Page 55 of Emergence and Ascendance

"Try."

"You're not what I expected."

"In what way?"

"You're beautiful of course, sexy as hell, but I can find that anywhere. I think the thing I like the most is you're confident but when we were together last night, you surrendered beautifully. It's hard to explain but I'm attracted to both."

"That's not a reason to want a contract. You've been attracted to women before, Christian." The tightness in her voice brought a smile to my face. She was jealous with the thought of me being attracted to other women. It made me so fucking happy that she was being territorial because she was invested regardless of whether or not she was willing to accept that she was.

"Yeah, I have, but finding someone who matches and challenges me is different."

"So this is about the challenge?"

"Part of it, yeah, but it's also about chemistry. We have it, Scotlyn. Denying that shit would be pointless."

"Chemistry doesn't always mean compatibility."

"True but this isn't just about compatibility. It's more or less finding someone who aligns with your specific needs andenjoying it for what it's worth. Your time here and with me is temporary. We both get to enjoy the chemistry until this contract ends, and at this point in my life, that's really all I can commit to." I kept my eyes trained on hers, waiting.

"You make it sound too damn simple."

"Because it is. Come on, I'll show you the rest of my wing and we can tour the rest of the house after you get settled." We moved through the rest and she had the cutest smile on her face the entire time, like she was trying to mentally catalog everything. She wouldn't right away. Each wing was five thousand square feet and I still didn't know every inch of it and I'd lived here all my life.

"The outdoor pool connects here." I pointed to glass doors that led to a patio. "It's heated year-round."

"Definitely an experience." She grinned and I chuckled, nodding.

"Like I said, extra as fuck."

We walked back toward her room and Scotlyn was yawning. Either it was the wine or she was overwhelmed but that was cool. I needed time to think about what the hell I was doing.

"Tired?"

"It's been a long day."

"You're anxious about this?"

She glanced at me and frowned. "This is a lot?"

"You second guessing?"

"I'm absolutely second guessing but I'm also not going to change my mind."

"Good because I have a lot of plans for you that I know you're going to thoroughly enjoy."

She narrowed her eyes and grilled me hard. "You're not helping."

"I wasn't trying to. I was acknowledging your feelings and my plans."

As soon as we made it back to her room, I had a text from Miles. I responded, telling him where to meet us.

"Your things have arrived. Miles is about to bring them up."

She nodded, looking even more overwhelmed. I almost fucking laughed because I would bet everything I owned she was trying to remember the layout of my wing to consider her getaway options. I decided to ease her mind.

"Scotlyn." I waited until she met my eyes. "Everything that happens between us will be consensual. You control how far this goes, both professionally and personally."

"Do I? You're the Dom."

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