His Obsession, My Curse

lora's bare legs as she stirred awake. The sheets beneath her felt softer tha

nt, she co

o a contract that placed her in a gilded cage, bound to a man she barely knew. P

room, in the absence of her own belongings, and in t

Kni

of comfort. A man whose charm was carved from danger,

as empty beside her. The sheets were still perfec

elief slipped

the panic

ad she

d floor. The shirt she wore-his white button-up from the night before-hung loosely over her fr

n the morning haze. From up here, the wor

lik

. She turned sharply to find Liam entering the bedroom, a

ing to his sculpted chest, a bead of sweat trailing along hi

ver, placed the coffee on the nightstan

wned. "Wh

sche

d at him.

voice was calm but firm. "That comes

over the screen befo

onroe –

a.m.

akfast (prepare

drobe fitting (

l briefing (NDAs,

p.m. –

nal time (restric

ical training (i

– Dinner

m. – Qu

.m. – L

t it. "You'

"You agreed to live under my protecti

said, voice rising.

. At least for the ne

. "You can't contr

have freedom inside these walls. But outside? You're vulnerable. I won't let

"So I'm not al

rre

keep me l

said, tilting his head. "But if you do, our deal en

ed, sharp. "Tha

link. "That

't just about the schedule or the rules-it was about how easily he'd

er arm-lightly, not for

t tou

Then he st

gs have been moved there. You'll find clothes, books, anything you nee

this is a mansio

ntly. "Somethi

ppens if I b

es dark. "Then I'll

eath h

way his words clung to the air

ped to the next screen. It was a list

#1: N

side contact wi

s space. And to me, for th

ur own-but your choices

ience will resul

survive this," she whis

k you'll fight it. Hate me. Curse me.

o understand yo

said softly. "Somet

a dream she didn't r

lly comprehend. Liam was everywhere and nowhere at once-his presence lingering in

ike it belonged to someone

rom Liam, as plates of salmon and vegetabl

ly touched

watching. As if studying her for a

y," he said

fork down.

used to losi

she snapped. "Daniel saw to that.

he key. You just haven't figur

s were m

the rage, somethi

s a monster, at least

etrayal behind gentle h

is darkness

she said quietly,

s voice almost... admiring

She looked down at the tablet, the rules, the schedule, the collar of her new

he di

gain. The city pulsed below her lik

her bones, she realize

as sur

iam K

't her

her w

stepped into hi