Page 36 of Ensnared
I slipped my arm under the pillow, my mind racing. Colson stirred beside me, and without warning, he pressed a hard kiss to my lips, his grip on me firm.
“It’s nice to have someone in my bed again,” he murmured, his voice low and content.
“Just for tonight,” I whispered back, a warning more for myself than for him. If I kept sleeping in his bed, I knew I’d give in before our wedding night. I wanted to wait, to hold on to that one boundary for a little longer.
He exhaled, the sound heavy with resignation. “Very well.”
Then, as if it were a casual remark, he said, “I’ve set our wedding date for July twenty-fifth. At first, I was considering the end of August, but you’ve impressed me with your training.”
My heart skipped a beat. “That’s only a month away. I don’t even have a wedding dress,” I protested, my voice tinged with panic.
“You will,” he assured me, his tone calm and unwavering. “Evelina will be here tomorrow after your lessons with Velva and Luke. She’s selected several dresses she thinks will be perfect for your body type.”
“I want my mother to see them… help me make my choice,” I said, hoping for some semblance of normalcy in this whirlwind.
He kissed my forehead, a gesture meant to soothe but only deepened my unease. “That’s not possible. Jean Paul is keeping her busy. It seems all the Shaws are quick learners. She’s doing quite well at the bakery.”
I traced my hand over his chest, my nails lightly grazing his skin as I ventured into dangerous territory. “Colson, I want to see my family. Why are you keeping them from me?”
His fingers trailed along my throat, a touch that was both intimate and ominous. For a fleeting moment, I feared he might tighten his grip, a reminder of the domination he wielded so effortlessly in the limo.
“I didn’t want to disturb your focus,” he said, his voice smooth, almost comforting. “You’re doing so well.”
Before I could respond, he cupped my ass, pulling me closer until his leg was thrown possessively over my hip. The realization hit me—I wasn’t wearing panties, and he was cladonly in boxers. After my shower, he’d dressed me in one of his shirts, insisting I stay. Now, his cock was lodged between my legs, pressing insistently against my clit.
I clung to him, my resolve crumbling as he moved, thrusting upward with a slow, deliberate rhythm. His mouth claimed mine, swallowing my moans as he stoked the fire burning inside me. Each movement, each touch, was a reminder of his dominance, of the power he held over me.
And yet, despite the warning bells ringing in my head, I couldn’t help but melt into him, my body betraying me as it responded to his every command. I came with a soft cry, resting against him as my heart rate slowed to normal.
"You can see them this weekend," Colson murmured, his voice a low rumble in the quiet room. "Your brother should be home soon."
I tensed slightly, desperate for more information, for something that would make me feel less like a captive in this gilded cage. "Where do they live? Please, just tell me."
His hold on me tightened, his arm a vice around my waist. "One of my rental properties in town," he finally revealed.
It was the first real piece of information he’d given me about my family’s whereabouts. The truth settled in my mind, bringing a mix of relief and frustration. When my father had come to mow with his crew, I’d been at work, missing him by mere hours. Weeks had passed since I last saw my parents, and the need to reconnect with them gnawed at me.
I needed their support, their grounding presence, now more than ever.
The steady hum of the computer filled my office as I scrolled through research documents, trying to focus on the task at hand. I’d buried myself in work, hoping to escape the tangled mess of emotions and the suffocating control Colson had over my life. The numbers on the screen blurred, and I rubbed my eyes, taking a deep breath.
A sudden, soft click shattered my concentration. I looked up, my heart skipping a beat as I saw Vaughn silently closing the door, the lock clicking into place. He didn’t say a word as he stalked toward me, his expression unreadable, but there was a predatory gleam in his eyes that made my skin prickle.
“Vaughn,” I said, forcing a calm I didn’t feel. “Can I help you with something?”
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he came to a stop right in front of my desk, his presence looming over me like a dark shadow. “I heard you last night, Joey,” he finally said, his voice low and dangerous. “With my father.”
My heart pounded in my chest. The memory of Colson’s hands on me, his breath hot against my skin, flashed in my mind. I tried to push it away, to keep my composure. “Vaughn, I don’t know what you think you heard…”
“You have no idea what kind of man he really is,” Vaughn cut me off, his tone sharp as a blade. He leaned in closer, his hands gripping the edge of my desk. “You think you know him? You don’t. Not like I do.”
“I know exactly what Colson is,” I shot back, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. “I know he can be cruel, but I’ve also seen his tender side. He’s not the monster you want me to believe he is.”
A cold smile curled Vaughn’s lips. “Tender? Is that what you call it? Let me give you some advice, Joey. Before you go any further with him, let me take your virginity.”
My breath caught in my throat. “What?” I whispered, recoiling in disbelief.
“You heard me,” Vaughn said, his voice dripping with arrogance. “In the end, you’ll be mine anyway. Why not let me be the one to take what’s still pure before he ruins you completely?”
