COLT

The Corporate Dinner was in full swing when I walked in. Dean was the first person to spot me.

"Wardrobe Malfunction?" he asked as he hugged me and patted my back.

"No." I replied, withdrawing from the hug, and brushing down the lapels of my suit.

"This is a work function, Colt." He said through gritted teeth, his grip tightening around his champagne glass. "I understand that a necktie is asking too much from you, but showing up shirtless, really?"

"It's a free world, older brother." I looked away, adjusting my leather gloves. "Who is she?"

"What? Are you seriously changi.." But his words died when his eyes found her. 

The mystery woman had obviously knocked the breath out of him.

Everyone was staring at her now. And that meant a lot, because the people in this room, by virtue of their net worth, had seen all the beauties the world has to offer.

But this one had us all staring. She did not smile, simply tilted her head, acknowledging the attention and greetings thrown her way.

She was confident. The kind of confidence only a beautiful woman who was aware of her effect on men had. 

And this provoked me. Her arrogance needled me. I wanted to dominate her.

"Colt?" 

I turned to see Dean whispering with his executive P. A. "You'll not believe who she is?"

"Who?" I raised my brow and Dean smiled. For the first time in years, something piqued my interest besides biker rallies.

"That woman is Olivia la Rose." 

"What?' 

"I know." Dean rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

 I turned my eyes back to her, finally recognizing the older couple walking beside her. The Auclairs.

"Why did you not tell me she would be here today?" I whispered urgently. 

"Regret showing up shirtless now?" Dean turned a victorious smile to me. 

"Never been happier with my decision," I said, a small smile stretching my lips, and Dean laughed. A real laugh, not his phony corporate one.

"I see someone is feeling confident," He said as the MC took the podium again. 

He led me to our table as everyone settled into their seats. The whole party fell into the background as soon as I took a seat. 

My eyes found Oliva La Rose. Her glowing skin and those siren eyes held me hostage. She whispered to her family just once, then fell silent, unsmiling. 

As the clock ticked, my curiosity swelled till I was downright restless. I was ready to cross the room and speak to her when she got invited on stage. 

She stood up, and smiled for the first time.

I heard an audible gasp beside me, and turned to see one of our company's directors sporting a boner beneath the table.

I grinded my jaw and squeezed my knees when she began to speak. Her words made no sense to me. Not with that deep, breathy voice.

Her sentences, slow and controlled, hypnotized everyone. Olivia La Rose was dripping sex... stirring dark emotions within me.

As she gave a vote of thanks to all the collaborators on her company's latest product, I could only think of what her moans sounded like.

By the time she was off the stage, I was sweating, and my blood pressure had spiked. She gave a small nod to the crowd as they stood up to clap at the end of her immaculate speech.

Every single man's eyes were pinned to her form as she made her way back to her seat. She moved like an exotic cat, all hourglass, her peachy ass mocking us from beneath her silk dress.

"Come brother. We have a meeting with the Auclairs," Dean said, standing up.

"We do?" I shot up from my seat, and winced at the excitement I heard in my own voice. 

But Dean seemed too preoccupied to notice.

I frowned. Was he nervous about meeting her? Although I could not blame him, I swaggered past him nonetheless. I could never feel intimidated by a woman.

I walked past her family and stopped before Olivia La Rose by the champagne fountain.

"That was a stimulating speech." I said close to her ear. 

She did not jump, did not blush, but turned around slowly to look at me.

I inhaled. She was even more beautiful up close. But she had no smile for me, and her eyes were cold as ice chips.

"I'm Colt Theodore Fletcher, Group CEO, Quiver Corporation." I stretched my hand out.

"Mhmm," was her response, not taking my hand. 

My brows furrowed in confusion. What manner of rudeness was this? My lips opened to scold when hers bared a smile. 

I began to relax again but she said, 

"Mr Dean Fletcher.", and walked past me with a sweet smile.

My eyes involuntarily closed to the smell of her hair shampoo. When I opened my eyes again, she was hugging my brother. From the surprised look on his face, I knew they were not previously acquainted.

Why then was she cold to just me?

"Miss Olivia," Dean welcomed her hug, smiling like a godforsaken monkey. 

His eyes caught my glare, and he softly disengaged from her. "Have you met Colt?" he asked. 

Oliva La Rose turned around, her eyes sweeping the full length of my body and stopping at my exposed abs.

Good. No woman could ever resist that.

"Yes." She said, looking away. "Is that Jacob and Co?" 

Dean smiled brightly, raising his wristwatch like a child showing off his toy truck. "Just had to get me one. How did you recognize this?"

"CLASS is easy to recognize." She said in a soft voice, glancing at me.

I blinked as if she had just slapped me. Was she calling me classless?

At that point, her family joined us. And while everyone exchanged pleasantries, I stared at her, seething.

Right now, I wanted nothing more in the world than her legs shaking beneath me, crying out my name and calling me daddy.

I knew I could do it. 

The bedroom was the only place to dominate such an arrogant woman. I needed just one chance, and I was determined to get it anyhow. 

She turned her eyes to me that second, and my heart stopped beating, illogically terrified that she had heard my thoughts.

"Colt?" Dean said, and my head swiveled in his direction.

"The Auclairs asked when would be a good time."

"For what?"

Dean's brows came together in irritation. The older Auclair woman gently touched my arm. 

"My dear boy, our families had a legal agreement that the Auclair daughter would marry the Fletcher son." She smiled. "But your daddy just had to go ahead and birth two sons."

"And we do not believe in a polyandrous agreement," Her husband quipped.

 The lady swatted his arm playfully.

"So our Olivia would have to choose between both of you," the woman continued.

I blinked in surprise, staring at everyone. No one had told me any of this. 

Before today, Olivia La Rose was just a name to me. She was the sharpest woman in the industry, the Auclair heiress who made business difficult for the rest of us with her inventions every damn quarter.

She had to marry one of us?

"This weekend is fine," Dean said, giving me the stink eye for remaining silent. "We'll meet you at our resort?"

"Fine by me," Oliva La Rose said, winked at Dean, and walked away.

Colt did not recognize me, but I was not surprised. Even my own father would not recognize me. 

"Have you made a decision?" My aunt asked, and I looked away from my monitor screen. My eyes followed hers round my office, at the gift bags and boxes all over.

"They are really working hard to be picked." She looked up, and pinned her hazel eyes on me.

"No." I shook my head. "These are all from the second son."

"What?" My aunt yelped. But just as quickly she regained her composure. "You are not going to choose him, are you?"

"It's not the weekend yet."

She frowned at me, "Watch yourself girl. You are no queen yet," she said, her voice dropping several degrees.

I said nothing, knowing at times like these it was best to be quiet around my aunt. She stared at me for several more seconds before she sighed. 

"You will be the Queen of all this," she waved her hand around my office, as soon as you give the family an heir, and a logical number of spares."

I nodded quietly. 

"But I do not want the younger son for you. I will not watch you relive your mother's mistake!"

I stood up so quickly my chair crashed back, startling her. She said nothing more, took her bag and left.

I walked to the window to stare out, breathing through my mouth to calm my nerves.

At that moment, I heard a quick knock and the door opened. 

"Mr Fletcher is here to see you."

"I do not see anyone without an appointment, Emma." I said, "There are no exceptio..." I trailed off as I turned around to see Colt walking past her.

"Sir, you cannot..." Emma started to say.

"That will be all girl," he cut in, waving her off nonchalantly.

Emma looked at me, and I nodded.

"How can I help you, Mr Fletcher?" I took my seat as the door closed gently behind Emma.

"Coffee would do," he said, staring directly at me. 

He was shirtless again today, his tattoos visible under the open leather jacket, and my office lights bounced off his nipple ring.

My hand shook slightly as I picked up the desk phone. Here, alone in my office with him, my resolve was not as strong as it should be.

"Emma. One cup of coffee please," I said, and placed the phone back down.

"It's impolite not to have ordered one for yourself."

"I have no thirst." I replied calmly, and his eyes burned into me as his fingers caressed his abs absentmindedly.

I quickly grabbed my mouse, pressing my knees together beneath the table. 

I had gone one whole year without sex, a monumental achievement for a woman with my condition. I was not about to lose that to this fool.

Emma opened the door at that minute, and I was tempted to ask her to stay and take notes for me or something.

She stole a glance at Colt as she set the tray down, but he did not look at her even once. 

The man was still so arrogant. How had he not recognized Emma? Unlike me, the woman had not changed one bit.

"I'll be clocking off in twenty-three minutes," I said, turning to my monitor when Emma left. "Do you have something to say?"

"Yes."

"Oh, good. Let's hear it."

"You should marry me."  

My fingers froze on my keyboard. I would laugh if I was not so bloody enraged at his audacity. Turning around, I decided to humor him. "Why should I?"

"Why shouldn't you?"

"Is this how you convince your investors? I see why Quiver Corporation is struggling." 

"You..." He flew up from his seat, but I did not move, did not even flinch, just stared at him.

He stopped. "Do you know me?"

I stopped breathing, but managed to maintain my posture. Had he recognized me already?

"Did I ever do anything to you? Because I cannot understand why you are so damn rude to me, sending my gifts back every evening, and talking down on me when you burn for me."

"What?" I gasped.

"You get so damn wet every time you see me."

My jaw was hanging now, my eyes as round as donuts. "What did you just say to me?" I said, standing up slowly.

"I mean no offense Olivia, but I can smell you, and it's so fucking arousing."

"Miss Auclair to you!" I finally screamed, pointing angrily at him.

"Don't get excited lady, your bouncing tits are distracting."

My hand flew up to cover my mouth, "You pervert."

"No. I only have a habit of saying what other men would think in their head but pretend otherwise."

"You really think I will pick you now?"

He closed our distance in one move, and stood before me. "Why not? I am as intelligent as Dean, strong, but unlike him, I can fulfill those desires you are too embarrassed to tell your girlfriends."

"Get out!" My whole body was trembling now. I was losing control. 

I had forgotten just how good at dirty talking Colt was.

Breathing against my face, his eyes tracing my cleavage line, his tattoos. Good god, his fucking tattoos...

"Get out!" I screamed louder this time, taking two steps back. "If you show up again before the weekend, the Fletchers can kiss this marriage arrangement goodbye."

He gave me a long look, turned and left. 

As soon as he closed the door, I ran for it and turned the lock. Then I grabbed a pillow from the couch and screamed into it. 

The idiot!

But venting was not enough. Colt had broken something inside me all over again.  My one-year abstinence streak? Useless now. 

I ran to my desk and grabbed my smartphone, skimping for my therapist's number with a blurry vision even as my knees shook.

"Ugghnn." I threw my head back and pressed my knees together as I placed the phone against my ear.

My therapist's kind voice greeted me, from her voice mail.

I threw my phone down on the desk, breathing heavily. I did not want to do this. I really did not.

I couldn't have come so far just to break this way.

I unbuttoned my shirt for ventilation, but my hand brushing over my chest aroused me more. My nails dug into the desk as my other hand somehow found their way to my nipples.

"Fuck." I bit back the moan. 

My fingers picked up pace, twirling around my nipple to the image of Colt's hungry eyes just now.

I moaned this time because somehow my fingers suddenly felt like Colt's. 

I was making too much noise at this point, so I hurried to the bathroom and turned on the shower.

There, I fell to my knees in front of the mirror. His memory was so vivid he could as well have been kneeling behind me.

The bed of my nails found my clit and journeyed up and down the arc.

"Ughnn," I bit my lip to the sensation. How had I stayed off all sexual activities for so long?

"Fuck you, Colt." I cursed, a tear slipping out my eye.

I'd been doing so well.

I heard his voice behind me, telling me to go on and fuck him, so staring in the mirror I slipped my fingers in me.

My eyes scanned my curves as I rode what I imagined to be Colt's fingers. I appreciated my impossibly tiny waist, the generous curve of my hips, and my naked breasts bouncing as I moved faster.

My moans rose higher and higher till I felt the familiar tremor in my abdomen and squirted all over my office bathroom floor.

The tears fell heavy from my eyes now. But I wiped them off savagely and stood up.

This was much better than letting that idiot touch me ever again. Getting distracted by him now would cost me my life.

I crossed my legs on the brown leather couch. 

Tossing my hair back, I flashed Dean Fletcher a wide smile without acknowledging Colt's presence.

"You look stunning, La Rose." Dean's deep voice dripped with secret promises.

"Really?" I fanned my face comically, and he let out a deep laugh.

"Thank you," I said finally, my hand slowly running down my thigh. 

Dean was not as confident as his brother. He blushed and looked away.

My eyes finally met Colt, and his gaze was piercing. But I remained poker-faced, and tension descended into the room.

Still, he did not look away. 

He sat with careless arrogance, legs spread, shirtless as always, his ringed fingers drumming on the empty seat beside him.

Did the man not own a shirt? He wore every damn thing without one. Suits, coats, now a knee-length blazer.

Dean cleared his throat, and laughed nervously. "I know this is an awkward situation, and an odd question, but have you decided which one of us you'll marry?"

"Why is it odd?" I turned to him with a frown.

"What?" He blinked.

I stared, waiting.

"I mean." Dean stumbled over his words. "This only used to happen centuries ago."

"Do you mean modern women do not deserve to pick the best of the bunch?"

"I never said that." Dean hurriedly began to speak, but paused, squinting at me. 

He looked conflicted, unable to decide if I had just insulted him.

I smiled slowly, "I am afraid we will have to do more archaic things today." I looked from one brother to the other.

"I cannot choose between you two."

"What do you mean?" Dean asked.

"I took great care in accessing both your qualities. Trust me." I grabbed my bag, "I have a chart illustration if you would like to see."

"No, no," they said in unison.

I smiled, and placed my bag down on the side table again. 

"You're both wonderful men," I shook my head for effect. "But you're equally matched."

They watched me silently.

"Except for one important factor. But I have no information on that."

"What is it?" Dean Fletcher scooted to the edge of his seat.

"I'd like to see you both arm wrestle to determine who is stronger." 

For several seconds, both men were frozen in place as a hush settled in the private suite. Colt was the first one to break out of the ice mold.

"Is this fun for you?"

"You can choose a boxing match instead. I only want to be certain I am marrying the stronger brother."

"Why does that matter, Miss Auclair?" Dean Fletcher squinted in confusion.

"Because every woman desires a strong husband capable of protecting her."

"This is ridiculous!" Colt shot to his feet. 

I stood up, covering the distance between us till our faces were just one inch apart.

"I am bringing my family's wealth, our legacy that has been carefully maintained over generations to the Fletchers, a struggling giant, and you think my request is ridiculous?" Our eyes locked.

"Let's calm down." Dean Fletcher moved to separate us.

"I am sorry for wasting your time, gentlemen." I turned around and grabbed my bag.

"Olivia," Dean Fletcher stepped in front of me. "My brother can be quite passionate sometimes." He winced, running his hand through his hair in distress.

"That is bad for business," my voice came out flat.

"I know."

"You know?" Colt spat. "I am not the one with a struggling business."

"Bring your voice down, brother." Dean said calmly, but the look in his eyes frightened me for a second.

"Or?" Colt swaggered up to us.

My back stiffened, painfully away of his body heat and how close he stood now. 

Dean laughed darkly, "It would be stupid to waste this rage. Let's measure dick on that table."

"Sure." Colt shrugged, and turned around. 

He leaned in close to me, and inhaled deeply. My fingers tightened around my purse strap.

"Just how wet are you?" He murmured in my ear. "It smells good." 

I was struggling so hard now my head began to drum in a headache.

He brushed my hair back gently. "I will win, wed you, and fuck that arrogance out of you."

I inhaled unintentionally.

"Good girl," he smiled coyly, walking away.

I could barely concentrate as the brothers prepared to arm wrestle. The room had become unbearably hot as Colt took off his jacket, exposing his burly tattooed arms, hard as timber.

I painfully resisted pressing my knees together, because my legs were in full view.

By the time Colt grabbed his brother's arm, thick forearm veins standing out, I was sweating.

This was torture and definitely a bad idea. I was so wet now I was grateful my dress was black, but terrified the leather seat might have evidence when I stood up.

The brothers struggled for a couple of seconds.

Then Colt groaned, pushing Dean's hand down. It was such an erotic sound it sent electricity coursing down my back,

He turned to me with a victorious smile as Dean looked away. 

Despite Colt winning, I was supposed to choose his brother. That had been the plan before I even met them.

But now I wonder if I could just take the risk of choosing Colt.

I shook my head. My lust was interfering with logic.

"Well done." I smiled at Colt for the first time, standing up. "But I cannot marry you."

"What?" Both brothers said in unison.

I took a step towards Dean, and stood by his side. "You will make a great husband, Dean Fletcher." I batted my lashes at him, and the man literally melted.

"What the hell do you think you are doing, Olivia?" Colt thundered.

Dean turned frosty eyes towards him now. "That's done. You will speak to my future wife with respect."

"What?" Colt chuckled in disbelief, covering the distance between us.

This was supposed to be my first moment of victory, so why was my heart breaking at the hurt look in Colt's eyes?

I turned, hurrying away. But Colt grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

Dean pushed him off. "And you will keep a respectful distance away from her.

I bolted.

The look of betrayal in Colt's eyes was doing something to me.

"Olivia," Dean called, running after me, but I did not stop till he grabbed my waist and spun me around.

I grabbed his face and kissed him.  They were brothers. They had to be similar. 

Dean Fletcher would drive Colt away from my mind.

But his kiss was slow, nothing at all like Colt's, still fresh in my memory from eleven years ago.

I deepened the kiss, my hand landing on his abs and traveling downwards where we stood in the empty lobby. 

Dean bucked against me, but when I grabbed his dick it was limp.

I frowned, stroking it, my fingers moving fast. But it remained heavy and flaccid in my palm.

I flinched away from him, my cheeks burning in embarrassment.

"No. It's not you, Olivia," Dean said, hurriedly. "I find you hot as fuck."

I frowned at him, still too stunned to speak.

"You have agreed to be my wife. So you should know this." He paused and ran his hand over his face, his skin turning as red as mine must have looked. "I have Erectile Dysfunction."