Bound to You

Chapter 17: No Choice

19:43

Sierra asked her taxi driver to wait and she inhaled deeply as she looked at Torres' house. She walked up to the porch, pressed the doorbell and right away, the door opened widely. She stumbled back, surprised. 

It was only Jace. He had his helmet with him and he smiled vaguely, "Oho, what's my favourite teach' doing here at this time of the night, mmh?" 

She looked at the helmet he was holding and asked, "And you're going somewhere at this hour?" He grinned, "Clubbing." 

She sighed heavily, "Jace..." He laughed at her reaction as he walked out, "It's fun I swear. I can't help it." 

She was agitated, "There could be dangerous people there, doing I don't know what and what. You could get sick. It's not safe." 

"I've gone there a thousand times. Don't worry about me." "How can I not? Just look at you. Did you even inform your father?" 

He whispered with a wink, "He probably thinks I'm going to Sam's place to watch football." "What?" "Haha. I'll get going. Have to pick up a girl. Enjoy a hot night with dad." 

"It's not—" 

"I'm totally okay with it." 

She reddened, "But I—" 

"You'll find him upstairs in the furthest room as you take the right side of the corridor." 

"Oh okay. Thanks?" "You're welcome." "Don't come late alright?" He just waved at her, not promising anything.

She watched him as he jumped on his motorbike and drove away, a loud engine roar trailing behind him. Such a reckless boy... How could James just let him go like that? He'd end up getting in serious trouble one day. 

She walked inside, closing the door behind her. It was quite quiet here. She followed Jace's instructions and made her way upstairs, looking at the abstract paintings. She hadn't even visited this grand house, she realised. And there were so many things to admire...like that flawless mini car collection! 

The cars were displayed on a glass shelf artfully fixed to the wall. They were so neatly arranged that she was tempted to hold one. Better not. She made her way to the last room, widely guessing it was his study. 

Sweet. She could hear some lounge music playing in the background. She gently rested her hand against the wooden door and paused for a moment, crazy thoughts rushing through her mind. Maybe it wasn't a good idea after all. She still had time to go back and figure something else. 

"Come in, Sierra." 

She was startled as she heard him call her. She pushed the door open, "How did you know it's me..." Her words trailed off as her eyes landed on him. A knot formed in her throat. That was not good. Her heart leapt in her chest, racing excitedly at such a sight.

His shirt was wide-opened, revealing a well-defined chest with six-pack abs. Lying on an exercising bench, his muscles flexed as he was lifting a barbell. His eyes were closed and she was thankful for that. 

He roughly said, not bothering to look at her, "I clearly told you by latest 7." 

He was so hot. "I..." All she had recited to herself at home...she forgot it all, in that instant. God. She couldn't resist looking at his muscles contracting and expanding as he raised and lowered the barbell in perfect movements. It almost seemed to be effortless. 

That was so distracting. He had a goddamn Greek god-like body. 

"MsDanvers?" 

Sierra bit her lips, knowing how red she was right now. She approached him, dying to do this little something. Though she shouldn't. Though she mustn't. She reached out to him.

He has been listening to the relaxing lounge music, doing extreme workout to relieve himself from any forthcoming stress. He had thought she wouldn't come or would avoid him forever but surprisingly she was right here. 

And if she was here, it could only mean that she'd agree to the engagement. Damn. He might as well tame her right then with some smooth talks. Why wasn't she saying anything though.

He heard her steps, felt her presence as she moved closer to him and she said, "I have to tell you something...but...not when you're like this." 

Her hands lightly brushed against his chest, surprising him, torturing him at the instant contact and he opened his eyes, staring at her blazingly and finding her gazing back at him. A little bit of nervousness in her brown eyes; subtly suggestive... 

He heavily lowered the barbell on its bar and when he thought she'd actually touch him like he wanted, she just started to button up his shirt. Seriously? He pressed his hands over his eyes and groaned, "That's not what you're supposed to do, woman." 

She instantly imagined all sorts of things she could have done to him right now. She was in a position of control and yet all she did was shut out any possibilities of unexplored fantasy. She was flustered, "I'm sorry. This is kind of distracting." 

So, she admitted? He sat upright, pushed her hands away and noticed the red stains creeping on her cheeks. She stepped back, silently cursing herself for what she just told him, "I didn't mean to do this. I apologize." 

She inhaled deeply to calm herself and clear her mind. She should absolutely not speak nonsense and irrelevant matters. 

"Hmpf, if you're dying to touch me, then touch me. Why are you scared? I thought you were bolder, Sierra." 

She protested, knowing in her heart, how right he was, "I'm not dying to do anything and neither am I scared. Well, definitely not of you, Torres. I just want to talk." 

"Then talk."

He stood and she wisely distanced herself from him. He tugged at his shirt, letting it slip off his arms, tossing it to another exercising machine and she gasped, averting her eyes. He stretched himself as he turned his back to her, causing a violent uproar in her body. 

Hell, she knew he was deliberately showing off his sexy features. She wouldn't be swoon. Not...yet. 

He smiled privately, "Have you lost your voice?" 

She gritted, creasing her fists, forcing herself to focus, "I just want to say that I...God, I agree to that stupid engagement." 

"Of course. Else, you wouldn't be here. So, that's it?" He held a nearby towel, wiped his face, flung it around his neck and grabbed his water bottle. 

She watched him as he gulped down a good amount and she carefully said, feeling uneasy, "But I have a few conditions." 

He met her eyes coldly, enough to heighten her panic and make her even more uncomfortable, "I'm not surprised. Shoot it." 

It was clear that he didn't appreciate it. She cleared her voice, "First of all. You won't have the right to try inappropriate things on me." 

He arched an eyebrow, amused that it was not what he had been expecting and he instantly moved towards her, "Things like?" 

She reddened, stepping away from him, "You know what I'm talking about. No touching. No kissing and absolutely no intimate physical interactions." 

The way she put it. Damn. He just wanted to swipe her off her feet and please her. "Ah, despite you want it so bad?" He so casually broke the professional border. 

He smoothly approached her, making her step back against the wall and she inhaled sharply as he slammed his hands at her sides, cornering her. She winced, finding support against the wall, "I don't. Stop this."

He raised his thumb to her soft lips and scoffed as he lowered his head, "Why should I? You're going to be my fiancée." 

"Didn't you hear what I just said, you bastard?" 

His eyes bore through hers, blazing with passion. She was so stubborn...and careful...and vulnerable... He could do anything to her right now. 

She stiffened as he inclined, stopping mere millimetres before her lips. She raised her hands to touch him and then hesitated in mid-air, clenching them into fists and letting them fall by her sides, "Please, I have to talk to you." 

She was so resolute and here, he wanted to feel the warmth of her fingers. Damn it, seemed that it would remain as just another one of his fantasies. Respecting her space, he stepped back like a perfect gentleman and folded his arms across his chest, "Alright. Let's talk." 

He walked out of the room and she followed him. He said, hearing her steps close behind, "If we're doing this, I want it to be done right." "Of...of course."

She was surprised he actually listened. Maybe, she was not interesting enough for him to pursue her since he so easily switched on his business mode? God, she should stop thinking about that. 

He entered another room, made his way to a large desk on which there was a sophisticated computer and heaps of files. "Have a seat." 

He plopped in his own chair, swiveled and dragged out one drawer to take out a blue file. She sat opposite to him and observed his desk. So much paperwork. Did he really work that much? 

He casually asked, "Any other conditions?" 

"Well...I know you're kind of a celebrity but I don't want media people around at any time." 

He paused for a moment and looked up at her, "Wait, I'm not a kind of." 

She just shrugged with a smile. Hmpf, he could at least wear a shirt now. 

He pursed his lips, "Fine. No media people... Ah here it is." James flipped through the file, looking for a specific paper and spoke again, "I took some liberties to already draft us a contract." 

"...you're fast." He smirked privately and she realised she just boosted his pride. He took out a document and tossed it on the space before her, "Go through it." 

She looked at the contract and gulped as she saw all the lengthy paragraphs. She looked at him but he was now typing on his keyboard. After a minute of reading, she asked, "What do you mean 'minimum public display affection.'?" 

He grumbled, "For the sake of making our act seem real." 

"Only and only if it is necessary." "Absolutely." He eyed her from the corner of his eyes. He saw her going from intensely concentrated to confused. Somehow a little bit of shock was displayed there on her pretty face. He knew on a personal level that choosing her instead of another woman was the best decision. 

He didn't want anyone to feel attached to him and Sierra might just be the right person to stick with him.  There was something different about her. 

"Wait. I should stay with you for a month?!" 

He passively nodded, "Yes." 

"But why?" "I want people to think we're close. Especially, my father. He should not doubt anything. I can't afford us making mistakes." 

"No." 

"What no?" 

"I don't agree to this." 

He held her eyes fiercely, "Do you want me to make you agree?" He could try intimidating her all he wanted but she'd be firm on this one. She wouldn't take so much risk. 

She pursed her lips, placed the paper on the table and crossed her arms, "I won't sign for this." 

"I'm compensating you, remember? Have you decided on your quotation?" 

"About that. I won't settle on a six-figure. I demand a seven figure. 1.2 million dollars transferred to my account after our engagement." 

She was herself shocked at how the words spilled one after the other. She had intended to adopt a smooth coaxing approach, not a blunt one like she just did. It was too late to go back now. She just needed to...maintain that normal composure.

He felt blocked for a second as he processed the information. What the hell? 

She averted her eyes, hugging herself and then she courageously looked him right in the eyes and said, "You heard me. Is this going to be a problem?" 

He couldn't believe it. Was she kidding with him? Bloody hell. He questioned, trying to keep himself from raising his voice at her, "Why the hell do you want such a bloody amount?" 

She didn't want. She needed...and revealing why was probably not the smartest thing to do. She didn't want him to know how delicate her situation was. She hid her tension under a sly smile, "Why are you even asking? I do what I want and this is an opportunity. You yourself said it. I know it's worth it. It's only right that I exploit this...resource. What's 1.2 million to you anyway? You're filthy rich." 

He swore loudly, slammed his hand on the desk, "Exploit me, huh?" 

She got on her feet, sensing the impending danger, "It's only fair!" 

"Fair?! For this price, I should be allowed to exploit you too!" 

She felt a jolt of panic rushing through her. He brutally stood and ordered on a booming voice, "Before I change my mind, sign right now." 

She insisted, "I won't stay with you." 

"Do you want that money or not?!" She cursed under her breath and without thinking, she grabbed a nearby pen, left her signature at the bottom of the page and the moment, she raised the pen from the sheet, he violently approached her making her jerk away, "You better be ready for tomorrow. As for now, get the heck out of my face."

She had imagined the worst scenario that could have happened. But...she guessed, he took it pretty well. She just needed to escape his judging eyes now. 

Sigh, he must be thinking how awful she was and what a gold-digger she was. She swore that she would repay him. Even if it'd take all her life to do so. Quickly, without even greeting him, she rushed out, not daring to look back.

She directed herself silently to the main door, feeling somehow humiliated. Her heart was pounding in her chest. What did she just do? That was so not her. God. What just happened?! She has felt his coldness, picturing nothing but his intimidating face right now. She bit her lower lips, recalling how close he had been standing to her. 

Even as she stepped outside, she could still feel the hotness of his breath against her. She did not care that it was raining. The droplets wetting her shoulders, she made her way to the taxi, apologized to the man who had already dozed off and mumbled her resident address. 

Somehow, she persuaded herself that whatever she was doing, it was right since she was doing it for Mason's sake.