VANESSA BELMONT
Nathan carried me down the hallway. "Carver was blowing on my boo-boo to make it feel better," I explained.
"I am the only one who gets to blow on you."
"Oh, yeah? Yeah? Well, what about fucking Fiona? You can't blow on her, either."
"We're just friends!"
"Lies!
We entered a guest room, one of many in this huge mansion. I don't want to say Nathan tossed me onto the bed, but yeah, he kinda did.
Then he started taking off his shirt.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Going to sleep."
"Here?" I pointed at the bed. "Here here?"
He nodded.
"Find a different room," I said. "There's a thousand of 'em."
"There are a lot of overnight guests and space is at a premium. We're engaged, Vanessa. It's only right that we share a room."
I grabbed a pillow and threw it. "Sleep on the floor. Or with Fiona."
"Malone took Fiona home."
"You rented her an apartment, right? Or does she stay with you at the Jang estate?"
Nathan sat next to me. "I got her an apartment, yes. She has not, and for the record, will not, be spending the night with me."
"Why are you telling me? It's none of my business."
"You are so certain I'm going cheat."
I wagged my finger. "It's not technically cheating because this marriage is a business arrangement. That reminds me … we don't have to be sexually exclusive, right?"
"Why? You thinking about getting together with Carver Haynes?"
I shrugged.
Nate cupped my chin and turned my head so that I would look at him. "Let me answer for you. You're not. I don't want anyone else seeing what you wear under your clothing, much less touch you."
"Then don't touch Fiona. And don't be on her side all the time." I pushed his hand away. "Never mind. I'm not doing this again. The first time was hard enough. I died, you know? I died, Nate, and you saved Fiona." I poked him in the chest. "You suck."
Nate clasped my fingers. "You died? What the hell are you talking about?"
"My other life. The one where you broke my heart." I shook my head. "This time, I won't make the mistake of loving you."
"You love me?"
"No. I used to love you. Now I don't." I looked up at him and felt my eyes crowd with tears. "I won't love you, Nathan Jang. You hear me?"
"You're drunk." He touched the tip of my nose. "And you have a sunburn."
"Whatever." I looked at him closely. "Hey! You're wearing different clothes. Why didn't I get different clothes? These are itchy."
"Take a shower. You'll feel better."
"I don't think I can work the knobs," I said honestly. "Or stand up. Or wash myself."
"I can do it for you."
"You can't see me naked. I'm practically married." I showed him my ring. "See? Taken, buddy."
He chuckled. "How about we just take off your clothes and I'll tuck you into bed."
"No peeking?"
"Oh, I'm going to peek. But I'll be good tonight, okay?"
"No."
"It's not a request." Nate unbuttoned my shirt and slid it off my shoulders.
I heard his sharp inhale, and looked up. "What? Do I have a spider on me?"
He slid a finger along the top of my pink lace bra. In a thick voice, he asked, "Do your panties match?"
"Of course they match."
He stood up and then pulled me to my feet. He unzipped my shorts, and they dropped to the floor. Then I fell back onto the bed.
"Pretty in pink," he said.
"I love that movie!"
Nate took off his T-shirt, and holy God, he was ripped. "You look like that under your clothes?"
He pulled me to a sitting position and helped me put on his T-shirt. Then he tucked me under the covers.
"I'm going to take a shower," he said. "A very long, cold shower. Go to sleep."
"You're not the boss of me."
"Tonight, I am." He drew the covers up to my chin. "Rest, Vanessa. Please."
"I'm only doing it because I want to." I closed my eyes, snuggled into the pillow, and promptly passed out.
***|***|***|***|***
We smash into the oak tree.
I hear the crack in my chest, and suddenly I can't breathe. Blood drips down my face, but for some reason, I can't lift my hand to wipe it away.
"Fiona!" Nate opens the driver's side door. Pulls his mistress out of the car.
He takes her and leaves.
He fucking walks away.
I'm alone.
That's how I die.
Alone.
***|***|***|***|***
"Vanessa."
The voice cut through the fog in my mind. I opened my eyes, blinking against the dim light, and saw Nate beside me, his expression tight with concern.
"Get away from me," I croaked, my throat burning. "I hate you."
He ignored my words, just like he always did when he thought he knew better. His hand pressed against my brow, his fingers cool against my fevered skin. "You're burning up."
A wave of nausea rolled through me, sharp and sudden. My stomach twisted, bile rising in my throat. "I think I'm gonna puke."
Before I could even move, Nate was out of bed, his arms sliding under me. He lifted me effortlessly, and carried me to the bathroom. "Why is everything wobbly?" I asked.
"Because you're wobbly."
Nate put me down, but staying on my feet was not an option. The second my knees hit the cold tile, I lurched forward, gripping the toilet as my body convulsed.
Nate didn't flinch. He gathered my hair in one hand, holding it back as I retched, his other hand resting between my shoulder blades, steadying me. The acidic taste burned my tongue, and tears stung my eyes—whether from sickness or humiliation, I wasn't sure.
When I finished emptying my stomach, I slumped back, trembling. My skin was clammy, my clothes sticking to me with cold sweat. Nate reached for a folded bath towel from the shelf and draped it over my shoulders, his touch careful, like I might break.
"I'm taking you to the hospital," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
"That seems extreme," I said. "I just need some Tylenol and rest."
He took a hand towel and wiped my mouth. "You don't get a vote."
"Stop being nice. It's confusing. At least I know how to act with mean Nate."
"Mean Nate?" He helped me to my feet, and then swung me into his arms. "We'll unpack that later. Right now, getting you to a doctor is the priority."
"Ugh. My head is pounding like someone is hammering wood."
"Someone is," said Nate. "They're knocking on the door."
"Make them stop."
Nate left the bathroom. A few seconds later, I heard him exclaim, "What are you doing here?"