"About what?" she asks finally.
"I have a new proposition for you."
***
When the limousine I’ve sent drops Sophie off in my driveway, looking bewildered and tired, I’m thankful that her parents live a few hours north of Los Angeles. It means I should be able to keep her here at least through the night. She will have to hear me out.
Stepping out into the sunlight, I greet her beside the car. My fists clench uselessly at my sides as the realization that she’s not mine to take into my arms slams against me. I lift her bag from the brick walkway and force a smile onto my lips. "Thank you for coming."
She nods. "Thank you for sending the limo. That really wasn’t necessary." She twists the ring on her thumb, obviously curious about why I’ve summoned her here when things seem like they’re over between us.
"Let’s go inside."
I let her walk ahead, appreciating the way her round little behind sways enticingly. I follow like a puppy on a leash.
Once inside, Sophie is all tentative steps and unsure glances. Deciding it’ll be best to cut to the chase about why I’ve brought her here, I lead her into the den. The same room where I brought her that first night. Memories of her on her knees before me, taking my thick cock into her mouth and sucking me off with such skill and enthusiasm causes my dick to harden instantly. Fuck.
I take a breath and clear my throat, hoping that her eyes don’t wander to the front of my trousers. "Have a seat."
Sophie complies, sitting carefully at the edge of the sofa. I wonder if the memories of that first night are burned into her brain as thoroughly as they are into mine. Despite my efforts, I’m unable to get the visual of her full pink mouth wrapped around the head of my cock out of my mind. The way her tongue teased down the length of my shaft and her hand curled around my base, stroking as she sucked me deep into her throat.
My needy erection zaps all my concentration and it takes me a moment to realize Sophie is speaking.
"Colton?" she blinks up at me, drawing me from the x-rated show currently playing in my head.
"I’m glad you came," I say.
She chews on her lower lip, almost as nervous as the first time I brought her home. Her gaze sweeps around the room and her spine is as straight as an arrow. She doesn’t want to let her guard down and I assume it’s because she doesn’t trust herself with me. Good to know. I don’t trust myself either.
"Can I get you anything? Wine? A bottle of water?"
She shakes her head. "What did you want to discuss? You were kind of vague on the phone."
She’s right. I was vague –mainly because I had no idea what I could say to persuade her. I knew I needed to see her eyes – to read her expression in order to craft my proposal. And the nervous, unsure girl I see sitting before me means I need to proceed with caution. I’d considered pushing her, convincing her how good we are together physically and persuading her to be with me the way I know she wants. But now I see that I need to employ a different method, because watching her walk out that door again is not an option.
"I know I fucked up by keeping my marriage from you. In my eyes, it’s over, and has been for years. The only thing missing is a couple of signatures on a piece of paper. But still, I see now how that hurt you. It was a dick move." She nods, meeting my eyes. I lick my lips and continue. "But I don’t think that my past means all this has to come to an end."
"What are you proposing?" she asks, her voice is tentative and slightly breathless.
I want to fuck you. To dominate your days and nights, and occupy your every waking thought – just like you occupy mine. "I want you to stay."
Her brows pinch together as she quietly watches me. She’s not flat out rejecting the idea –it’s a start.
Sophie
I watch Colton sitting across from me, his tall frame neatly folded into the arm chair. His breathing remains deep and steady while my own heart thumps like a hammer, causing my chest to heave.
The truth is I have no idea what I’m doing here, why I’ve agreed to come. If I’m honest it’s because this man has some magnetic pull over me. I’m totally and completely unable to give him up, despite my intentions to stay away. And for some strange reason, I feel the slightest bit guilty that I'd walked out on our agreement before fulfilling my obligation. He never got what he paid for and that little detail is something I cannot easily forget.
He pulls a fortifying breath into his lungs and leans in slightly toward me. I know if he pulled me into his arms and kissed me, I’d be unable to resist and I find my gaze fluttering between his lips and his eyes as I wait for him to speak.
Finally, he does.
"I recall you saying that you liked having something of your own – living away from home and being independent for the first time," Colton says.
I remember the conversation well. It was one of the first times we sat down to a dinner prepared by his chef in the quiet dining room. I spoke too freely, bared too much of myself. But something in me likes that he remembers it with such detail. Not that I’m surprised, Colton exercises such authority over every facet of his life, of course he remembers.
"And I think you know that I liked having you here," he admits.
I nod in silent acknowledgement. What is he saying? We can’t possibly continue dating, if that’s even what we were doing. He’s married. And he lied to me about it. Can I even trust him?
"And I know Kylie would love for you to come back to work with her."
"Colton?" I ask, finally, my brows pinching together.
"There’s no reason we can’t remain friends."
"Friends?" My voice comes out too high as the shock of his suggestion whips through me.
His dark eyes roam over my face and he gives a slight nod, his mouth only hinting at a smile.
I have no idea what game he’s playing at, but friends? Is that even possible for two people so attracted to each other?
As if reading my thoughts, Colton continues. "There’s no reason this needs to come to an end, Sophie. I enjoy your company, and I think you feel the same. You can continue living here, we can take things between us slowly while I sort out my past and see where this goes."
"And our arrangement?" I ask.
His impish grin lights up his entire face. "Friends, as in no sex. Our agreement is off."
My belly twists as I realize I am no longer a hired sex slave, and an unwelcome sense of disappointment startles me. "I’m returning the money then."