This couldn't fall through. It had to happen, my time was running out.
The papers said I had one year. One single year to meet a woman and produce an heir. I didn't know what type of shit my dad was smoking when he came up with this, but if I failed...
I won't, this is going to happen. I didn't care to ever run the company, be the ceo and have all those fucking people barking up my ass all day. But I wanted what was mine, my cut in the business.
That was what I deserved, what was owed to me.
Peeking out the window, I realized she had come in. Copper had actually followed the directions on the note. That was a good sign, if she felt wary she would have hailed down the limo and run with her tail between her legs.
But she didn't. She came in, and I couldn't wait to come in her.
Flopping down in the over sized recliner by the fire, I spun my thumbs around each other. How long would she take to come up here? I wondered, nervously wiping my clammy palms on my jeans.
Taking a deep breath, I watched the fire crackle inside the stone. The sparks lit up like tiny fireworks, popping as snowflakes melted down the chimney and hit the heat.
Every color reminded me of her; the reds and oranges, the flames burning inside me.
She was the sexiest woman I'd ever laid eyes on, and I couldn't wait to peel her clothes off and reveal all of her to me.
Copper had walked right to me, nibbling on the trails of bread I left for her.
Now she was here, here for me.
And any answer other than 'yes' wasn't going to be heard.
She had no choice, just like me.
Chapter Five
Noella
Wow, that house is fucking huge. My eyes expanded as the limo drove up the half-mile long driveway. I'd never seen anything like it in my life. When the tree line opened to reveal the house, my jaw dropped. Pictures of mansions do no justice until you're up close and personal with one slapping you in the face.
There had to be twenty windows, maybe more. Every piece of glass had a single light flickering inside it, a giant wreath hung from the large center window. The yard; speckled with statues and shaped bushes; was dusted with snow, illuminating everything under the moon light, making it glow brighter. It was a picture from a magazine and I was about to walk onto the page.
My small existence in the world suddenly seemed even tinier, I felt like a little girl again. The world around me was scooping me up and engulfing my body, cupping my small frame like a child covers a captured butterfly.
The snowflakes fell gently, resting on my hair and melting to the warmth of my body. Carefully, I made my way up the steps. I was scared I would fall, slipping on the steps and spraining an ankle. I couldn't afford another medical bill, my measly twenty-five percent cut of what I made barely paid the bills I had now.
Searching the double doors for a bell, I spotted a slender white envelope wrapped with a pink ribbon. Leaning in my name was scribbled across the front.
What the hell is this? Peeling the flap open, I pulled the paper out from inside.
Copper,
The door is open, please come inside and make your way down the left hallway. The third room on the right is yours for the weekend. Make yourself comfortable and when you're ready follow the hall back to the stairs. We're waiting upstairs and eager to meet you. – H
I didn't know what to think, I had never seen anything like this before. With all the private parties I'd entertained in the past, no one had ever left me a note.
Staring at the doors, I softly gripped the cold metal handle. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open. Heat from inside sprung out, smothering my face; it was a welcomed feeling. The air outside was cold as hell, and my cocktail dress did nothing for warmth.
The entryway was even more beautiful than the outside. Marble tiles were laid across the floor, fitting together to form an intricate floral design. Tall vases rested against the side walls, and a wide spiral staircase spread up to the vaulted ceiling.
The touch of Christmas was sprinkled over everything. Green garland ran up the railing and across the ceiling. Small red bows were tied against the strands with large silver bells that hung around the entryway. It was a sight to be seen, decorated for the queen. I was in awe, the entire space left me breathless.
Closing the door, I stood listening. Why is it so quiet? If there was a party, shouldn't I hear it? I expected to hear music and laughter; men chattering and hollering at each other with the clanking of glasses ringing through the air.
Instead, I was met by silence.
Forcing the thought away, I realized this was a mansion. The party could probably be thriving in another area of the house and I wouldn't even know it. I'd never been in a place this large before, how the hell would I know what to expect?
Turning in the direction of the note, my heels clicked down the hall. The echoing rang in my ears as I counted the doors. Reaching number three, I turned the knob gently, and the door swung open to biggest bedroom I'd ever seen.