Ripe

That evening, there was a party to celebrate Sharon's birthday. It was a truly spectacular event as the decorations were over the top. The guest list was five-star and the food was delicious; cooked and catered by the most sought-after chefs in Colorado, Martha being one of them.

The party was truly glamorous and when Sharon walked out into it with Addicus escorting her, everyone marvelled at her radiant beauty. Her dress was long and made with the finest fabrics. She was adorned by the necklace Addicus had given her. Its sparkle gleamed across the entire hall and everyone was bewitched by its shine and the shine of who wore it.

She was truly a beauty to behold. The party went on with people congratulating and complimenting her. The other young women stared at her with envy and bitterness, old business tycoons looked at her with lust, and all the young, handsome and eligible bachelors asked her for a dance. Addicus was fuming with rage and jealousy because of it. He didn't like seeing all these men stare at her and think about God knows what. He decided to step in and be the centre of her attention for the rest of the evening.

"Sharon, my dear, may I have this dance?" He asked her with an arm offered.

"Of course," she accepted his arm and they headed to the dance floor.

He held her and they both swayed to the music.

"Your mere presence alone is completely turning heads. You truly are a beautiful gem," Addicus complimented and never once tore his gaze from her eyes.

Sharon blushed at his words and looked away from him in embarrassment.

"It's true, my dear," he said and used a finger to lift her face to look at him, "You really are something. All these people see you and they are wowed by your beauty and elegance. That alone brings so much admiration. Imagine how they'll react to your skills. They'd be blown away. Should we find out?" Addicus asked her.

"What do you mean by that?" Sharon asked unsure of what he was talking about.

He pulled away from her and addressed the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention please?"

Everyone became quiet and paid attention to their host, giving him their eyes and ears.

"We are all here today to celebrate a very special woman; my Sharon," he began the toast.

"And she truly is special. She is a gem only found once in a lifetime. We can all tell that she's completely beautiful and stunning - that much is obvious, but what most people don't know is that she's very talented as well. She has both beauty and brains. I present to you! Her latest masterpiece," Addicus said and gestured at something.

Everyone turned around to look and two workers pulled the curtains from the painting. Everyone gasped in astonishment. They were baffled by the beauty, artistry, and flawlessness of the painting.

"Yes, that is her handwork. Only a few days in her studio and she made this masterpiece. A toast..," he said, raising his glass, "to a truly remarkable woman! To Sharon."

"To Sharon!" The room echoed.

Everyone applauded her and the party went on.

Addicus was speaking to some business partners who were invited to the party when Sharon walked up to them.

"Excuse me, gentlemen. James, may I speak to you?" She asked.

"Of course, my dear," he replied and they both walked over to the balcony, away from the noise and chatter of the party.

"What is it, my dear? Is something wrong?" Addicus asked her, noticing her mood was strange.

"No, nothing's wrong. Everything is perfect. The party is perfect. You really didn't have to do so much," she said.

"There you go again. When will you realize that you are a queen and deserve all of this and more?" He asked her.

"In exchange for what, James?" She stared at him with a serious gaze.

"What do you mean, my dear?" He was puzzled.

"For the entirety of today, you've been extra affectionate and loving than ever before. You...you hold me and kiss me and say all those wonderful things about me and it's nice but also a bit..." She didn't know the word to describe how she felt.

"What? A bit what?" He asked her with a raised brow.

"A bit inappropriate, don't you think?" She asked, not wanting to offend him but her feelings needed to be known.

"Inappropriate?" He took an intimidating step toward her. "Have I ever acted inappropriately towards you? Have I ever made you feel uncomfortable? Have I ever forced myself on you?" He asked and she shook her head "No" to all his questions.

He was now standing right in front of her - his presence very much felt.

"When I first took you in, it was because I knew your worth. You were far too exceptional to be in that orphanage and you were a sweet girl. But over time, you've matured into a very beautiful woman and I won't deny that you make me feel things, things only a woman can make a man feel. But, I didn't act upon those feelings because then, it would have been 'inappropriate'.

"But, you're are an adult now by law and I'm finally able to reveal to you exactly how I feel."

Addicus grabbed her by the waist and imprisoned her lips with his. A kiss filled with lust, desire, and a branding of ownership.

She was going to be his now, he thought. He would make sure of it.