Chapter 2 Why Me

"Are you kidding?" Colton spoke in a teasing tone at the end of his words. It seemed like he was smiling, but his eyes were still cold.

Before Leyla could understand his feelings, he pulled his hand back and lightly rubbed the bite mark on his neck with his fingers.

Leyla instinctively followed his motion and noticed the bite mark. Instantly, the passionate moments from last night replayed in her mind.

His gentle kisses, the intensity of his movements, and the warmth of his big hands...

It was she who had asked the question that kicked everything off...

"Wanna do it?"

She had even wrapped her legs around his waist, and after two rounds, she had still held onto his neck, not wanting to let go. She had murmured, "You're so handsome, babe. Let's do it again."

The mark on his neck had come from the third time they had had sex.

Feeling uncomfortable, Leyla frowned and turned her gaze away.

She spoke in a cool, detached tone. "Sex is no big deal to me. I don't need you to compensate me, so you aren't losing anything."

She seemed like a different person compared to last night.

Colton felt a slight sting from the bite, and a mischievous smile crossed his face. "But, Miss Stanley, you ought to compensate me."

Leyla looked up, surprised. She met his gaze, which sparkled with mischief.

In Valston, everyone knew Colton was a womanizer. He appeared indifferent but was ruthless in his business dealings.

Anyone who crossed him vanished without a trace, thanks to his clever methods.

Could someone like him really need her to compensate?

Leyla believed he was joking, and her delicate brows furrowed. "Mr. Quinn, how do you expect me to compensate you?"

Before she could finish her thought, a fresh, woodsy scent surrounded her as he pinched her chin once more. "Marry me."

Leyla's eyes went wide with surprise.

He released her chin and leaned back against the headboard, casually playing with her hair. "My grandfather is pushing me to settle down. I need a wife to ease his mind."

His voice had that distinctive husky quality of morning. Leyla pulled her hair away from his fingers.

She was just an orphan. Her family couldn't compare to Colton's.

When it came to looks, there were many more beautiful than her.

Everyone knew Colton had an unrequited love.

A few years ago, he had even had a falling out with his grandfather over the woman.

If he was going to marry, shouldn't he go after the woman he truly loved?

Leyla spoke in a flat tone. "Why me?"

She didn't believe in lucky breaks.

Colton squinted and lit a cigarette.

The faint smell of tobacco filled the air, and Leyla frowned in annoyance.

She wore a distant, yet still charming look on her face.

Seeing her displeasure, Colton chuckled. He playfully bit her lip and blew smoke into her mouth.

As he watched her cough uncontrollably, he finally replied, taking his time, "Being my wife isn't just about mutual respect."

He paused and a teasing look appeared on his face. "At the very least, you really satisfy me in bed."

His suggestive tone tugged at Leyla's heart.

Her cheeks turned red, and she frowned slightly.

She hesitated.

Rachael had always urged her to marry into a rich family, and she needed a marriage.

Only by getting married could she reclaim what her father had left for her.

Colton's reasoning was simple and hard to resist.

Regardless of the situation, they could always get a divorce.

What mattered most to her was escaping the Higgins family, where she felt stuck.

Leyla's voice came out a bit hoarse from her nerves. "Alright. I agree to marry you."

Watching her closely, Colton casually blew a perfect smoke ring.

It felt as though he could see right through her.

"Miss Stanley, think it over. No one in my family has ever had a divorce."

Leyla's heart raced.