VANESSA BELMONT
"I don't know why," admitted Nate.
"I'm not the one you want," I whispered. "You hate me."
"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 hammered in my chest and my mouth went dry.
"Nathan. This isn't what you want. It's not what I want, either." I met his gaze and tried to hide my aching desire. I was familiar with these feelings because I felt the same ceaseless yearning gnawing away at me in my previous life. I couldn't turn off my emotions. And my body wasn't doing me 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 time?" 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 me 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 immediately, 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 home," 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 met this Nathan. He was a little scary, but his wicked promise/threat zapped me into stillness. You're hopeless, Vanessa.
"Nathan, will you take me home?" Fiona tugged on his jacket sleeve, her eyes wide and innocent, like a puppy's. A puppy who would eat your face. "What if I get sick again?"
"You can call me," he said. "Go home and rest."
Fiona flashed a look of hatred at me, 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."
"I'm warning you, Carver. Quit entertaining fantasies about my wife."
"She's not your wife yet. A lot can happen in six months." Carver looked at me. "You sure you're all right?"
"I'm fine."
Ollie grabbed Carver by the upper arm. "Okay, you two crazy kids, have fun. We're leaving. Text you tomorrow, Neenie!" He hauled away a very reluctant Carver.
My fiancé led me to the private elevator and used a key card to open it. We silently rode to the penthouse suite. When we got the foyer, Nate swooped me into his arms and strode purposefully toward the bedroom.
My stomach dipped. Oh, sweet hell. Nate entered the bedroom, and tossed me on to the king-sized bed. He stripped off his jacket and then his tie.
I scrambled off the bed, but Nate picked me up and threw me down again. He covered my body with his. He was so angry. Angry and lustful. He put his hand around my throat, and pressed me down onto the bed. Nipping my earlobe, he whispered, "The idea of someone else touching my woman makes me feel homicidal."
"Nate—"
He covered my mouth with his. Oh my God. Nathan Jang was kissing me. For the first time ever. I didn't know what to do.
Except kiss him back.
He tasted like champagne. Our lips met again and again, and hot liquid desire poured through me.
He removed his hand from my throat so he could kiss my neck. His lips paused on the still sore mark he'd made. He offered a soft press of his mouth as an apology, then he nibbled his way across my jaw. Just as his lips covered mine again, the bedside phone rang.
He lifted his head and stared at me, his mouth swollen and his gaze dark. Both of us were breathing hard, and I was trembling.
The second trill of the phone broke the spell between us. Nate rolled off me and picked up the receiver. "Yes? I see. Come up now." He got off the bed. "I'll be right back."
A sane woman might take this opportunity to leave, or at least hide in the bathroom until everyone calmed down. But my body refused to move. I had become one with the bed, melted and gooey. I was the human equivalent of a s'more.
Nate returned with a large blue velvet box.
"Is that my necklace?" I asked. "The sapphire one?"
"Don't worry. I paid for it, too. This is something else." He sat next to me and popped open the box. Inside was the ruby and diamond necklace. The one he and Fiona had picked out. "What do you think?"