SIGNED TO HIS DESIRE

4. FIRST NIGHT

Chapter 4 — First Night

Amara stood in the center of the bedroom, unsure of where to place herself — or her thoughts. Everything felt unfamiliar. The space, the silence… him.

Noah leaned against the door, watching her like he had all the time in the world. Like she was something to study, not speak to.

“You’re uncomfortable,” he said at last.

“That’s obvious,” she replied.

“You’ll adjust.”

“I don’t want to.”

He pushed off the door and walked toward her, slow and deliberate. Each step made her heartbeat louder.

“You signed the contract,” Noah reminded her.

“And that means I have to be okay with this?”

“No,” he said quietly, stopping just in front of her. “It means you learn control.”

Her breath caught.

His hand lifted, hovering near her cheek. Not touching. Just close enough to make her aware of every inch of her skin.

“I don’t force anything,” he added softly.

But there was something in his eyes that made her doubt that.

“This is going to be a long six months,” she whispered.

Noah’s lips curved faintly.

“You have no idea how long it’s going to feel.”