Reborn Heiress: Escaping My Contract Marriage with the Cold CEO Chapter 13: You Are Mine, Vanessa

VANESSA BELMONT

"Technically, I spent the evening with Ollie and Carver just showed up."

"You think it looks good for my fiancee to be in public with another man?"

"To be clear, there were two n."

"Ollie doesn’t count," said Nate. "He won’t fuck you."

I pushed Nathan away and slapped him. My palm hitting his cheek sounded like cracking ice. Or maybe that was my heart shattering into tinier pieces. My hand hurt because Mr. Jang’s face was like a piece of cold stone.

Nathan stared at , stunned. Sha glinted in his eyes. "I’m sorry," he said. "I ... I shouldn’t have said that." He touched his cheek. "I’m just ... we’re getting married. We have to be circumspect with opposite-sex relationships."

I laughed. I laughed so hard I nearly fell to the floor. "You take Fiona to events with you all the ti, and she hangs on your arm like she’s the wife. But sure, talk to about my inappropriate behavior." Hurt and anger burrowed into my lungs making it hard for to breathe. I rubbed my chest. My heart hurt so much.

"You’re different, sohow. Last week, you were needy and whiny. Desperate for my attention." He pinched my chin between his fingers. "This week? You don’t give a damn about or our wedding. You wear clothes that show off your body. You attract other n’s gazes. I see them watch you, and I fucking hate it."

"How about this? Carver has offered to marry . You can pawn off on him. Then you’re free to wed Fiona and make little blonde fairy babies with her."

"I’m not marrying Fiona!" He pressed against the wall and pinned my arms above my head. "You are mine, Vanessa. You’re going to know it. And so will Carver Haynes." He leaned down, and put his mouth on my neck. I shuddered at the feel of his lips against my skin.

Then he bit .

"Nate!" Pain pulsed as he sucked my flesh between his teeth and marked . When he finally let go, he was breathing heavy, his chest heaving. He stared at like he didn’t know who I was. I sure as hell didn’t know this Nate. Possessive of ? Purposely bruising my neck? Losing his mind because he was jealous?

This never happened in my first life. I was changing my fate, but it wasn’t the way I intended. How was I supposed to know Nate would start paying attention to ?

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice shaking. "Why?"

"I don’t know why," admitted Nate.

"I’m not the one you want," I whispered. "You hate ."

"Do I?" He slowly licked my mouth and I tasted the copper tang of my own blood. Nate buried his face against my shoulder. His hot breath made my skin tingle. He dragged his lips up my neck and across my jaw. "Do you know how close I am to taking you right here?" His gaze pinned mine. "Maybe that’s what I need to do to show you my sincerity."

I felt electrified by his words. Images of Nate and I taking off each other’s clothes while kissing filled my mind. My heart hamred in my chest and my mouth went dry.

"Nathan. This isn’t what you want. It’s not what I want, either." I t his gaze and tried to hide my aching desire. I was familiar with these feelings because I felt the sa ceaseless yearning gnawing away at in my previous life. I couldn’t turn off my emotions. And my body wasn’t doing any favors, either.

"I think it’s been ten minutes," I say softly.

"So what?"

Knock, knock, knock. "Nathan? Miss Belmont? Is everything okay?"

"What will it be this ti?" I asked softly. "Migraine? Stomachache? Fainting spell?"

"I don’t care. She’s an adult." He released my arms. Then he swiped my neck and showed the blood. "Don’t you dare cover it up," he warned. "I want everyone to see my mark on you, especially Carver Haynes."

"And Fiona?" I said softly. "You want to show her, too?"

"Everyone," he stated again. "Let’s go."

He unlocked and then opened the door. Fiona stood there, her expression angelic. "What are you—"

"Excuse us," he said.

Stunned at the anger in his tone, Fiona moved back and allowed us enough room to leave. I saw Ollie and Carver on the other side of the counter. Ollie looked up from scrolling on his phone. Carver, hands in his pockets, leaned against a pillar.

Nate gripped the back of my neck, his thumb rubbing the sore, bruised spot on my flesh. Carver noticed it imdiately, and his gaze narrowed.

"Are you all right, Vanessa?" he asked.

"She’s tired," answered Nate. "Don’t worry, Carver. I’ll take good care of my fiancé."

Fiona stared at the mark on my neck, too. She noted how his thumb caressed my skin, and I saw fury flash in her ice-blue eyes.

"Sir, your car is ready," said Malone as he joined us. Nathan’s go-to man for everything was a big bruiser with a shaved head and an Arctic gaze. He also dressed to the nines, no matter how casual the vibe.

"Take Fiona ho," said Nathan.

"Yes, sir. What about you and Miss Belmont?" asked Malone.

"I have my own suite here. Vanessa and I will stay the night. I’ll send instructions about morning pick-up later."

I stared up at Nate. He ... that is, we were going to stay the night in the hotel? What for? I tried slip out of his grasp, but his fingers tightened on the back of my neck. He leaned close to my ear and whispered. "Behave. Or I’ll punish you."

I’d never t this Nathan. He was a little scary, but his wicked promise/threat zapped into compliance. You’re hopeless, Vanessa.

"Nathan, will you take ho?" Fiona tugged on his jacket sleeve, her eyes wide and innocent, like a puppy’s. A puppy that would eat your face. "What if I get sick again?"

"You can call ," he said. "Go ho and rest."

Fiona flashed a look of hatred at , then allowed Malone to lead her away. Carver rocked back on his heels. "Vanessa, if you don’t want to stay with this asshole, say the word."