Chapter 6 #2
"Your conditions are... ambitious," he said, his voice low and intense. "But I appreciate a partner who knows how to advocate for what they want."
My heart raced as I waited for his verdict. Colson reached out, his fingers gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. The touch sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.
"Very well, Josephine. Your conditions are accepted."
Relief flooded through me, but I kept my expression neutral. I knew this was only the beginning. I had won this small battle, but the war that was life with Colson Ashworth was just beginning.
As he reached into his desk drawer and pulled out the familiar white velvet box, removing the ring as he sat next to me.
He took my hand, and I held out my fingers.
The diamond was massive on my petite hand.
Once it was on, Colson didn’t let go, pulling me into his arms and pressing his lips to mine.
They were full of hunger and his tongue skimmed over my closed lips until I opened for him. I’d kissed very few boys in my life despite my age, his son being one of them. Colson’s tongue stroked mine as his arms tightened, pulling me closer to his body.
I placed my hands flat on his chest, felling the muscles ripple below them…and I moaned. He gripped the hair at the nape of my neck, holding me to him as he intensified the kiss. And then it was over. I was left breathless with my heart pounding in my chest.
Colson ran a cold finger over my cheek, looking in my eyes. “Now I have a request for you,” he whispered.
Tension built inside me. There was always a payment to the devil.
“Yes, sir,” I said softly.
He narrowed his eyes and smirked. “I want you to move into the mansion.”
I gasped. “But we’re not married yet,” I protested. I waited this long to lose my virginity, and I wanted to wait until our marriage was official.
Colson stroked my hair, tucking it behind my ear as he traced the rim with his fingertip.
“You misunderstand. You will have your own room until we’re married. I hope to facilitate our union this summer. I haven’t had a permanent partner to share my bed for many years and I need that to change.”
I gulped. Poppy Ashworth died twelve years ago. Colson wasn’t a man who dated one woman. My mother said he was always bringing different women into his home, but they never stayed overnight. He was an insomniac if the rumors were true, trolling the mansion at all hours of the night.
“My own room?”
“Yes. I won’t visit you at night unless you request me to be there.”
I wrung my hands and Colson placed his over them. “I’d prefer to stay in my house until we marry.”
He shook his head. “Not possible. I don’t want you far away from me.”
I frowned. “How would that be? I’m across the lawn.”
Colson ran a cold finger over my lips. “Sweet Josephine, once your parents no longer work for me, they will be required to move. I can’t have you living in town.”
My mouth dropped open. “Town? But that little house is our home.”
“Then you should’ve negotiated it. This is a lesson for you. With your father’s business and your brother’s promotion along with your mother’s new job, there should be plenty of money to rent a new place.”
Fuck. I hadn’t thought of our home, the one I spent my entire life in but would now have to move. There would be no more sitting under my favorite tree and reading one of my dog-eared copies of well-read books.
“But I thought…”
“Never assume, Josephine. Now go home and pack. I’ll have your room prepared and ready tomorrow.”
I ran my tongue over my bottom lip and Colson fixed his gaze there, watching me.
“And my family?”
“I’ll need to have a discussion with your father as to what equipment he will require and the purchase of said equipment will be handled immediately.
My attorney will take care of the paperwork.
I’ll place a call to Jean Paul Allard after you leave.
I’ll miss your mother’s cooking, the best in Windmere Haven. ”
I sighed. “And Logan?”
“He’ll have his raise and promotion come Monday. I keep my word, now I need you to keep yours.”
Colson rose from the chair next to me and held out his hand. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me once again. As his tongue stroked mine, he ran his fingers over my spine and goosebumps peppered my skin. He moved to my neck and finally up to my ear, sucking on the lobe.
“Are you a virgin,” he whispered.
I whimpered. There was no use for me to lie because he would find out I was on our wedding night. He slipped his hand into my hair.
“Tell me, Josephine. Has another man been inside you or were you saving yourself for marriage.”
“I…no,” I whispered.
“You’re a virgin then?”
I nodded as embarrassment flushed my cheeks.
“It’s perfectly okay. I like that no one has touched you before me.”
“I should go,” I choked out.
Colson let me go and I hurried out of his office, twirling the ring on my finger. Orville was waiting to walk me back home, but I held my hand up wanting to be with my thoughts. He tipped his head, and I practically ran out the front door.