Chapter Two

Nothing prepared him for the woman he saw when he turned. Cara was wearing a backless red dress that showed off her milky skin, and very sexy curvy body, her shiny wavy blonde hair cascading down her back.

Who the hell was this woman ? Yes she had the sweet, delicate, innocent face of Cara but it had become so feminine and tempting, especially her full plump pink lips.

Xander cleared his throat in a bid to control the feelings she was stirring within him .

“ Cara ?”

She stared at him coldy refusing to show how much his presence overwhelmed her . Those dark eyes that were the object of her fantasy for so long ,now finally looking at her with reckless abandon .It filled her with a sense of power .

She spoke softly and in a controlled manner

"I apologize for taking your time , the first outfit I planned to wear had a wardrobe malfunction”

“ It's alright darling, you look breathtaking by the way ”

She ignored his compliment “ we may leave then”

“ After you my lady ” they walked towards the door and he held it open for her.

Now in his custom made black sleek maserati , it was an unreleased model. Cara sat in the passenger seat trying to calm herself down.

She did not anticipate how much more attractive he had become now, while he drove she used the opportunity to study him.

His dark hair , well structured face , full thick dark brows and lashes, those eyes she felt she could swim in its depths and his lips she once dreamt every night of kissing .

His deep voice broke her thought partner “ are done with your study of me ?” He smirked slightly “ found what you're looking for darling?”.

Still as arrogant as ever and how did he even know I was staring ,he never took his eyes off the road. Cara thought to herself.

They pulled up at the restaurant, it was an exquisite, expensive place only for the elite and the cream of the society . He came down and opened her car door , he extended his arm .

She stared at it for a second contemplating but her parents had already briefed her how important it was to appear in love for the society . Last thing they wanted was a scandal .

She hooked her arm in his and as they made contact she shivered a bit , the scent of the man caressed her senses . In this moment she wondered how she could loathe Xander so much and yet he still had this effect on her .

They entered the restaurant and were taken to their private table .Xander ordered for them both and they sipped from their glasses of expensive wine.

“ so the wedding date has been set for the weekend ,I'm sure you've been briefed already ”

“Yes ”

“ As to your dress for the wedding and whatever you'll need personally , make your decision and I'll make it happen ” he reached into his suit pocket and brought out a black Platinum card and handed it to her .

“ Take this for payment of anything you need , there's no limit feel free to change your wardrobe . I'll email the pin and details to you tonight ”

“ Thank you ”

“ You're welcome love , now before we get married I want to make sure you've terminated any relationship with any other man , I will not share my wife although I understand it is a relationship of convenience and you may have had someone else you are in love with ”

Cara met his eyes, the nerve of this man she thought to herself.

“ Nothing to bother about , I have no relationship and no bitter ex to bother about , how about you ?”.

It sounded more of like an accusation than a question to Xander but he responded calmly.

“ I broke up with my girlfriend a month ago , we're completely through you have nothing to worry about ”

Cara huffed inaudibly, the waiter brought their food and suddenly Cara heard a sound and looked through the glass windows of the restaurant to the sky.

There were bright pink sparkly fireworks that spelt “ would you marry me Cara? '' She turned to Xander only to see him on one knee ,a black velvet box in his hand containing a huge sapphire diamond ring .

His deep velvety voice “ Marry me Cara '' the restaurant was immediately filled with aww's and “ say yes ! , say yes !”.

For a moment she wished it was all real and they were actually in love , “ yes Xander ,I'll be your wife ” cheers erupted as he slipped the diamond ring on her finger .

The cheer died down and they had their dinner in awkward silence . Xander realized this is not the love sick Cara he once knew and for some reason the idea of marrying him didn't seem to visibly excite her .

Or is she just playing hard to get ?.The ride back home was even more silent , he knew they hadn't been in contact for a couple of years but come-on they were at least friends at a time . Cara just sat stiffly in the passenger seat like she had been passed a death sentence.

He stopped at her million dollar family mansion .She seemed too lost in thought to even notice .

He touched her hand, she jolted like she had been shocked by electricity then stared at his hand over hers with slight irritation.

“ We're here ”

“ Thank you for dinner ”

“Anytime love ”

Xander was about getting down to open her door like a gentleman , maybe he could even steal a kiss .But her words stopped him cold in his movements.

With her hand on the door she looked him straight in the eye “ make no mistakes I only accepted to this proposal because of my parents I wouldn't want to shame or hurt them and don't think I don't know your pushing to marry me as quickly as possible to gain control of your father's company”

Her eyes icy cold “ you're still as selfish and deceptive as ever . After a year I will file for a divorce and live my life on my own terms just so you have a heads up, have a good night ”

Before Xander could respond she got down and quickly went in .

Xander didn't know how to feel , he smirked, she's trying to play tough, he didn't like easy women anyways . He was amused but a part of him was bothered. She affected every fiber of his being and stirred deep feelings within him and why did she resent him so much .

He drove away perplexed at her outburst .

It was all Cara could to keep herself from stomping her feet in anger as she made her way upstairs . Nonsense, who does he think he is ? Do I really look like a fool to him ?.

Blinded by rage she almost didn't see her father waiting for her at the top of the stairs .

“ I see you're wearing a ring , I'm guessing it went well then ”

“ I did what you wanted ” she waved the diamond ring in his face “ if that's what you describe as 'it going well’ then yes it went so well ” Cara said sarcastically and more to her annoyance her father beamed a satisfied smile .

“ Thank you Cara I know my friend is smiling from heaven at this ” .

“ Don't think you can guilt trip me by saying that , you know what I've had a long day can I go to my room and rest at least ”.

“ Yes my darling child ” he gave her a quick hug and peck “ good night ” .

“ Good night ”.

Cara laid on her bed exhausted her phone vibrated and she saw from the screen it was Tracey her best friend calling .

“ Hi babes ”

“ Don't hi babes me ! , you're getting married and I had to find out from the blogs !”

Cara furrowed her eyebrows “ the blogs ?”

“ Yes your engagement is all over them” . Cara sighed audibly“ I didn't tell you because I only just found out today , everything happened so fast in sorry I should have found time to let you Know”

“ It's fine I'm upset but I know it's not your fault , when is the wedding” her voice became excited .

“ Two days away ”

“ Wow , seems very rushed but what do I know about the world of Billionaires” Cara chuckled “ I'll give you the details tomorrow , I'm exhausted”.

“ Alright babes ttyl , love youu “

“ Love you too good night ”

Cara headed straight for the shower she needed to calm her head down .