Page 30 of Colton
But I don’t argue. I can’t afford to, not now. Not when I need him just as much as he seems to need me.
“I guess we don’t have a choice,” I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to create some kind of barrier between us. But deep down, I know it’s futile. There’s no escaping Colton now—not here, not anywhere.
And God help me, I don’t know if I even want to.
The thought strikes like lightning, fast and unwelcome, but I shove it aside, locking it down before it takes root.
Because the truth is, I can’t afford to let myself care. Not about him or the way his touch lingers like fire.
Not when I have a plan, and it doesn’t involve falling under anyone’s control again.
Not his.
Especially not his.
Chapter 14
Colton
The fire crackles beside us, sending a warm glow over Mary’s face. She’s close, closer than she’s been in a while. The cold has a way of doing that, driving people together, seeking warmth. I wrap an arm around her under the blanket, feeling her tense briefly before she relaxes into my side. It’s a small victory; one I’ll take after the pushing and pulling between us.
I can’t help but watch her. The way the firelight dances in her eyes, the way her lips part slightly as she stares into the flames. She’s a puzzle I can’t figure out, and it’s driving me crazy. My gaze lingers on her, and I let my hand brush against hers under the blanket. A small touch. She doesn’t pull away.
Progress.
The sound of footsteps outside the cabin shatters the moment. I tense, my arm tightening around Mary as I sit up straight. Her eyes widen, questioning. I signal for her to stay quiet, my senses on high alert. There are multiple men’s voices drawing nearer, and judging by the tone of them, they’re not here for a friendly visit.
I quickly pull Mary to her feet, my mind racing. There’s only one option for hiding—the trapdoor leading to the basement. I grasp her hand tightly, leading her towards it. The tension between us shifts, morphing from sexual to urgent. We need to move fast, and we need to be silent.
Lifting the trapdoor just enough to slip through, I guide Mary down the ladder into the dark, cold space. The only light comes from the thin cracks above, casting eerie shadows. It’s freezing down here, but it’s our best chance to avoid detection. I pull the door shut behind us, enclosing us in darkness. No one knows about the basement because it’s mine. I created the trapdoor; I dragged the shitty mattress down there for when I needed to escape. There’s no way my father or his men should know about this.
The space is cramped, forcing us closer together. I can feel Mary’s breath on my neck, her heart pounding against my chest. My arms wrap around her, partly to keep her warm, but mostly because I can’t stand not touching her. It’s a primal need, one that’s only getting stronger the more time we spend together.
The silence is deafening. We’re both hyper-aware of each other, every tiny movement amplified in the dark. Mary’s heart continues to race, and I know it’s not just from fear. There’s something else there, something she’s trying to suppress. I can feel it, and it’s intoxicating.
The men linger above, their footsteps echoing through the cabin. Mary’s pulse quickens, her breathing becomes shallow. I stay calm, my hand resting on her thigh, reminding her that I’m in control. That she’s mine to protect. Mine to possess. Nothing will happen to her while she’s with me.
“They were here,” the voice from above grunts. “The fire is still warm. Spread out—they can’t be far.”
Mary and I lock eyes as the footsteps in the cabin fade, the tension between us shifts again. It’s darker, more primal. Myhand lingers on her thigh, my breath hot against her ear. I can feel her resistance crumbling, her body responding to mine despite her best efforts.
She wants me.
“No one else can have you, Mary,” I murmur, my lips brushing her neck. “Just me.”
She shivers, but it’s not from the cold this time. I can see the conflict in her eyes, the battle between desire and resistance. But she’s losing the fight, and I’m more than happy to take advantage.
I lean in, capturing her mouth with mine. She tastes like I thought she would—of desperation and addiction. The kiss is heated, filled with the pent-up tension that’s been building between us. She gives in, her body melting into mine as she kisses me back. The walls she’s tried so hard to maintain are finally beginning to crumble.
The kiss deepens, my hands roaming over her body. Her response is intoxicating, driving me further, pushing me to take more. I whisper against her skin, reminding her that she’s mine. That no one else can have her. It’s dark, possessive, but it’s what I feel. It’s who I am.
My hands grip her body so hard, she whimpers into my mouth, feeding my craving of owning her. I want to eat her whimpers, her moans, her pleas. I love how she kisses me. She wants this. She wants me.
But just as we’re on the brink of losing ourselves completely, the sound of footsteps returns. The men are back, still searching. I pull back, my expression dark.
Bastards. Fucking interrupting us.
I readjust myself, but the tension remains. Mary looks confused, her eyes filled with a mix of desire and uncertainty. She’s just a maid, she’s not meant to be fraternizing with me. I’m forbidden to her, maybe that’s why she looks so unsure. Butnow, things are complicated. She can’t deny the pull between us any more than I can.
