Chapter 6: Midnight Decision

The weight of the contract burned in Lily's hands all day. No matter how much she tried to focus on anything else, her gaze kept drifting back to the thick paper, the bold signature at the bottom, and the single line that sealed her fate.

**Midnight. My office. Don't be late.**

She wasn't sure what frustrated her more—the arrogant command or the fact that she knew she'd obey it.

By the time the clock neared eleven, her tiny apartment felt suffocating. She had tried to paint, to eat, to sleep. Nothing worked. Her mind was already at Calloway Enterprises, standing in front of **him**.

She stood before her closet, heart pounding, fingers ghosting over different options. **What does a woman wear to sign away her freedom?**

A dress? Too much like a date.

Jeans? Too casual.

She finally settled on black slacks and a fitted blouse—something neutral, something that wouldn't give him the satisfaction of thinking she had dressed for him.

But when she stepped in front of the mirror, her breath caught.

Her pulse thrummed.

**Because no matter what she wore, she already looked like his.**

---

By the time Lily stepped out of the cab in front of Calloway Enterprises, the city was quieter, but the towering skyscraper loomed as if it never slept.

She swallowed hard as she stepped inside.

The lobby was dimly lit, but she wasn't alone.

A security guard glanced up, then nodded knowingly. "He's expecting you."

Of course, he was.

A private elevator was already open for her. The ride up was silent, except for the steady drumming of her pulse.

When the doors slid open, Anthony's office was exactly how she imagined—dark, sleek, and overwhelmingly masculine. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed a breathtaking view of the city, but her eyes weren't drawn to the skyline.

They were drawn to **him**.

Anthony Calloway sat behind a massive desk, one hand resting on the contract she had yet to sign. His suit jacket was gone, his shirt sleeves rolled up, exposing the sharp, strong lines of his forearms.

A king, waiting for his next conquest.

Lily forced herself to breathe. "I'm here."

Anthony's lips curved in satisfaction. "I knew you would be."