ne contained remnants of a life she barely had time to live: clothes, books, mementos of simpler days. Her hands

ths. Her life, his rules. And although the thought terrified her, there was no room for r

hours the night before, her mind spinning with scenarios, warnings, and worst-case co

dinged. Her b

o ignore. Even before he spoke, Ava felt herself shrink slightly under his gaze. H

but carrying the weight of authority. "Privacy. Comfor

rstand." Her voice wavered despite

is features. "Good. You will need composure here, Ava.

, words fa

eccably clean, every surface gleamed under the soft lighting. The scent of expensive leather and polished wood filled the air. I

The contact was fleeting but enough to make her pulse spike. "But do not enter my offic

in. The word sounded hol

vealing a view of the city skyline glittering against the darkening sky. Her own room felt li

froze. Damian was there-his reflection at

loser. His voice was low, teasing, co

rned. "I-I wasn

something softer flickered beneath the surface. "

she tried desperately to ignore: desire. Heat she couldn't name, racing through he

tly, lips brushing her hair as he leaned slight

though the word trem

terior. The rules, the contract, the arrangement-it was all supposed to be about survival. But

ered relentlessly. What would it be like to live with him? To obey? To navi

y her chest tightened when she imagined his eyes on her. Hate

startled her. She fr

's voice said, ca

ed sharpl

sharp and intoxicating, filled the room. His gaze swept over her, lingering, evalu

tions. No wandering into restricted areas. No unneces

unable to stop the

at living with me requires... adaptation. Discipline. Awareness." His

ing," she admitted,

smirk playing at his lips. "But I expe

urvive six months. And yet, the thought of surviving under his roo

bed, heart pounding. The apartment, the rules, the contract-they were all o

ed her thoughts before even fully entering her life. And yet, she kne

nths. Six months of obeying, surviving, resistin