Chapter 8 A Resolute Decision
1429 Words
Mouth agape, Grace stared at Colton. She was so shocked that if she’d been standing, her now opened mouth would have touched the floor.
“You can give me the answer tomorrow when we go out.” The bed creaked as he stood.
“Go out?” Grace questioned..
“Yes. I’m taking you out to dinner.” Colton half turned to her. “Goodnight Grace.”
“Good night,” she told him for the second time, watching him walk away. The door closed with a soft click.
She lay backward and stared into the ceiling. Colton’s question plagued her mind.
He’d asked her to marry him. Her mind was conflicted because, on one hand, she barely knew him, and, on the other, if she married him, she had nothing to lose. He was easily the most handsome man she’d ever seen.
With a strong jawline, straight nose, natural pink lips, hazel eyes that can pierce through one’s soul and the broadest shoulders she had ever seen, he rivaled models.
She thought about him until exhaustion took over and she fell asleep.
Meanwhile in Colton’s room…
“Sh*t!” He cursed and leaned his back against the door.
He was so impulsive. He should have eased her into the idea instead of abruptly asking her and possibly scaring her away.
It was just that when he found out that he’d been her first, he felt like he needed to take responsibility for her.
He poured some scotch, wasting no time tipping it back, emptying the glass in one drink.
The liquor burnt his throat on its journey down his stomach. He climbed into his bed, blew out a breath and closed his eyes as he slowly drifted to sleep.
The next morning, Grace woke up as the memories of the previous days came to her.
She smiled remembering that Colton said he’d take her to dinner, but, there was one problem; she had nothing to wear.
Grace swung her legs over the side of the bed and walked to the bathroom slouchily, and did her business.
Putting on the dress she had on the previous night, she left her room and went down the stairs.
There were racks of clothes in the living room. She walked passed them not paying any attention to them.
The aroma of food and coffee hit her nostrils as she approached the kitchen, making her stomach growl loudly.
In the kitchen, Colton sat at the table reading a newspaper that covered half his body. He was in a suit.
“This is a lot of food,” Grace broke the silence. Colton closed the news paper and addressed her.
“Some of it will be donated to the homeless,” Colton said putting the newspaper aside.
Grace took a seat and started to put food on her plate. She poured a cup of the tantalizing coffee.
“I had clothes delivered for you,” Colton spoke interrupting the quietness.
So the clothes in the living room were hers?
She didn’t have to bother asking for a dress, but she didn’t know how to feel about him buying her so much clothes.
“Thank you,” she pursed her lips.
“I’ll be gone for most of the day. You can do as you please, but don’t go snooping in my things. We’ll leave for dinner at six,” Colton gracefully wiped his mouth and stood.
“I won’t snoop and I’ll be ready,” Grace said.
“Good.”
As soon as Grace heard Colton's car driving away, she rushed to find the clothes. There was everything that a woman could ever need. Including shoes and underwear.
Her eyes widened at the amount of digits she saw on the tags.
She chose a dress to wear later, then went on about her day.
For the rest of the day, Grace pampered herself, and making sure her skin was smooth and hair-free.
Kate, Colton’s maid, was very nice to her. She promised to do Grace’s makeup if she’d let her.
She fell asleep while reading a book she found in Colton’s library.
At four thirty in the evening…
She took her time getting ready, not wanting be late. Kate helped her as promised.
She made up Grace and helped her get into the body-hugging strapless red dress that stopped at her knees and had a zip at the back.
“I look good,” she said standing in front of the floor-length mirror.
“Yes, you do,” Kate agreed.
“Thanks,” Grace told her. They were interrupted by a knock on the door.
“I’ll get it,” Kate said and rushed to open the door.
Colton stood on the other side of the door wearing a three-piece tailor-made navy-blue suit. Grace had never seen clothes fit a man so perfectly.
His eyes roaming over her body made her squirm.
Speechless, they stared at each other, not being able to look away.The stare became so intense she had to speak to break there momentarily paralysis.
“Why do you look at me like that?” Grace asked.
“How?”
“Like you want to eat me,” Grace replied.
Quickly, she averted her eyes flushed.
“Let’s go, or we’ll be late for dinner,” Colton said approaching her and holding her waist as he led her outside.
She liked his intimate touch. It was somewhat of a possessive nature.
She was escorted to his Escalade. He opened the back door for her himself, waving the driver off.
If Grace thought she was the only one whose thoughts were in knots, she was wrong. Colton’s own we’re just as conflicting.
He thought Grace was intriguing, the way she was shy but could be a firecracker if need be. And if she allowed him, he would like to get to know her better.
She had the sweetest scent of vanilla. He could sniff her all day if she’d let him. But that would be weird.
When he told Grace that he would help her under certain ‘conditions’, he didn’t think she had any idea of what he wanted. But what he wanted was her.
If Colton had known that she was a virgin, even if she was an escort, he would have treated her differently.
As soon as they entered the restaurant, they were immediately attended to and led to a table. It was hard to get a reservation, but not for him. It was one of his regular spots.
Harry’s was one of the most luxurious restaurants he’d ever dined at. With a white and gold theme, the high ceilings, gold chandeliers and chairs, the restaurant look heavenly.
They ordered, ate and chatted. He enjoyed Grace’s company. She was a breath of fresh air and he couldn’t seem to look away from her beautiful face.
Their tranquility was disturbed by heels clacking against the floor furiously. He turned to the sound immediately recognizing Josephine.
“Grace, you b*tch!” She pointed a finger in Grace’s face.
“What are you doing here?” Grace embarrassedly looked around at the people watching them.
“You cheated on Andrew and now you’re dining with another man. You’re a sl*t!” She drew attention with the outburst.
“I didn’t cheat on Andrew,” Grace said through gritted teeth.
“If you know whats good for you, you’ll leave this woman alone. She has more than one men,” Josephine addressed Colton, hoping to change his mind about Grace, but he remained aloof. He saw right through her malicious ways.
“Your sister could never be a wh*re since I was her first and last,” Colton watched as her Josephine’s eyes widened.
“Y-you’re Colton?” she asked, but Colton didn’t respond.
“I would like to finish my meal in peace,” Colton waved her away nonchalantly.
Not getting the response she wanted, she slowly backed away. He narrowed his eyes at her, determined more than ever to help Grace get revenge.
“Why does she hate you?” Colton suddenly asked.
“She thinks I stole Andrew from her,” Grace replied with an eye roll.
“If a man is yours to begin with, he can’t be stolen,” Colton said while looking into her eyes intensely. True. Mind made up, she decided to accept his offer.
If she wanted to take revenge against her family, needed his help.
“Yes,” Grace said, but didn’t elaborate.
“Yes?” Colton prompted.
“Yes, Colton. I’ll marry you.”
- Writer
