E

r of the stage, my breath c

ch between us widened, yet it f

e me repea

"I....I." My throat worked as I swallowed hard. "I can

ur freedom?" He curved his spine, resting his hand on his long legs. "This is

ed off his lips. Without a care. Like I was a commodity. It stung-especia

uld clean. Bartending. A chef in your house. Be a maid." My words a g

hroat. The heel of his palm pressed against h

ight before me. On the podium. The white light spilled across his face and I could se

your father owes?" His knuckle traced the curve of m

d under h

ith the strap of the dress, his touch light against my skin. "You could work for your whole life and still n

ind them. Images of my mother slipped in. Her weak frame. He

ares and reminded myself, I

the world." Damien settled on the seat and l

t, I finally removed the straps of t

strapless bra. Colder than before. M

s drilling into me. I feel hi

arou

d, but sti

hen I moved too quic

ixty. His gaze followed, lingering on my

live and I forgot that thumping of my he

his lips-an act that seemed unconsc

feet, dipping his hand in his pocket. "Who knew Littl

ven me then, because of my

y cheeks. And I hated how much it affected me. How it

s tall, much taller than I was. Wide hip. Lo

o Madam Cha. She's new," He o

the floor, drowning in embarrassment and sham

****

wearing the most exposed and thin layered

ke seat, the papers before him had

chest, I waited. My eyes fixed on

eyes flickered up, and he

should show y

a slow blink

t of my coat, undoing the knot. The fabric p

ples poked against the thin fabric. The

his. Yet, when his gaze darkened and raked over my body, the intens

ered no words. Didn't mov

, reaching for the coat to cover

ei

and turn

anner so majestic. After rounding the desk,

erent deal?" His voice

debt. All of it. You'll no longer owe the Alvaro family o

art t

er of my body. "In return, every inch of you..." His eyes worked their way up, lea

oubled and my