Price For Submission

Title: You're Mine, for Just Me

All I ever wanted was enough money to pay my bills, but I never expected fate to be so cruel. Did I really have to endure all this just to cover some expenses? Why has life been so unforgiving?

I'm Stella Martins. I lived with my once abusive father, and when he fell ill, we were told it was PTSD. And now, it's my responsibility to care for him.

One morning, I woke up to the shocking news-I was getting married. To whom? What the hell was happening? I rushed to find my father, hearing rumors that he was about to sign some sort of contract. My legs couldn't carry me far enough. It would have been better to lose them than have them be this useless.

When I got home after work, I found my father sitting, crying. He lifted his head when he saw me. "Sweetie, I'm sorry. I had to save you."

"What the-?!" I cursed. Save me? He sold me! I thought he was crying because the men had rejected me, but that wasn't the case.

I couldn't hold back any longer. I ran as far as my feet could take me, hoping fate would somehow intervene and tear up that cursed contract. I reached the lower streets, but no cars or people matched my father's descriptions. Breaking into sobs, I was startled when a car suddenly sped past me.

"Hey, princess. Late, isn't it? Need a ride for some adventure tonight?"

Normally, I'd have kicked the guy so hard if he was standing, but the reality was, whoever my father had signed me off to, they weren't going to take my dignity. And they were coming for me the next day. No way! I screamed inside my head.

"Miss? You getting in?" The man repeated.

I stayed silent.

"I'll be off then," his deep voice said, as he started to roll up the window. I quickly stopped it with my palm.

"Wait... Let's go," I whispered, biting my lip.

"Oh, well then," his voice sounded amused, though I couldn't clearly see his face in the dark.

"Wait, I've never done this before," I told him, confronting him, but he was already too far into it. Before I knew it, he had gotten what he wanted.

Hmph. Sighs from both of us followed the heat of the moment. It wasn't bad, actually.

I fell asleep in his arms, his breath sweeping over me, lulling me into safety. He made me feel like I was his.

The next morning, I woke up to the scent of his cologne, a reminder of the night we had.

Oh, shit! A one-night stand? I groaned inwardly. It wasn't that bad, I guessed. I hurried to take a cold shower, wanting to leave as quickly as possible. But... my panties were missing.

I searched the table, the floor, even his clothes. Nothing.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath.

"Looking for this?" His voice whispered in my ear, sending a shiver through me. I turned, suddenly shy and curling under his influence.

"Oh... yeah," I stammered, feeling my face flush.

He didn't respond, just looked away. I scanned the room, making sure I was still safe. He wasn't even looking at me.

"Your name?" he asked, his eyes still elsewhere.