Trading for Love

10. Beginnings

Vincent POV

I watched Charlottes perfect bottom disappear around the corner, waiting for the click of her bedroom door. Once the faintest of clicks was heard I let out a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding. My body shook as my urges ran rampant for a moment. Charlotte was dangerous in more than one way.

She had been down right adorable as she chewed her lip, watching as I stitched up her hand. The flaming red of her cheeks had sent a pleasure wave through me when I ordered her to bed. Even the small look of confusion as she surveyed the halls for her bedroom had made a small smile cross my face. Not once during our whole encounter had she looked afraid though. Everyone short of my top security officials looked at me with fear. That was part of being who I was. Everyone feared me because they knew what I was and what I could do to them without a second thought, yet there was Charlotte.

Charlotte had watched me, curiosity in her eyes, scarlett cheeks from embarrassment, and even a small nod of thanks, not a single look of fear. Either that girl was fearless, or she had something greater than me to fear. Either way, I was going to find out which one it was.

I quickly set to sweeping up the smashed vase. I'm sure it had been expensive but that didn't matter to me. If anything it was one less thing to be careful of. There were so many decorative and fragile items scattered through the house it felt more like a museum than a home. It had never been this sterile when Mother and Father were alive. The whole house had been full of life and love. Every decoration holding a fond memory or telling a story of our lives.

I hadn't been able to stomach it all after their deaths. Every time I looked around it was like their happiness and dreams were slapping me in the face. My only stipulation to the decorator had been to put it all in storage with the hope that one day I would be happy to see those memories again.

With a deep sigh I swept the pile of glass into the dustpan before carrying it down the hall to the kitchen. I trashed it, storing the broom away in the cleaning closet.

Upstairs I paused in front of Charlottes door, listening for movement. I was met with only silence. Every fiber of my being was screaming for me to open that door to check on her but my rational side won out, reminding myself what an invasion of privacy that would be to come in with out her knowledge.

With a deep sigh I ducked into my own room. This was one of the only rooms in the house with any personal touches and they were more creature comforts than actual decorations.

My king four poster bed was against the far wall, black velvet curtains sheilding most of it from view. The black silk sheets and comforter to match made the whole area look like a cave rather than a bed. Along the opposite wall was my own personal library, gray over stuffed armchairs positioned in front of the over flowing shelves. The one wall that contained windows was also only made up of windows. Of course it was three inch bullet proof glass but none the less windows. They stretched from floor to ceiling, allowing all the light I could ever ask for. There were long curtains draped on each side but they were hardly ever drawn. Beyond my windows was the back garden, and beyond that the stables and arena. After that came more woods than any one person could explore in a month. It was all beautiful and completely private. It was the greatest perk of this room.

I crossed the room, sliding into bed, the space around me never feeling so vast and empty as it did now with Charlotte sleeping in the next room. There was only so much one man could take, and I had a fear that Charlotte was sure to be my undoing.

* * * *

Charlotte POV

I blinked the sleep from my eyes, slowing gauging the room around me. No, it definetly hadn't been a dream. I had been sure that as soon as I woke up I would find myself back at Andre and Lillians, my marriage to Anthony still happening. For the first time in my life, I was waking up in a strange place and was happy about it.

I glanced around the room, taking it in for the first time in the light. Everything was made over in navy blue and gray. The bed I had found myself tucked into yesterday had a blue comforter that matched the blue couch positioned in between two low book shelves. Beyond that was a window seat, with matching pillows as well. There were two doors along one wall, both of which I had figured out last night, the first being the bathroom that belonged in a luxury hotel. The second was a massive closet I wouldn't be able to fill even when I got my stuff from Ty's.

Speaking of Ty, I really needed to let him know what was going on. I had sent him a vague text the first night, just letting him know I was okay, but nothing since then. He would want to know that I had been almost married, not married, agreed to a contract marriage, and now living in a mansion with a mafia boss in the span of less than three days. Not to mention, I had a truck to return.

With a sigh, I kicked off the covers, grabbing up my duffel and heading for the bathroom.

The bathroom was wall to wall tan and brown tile. There was a glass walled shower in one corner, a deep claw footed tub situated to the left of it. There was a large vanity covering almost a whole wall, two sinks built into it. It was gorgeous but was nicer than even my own bathroom at home had been. This place was luxurious.

As I brushed my teeth I registered the corset I had tossed on the floor last night while I was changing. At the time I had thought the knots had just slipped loose and I had been freed but now on closer inspection I could see that wasn't the case.

Where the corset had been tied, the once intact laces, had been cut. Which left me with one question in the moment. Who had thought to free me from those confines?