Winter's Arrangement

Chapter 10 Resistance is Futile

Chapter 10 resistance is futile 

I finally got out of the comfort of my bed with a new found determination. I have to let go of all this emotion and just go with the flow. Yes Collin was drop dead gorgeous and very endowed, so why should I not have fun. I was back to convincing myself that this was all part of my last hurrah. I am making these choices now before my freedom gets stripped from me. 

I decided to wear a red spaghetti top dress that flared out from my waist. I looked like a casual vixen in this dress. I put my stilettos on and Angie did my make-up naturally. I was already playing with fire, I did not want to tempt the fates with more drama. 

When Angie was done there was a knock on the door. Trish poked her head in and said “Your man is here already to pick you up. I can’t believe he was the first one here out of all the guys.” Trish said with a huff. I smiled and shook my head. I grabbed my clutch and left my room to find Collin in the living room standing there with a sexy dark blue suit and a crisp white button up dress shirt. He gave me one of those panty dropping smiles and those lustful eyes. I smiled back and saw him lick his lips as if ready to devour me. 

“A bit early, don’t you think?” I smirked. I saw him shake his head trying to think clearly again. 

“As I said, I want to spend every second I can with you before our hellish fates.” He said and I could hear some of the girls awe in the background. I shook my head at how cheesy that line was. 

“Ok lets go smooth talker. I think you just set the bar for your friends.” I said and grabbed his hand to escot him out. He just chuckled. 

“Well I have to make sure that those men know how to be gentlemen.” He said and you could hear the girls chirping at how perfect he was. 

“You are so full of yourself, mister.” I said 

“What?! I just aim to please.” He fakes hurt and we both laugh entering into his car. 

It was a quick drive to the club where I again found myself in a wonderful conversation about random stuff like pizza. He was just so easy to talk with. The connection that we have is beyond words. We are just instantly drawn to each other and if the circumstances were different I would see him being a great life partner. 

We exit the car and he has his hand over the small of my back. We are then guided to our VIP section. We sit and start drinking. 

“So are there any touristy places you would like to go tomorrow?” Collin asked, leaning into my ear. 

“I don’t know. But I do want to hang out with my friends. That is what this vacation was all about. Our last adventure together before my wings get clipped.” I said back. He nodded. 

“Then an adventure you will have. My friends and I will take you out tomorrow. Tell your friends.” He said and I nodded with a smile. If tomorrow's adventure was anything like our last then I know we are all in for a treat. I told Katie that I was going into the bathroom. She knew it was also time for girl talk. 

Here we were all five of us girls back in the sitting area of the ladies room. I told them about what Collin said and our adventure we had today. They are so excited and can’t wait to see what the boys have planned. I got a text from my father saying that he needed to see me tomorrow or as soon as I get back. I sigh knowing that it's time for me to turn back into a pumpkin. I showed the girls and they all had a frown. 

“Stay and enjoy our vacation. Look out for a place for me but don’t tell the boys anything about me or the place you have in mind for me.” I asked them and they all agreed. 

We all walked out excited for what lies ahead when the scene we encountered back in our section was beyond what we expected. There were three slutty looking women with dresses that barely covered their body and make-up that was caked on. Two blondes and a brunette. The blondes looked like twins. One had their arms around Collin and the other around Drew. The Brunette was wrapped around Liam. All the guys looked disgusted at them as the sluts tried to seduce them. I thought I could not be more disgusted until She kissed Collin. I did not know what to feel. I was first enraged until I was reminded that I can’t feel like that. We could not be with each other from the start and this was nothing more than a fling. He was free to do whatever he pleased. This made it a little bit easier to walk away. 

I turned to my friends and motioned for us to leave and they nodded. We already had our things and just went straight towards the door. I look over at the boys and catch a glimpse of Collin finally pulling back from the kiss and make eye contact with me. I shook my head and walked away. I am a classy girl with some dignity and would never create a scene. I felt my heart harden. I can’t have any feeling over this. When the girls and I were outside the limo was already there with my security team waiting for us. We hastily went in and were on our way. I turned and saw Willy and Bruce came running out and right behind them was Collin. 

“Girls, I think this is getting too much for me. I am going back to Alaska right now. I can’t stay here anymore.” I said to the girls. I have to leave now before I admit to myself that I fell for that forbidden romance. If I spent too much time with him I would be considering giving everything up for him. 

“Yea I am leaving with you too.” Lily said. 

“Me too.” Trisha said. 

“Well I don’t really want to leave yet. Do you mind if I stay?” Katie asked and we all smiled and said yes. 

“Of course Katie. Keep having fun and start getting settled here. We will see you soon enough. And if you ever need the plane let me know and I’ll send it to you.” I said and hugged her since she was sitting next to me.

“I am staying too. Keep Katie company while I work on settling here.” Angie said and we all cheered for them. We all talked about how we all wanted to live together and possibly in the same building for the first stage of our transition. We knew it was only a matter of time before we settled down so a condo downtown is convenient. Katie and Angie would do most of the scouting. 

“Let us head to the airport now then and we can have Katie and Angie either hold our stuff or send it back to us. I want to go home now.” They all nodded and I told our security team and the driver to head to our airport. I also notified the pilot to prepare my plane. 

We got there and saw that my plane was ready to depart and my security team was making way for me. We all exited the limo and found that the boys were tailing us all the way up here. I got out last and saw my friends with their guys talking. Katie and Angie were hugging their guys smiling, while Trish and Drew were arguing, Lily was shutting Liam out and staying distant not talking to him. Then I saw Collin step out of his vehicle and come towards me. My security was surrounding me as I tried to make my way into the plane. 

“ARIA! WAIT! ARIA!” Collin shouted. I took a deep breath and made myself harden, I could not let him see my emotions. I turn and see him walking towards me. 

“Yes, Can I help you Collin?” I said standing tall. 

“Where are you going? Why did you leave?” He said. I turned to the guards. 

“Can  you gentlemen give me a moment of privacy with this man here. I will be boarding soon.” They nodded and walked a few feet away, still keeping an eye on me. “Collin, it is time for me to leave. I have to go back. I am sorry for the short notice.” I said and did not move. I didn’t want the slightest reaction to encourage the wrong message. 

“I don’t believe you Aria. Why are you running away from me? Is it because of what you saw at the club? You have to know she meant nothing to me. I was disgusted by her, by all of them. I tried to push her off of me.” Collin said with pleading eyes. 

“You don’t owe me an explanation Collin. What you and that woman have well... It is not my place to say. We were just a fling anyways. And I am not lying to you, the agreement I had with my father is moving sooner than expected and I have to prepare.” I looked at him and I knew my eyes held all my emotions and could be read like a book. “I am sorry, but this,” I pointed to both of us, “this ends here. It is time to go back into the real world.” I said. I finally looked down trying to hold back the tears that were beginning to form. Then I felt his warm arms wrapping around my waist and pulling me into his embrace. 

“Not yet Aria, I am not ready to go and accept my fate. I also know that you care more about me than you will admit. I hate you caught me like that and I tried so hard to tell her that I wasn’t interested. I only have eyes for one woman and she is the most beautiful, elegant, independent, adventurous woman I have ever seen. I have never been more willing to break my family obligation and just be with you. Aria, I am crazy about you and call me a fool… but... you have to know that I am hopelessly in love with you.” Collin said and I looked up at him with tears running down my cheeks. I was shocked. I knew when I saw that blonde on him I felt a little jealous. I also felt free, safe, and cared for by this man. My heart fluttered when I realized that I was also a fool in love. 

“I love you too Collin, I couldn’t help it. But I fell for you too.” I said and this time I just let the tears flow. Our declaration of love was so fast and magical it filled my heart with so much happiness. At the same time it was breaking with the fact that I still had that Agreement with my father. This has truly turned into a romance with two lovers battling against the world to keep their love. His lips came down hard on mine and we enjoyed a powerful passionate kiss.

“Aria, I am coming to visit you. I am not going to let go that easily. Expect me in a few weeks, while I get things handled here. I have an event I must attend soon anyways.” Collin said when we finally broke apart. I was still panting, trying to catch my breath. 

“Ok, let’s keep this a secret for now. I think we can come up with a plan to still get out of our arrangements.” I look and everyone is just waiting on us. I forgot that they were all here and now looking at us funny. 

“Don’t look at us that way, we are going to need everyone's help. I love Aria and I am not going to give her up.” Collin said to the group also realizing they heard everything. They all nodded in agreement and smiled at us happily. Collin looked down at me. “Call me or text me when you are home safe and then we can talk about a plan.”

“Ok, I love you.” I said. “I love you, my dove.” He said and we kissed once more before we finally let go of each other and I entered my plane. I sat in my chair looking out onto the tarmac where they were all standing. Collin looked sad and happy. I smile and wave at him and he does the same. In my heart I know I am doing the right thing. Collin has managed to make me fall in love with him in less than 48 hours. I felt more for him in that short amount of time than I did with Jake Thomas. I pray that we both can find a way to stay together. I fall asleep on the plane on my way back home with a new found determination and hope for my future.