Page 7 of To Have and To Hold

“I don’t have time for this, Colin. Just give me back my shares. They mean nothing to you, and I have worked very hard to get this company going and where it finally is today.” He shrugged, his face set and fuelling her to anger. She spat, “ Thiswill never work; I loathe the sight of you and your touch, and my expressions will give it away.”

Colin moved fast; she was flat on her back with his chest pressing her down into the mattress and his hard cock, making a home between her now open thighs.

His rocked against her core and she had to suppress a moan, he smirked knowingly.

“How about I sweeten the pot? You agree to marry me, after we are seen out in public dating for a bit and then I will propose. I will not only give you back your shares as a wedding gift, but I will also invest money into this company. You are having a bit of a cash-flow problem, my dear fiancée.” He announced this like a cat that swallowed the canary.

Coco groaned internally because he not only had the shares that she’d needed to give away as collateral, but he also knew of her small financial problem. She’d recently sunk a lot of her profit that she made up last quarter into the new line of children care and hair products she was trying to launch but there had been some delayed issues with getting the testing done and the product ready for market. Her company would be back on track in a couple of weeks when the new line went to market. She had written up a new business proposal and was going to the bank to see if she could get another business loan or extend the amount of the original one. She decided she needed to extend herself with this money right now to pay him out and get the shares back.

“You went through my drawers in my desk.” She accused him, trying to push the beast off her.

In response, he rocked his hips from side to side, the press of his hard cock rubbing against her clit and she had to bite back another moan. Of course, Colin was playing dirty.

“Listen, we dated for a brief time a long time ago and went our separate ways. I don’t know you and you sure as hell don’t know me, and the first time I marry, it won’t be to an asshole of a stranger. Now get off. I will give up my company beforeI. Marry. Your. Ass.”

Despite the force of her voice, she balked when she realized what she’d just done. She was known for being stubborn and would not back down; she pushed her chin up, biting her lower lip to keep it from quivering and for him to see her regret and pounce again on her weakness.

Because now instead of giving her the shares back, if he invested his money into her company, he would have a greater leverage of getting what he wanted and could interfere with the direction and growth of what she had planned for the next couple of years.

She could not believe that a twist of fate had Colin owning her shares and that Michael, Zahara’s brother-in-law, had acquired them from the bank when he took over her loan. Passing them off to Colin as some sick revenge on her for trying to help Ambra out.

Coco learned the hard way that the Brooks family could be ruthless when they wanted to be, as was the Norris family, especially Jacob, Colin, and the twins. Jacob and the twins were known for their business acuity and making waves in the corporate sector, and Colin for his restaurants and culinary skills.

He gave her a look that said she was being melodramatic, and she narrowed her eyes. Squinting so hard to try and make him disappear from her sight and bed.

He sighed, his voice now sounding cajoling. “Please, I need your help. This is important. I wouldn’t have come to you if it wasn’t.”

“What, why do you need my help for? Seriously. And can you get off me?”

He rolled off her and looked up at the ceiling, his jaw clenching back and forth. Sadness etched into his face as he stared; she turned to face him, suddenly not liking seeing him this way. The arrogance she could fight, but a sad Colin was always her downfall.

“My grandfather has developed a degenerative disease that will take his life within a year or two, depending on how long treatment can slow it down. He wants to see us all happy and married, settled with someone we love, and who loves us in turn. My grandfather is an old-fashioned romantic and thinks that marrying someone, somehow, will complete us.” He snorted, but then turned to look at her, his eyes dark and serious.

“I love that sentimental old man, and I want to give him that; my brothers want to give him that and we will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Because we owe him everything.” He now was close to her again.

“Help me to make that happen and in turn, I will help you get this company of yours to a level you only thought of in your dreams. You will also have the Norris name, which will open doors for you and for your sister. Who I know is trying to get into a fellowship program with Harvard Medical School.”

“My sister doesn’t need any help—her accreditation, references, and GPA speak for themselves.” She moved away, fed up with him.

He shrugged and just pulled her close anyway. She blew air out in a huff; for someone so cold, he was always touchy-feely. The man took getting into character on a whole new level. He nuzzled her neck and with his voice sounding deeper from emotion. “Please, I promise it will be over soon, and you can go your own way at the end when he is gone.”

She couldn’t believe she was even contemplating it now. “I don’t want to sound heartless, but you said a year and that is all you get.”

“I said a year or two. So, you agree to do it?” A smile spread across his lips.

“I didn’t say that either.”

“Yes, you did, just now even though you didn’t verbally say yes, but I can tell you are agreeing, and you can’t back out now. You said early that we don’t know each other, but you were wrong. I know once you say you will do something, you keep your word.”

Her lips firmed.

“I know how smart, determined, stubborn, loyal, and caring woman you are. And that hasn’t changed since high school. I also know that you haven’t seen anyone in a while as you have been busy working on building your brand and company.”

Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “So, you see you’re not the only one that kept tabs.” He teased.

His eyes were darkening in color, and she began to lose herself in their depth as he continued. “I remember how soft your skin felt.” He dragged his finger down her cheek, and she shivered at the friction of his finger pad across her skin. “Iremember your accent would come out during times of stress or anger.” His lips quirked up.

“I remember the feel of these luscious lips against mine. And I remember the taste of your sweet pussy on my tongue and lips.” He moved, his head lowering and she wanted to give in and sink into the kiss she knew was coming, but if she did, she would be lost and heartbroken again when it all ended. She lifted her hand, pressing her finger against his lips.

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