Vivian woke to morning light streaming through Alexander’s windows and an ache that permeated her entire body. She stretched carefully, cataloging the sensations. Her ass throbbed with a deep, pleasant soreness—the kind of ache that made itself known with every movement, every shift against the expensive sheets. Her wrists were tender where the ropes had held her during their session two nights ago. Her thighs ached from positions she’d been held in. Her whole body felt used in the best possible way. She rolled over to find Alexander’s side of the bed empty, the sheets cool. He was already up, probably dealing with whatever crisis had made his phone buzz repeatedly during the night. Even now, even after everything they’d said to each other in that bathroom, he was still the CEO of a bill

