The next morning, Elena woke up feeling a strange mix of emotions. Her body was pleasantly sore from the intensity of the previous night, but her mind was swirling with thoughts and questions. She lay in bed for a moment, trying to piece together everything that had happened, but it felt like trying to catch smoke with her hands.
Adrian had been gentle with her, guiding her through the experience with a care that had surprised her. He had pushed her limits, yes, but he had also respected them, never taking her further than she was ready to go. It was that combination of control and care that made her feel so safe with him, so willing to explore deeper.
But as the haze of the night faded, Elena found herself questioning what it all meant. The physical connection between them was undeniable, but there was something more, something unspoken that hung between them like a thick fog. And it was that unspoken tension that now gnawed at her, leaving her feeling uneasy.
She glanced at the clock. It was still early, too early to call Adrian, but she knew she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. With a sigh, she got out of bed and made her way to the kitchen, hoping a cup of coffee would help clear her mind.
As she sipped her coffee, her thoughts kept drifting back to the penthouse, to the way Adrian had looked at her after they had finished. There had been something in his eyes, something vulnerable and raw, but before she could fully grasp it, it had disappeared, replaced by his usual confident demeanor.
"Why can't I stop thinking about him?" she muttered to herself, frustrated by the hold he seemed to have on her. It wasn't just the physical attraction—though that was undeniable—it was the way he made her feel. Seen. Understood. But also, confused.
The shrill ring of her phone interrupted her thoughts. She reached for it, hoping it was Adrian, but instead, she saw her friend Sarah's name flashing on the screen.
"Hey, Sarah," Elena answered, trying to sound more cheerful than she felt.
"Hey, stranger! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever," Sarah's voice chirped through the line. "Are you free today? We should catch up."
Elena hesitated. She wasn't sure if she was in the right headspace for a social outing, but maybe spending time with a friend would help distract her from the tangled mess in her head. "Yeah, I'm free. How about lunch?"
"Perfect! Let's meet at that new café on Elm Street around noon?"
"Sounds good. I'll see you there," Elena agreed, already feeling a bit better at the prospect of getting out of the house.
After hanging up, she finished her coffee and got ready for the day, choosing a simple outfit that made her feel comfortable. She needed a break from the intensity of the past few weeks, and spending time with Sarah might be just what she needed to clear her mind.
By the time Elena arrived at the café, Sarah was already seated at a cozy corner table, waving enthusiastically. Elena couldn't help but smile at her friend's infectious energy. Sarah was one of those people who could always make her feel better, no matter what was going on in her life.
"Hey, you!" Sarah greeted her with a hug as she sat down. "It's so good to see you. How have you been?"
"I've been... good," Elena replied, her tone more tentative than she intended. "Busy with work and everything."
Sarah raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Okay, spill. Something's up, I can tell."
Elena sighed, knowing she couldn't hide anything from Sarah. "It's just... I've been seeing someone. It's kind of complicated."
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.
