He smirked wickedly as he continued talking
"I could have you arrested, yes." He paused dramatically, as though he was considering something else.
"But that would be... messy. It would draw a lot of attention to the fact that a common thief tried to break into my safe room."
Amber watched him quietly as he continued speaking, his words dripping with malice. "My reputation and my family's reputation is very important to me. And I would rather not have it compromised by such news."
She tried to back away again, but felt her back hit the wall. He knew what he was doing all along. He had been cornering her, and she was so distracted that she didn't notice. Now he was hovering over her. Amber was completely trapped.
Her heart racing, her breathing ragged, Amber found it hard to stay calm. He smiled, enjoying her misfortune. He continued talking, knowing fully well he had the upper hand and she had no chance at all.
"I'm willing to make you a deal. Not only will I let you go free, but I'll also... reward you if you cooperate." His eyes locked onto hers. "You see, I think you're a clever woman, daring too. And I believe you could be useful to me; we could help each other out."
Amber blinked, confused, at him. "A deal? For all I know, it might just be a trap."
He smiled, a small, enigmatic smile, and shrugged – a small, calculated movement.
"You have no choice but to trust me. I'm the only thing standing between you and ten years in a labour-camp prison. I think you'll find my proposal very... appealing. And potentially very lucrative."
His voice took on a persuasive, business-like tone. "So, I'll ask you again: are you willing to listen to what I have to say?"
She was in trouble.
"I'm listening," she replied quietly, feeling awkward and embarrassed. Anything to make sure she didn't get turned over to the police. She'd never been caught before,why now?
He lifted her chin with his fingers, bringing her face up to look at him in the eyes. "I propose that we get married, a mutually beneficial arrangement. You'll get a generous settlement, and I'll get the business respectability and stability that comes with being a married man. Also, I get rid of some scandals ." He shrugged, still carelessly holding her chin.
"What scandal?" Amber asked and he hesitated for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly; he didn't expect her to ask about that instead.
"A personal matter," he answered, his voice low and sour. "A matter I'd rather not discuss. Let's just say that it's a rather... sensitive one, that could potentially damage my reputation if it were to become public."
His gaze intensified, his eyes cold and dead. "I've been trying to find the perfect candidate, but you'll just have to do. After all, you're in need of a miracle right now."
She scoffed, giving a low, mocking laugh, trying to decipher if he was being serious. "You're joking, you're either joking or you've gone completely insane – marry you?"
"I told you, I don't make jokes," he answered her with a serious expression of frustration and impatience. He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, his eyes closed, his voice firm and resolute. "I don't make any form of proposal lightly. And I assure you, I am completely sane. Marry me for a year, and I'll make sure you'll be set for life. Refuse... and you'll face the consequences."
He stepped a little closer, and she could feel his breath dancing on her skin. His voice was low, an intense whisper.
"The choice is yours. But just know, I always get what I want." His lips were inches away from hers. Amber couldn't believe what she was hearing. Arrogant bastard.
"I'm offering you a way out of this mess. So, you can either keep being hotheaded, or you can start taking me seriously and start weighing your options. Either way, I win." He smirked, his confidence infuriating.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" She glowered at him, her anger and frustration boiling over.
"Immensely," he admitted, giving her a slow, deliberate smile. "I live for a good challenge, and you are proving to be a most... intriguing opponent." His voice dropped to a husky whisper. "It's intoxicating, and I have to be honest, I'm curious to see how far you'll push me." His eyes darkened.
"I need to be sure you'll keep to your own end of the bargain." She stared him dead in the eye.
He nodded, his expression serious, his voice firm. "I give you my word, and it'll be backed up with a contract. After the one year of marriage is over, you'll be free to walk away. But I expect you to hold up your own end of the bargain. You'll be my wife."
"If I agree to your proposal, are you going to let me go?" Amber asked.
"Oh, no," he gave a cold smile, his voice dripping with amusement. "If you agree to my proposal and marry me, you'll be completely and utterly mine. You'll be my wife, and my property."
His expression darkened as he spoke. "You'll never be free to leave me, to go back to your old life. You'll be bound to me, until the contract is over. That way, I can ensure you don't run away."
"This is crazy, you're crazy!" She hissed at him. He was being too extreme.
"And let me guess, I'm supposed to live with you?!"
wide grin that began to spread across his face said it all.
Amber was doomed.