simply brushed off the appreciation humbly, “Sir, I have to say that idea would not have been possible if not for this magnificent girl who prompted it to me,” his gaze pierced at Rachel.

Rachel was hit by the ferocity of his gaze; it made her feel all the wonderful things she always felt when she was with him. Her heart screamed for him and when their eyes met, it was as if time had stood still.

Nothing had changed between them. But, alas things were not really the same anymore.

Rachel lowered her eyes and blushed at Chris’s compliment, “I do hope, Mr. Evans you treat that girl right.”

Chris looked at her, sipped his wine, smiled and ignored her reply.

Rachel felt hurt course through her, she looked around and found her mother staring at her with a knowing gaze.

Rachel sighed as she smiled at her mother and her mother looked from her to Chris and gave her a small, encouraging smile.

Chris looked at Rachel; it wasn't just the girl's beauty that had so enthralled him, but also her positive, good humored outlook on the world. She appeared to take herself and life, all that seriously. She was comfortable being herself.

Right now, he just wanted to pick her up and embrace her. She had belonged to him, in his arms.

Chris sighed.

Rachel looked at him as she played with her mocktail and the woman sitting next to him, her eyes betraying her emotions.

Chris could see the vulnerability in Rachel’s eyes, he wanted to comfort her but the present situation didn’t permit him that,” Ah! Let me introduce this gorgeous lady, Vanessa Turner,” he looked at Rachel as he introduced the woman to her.

Rachel felt like tearing the woman apart, she was shocked at such violent thoughts, she looked at Chris hurt mirroring in her eyes as she turned to the woman and introduced herself politely, “Good Evening, Miss Turner. I am Rachel Whitaker; it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Vanessa Turner turned and smiled almost wickedly, as she laid her hand on Chris’s arm, before turning to Rachel and acknowledging her introduction.

Rachel turned her face away from the lovey-dovey couple; it seemed Chris had moved on. It hurt her to think, their relationship meant so little to him to move on barely a week after their break up.

She glanced at Anna and saw her and Robert giving her a consoling look. Rachel smiled back at them, hiding her hurt in layers of her pretence smile.

She turned towards Chris and watched as Chris escorted Vanessa towards the dance floor without as much as a glance at her. Rachel’s eyes filled with tears, the pain seemed to be slicing her heart as she saw the couple walk hand in hand.

She did not expect him to lay his relationship in her face.  He should at least have that much consideration, her heart bolted.

But, Rachel was strong; she decided if he had no respect for their relationship, she wouldn’t waste her tears on such an evil man. She will take her time grieving and maybe someday her heart would allow her to move on.

With a new determination, she accepted Robert’s invite to the dance.

The dance floor sizzled between mass of bodies, turning, spinning gracefully. Her eyes on their own found Chris and Vanessa and the sensation in her stomach as if someone had kicked her hard confirmed that she had just witnessed some cozy canoodling between them.

Robert spun her around and smiled in her eyes, his brotherly affection giving her the strength to endure it all. She could see Vanessa whisper something in Chris’s ears, her lips almost touching his earlobe as Chris threw his head back in unbridled laughter.

The track changed and Robert spun Rachel around, changing partners on the dance floor. She was mystified to find herself in Chris’s arms.

Rachel tried to get out of his closing arms but Chris held her to him, enjoying her closeness.

Rachel looked at Chris, and when their eyes meshed together; all the dazzling emotions hit her deeply and profoundly. She forgot her anger, her hurt.

All that mattered was him and him being there with her, for her, by her.

Chris swayed lightly with the music as Rachel leaned down on to him. Her thoughts loomed on to their times spent together. She desperately wanted him to understand her, to be with her.

Her heart screamed for him.

She loved, enjoyed Chris’s feel, his closeness, his warmth. Why couldn’t he understand her?

Rachel looked at Chris; straight in his eyes. His eyes spoke of tenderness, affection, fondness, hurt and betrayal. She couldn’t take it anymore. She just couldn’t.

“Rachel,” Chris spoke her name.

“Don’t,” Rachel replied and moved to walk away from him.

Rachel felt him grab her arm from behind her and yank her into the hallway. She showed resistance. She did not even care if anyone had seen them. He led her down the dark hallway away from the crowd while she tried to resist his hold.

He said nothing as he walked with an angry force along the hardwood floors.

The glass double doors to the balcony creaked loudly when he opened them. Moonlight flooded the room filled with exotic vegetation, casting shadows all around them.

He whipped her body around to face him as he shoved her against the wall. His gaze was fierce and his body shook from frustration.

Rachel felt herself grow breathless. In all the little time she has known him, she had never seen him this angry before. He looked desperate and distressed.

He took a step towards her and placed his hands on either side of her head on the stone wall. Rachel flinched slightly. He leaned in closer and starred at her with an intensity that struck her very core.

His breath was labored and he seemed to be trying to get his control back. His breath blew Rachel's red hair around her face as it tickled her cheek. She tried to not let his closeness affect her.

But, gosh! The way their bodies were pressed together, the way his gaze seemed to be locked on hers; made her feel light-headed and out of breath.

She did not dare move her gaze from his. His blue- violet eyes twinkled with mischief, warmth and pure primal instinct. He was all set for the hunt, ready for his prey and the prey was Rachel.

His gaze stood out against the black of his hair that was hanging in his face. He didn't blink. He didn't move. He just stood over her and stared at her, almost daring her to turn away from him.

"I-I need to go,” Rachel's words trailed silent when his hands balled into fists on either side of her head.

His continuous stare and nearness was starting to make her feel things she didn’t want to. How she longed to be in his strong arms, to caress those muscles; tempting her to touch them.

His body moved nearer to her. She could not push herself against the wall any further. His gaze burned into her, through her and left her fighting for a steady breath.

He slid his hands up the wall and rested on his elbows at her head. With the rise of her breath her chest grazed against his. Rachel’s breath caught in her throat, she gasped in pleasure. The way their chests touched felt almost erotic.

Chris did not seem to pay attention to the thundering of her heart as he looked at her and just refused to budge.

He leaned a little closer. "So you like to flirt because that is what you were doing with Robert." He watched her eyes closely.

"I most certainly was not," Rachel shouted.

"You were and you knew what you were doing," He roared at her. Her lips parted at what he said as he continued, "You know, I was watching you. “

She remained silent and gazed down at the floor. He wanted answers damn it.

"You like to play games and flirt. Ok then." He pulled her chin up to face him. "Then flirt with me. Come on Rachel, tease me."

“Yeah, you have no right to accuse me of something while you yourself were hobnobbing with your gorgeous date,” she looked at him as she tried to push him away, her hands on his chest.

Chris quickly encased her hands in one of his and with the other on the wall leaned forward so that there was barely an inch separating them; their delicious breath intermingled with each other leaving behind a trail of hot, burning desire, as he asked, “My date?”

Rachel ‘s eyes widened in sweet anticipation as her eyes dropped down to his lips, “Yes, the stunning woman you danced with or are you suddenly bored of her too?”

Chris growled as Rachel shivered in longing, she knew Chris would never ever hurt her, “She is my sister, don’t you remember I told you about her,” he looked at her, his eyes blazing with passion and pressed closer to Rachel’s body, “Don’t you dare belittle yourself, my little bunny. You’re priceless. I can’t forget you in hundred lifetimes, how did you think I would forget you in one?”

She gasped in relief and moaned.

Lust, passion, and seduction plagued Rachel with promises of fulfillment. As his fingertips trailed down the back of her neck, his wicked tongue lingering after it leaving her feeling hot and yearning.

Hot moist breath skimmed over past his lips to meet her bare skin as her body erupted into small fulfilling tremors.

His lips reached her jaw, tracing the lines of her ear to her collarbone. She writhed delightfully, entangling her hands behind his neck and pulling him closer to her.

Rachel couldn’t stop her heart from pounding in my chest. Chris put his hands down at her waist while pulling her closer to his chest.

In that moment; she was his, and he was hers.

She felt his tongue run across her bottom lip and she opened her mouth to let their tongues explore each other. Rachel moaned and buried her fingers in his soft hair. Chris ran his fingers through her hair as their lips and bodies molded together sensually.

Their tongues stroked and thrust each other; together in sync that was driving their hormones crazy as they moaned and gasped for more.

His hands ran up her back, pressing against her shoulder blades, pressing her even closer to him before as they moved up along her shoulders, her neck, and into her hair. He toyed with the ends before tangling his fingers in her glorious strands.

She felt the wall against her back as he pushed against her again. The feel of his body against hers made her dizzy, and she had to cling to him to keep from swaying more than she already was. His mouth explored hers ravenously.

When he finally pulled back, he did so slowly, keeping their lips in contact of each other as long as he could before retreating enough to look into her eyes.

He grinned at her, something like triumph smiling in his playful gaze. “So, you thought she was my date?” he said teasingly. He leaned in again to press his forehead against hers. “I was beginning to doubt you even cared.”

Rachel blinked, taken aback. “Me? I thought you didn’t care. You never called me, never visited me. ”

“Hardly. I’ve been waiting. Why do you think your father forced you to come here? I was going to do this right; I went to him, asked him for permission. He explained me your reasons to work as a waitress. I trust you, I love you.”

“Y-you love me?” she whispered, surprised and blushed, suddenly embarrassed.

“Yes, I love you, my Rachel Whitaker” he assured her. He leaned down to kiss her again, and she responded so eagerly it surprised them both.

She looked at him, lowered her eyes, “Chris Evans, I love you too and I am so sorr---.”

Chris put his finger on her lips, silencing her,” Shhh!” he leaned forward so that their heads touched each other, “I am sorry for hurting you, for not listening to you. I was just so angry and not thinking logically. Forgive me?”

Rachel smiled and pulled him to her clenching his shirt in her hands, Chris looked at her baffled, she  leaned forward, her hot moist breath washing over his lips as she said, “Well, I do love you a lot but if you think you have been forgiven, you’re quite wrong. You have some serious groveling to do, you know win me over and for your benefit I suppose you better start now,” with that she caressed Chris, her finger gliding sensually over Chris’s chest as she pushed him back, winked and walked away.