Chapter 18
Kenneth stood there, his grip tightening on the wine glass as he took in the scene before him. The night enveloped thein, quiet and heavy. His throat moved in a subtle swallow, signaling the stirring of something within him.
“I need to check before I can say for sure,” he said, his voice low. He set the glass aside and stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hér.
His hand reached out, fingers wrapping around her shoulder, and he gently pushed her rain dampened hair aside. The skin below her delicate neck was Nawless, linged with a hint of pink. It called to him, a seen’s song he couldn’t ignote.
Kenneth casually remarked. “You’re shaking” His fingers lightly traced her smooth skin.
Joanna shook her head, attempting to deny it. “I’m not,” she said, but her body betrayed the truth.
The deal she’d struck with Kenneth had turned into something more than she’d bargained for–a humiliating exchange. She was unsure if what they
were doing was right or wrong
“You’re scared of me,” Kenneth stated. Joanna might have claimed she was “buying” him, but she looked like a frightened deer in the headlights, too intimidated to make a move.
“Mr. Wesley,” Brielle’s gentle voice interrupted through his phone at that moment.
Joanna glanced down at his phone, her voice barely above a whisper. “Hang up Tell her to go away,” she requested, then raised her gaze to meet Kenneth’s, her eyes steady and resolute. “Tonight, I’m staying with you.”
Despite her evident fear, Joanna continued to entice him, which only heightened Kenneth’s curiosity. He decided to indulge her game and dismissed Brielle. “Go back, I’ve got things to handle here. We’ll catch up some other time.”
Outside the door, Brielle gazed at her phone’s screen as the call ended, her disappointment palpable. Clad in a delicate, nearly transparent gown that accentuated her striking physique, she had come to charm Kenneth. But at the eleventh hour, he had sent her away.
As Brielle made her way to the hotel, Linda had told her that Kenneth had woken up with amnesia. It had initially seemed like a fortunate twist, but now things were not going as she had anticipated.
Standing there, Brielle contemplated her next move, her hand tightning around the pendant. She was reluctant to give up on her scheme, yet she held
back from knocking on the door once more.
Kenneth held a high and influential position, so Brielle knew she couldn’t afford to be pushy or clingy. It was crucial to make a good impression.
Men like Kenneth wouldn’t respect someone who seemed overly attached. Her goal was to marry into the Wesley family, not just be a fleeting mistress.
Inside, Joanna lowered her eyelashes, masking her emotions. “What’s your relationship with her?” she asked cautiously. Before Kenneth could respond, Joanna asserted with conviction, “While you’re under my contract, you must avoid entanglements with other women.”
Kenneth found the situation intriguing it was likely the first time someone had the audacity to make such demands of him, both before and after his memory loss. “Mc. Mayfield,” he said, “show me your sincerity first, and then we can discuss the contract.”
Without further ado, Kenneth wrapped his arm around Joanna’s waist and tossed her onto the large bed. He leaned over her, observing her nervousness
and resistance.
It was ironic that despite being a married woman and a mother, Joanna still carried an air of innocence that sparked a hint of a destructive desire within
him.
The soft light from the bedside lamp bathed the room in a warm, inviting glow. Kenneth untied his black robe, his expression unreadable as he looked Joanna over
Joanna’s eyes were shut, her long hair fanned out across the pillow. Her fingers clutched the white sheets, knuckles white. A profound sense of shame, helplessness, and fear washed over her, The night, filled with torment, was just beginning.
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Chapter 18
Suddenly, he leaned in to kiss her. The scent of smoke and red wine enveloped her, mingled with his unique, cool Cedar Bagrance.
it was a stark contrast to what she was used to with Norbert, and Joanna found it unbearable. She turned her head, attempting to break away.
He didn’t let her. With a cold hand on her chin, he held her in place as the overpowering aroma of smoke and wine consumed her senses. Joannars eyes stung, and tears began to flow, tracing paths down her cheeks and falling between their lips.
Kenneth halted his kiss, his grip on her intensifying as he asked in a tone that was impossible to decipher, “Why are you crying?”
With her eyes still closed, Joanna turned her head away, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke. “Kenneth, I don’t like kissing”
A brief silence followed before Kenneth released her chin, his grip shifting to her wrist, pinning it firmly against the pillow. He lowered his head once more, his lips trailing kisses along her neck, and his teeth gently nipping at her collarbone
Joanna wept silently. Tears streamed to the ends of her hair, while others fell onto the white pillow, leaving a damp, spreading stain.
Feeling like he was kissing not a woman, but a block of ice, Kenneth suddenly felt deflated, his interest waning “Open your eyes and look at me,” he said calmly, pausing his advances.
Confused, Joanna obeyed, her eyes brimming with tears. What she saw was Kenneth’s handsome face, which, devoid of any warmth, appeared distant and menacing.
Looking down at her with a chilling stare, he asked, “What’s the matter? Does my touch repulse you that much?”
Aware that he was a man who’d slept with many other women, and she, devoted to another guy, felt a natural repulsion at being toyed with on his bed.
But she couldn’t voice the truth, so instead, she gave a slight shake of her head, trying to dismiss the question
But her reaction had betrayed her feelings, dousing the last of Kenneth’s desire. He rose from the bed, grabbing a blanket from the foot to wrap Joanna completely, shielding her.
“You’re not… continuing?” Joanna asked.
Kenneth shot her a cold look. “I don’t force women.”
– he replied.
Joanna sat up, a bit incredulous but grateful for the reprieve from his advances. She clutched the blanket to herself and sat up. “So about buying” you…” she ventured.
Kenneth’s desire had been left unsatisfied, and it showed in his voice, which had turned even colder. “I’ll think about it.”
“Think about it? Kenneth, you can’t go back on your word,” Joanna protested, tears streaming down her face as she clutched the blanket to her
As she pleaded, Kenneth tightened the belt of his robe and corrected her. “Ms. Mayfield, it’s clear you haven’t met my expectations.”
His nonchalant demeanor both angered and upset Joanna. “Kenneth, I’m completely undressed, lying here under you–what more could you possibly want?” she asked, her eyes red and her voice hoarse
Feeling her upset, Kenneth took out a cigarette and flipped open his lighter. The flame flickered as he held it, not yet touching it to the cigarette
His eyes were fixed on Joanna, who was huddled in the blanket. “Look, Ms. Mayfield, if this is a deal, checking out the merchandise is just part of it. You wouldn’t buy something if you weren’t happy with it, right?”
Chapter 19
Chapter 19
