Chapter 4 #3
“I think I hold all the cards. One simple text to the right person and this entire operation goes down.” I shift in my seat and cross my legs, the short robe opening and leaving very little to the imagination.
Sebastian’s gaze moves to my legs, and his eyes trail over my body.
They’ve always been my best asset. When he finally looks up at my eyes again the hunger in his make heat pool low in my stomach and my heart race.
His eyes see everything and I can get lost in them, but I need to focus.
“Look, it’s clear not all of the women here are aware of the full terms. I can make it look very bad for you.” I cross my arms, and the robe gapes, exposing my other assets. While not planned, it is beneficial.
“Change it,” Sebastian says without blinking.
“Mr. Drake, are you sure?” Margaret stutters.
“I’ll agree to the change in terms,” he says with a slight nod and a smirk.
“And during the two years?” I ask. “What exactly are you expecting?”
Sebastian exhales slowly, sending a shiver down my back.
“Everything, Lennox. Your time, your attention, your body. You’ll live where I tell you, go where I tell you, be who I need you to be.
In public, you’ll be the perfect wife, charming, elegant, obedient.
In private…” His eyes drag over me slowly.
“In private, you’ll be whatever I tell you to be. ”
The pooling in my belly drops down to my core. Fuck I’m getting wet, this man is a walking aphrodisiac. But I keep my face blank and my back straight.
“No permanent markings, or anything that will leave marks on my body to remind me of the two years of utter disappointment when it’s over,” I say. “That’s my one condition. You can have everything else, but you don’t get to damage me permanently.”
“Of course,” he answers easily, like it’s nothing. “I’m not going to physically harm you, Lennox. I will possess you. There’s a difference.”
I’m not sure there is, but I don’t argue.
I pick up the pen and sign the marriage license.
Kathryn Lennox Briggs, my handwriting stark and black against the white paper.
My mother named me after her, and I used to treasure that, but many years ago, it just became a reminder that the woman who was supposed to love me unconditionally was a narcissist who only cared about herself.
She’d always said that it was an elegant, graceful name and I would go on and do amazing things with it.
Instead, I’m signing myself up to be tied to this man for two years.
Then I sign the next page, and the next, and the next, until my signature is on every document in front of me.
Margaret gathers them all up with efficient movements, making copies, filing things in folders, and making everything official, legal and binding.
“Congratulations,” she says, sliding one final paper across the desk. “You’re now Mrs. Sebastian Drake. Please don’t forget about the contractual obligation of a wedding night.” She looks from me to Sebastian.
“What the fuck do you mean ‘wedding night’?” I hiss, and she stops shuffling her papers and looks at me.
“You must consummate the wedding tonight; well, before ten tomorrow morning, to be exact.” She folds her hands on the desk and waits. This must be more what she was used to from the women who have just signed their lives away.
I look at Sebastian, actually take him in.
His sharp jaw, days-old scruff on his face that looks a little too perfect.
His dark eyes that see more of me than I truly want him to.
He’s the most attractive man I have ever met, and under any other circumstance, I’d climb him like a tree and beg him to take me. But this is insane.
“And just how the fuck do you sons of bitches enforce that?” I ask, not caring if anyone is too delicate for the language. He wants a tough rancher’s daughter; he’s going to get one.
“I will meet with all the couples tomorrow morning with a doctor and make sure the night happened, and then I’ll file your marriage license with the state.
” Her face turns red, and I shift my gaze to Sebastian.
I’m not sure how I feel about the fact I seem to be aching for him to touch me, but God I want him to.
the night happened, and then I’ll file your marriage license with the state.” Her face turns red, and I shift my gaze to Sebastian. Against my better judgement, I can feel the heat pooling in my belly. I’m not sure how I feel about the fact I seem to be aching for him to touch me.
“And just how does that happen?”
“You’re marked. The doctor will check.” His voice is eerily calm.
“You’ve fucking lost your goddamned minds.”
Sebastian stands and moves behind me. “It’s what you agreed on,” he whispers in my ear, and the words hit me like a physical blow.
I was Mrs. Sebastian Drake now.
Not Lennox Briggs any more. Not Warren’s daughter or a fourth-generation Montana rancher’s heir. Just Mrs. Drake. Property. Possession. Wife.
He moves to my side and offers me his hand. “No need to change, we’ll use the private exit. Come on, wife. Let’s go home.”