“You could have simply asked me. This is private. You have my gynecological exam reports, too.”
It wasn’t that there was anything embarrassing in there, but it was a touch distressing to see my lack of sexual experience in black and white.
He raised his hands, but the grin on his face remained.
“Sorry. I was merely attempting to be thorough. After all, if we’re married, there’s no need to keep these things private.”
“Well, we’re not married, and maybe I don’t want your pompous genes to pass down to my children.” I flung the pen in my hand at his head, but he dodged it. I muttered under my breath, “Asshole.”
“Willow, be careful. I’m turned on by your filthy mouth.”
I guess I said it a little louder than I thought.
I grabbed another pen from his desk. The one I grabbed appeared to be quite expensive, and I was curious as to how aerodynamic it was.
He sat patiently, staring at me.
Always keeping an eye on me.
“Once you’ve finished your tantrum, you’ll notice we’re both perfectly healthy.”
His implication that I was acting juvenile infuriated me. “Nicholas, I’m not sure. I’m not sure you’ll be able to keep up with me. You’re getting on in years. It’s possible that I’ll have to look for something on the side.” I looked at him with a challenge in my eyes.
The scene was stunning.
His hands grabbed the corner of his desk, and my imagined depiction of his rage didn’t even come near reality. Angry eyes, tightened jaw, flushed cheeks, flaring nostrils, and unruly hair. His wrath was gorgeous, and most people would have been terrified by it.
It didn’t frighten me in the least. It seemed to give me a renewed sense of victory, instead.
I gave myself an internal high-five while smiling sweetly.
I think I heard him growl.
“You’re not going to do anything like that. Turn to the next sentence; it states clearly that we will be faithful to each other.”
I scanned over the pages, giggling at his reaction. It was, in fact, in there. He had considered every single detail.
I’m not sure I’d ever cheat in the first place. He didn’t need to know that it wasn’t me… yet.
“What if you don’t meet my expectations?” I inquired, taking in his tense body and heavy breathing with faux innocence.
I felt a flutter of tingles in my abdomen as he chuckled menacingly.
“I assure you that you will be completely satisfied. I’m guessing you’ll be the one attempting to keep up with my hunger.”
And he had thrown the bait out just like that.
I felt the need to grab his shirt and drag him over the desk. I had no doubt there would be zero problems in bed because of the way the man exuded sex. It was nevertheless enjoyable to play with him.
“I think we’ll have to wait and see.”
“We will, without a doubt.”
I went on to the next section, moaning once again at his oppressive behavior.
“Neither party will take contraception until after the birth of the first kid, and only then if both parties agree,” I read out.
He folded his arms and sat back in his chair.
“Does that pose a problem?”
“I guess not.” The fatigue in my own voice was audible.
I was reminded once more that this arrangement would remain devoid of affection; just to fulfill his needs.
“Can you tell me what you’re thinking?”
When I raised my eyes, I noticed that his expression had softened. I fidgeted with the pen, unsure whether or not to respond.
What if I expressed my concerns and received a hostile reaction?
“Doesn’t it concern you in the least? Going into this relationship without actually knowing or loving each other?”
He leaned forward once more. “I suppose I could have approached this in a more traditional manner, courting you until we were both confident in our future together. Patience, on the other hand, is not one of my strengths. I knew I wanted you from the first time I heard your voice. I didn’t want to wait any longer after reading your words. I was on the verge of booking a flight to see you, but only held back because Virgil urged me out of it.” He paused and grinned. “I’m sure you feel the same attraction to me as I do to you. Isn’t that how great loves begin? Attraction? And I believe we have chemistry far more than is required for this kind of thing ”
I blushed as I realized he was correct about the attraction. It made me feel better that he wasn’tt discounting the possibility that what we had may develop into love.
“All right,” I responded softly, more hopeful than ever that this might turn into a meaningful partnership.
We went on, with only one other clause in the contract causing me to pause.
“This bit about you having a right to make decisions on my behalf bothers me,” I informed him.
“That would only be used if I thought something was posing a threat to you.”
I shook my head at his explanation.
“What if your definition of threat differs from mine? I believe that I should have a say in all decisions that impact me.”
“You definitely will. I want this to be a collaborative effort.”
I had a sense we’d be arguing a lot about what he thought was best for me.
We sat quietly for a few minutes after finishing the last page.
“So, what are your thoughts?”
This was the moment of truth. It was now or never.
‘Do I take my tuition money and try to live a normal life, forgetting about Nicholas? Or do I take a bold step that might Either be my biggest mistake or the most gratifying experience of my life?’
I gazed into his yearning eyes and sensed deep down that this was exactly where I belonged.
“I… Yes.”