Page 204 of Things Left Unsaid

“How about that’s a conversation we have when we’re in the right place for it, hmm?”

“But the contract?” I half squeak.

“Fuck the contract.” He kisses me. “Fuck the Seven Cs. Fuck the Bar 9. Let’s havethis.Here. Now. Us.”

Because I never wanted anything more in my life, I nod. “It might be too late.”

His gaze never leaves mine. “I’ll use protection in the future.”

“What if?—”

“We deal with what comes.” His jaw firms. “No divorce, Zee. Be herefreely. I’ve already paid off the Bar 9’s debts. Yourgrand-mèrewon’t lose her home and neither will the triplets. Be with me of your own free will or don’t be with me at all.”

Swallowing, I start to answer but he shakes his head.

“Think about it. Think about what being my wife for real means. Because once we agree that this isit, you’re mine.”

His words make me melt, but I’m a modern freakin’ woman. If I let him get away with murder this early on, there’ll be no saving him down the line.

“You can’t base this off of a hookup,” I spout.

“I told you earlier—men are forever late to the party. We always clicked. It was the age gap that screwed things up for us. Rightfully so. But if you’d been in my class, I’d have had a ring on your finger?—”

“I was a McAllister!”

“I want to say that I’d have dealt with the outcry, but I wouldn’t have had the balls until I was eighteen. Still, that’s what I’d have done. You’d have been mine then and there and we’d probably have three or four kids roaming the ranches by now.” His large palms tip my head backward. “Think about it.”

I am.

Three ofhiskids.

God, I’ve never wanted kids in my life. Not outside of duty. But the prospect of?—

My throat bobs but he shakes his head. Again. “Tomorrow.”

I scowl. “I can make up my own mind!”

“I’m not letting you think up ways to end this in the future. I’m giving you the time and space to decide because, baby, if you’re not readyor willingfor me to claim you as my wife, then this thing’ll burn out before it’s had a chance to begin.

“I meant it when I said that once I make you mine, there’s no going back. Do you hear me?”

Oh, I heard him.

So did my heart.

Every part of me knows I should reject his Neanderthal-like stance, but mostly, I’m overwhelmed that Colton is saying these things tome.

Aboutus.

And here’s where I get my proof that, despite Tee’s claims, masochism isn’t my jam. Because maybe Ishouldwant to make him pay, make him earn my forgiveness, but why would I do that when it would shove distance between us?

Ten years was distance enough.

I just want him.

Forever, him.

Reaching between us where I can feel his cock twitching into hardness, his own words turning him on as much as they do me, I straddle him and bring our sexes together.

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