Chapter 20

Eliza

I fully expected Coleson’s space to be stereotypically male, but it’s not.

The walls are a whitewashed brick, and on one wall, a pair of French doors is centered between two huge windows that look onto a balcony with an incredible view of the mountains. To the side of one window is a room that I assume is the bathroom. It’s larger than I expected, and when I peek in, I see why. The walls are a charcoal gray with a single sink and a toilet that isn’t enclosed.

Fear burns deep in my soul, but I push it down. I’ll just make sure to lock the door. He won’t come in. I look away quickly and then notice that what takes up the most space in the room is the massive glassed-in shower with a bench to sit on.

I could ride Coleson as water poured down on us.

Not that I will.

But I could.

I push aside that thought and see a basket placed beside the toilet with all kinds of feminine products. How thoughtful. There is even a vase of roses by the sink. That’s super sweet. I move out into the living room, where he has a huge sectional and a massive TV hanging on the wall. The kitchen is small, with only an island to eat at, but it has all the best equipment.

Then there is the bed.

Where I’ll sleep next to Coleson.

The gray comforter on the king-size bed ties the space together. Loads of pillows are piled on top, and in front of the bed is a basket with a stack of throw blankets inside. Night tables sit on either side of the bed, but one is newer than the other. I can tell because it still has a tag on it. Surely he didn’t go out and buy it for me. But I have a feeling he did.

“If there is anything else I don’t have that you want, I’ll get it right away. Just make me a list,” he says from where he’s leaning on the kitchen island. I look over my shoulder at him. I bite my lip as I nod, still taking in the apartment. “If you don’t like something, we can change it too.”

His kindness is overwhelming and only makes me feel worse for the things my family said.

He’s a slut.

He’s going to hurt you.

He doesn’t even know how to be a decent person, let alone a husband.

Why are you helping him?

This is why. Coleson is kind, he is good, and I know that deep in my soul. Helping him isn’t a burden; it’s a pleasure because I know he won’t intentionally hurt me. They don’t know him like I’ve come to know him. They’re focusing solely on the rumors and not who he is inside. I want to know all of him and more. But most of all, I want my family to accept him. I don’t know how I’m going to accomplish that, but I know it’ll happen. He’ll charm them, I’m sure he will, and he’ll prove he’s not the person they’ve assumed he is.

“It’s really nice, Coleson. Thank you.”

It pleases me when his face flushes, but when he sends me a shy smile, his dimples appearing, I’m breathless. God, he’s beautiful. I want to climb him, kiss his mouth, and run my fingers through his hair. I want his hands all over me. Touching me, squeezing me, making me his. Heat rushes through me and goes directly between my legs. I press my lips together and look away, wishing like hell he didn’t have that effect on me. The smart thing would be to ignore this burning desire he causes and treat him as a roommate.

But I want him.

“I’m glad you’re happy with everything. But really, let me know if you want anything else or if you want me to change something.”

I nod. My pussy is throbbing, and while I know I should ignore her to unpack, I can’t help my need to feel something other than hurt. I am so upset with my family, and I don’t want to feel that any longer. I want to feel all the things that Coleson can give me. Can I tell him that? Should I make the move? I could just get naked and hope he takes the hint. Let’s be honest; the attraction between us is intense, and I know he’ll be on me before my panties hit the floor. I’ve been honest from the top. I know what I want, and I want him. I can tell him that and know he’ll take care of me.

Licking my lips, I let my eyes go a bit heavy-lidded as I look back at him. I channel my inner seductress and pray she gives me the confidence I need. “So?—”

“Oh! I forgot your present.”

My eyes widen, and excitement coils in my stomach. “Present?”

“Yeah,” he says with a sly grin. He goes to the new night table and opens the drawer. He pulls out a pink velvet box, and I cock my head. What the hell did he get me? A ring?! Did he buy me a ring? I can’t even!

He comes toward me, and his grin widens as his eyes meet mine. Heat swirls deep in those bright-blue eyes, and gone is the excitement, replaced by desire. He holds the box out to me, and I take it, surprised by how heavy it is. I glance up at him through my lashes, entranced by how he is watching me. His eyes are dark, hooded, and intent on me. My hands shake a bit as I lift the top, and when I see what’s inside, I blink.

“You got me a vibrator?” I ask, meeting his gaze.

He nods, visibly proud of himself. “Yeah, I know you want to come daily, and this will do it for you.”

I narrow my eyes. “I wanted you to make me come.”

I don’t miss the way his hands fist at his sides or how his jaw tightens. His voice is rough as he answers, “I will with this. I figured you can use it, and I can watch if you want and guide you through it. I don’t know that it’s a good idea for me to use my hands or tongue on you.”

My knees go weak at the thought of his tongue on me. “So, you won’t touch me?”

“No,” he says, his voice gravelly. “I think this is the safest way to keep feelings at bay. I’m only thinking of you.”

“Are you now?” I blurt out, closing the box with a loud snap. I slam the vibrator into his chest. “I don’t need it.”

“But—”

“If I wanted a vibrator, I’d buy myself one.”

“But it’s from me, for you to use.”

“I don’t want it,” I insist, feeling a little defeated. Did he trick me? No. He said he’d get me off, and he would if I used that stupid thing. But I don’t want it. I want his real cock. I want his mouth. I want his hands. Oh my God, I want to hit him with the box!

“You’re upset.”

“Furious,” I snap, turning from him to go over to my boxes. “I don’t want to come with a toy, Coleson. I wanted to come with you. Given your actions, it’s obvious you don’t want the same. I get it. Whatever.”

Before I can walk away, he snakes his arms around me. I try to pull away, but he presses his lips to my ear and I go still. His breath is hot, his lips dangerous as he holds me in place. He splays his hand across my belly, and he whispers, “Stop.”

“Cole—”

“Wife,” he demands, and my pussy weeps for him. “Don’t ever let it cross your mind that I don’t want you.”

I take a deep breath. “Then why the toy?”

He hesitates and I wait. But he doesn’t answer me. Instead, he runs his lips along the shell of my ear and whispers, “Can I show you what I mean when I say I want you to use this toy?” My eyes drift shut, my heart slamming against my ribs. Unable to speak, I only nod, but then his teeth sink into my lobe and I’m crying out. He soothes the bite with his tongue, and against my ear, he requests, “I need your consent.”

Catching my breath, I say, “Yes.”

I feel his lips curve against my ear, and then he guides me backward, not putting space between us. The backs of my legs hit the bed before he lowers me down, our eyes locking with so much heat between us, I feel like I’m burning everywhere.

“Lift your skirt.”

His request has me gushing between my legs, and I have to squeeze my thighs together as I do as he asks. His eyes travel up my thighs, the weight of his gaze so damn suffocating. I’m lost as he opens the box and takes out the toy. “Slide those panties off.” My mouth is dry as I hook my thumbs into my lace panties and lift my ass to draw them down my legs. They fall to my ankles, but before I can pull them off, he snatches them and brings them to his nose. He inhales deeply, his eyes falling shut. The groan that leaves his lips almost has me coming right then and there. I watch as his good pupil blows out, his eyes more dark blue than bright as he looks down at me with such hunger. He licks his lips, tucking my panties into his back pocket and leaving me to squirm under his heated gaze.

“What are you going to do with my panties?” I find myself asking, needing to calm myself before I combust under his gaze.

“Whatever the fuck I want.”

“Don’t sell them on Snifffr.”

He chuckles, a smile curving at his lips in that way I crave. I love when he smiles, but I love even more when he’s all filthy, just for me. “No one but me will be allowed to enjoy your scent until my year is up,” he murmurs, his eyes intent on me and knocking every single breath out of my body. “Now, open those legs and show your husband that gorgeous pussy.”

I squeeze my thighs together as he reaches for a barstool at the island and drags it to the end of the bed. “Are you going to touch me?”

He shakes his head before sitting down and leaning forward on his knees. Disappointment flares inside me until he bites out. “No. I won’t have to.”

My breath catches, and heat floods my pussy. “What?”

“Open your legs. Now,” he says in a low and dangerous way that has me doing just that.

As I spread my legs for him, my eyes refuse to leave his face while he watches each movement I make. When I’m completely exposed to him, he licks his lips, a predatory look on his handsome face.

And I’m ready to be hunted.