Elena sat at her kitchen table, the morning light filtering through the curtains and casting a soft glow on her sketchbook. She had been up for hours, her mind too restless to sleep after the message exchange with Adrian the night before. The anticipation of their next session hung over her like a cloud, both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
But there was something else too—a nagging curiosity that wouldn't leave her alone. Adrian was an enigma, a man who wielded control with ease, yet there were moments when she sensed something more beneath the surface. He had been so tender with her after their first session, so unexpectedly kind. It was as if the mask he wore had slipped, revealing a glimpse of the man behind the dominant facade.
Elena found herself wanting to know more about him, to understand the forces that had shaped him into the man he was. She wanted to unravel the mystery of Adrian Blackwood, but she also knew that doing so would be dangerous. Getting too close to him, emotionally, could complicate everything. She had to remember that this was an arrangement, not a relationship. But the more time she spent with him, the harder it became to keep that line clear in her mind.
She glanced down at the sketch she had been working on—a rough, quick drawing of Adrian's face. It wasn't perfect, but it captured something of his essence, the sharp angles of his jaw, the intensity in his eyes. She had drawn it from memory, but the image had come to her so easily, as if it had been etched in her mind.
A knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts. She wasn't expecting anyone, and her heart skipped a beat at the possibility that it could be Adrian, here early. But when she opened the door, it wasn't him—it was her friend and fellow artist, Sophie.
"Elena!" Sophie greeted her with a wide smile, holding up a bag of pastries. "I brought breakfast. I figured you could use a break."
"Sophie, hey," Elena replied, surprised but pleased to see her. "Come in."
Sophie breezed past her, setting the bag on the kitchen counter and pulling out two croissants. "So, how's the art coming along? You've been so mysterious lately, barely leaving your apartment."
Elena smiled, taking one of the croissants. "I've been... inspired."
"Really? That's great! I can't wait to see what you've been working on." Sophie leaned against the counter, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You're going to blow everyone away at the exhibit."
"Let's hope so," Elena said, though her thoughts were still on Adrian. She knew Sophie would notice if she wasn't careful, so she quickly changed the subject. "How's your work going?"
"Oh, you know, the usual. I'm still experimenting with mixed media, trying to find the right balance. But enough about me—what's got you so inspired lately? You've been like a woman possessed."
Elena hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. Sophie was her closest friend, but there were things about her arrangement with Adrian that she couldn't—wouldn't—share. "I guess I just needed something new, something that pushed me out of my comfort zone."
Sophie raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Sounds like you found it. Who or what's behind this new burst of creativity?"
Elena laughed, trying to keep it light. "Let's just say I've been spending time with someone who's... different."
Sophie's eyes widened in surprise. "Different? Now you've got my attention. Who is he?"
"It's not like that," Elena quickly corrected, though she wasn't sure if that was entirely true. "It's more... complicated."
"Complicated, huh? That's usually code for something juicy." Sophie grinned mischievously. "Come on, spill."
Elena sighed, knowing she couldn't avoid the conversation. "Okay, but you have to promise not to freak out."
YOU ARE READING
The Devil's Contract
RomanceA struggling artist makes a deal with a powerful CEO to be his submissive in exchange for funding her dream project. As she descends deeper into the world of BDSM, she discovers that her patron has darker secrets than she ever imagined.
