CHAPTER FOUR: LOVE, CONTROL AND THE THIN LINE BETWEEN

I can’t sleep.

I roll over and glance at the empty space beside me. It’s been three days since I moved in with Rex. Three days since I signed the marriage contract, agreeing to become his wife in name only, yet so much more in every other way.

I hate this. I hate that I’m here, that I let him talk me into this, that I still feel drawn to him. But more than that, I hate that I can’t seem to stop myself from wanting him.

The door creaks open with a faint sound, and I freeze. There’s no mistaking who it is. Rex Patterson.

He steps into the room without a word, his presence immediately filling the space, commanding it. He’s still in his suit, the crisp black fabric stretching over his broad shoulders, his jaw sharp with determination. But there’s something about the way he moves that makes me feel small, vulnerable, like I’m caught in the pull of his gravity.

“I couldn’t sleep,” he says, his voice low, almost lazy. “Couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

I sit up, pushing myself against the headboard, trying to create distance, even though I know it’s futile. He’s too close, always too close.

“You’re always thinking about something, Rex,” I snap, my tone more biting than I intend. “What’s it now?”

He smirks, but it’s not a smile I recognize. It’s sharper, colder. “You. Always you.”

The words catch me off guard. He steps closer to the bed, his eyes never leaving mine. There’s an intensity in his gaze that sends a thrill down my spine.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” he murmurs, his hand moving to the side of my face. His thumb grazes my skin, sending a jolt of heat through me. “You’ve always had a way of getting under my skin, Vanya.”

I swallow hard, willing myself not to react. “I only needed a loan from you to pay back with interest within a year,” I say, my voice trembling despite my best efforts. “I never asked for you. For this—this whole damn contract.”

“You think I’m the only one at fault here?” Rex challenges, stepping even closer. His face is inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin. “You’re the one who agreed to it.”

“You pushed me into it!” I shoot back, my chest tightening with frustration. “I had no choice!”

He laughs softly, though there’s no humor in it. “Is that what you tell yourself? You had no choice?”

I look away, my heart pounding. He’s right. In that moment, it felt like I didn’t. But looking back, I know I could have walked away. I could have refused. But I didn’t.

“I’m not your pawn, Rex,” I say, my voice quieter now, though it still carries a thread of defiance. “I won’t let you use me.”

His eyes darken, and for a moment, I wonder if I’ve gone too far. But then he reaches out, cupping my face with his large hand. His touch is gentle, almost too gentle for someone whose presence is so overwhelming. “I’m not using you, Vanya. I never have. You’re not a pawn in this game. You’re my equal.”

I scoff, shaking my head. “Don’t make me laugh. You don’t know the meaning of the word ‘equal.’”

His hand tightens just slightly, his fingers firm against my skin. “You think I don’t want this? Want you? The way you think you’re the only one with control over what happens between us is... delusional. You’ve always known what I want. And I’ve always gotten it.”

There’s a challenge in his voice, a dare. But I won’t back down. Not now.

“You don’t get to control me,” I whisper, though the words don’t have the same conviction I thought they would.

His lips curve into a dangerous smile, a smile that both terrifies and excites me. “You’ve already given me control, Vanya. Whether you want to admit it or not, you’re already mine.”

I try to push him away, but it’s like trying to move a mountain. He’s immovable, his strength undeniable. My heart races as I meet his gaze, the electricity between us so strong it makes it hard to think.

“You’ll never own me,” I whisper fiercely, though doubt claws at my insides.

Rex’s smile fades, replaced by something colder, more serious. “We’ll see about that.”

He pulls back suddenly, as if the moment between us has ended. But the tension hangs in the air, thick and suffocating. I don’t know how much longer I can fight this.

Rex turns and heads for the door, his footsteps heavy and purposeful. But before he exits, he glances over his shoulder, his expression unreadable.

“I’ll be in my office. Don’t make me wait for you.”

The door closes behind him with a soft click, and I’m left in the silence of the room, my mind racing, my heart pounding in my chest.

I sit there for a long time, my thoughts swirling, torn between my anger and my longing. I tell myself that I’m strong enough to resist him, but deep down, I know the truth: I’m already falling for him again. And this time, I’m not sure I can stop it.

Rex is in his office, working on God knows what, and I find myself wandering through the halls, unable to sit still.

I try to focus on something—anything—but my thoughts keep drifting back to him. To that look in his eyes, that dangerous promise. He thinks he can control me. But he’s wrong. I won’t let him. I can’t let him.

Yet, with every passing moment, I find myself wondering what it would be like to let go. To give in to him completely. The thought both terrifies and excites me.

I’m snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of footsteps behind me. I turn to find Rex standing in the doorway of the living room, his eyes locked on mine. His presence is overwhelming, but I don’t let it show.

“You’re still avoiding me,” he says, his voice calm, but I can hear the underlying challenge.

“I’m not avoiding you,” I say quickly, though I know he can see through the lie.

“Then come to my office,” he orders, his gaze unwavering. “Now.”

The tone in his voice is the same one he uses when he expects compliance, and for a split second, I consider ignoring him. But I know that would be pointless. The battle between us is far from over, and I’m beginning to think that, no matter how hard I fight, he’s going to win.

As I walk toward him, I feel the weight of the decision pressing down on me. I’ve already given him so much. And now, it seems, I’m about to give him everything.

Rex’s office is sleek and modern, the walls lined with bookshelves and the faint smell of expensive leather hanging in the air. He’s sitting behind his desk, his posture commanding as usual. But there’s something different in his eyes. Something like a storm ready to break.

“Sit,” he says, gesturing to the chair in front of him.

I hesitate, but only for a moment. I sit, keeping my distance, crossing my arms over my chest.

Rex leans forward, his eyes never leaving mine. “I want to talk to you about this... this marriage of ours. We’re not just playing house, Vanya. There’s more at stake here than you realize.”

“I realize perfectly well what’s at stake, Rex,” I snap, my frustration bubbling over. “You think this is all just about you, don’t you? About what you want?”

He looks at me for a long moment, his gaze intense, almost unreadable. Finally, he speaks, his voice low but firm. “No, Vanya. It’s about what we want. About what I’m willing to do to keep you here. With me.”

I swallow hard, my pulse quickening. “And what’s that, exactly?”

Rex’s lips curl into a smile, but it’s not comforting. “Whatever it takes.”