Page 14 of Ensnared
With each step towards the looming manor, the distance between my old life and whatever Colson had in store for me seemed to grow. The warm glow from our small house receded behind me, a reminder of the simple life I might be leaving behind.
The manicured grass whispered beneath our feet, the only sound in the still evening air. Ahead, Ashworth manor grew larger, its windows gleaming like watchful eyes. My stomach churned with the homemade pizza my mother made and anxiety tore at my chest.
I followed Orville through one of the French doors leading into the ballroom where the party had been held just two weeks ago. The room looked entirely different now. The grand chandeliersabove were dimmed, casting a soft, intimate glow across the space. Flickering candles were scattered around the room, their warm light creating dancing shadows on the walls.
Suddenly, Orville was gone, disappearing as silently as a ghost, leaving me alone in the vast, eerily quiet room. I felt exposed, vulnerable. My palms were slick with sweat, and I discreetly tried to wipe them on my shorts. My mouth felt dry, parched, as if I'd been wandering in a desert.
"What is this?" I whispered to myself, the words barely audible even in the silence of the room. "Why am I here?"
As if in answer to my questions, the door on the far side of the room opened. Colson Ashworth strode in, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and trim waist. His crisp white shirt provided a stark contrast, and my eyes were drawn to his tie - a rich emerald green with an intricate pattern. My favorite color. Was that a coincidence?
I couldn't deny the objective truth - Colson Ashworth was a strikingly handsome man. His suit fit him like a second skin, highlighting his athletic build. His chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes gave him a look of power and authority that was undeniably attractive.
For a brief moment, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like to be drawn to him, to feel desire instead of fear. But as he approached, his predatory grace reminding me of a panther stalking its prey, that fleeting thought vanished. My heart began to race, not with attraction, but with a potent mixture of anxiety and dread.
Colson's lips curved into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Josephine," he said, his deep voice seeming to reverberate through the empty ballroom. "I'm so glad you could join me this evening."
I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "Mr. Ashworth," I managed to say, hating how small and uncertain I sounded. "What... what is this about?"
He came to a stop just a few feet away from me, close enough that I could smell his expensive cologne. "Why, Josephine," he said, his tone almost playful, "I thought that would be obvious. We're here to discuss your future."
I watched, stunned, as Colson reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew a small white velvet box. My heart began to race as he slowly lowered himself onto one knee before me. The room seemed to spin, and I had to remind myself to breathe.
"Josephine," Colson said, his voice low and intense, "I'm offering you a life beyond your wildest dreams. Will you marry me?"
He opened the box, revealing a ring that took my breath away. The diamond was enormous, at least four carats, set in a gleaming platinum band. It caught the candlelight, sending prisms dancing across the walls.
I stared at the ring, then at Colson, my mind reeling. I knew I had no real choice in this matter. This was what I'd been working towards, wasn't it? The security my family needed. But I never expected to find it with him. I thought I would do it myself. The words stuck in my throat.
To my utter shock, Colson spoke again. "I can see you're overwhelmed," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I'll give you twenty-four hours to make your decision."
I blinked, certain I'd misheard. "Twenty-four hours?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
Colson nodded, closing the box with a soft snap. He rose to his feet, tucking the ring back into his pocket. "Go home, Josephine. Think it over. Come see me tomorrow with your answer."
I stood there, frozen, trying to process what was happening. Just as I turned to leave, Colson's hand caught my arm. He gently pulled me towards him, his other hand cupping my face.
"One more thing," he murmured, before his lips met mine.
The kiss was passionate, intense, unlike anything I'd experienced before. Despite myself, I felt my body responding, a warmth spreading through me that both thrilled and terrified me. Colson's arms were strong around me, his scent intoxicating.
When he finally pulled away, I was breathless, my lips tingling. For a moment, I saw a flash of genuine emotion in his eyes, quickly masked by his usual disciplined expression.
“Go home, Joey,” he said softly.
This was the first time he ever called me by my nickname even though he’d known me the entire twenty-three years of my life. He turned on his heel and exited the ballroom, leaving me reeling with emotion.
As I walked home across the moonlit lawn, my mind was in turmoil. The kiss had awakened something in me, a dangerous curiosity about what life with Colson might be like. But I couldn't forget what I knew about him - his coldness, his cruelty, the way he wielded power like a weapon.
Could I handle life with a man like Colson Ashworth? Could I navigate the treacherous waters of his world without losing myself? As I reached my front door, I realized that the next twenty-four hours would be the most important of my life. Whatever decision I made, there would be no going back.
Chapter 6
I watched as my mother's tears fell silently, her shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs. My father's jaw was clenched tight, his fists balled at his sides as if he were fighting the urge to lash out at something, anything.
"I thought you were okay," my mother choked out between tears. "Colson doesn't take this long to make a decision."
Logan's hand found mine, squeezing tight. His eyes were wild with desperation as he spoke. "We can leave tonight. I have money saved up. We can go to Boston or Washington D.C."
