You are my wife

    (Karis's pov)

    My heart skipped a beat, feeling Xander's hands around my waist in a protective way. Even the way his voice sounded in my ears made me shiver. I was stunned that Xander stepped in between me and Skyler because he had never done something like this in our past life. 

    

    He was never protective of me, and I knew secretly it was because he resented me because of our arranged marriage. Xander was forced to marry me because of a promise his mother made to my dead mother. It was funny to realize I came between him and his true love Emma.

    

    ' What was he trying to do here? ' After all, he should not give a fuck about me or who I speak to. He should run ahead to his crying lover and not me. If this was the former me, butterflies would have been in my stomach, yearning for the touch of the man I loved and chased for years, but his touch didn't feel the same anymore.

    

    "What if I can't do that Mr De Marco? You have a beautiful wife here, and it is tempting and hard to let her be, seeing she was standing alone." Skyler flashed a teasing smile at me. I subconsciously returned the smile happy at how he was boldly challenging Xander. My thoughts could not help was wonder who he was.

    

    Xander's hands around my waist tightened; I could feel his anger even though he hid it well on his face, remaining stoic. "I never knew the heir of the crest family was into married women," Xander said with a calm voice and Skyler just chuckled at his words.

    

    "I am normally not into what is cherished by others, but it doesn't seem like you cherish Karis. If you did, you would not leave your newly wedded bride on her own." Skyler snickered still smiling like he was not affected by Xander's cold eyes. The air around Xander got heavy, making it hard for me to breathe with my heart thumping.

    

    My eyes, curiosity, glanced at Skyler glowing with amazement. This was the first time I had seen Xander shaken by someone. It won't be a lie if I say was enjoying it. Xander didn't reply to Skyler. Their eyes just locked with each other. 

    

    We were attracting attention and whispers were already going around. It was getting increasingly uncomfortable being between them as they just stared at each other.

    

    "Thanks for the company, Mr Crest, but my husband is here now." I intervened unable to stand being in between them. I tugged Xander to stop but he didn't bulge.

    

    "It was a pleasure my Mrs De Marco. Whenever you need a break from someone you can always find me." Skyler chimed then gave Xander a provocative smile before walking out.

    

    ' what was that all about?' I thought puzzled. Skyler was a weird guy proudly declaring about taking someone's wife before them.

    

    "We are leaving." Xander declared pulling me by my hand out of the hall. He didn't give me a second glance or care about anyone he came across. What was wrong with him leaving his wedding reception before it was over?

    

    After we left the hall I yanked my hands from his grip. There was no reason for me to pretend anymore since we were now alone. Xander turned back to look at me stunned by my behaviour.

    

    "What do you think you are doing?" He asked me with his brow arched. I swallowed nervously not to fumble under his gaze. "I can walk by myself," I stated walking past him to the car. Now I was alone with him, it was difficult to stand him knowing how he felt about me. Why did he bother holding my hands when my touch made his skin crawl?

    

    The chauffeur opened the car doors for me and I stepped inside. Xander was still rooted staring blankly in my direction. "Start the car," I instructed the chauffeur.

    

    "But we can't .." the chauffeur was hesitant about my order, but my sharp voice cut him off before he could complete his statement.

    

    "I said to start the fucking car, or do you prefer I throw you out then drive myself." Sensing my anger, he immediately drove out of the reception venue, without wasting a second more.

    

    I didn't bother to look at Xander not caring how he reacted. The entire ride, my eyes were staring blankly at the windows, lost in thoughts. How was I going to change my fate and get back at Xander? I did not want to think about how weirdly he behaved at the reception because the Xander I knew was never insecure, at least not towards me.

    

    The car drove into the De Marco estate. Seeing the familiar gates of the estate left a bitter taste in my mouth. I got out of the car and walked towards the mansion. Another car pulled over at almost the same time I arrived, and Xander stepped out.

    

    He was looking visibly agitated with his cold eyes glaring at me, but who cares about his feelings? I scoffed, then raised my long wedding gown to evade him. The maids and butler were lined up at the entrance to welcome me since it was my first time officially moving in as Mrs De Marco.

    

    Not bothering to respond to their greetings, I walked past them inside. I didn't want to waste any time before Xander caught up to me. Since I was familiar with the mansion's layout, there was no need for a guide.

    

    I kicked off my heels and ran up the stairs, Xander's angry steps echoed behind me as he ran towards me.

    

    "What is wrong with you Karis?" He barked behind me; his angry voice caused me to flinch and trip on my long dress. 

    

    "Ouch." I winched because my ankle twisted from the fall, making it hard for me to get back on my feet. My eyes blurred with tears due to the pain I blamed on Xander. If he had just let me be none of this would have happened.

    

    Xander rushed towards me after realizing I tripped and twisted my ankle. "Why are you running? Is your ankle alright?". He asked me reaching out for my feet, but I swatted his hand away.

    

    "Don't touch me," I said through my gritted teeth, remembering how those same hands were on Emma in my past life. Xander eyes darkened, not giving me a chance to react. He immediately scooped off the floor, carrying me in a bridal style.

    

    My eyes popped with bile rising in my throat unable to understand why Xander was carrying me. He never did something like this in the past not even on our first wedding night. My heart squeezed at the realization he never loved me in the past, I was being led on by my delusion.

    

    "Let go of me, Xander. " I barked at him, trying to wiggle out of his arms, but he ignored me. Why was he acting nice? I couldn't stand his fake act.

    

    Ignoring my protests, Xander matched up into our room which was already decorated with scented candles and roses in preparation for our wedding night. "Why are acting like this? Don't you hate me?" I bit Xander's shoulder for him to let me go.

    

    His jaw clenched, and he glared at me, slamming my back against the bed. His large body was looming over me. "Since you like to run so much try running now." I heard him sneering before slamming his lips on mine without a warning.

    

    My eyes shot up with my hands pressed against his firm chest, trying to resist his kiss, but my body was a traitor. I was already succumbing under his skilful lips, which were driving me crazy. I closed my eyes to enjoy the bitter-sweet feeling, but Xander, being a jerk as always, broke the kiss without any fair warning again.

    

    His grey eyes were locked on my hazel eyes before he smirked at me. "How does that feel, Karis? If you think running from me will save you better think again because you are now mine. I don't mind playing the game of chase. I want you to run as fast as you can, only for me to catch you again, Karis. Having your fragile body under me is something I have been craving for...."

    

    Damn, I was turned on by his words; my body couldn't resist that face of his that made me fall hopelessly for him in the past, not to mention his body that drives all the girls crazy. This was fucking unfair.

    

    "I didn't feel a thing, Xander. What makes you think you can catch me? What if I run to Skyler he isn't a bad catch at all?" Unable to resist the urge to provoke him, I mentioned Skyler, remembering how adverse his reaction was to Skyler. I shouldn't have said those words because it seems to have struck a nerve and made Xander lose it

    

    He pressed his body against me before claiming my lips again, sucking and nibbling it like his life depended on it. Those rebellious lips of mine betrayed me by releasing a moan that provoked him to act further, trailing his kiss up to my ears down to my neck before breaking it, leaving little bites in between.

    

    "Don't me make remind you again that you are my wife now, and if anyone's dick except mine gets close to that sweet pussy of yours. Fuck the devil, I will fucking cut it off." Xander had the guts to proclaim to my face.