Contract Of Surrender

The Contract

Elena Voss stood outside the tall glass building in Manhattan, her heart hammering so hard she could feel it in her throat. The cold evening wind cut through her thin coat, but it was nothing compared to the fear twisting inside her stomach.

She was standing in front of the building that would be her home for the next one year.

This was it. She had read the contract ten times. Signed the digital copy already. But tonight, Damien Vale wanted her to do it in person. One final signature. One final chance to walk away.

She didn’t want to do this but this was her last option. She didn't have that choice anymore.

Her father’s debts had swallowed everything, the house, her savings, even her mother’s small retirement fund. Creditors were calling day and night. If she didn’t do this, her family would be destroyed, she couldn't just sit and watch.

So here she was. Selling herself for one year to a man she had never met all she knew was her father promising this billionaire his daughter if he failed to pay.

She was here, she couldn't go back now, she walked into the building, A private elevator took her straight to the top floor. When the doors opened, Elena stepped into a place that felt unreal.

The penthouse stretched out before her, all dark wood, soft lighting, and floor to ceiling windows that showed the sparkling New York skyline. It smelled like expensive cologne and leather.

She saw a scary looking man immediately she got to the first floor, he just turned around and walked so she followed him.

He took her to a room she assumed was an office, a man waited near the windows.

Damien Vale.

He was taller than she expected. Broad shoulders under a perfectly fitted black shirt. Sharp jaw. Dark hair. Eyes that looked like they could see straight through her lies. At thirty five, he looked every bit the powerful billionaire people whispered about.

“Elena,” he said. His voice was deep, calm, and commanding.

Just hearing her name from his mouth sent a strange shiver down her spine.

“Mr. Vale,” she replied, trying to sound strong. Her voice came out smaller than she wanted.

He studied her for a long moment. His gaze moved slowly over her face, down her body, and back up. Not in a cheap way. In a way that made her feel naked even though she was fully dressed.

“Sit,” he said, pointing to the long leather sofa.

Elena hesitated before moving to the sofa. Her hands trembled as she placed them on her lap. Damien didn’t sit. He walked to a small table, picked up two copies of the contract, and placed one in front of her.

“Here,” he said quietly. “Read it again. Once you sign it, there is no going back. Your body belongs to me for three hundred and sixty-five days. Nights. Mornings. Whenever I want. You will obey me.

Elena swallowed hard. Heat rushed to her face. The words on the paper blurred for a second.

“I understand,” she whispered.

She picked up the pen. Her fingers felt cold. For one crazy moment, she thought about running. But then she remembered her father’s tired voice on the phone yesterday, begging her to agree, she signed it.

Damien watched her the entire time. When she finished, he took the papers, signed his own copy with a quick, confident stroke, and placed them aside.

“Good girl,” he murmured.

Those two words sent an unexpected spark between her legs. She hated it. She hated how her body reacted to him already.

Damien walked closer. He stopped right in front of her. Elena stiffened as he leaned in. He bent down and sniffed once, slowly.

“You smell like sweat,” he said calmly. “Go take a shower. Walk outside this room and you’ll see a maid waiting for you. She’ll show you to your bathroom and get you anything you need.”

Elena’s cheeks burned with embarrassment and anger. How dare he call her stinky? The nerve of this man. She would show him who was stinky.

She gave him a sharp, bad eyed look, full of irritation and defiance. Without saying a word, she turned and walked out of the room, her back straight even though her legs felt shaky.

Her heart was still racing as she stepped into the hallway. A neatly dressed maid was indeed waiting with a polite smile.

Elena followed her, fury and humiliation swirling inside her chest. What had she just signed herself into? This was so annoying, oh God.

This was just day one and he was already getting under her skin, she wanted to scream