Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

EYEA

Nia walked into the arena with a heavy cloud over her face. It was rare to see her like that. She usually had a smile for everyone around her. Everyone except me. Today her shoulders stayed tight and her eyes looked tired.

I called out to her across the hallway.

Nia turned and gave me a sharp look. “Not now. I am not in the fucking mood.”

She was still angry about yesterday. We were not even real so I did not understand why she stayed so mad. It should not matter this much.

Coach Riggs walked up beside me. “Everything okay with you two?”

“It didn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter.” I left him there and kept walking.

I turned the corner and ran straight into the last person I wanted to see today. Beck stood there in his neat navy shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His dark hair was combed perfectly and his warm brown eyes had that familiar spark of mischief. He looked clean and safe like he always did.

“Hello brother,” he said with a small smile.

“What do you want?” I spat.

“Come on Maddox. That is no way to greet your little brother after years apart.” He kept smiling like nothing was wrong. “Do not test me right now. I am not in the mood for your games.” I tried to walk past him into my private room.

Beck followed right behind me and shut the door. His smile disappeared. “Let us cut to the chase. What exactly have you dragged Nia into?”

“She is my girlfriend.” I said.

“Bullshit. I know Nia. You don’t keep things, Maddox. You break them.”. You made her life hell back in high school. Why would she pick you now?”

“Maybe you do not know her as well as you think. You are still the same shy kid who followed her around like a lost puppy but never had the guts to tell her how you felt.”

Beck’s jaw tightened hard. I had hit the spot I wanted. We had always been rivals. He lived in my shadow and it ate at him.

“This is not over,” he said and stormed out.

A bad feeling settled deep in my stomach. Beck showing up now felt like trouble coming straight at me. I needed to talk to Nia and set some things straight.

Then I heard it. Nia’s rich laugh floated from the bleachers. It sounded real and happy. The kind of laugh she never gave me. I looked up and saw Beck sitting close to her with his hand resting on her knee. They leaned toward each other while they talked. She looked comfortable. Open. Nothing like the way she acted around me.

Her hazel eyes turned cold the moment she noticed me standing there.

“Nia. A word,” I said.

Beck pulled her into a tight hug and whispered something close to her ear. She smiled at whatever he said. Then he walked

away.

Nia followed me to my private room but kept several steps between us. She leaned against the table and crossed her arms

14:33

Tue,

EXTA

Chapter 8

tight over her chest.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I asked. “I told you not to talk to anyone around here.”

“He is your brother Maddox. You cannot be serious right now.”

“I am serious. You can talk to him if you want but keep your hands to yourselves in public. No touching. No getting that close.”

“You do not own me,” she snapped. She jabbed her finger hard into my chest. “You have no right to order me around like this.”

I grabbed both her wrists fast and pinned them behind her back. I stepped between her legs and pushed her against the table. Our bodies pressed close. Her chest rose and fell quickly against mine. I could feel the heat coming off her skin.

“You don’t get it,” I said.

“Then explain it instead of acting like a caveman.”

My jaw ticked.

“Out there?” I jerked my head toward the hallway. “You don’t get to be… accessible.”

Her eyes flashed. “Accessible?”

“Yeah. Smiling. Letting guys get close. Touching you like-”

“He’s your brother.” She repeats.

“Doesn’t change the optics.”

“That’s not what this is about.”

She said it too fast. And that told me everything. I leaned in a fraction closer. Not touching. Just there. I moved my mouth lower and grazed my teeth along her earlobe. Nia shivered hard against me. Her breathing got heavier. I felt her pulse racing under my fingers. For a second I almost wanted to kiss her neck, about sliding my hand under her shirt and feeling more of her. The smell of her fruity scent filled my head and made it hard to think straight but then stopped.

I forced myself to step back before I lost control. My body stayed tense and my hands still wanted to touch her.

“Then what’s it about, Nia?”

Her breath hitched.

For a second-just a second-her eyes dropped to my mouth.

And that was it. That was the crack.

“You don’t control me,” she said, but her voice had lost some of its bite.

“I control the situation,” I corrected. “Six months. That’s the deal”

“And that gives you the right to manhandle me?”

My gaze flicked to her lips again.

Wrong move.

I stepped back instantly, dragging a hand through my hair like I needed the distance.

14:33 Tue, Jul 7 M

Chapter S

“Don’t twist it,” I muttered. “I’m protecting the image.”

She let out a short laugh. “Funny. Because it didn’t feel like that.”

Silence stretched.

“There is a glam squad waiting outside. They will get you ready for our shoot later today.”

“What shoot?” she asked. Her voice sounded a little breathless.

“The cover for Chatelaine magazine.”

騎

Her eyes went wide. “Chatelaine? The biggest magazine in Canada? I have never done a real professional shoot before Just my college graduation pictures.” She started pacing around the room. Her hands moved nervously as she talked

“That is why I hired help. Go get ready.” I opened the door.

Tan France stood there with his bright smile and stylish outfit. Nia’s mouth fell open in shock.

“Come on honey. I promise I will make you look fabulous.” Tan took her arm gently and led her away.

I changed into my midnight black three piece suit and left the tie off. I never wore them. This whole shoot was just to sell the story. We had not done many public appearances together since the announcement. We would need to fix that soon with a real event.

In the studio the photographer introduced himself. “Mr Kane. I am Jose and I will be shooting you today.”

We shook hands.

The sound of heels clicked across the floor. I turned and my stomach dropped. The studio went quiet when she walked in.

Not silent. Just… paused. Like everyone needed a second to recalibrate.

So did I.

Nia didn’t just look good.

She looked like she belonged somewhere I couldn’t touch.

Nia looked incredible. The leather corset top hugged her waist tight and pushed her chest up in a way that made it hard not to stare. The sheer lace skirt had a high slit that started at her waist and ran down one leg showing smooth skin with every step. Her chocolate brown hair fell straight and shiny down her back. She didn’t belong in my world. And somehow, she fit into my arms too easily and completely out of my league.

“Does she not look beautiful, Mr Kane?” Tan asked with a big grin.

I didn’t answer right away.

I didn’t trust my voice to come out right.

“… Yeah,” I said finally, low. “She does.”

Her eyes flicked to mine. One brow lifted. Like she knew exactly what that look meant.

“I guess that counts as a compliment.”

“Chop chop people,” Jose called. “Let us get this done.”

We stood under the hot bright lights feeling completely awkward. I did not know where to put my hands. Nia kept shifting

14:3

Tue, Jul

Chapter S

her weight from one foot to the other. The slit in her skirt kept opening and she tried to hold it closed with one hand

Jose shook his head. “Come on amigos. Give me something real. Ma’am stand in front of him. Mr Kane pur both hands on her hips. Yes, like that.”

Nia stepped close. She took a slow deep breath then leaned back against my chest and rested her head on my shoulder Her body felt warm and soft. The leather corset pressed against me. I could feel her breathing fast

Jose clapped his hands. “Positions!”

We stepped under the lights. Too bright. Too hot. Too close.

“Relax.” Jose said. “You two look like strangers.”

If only he knew.

Nia shifted beside me, adjusting the slit of her skirt again.

“Good,” Jose said while the camera clicked fast. “Turn your head toward her a little Mr Kane. Now kiss her forehead. Hold her like you mean it,”

Like I mean it.

Right.

My grip tightened. Not enough to hurt. Just enough to claim space. Her head tilted slightly, resting near my shoulder Her hair brushed my jaw.

Vanilla.

Something softer underneath.

Not perfume. Just… her.

“Now,” Jose continued, “look at her.”

I turned.

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