Lily sat frozen in Anthony's office, the weight of her decision pressing down on her like a steel cage.
The contract—her signature—was now locked away in his desk, as if she had just signed over her soul.
Anthony's dark eyes held hers, unwavering, full of ownership.
"You belong to me now."
Her breath caught.
His voice wasn't raised, but it commanded. It wasn't a threat, but it promised.
And what scared her most was how much her body reacted to the certainty in his words.
She squared her shoulders, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "What now?"
Anthony leaned back against his desk, his powerful frame relaxed, but his presence still consuming every inch of space between them.
"Now," he said, his tone like silk laced with steel, "you come home with me."
Lily's pulse skittered. "You never said I had to move in."
His lips curved, amusement flickering in his eyes. "I never said you wouldn't."
Her fingers curled at her sides. "I have my own place."
Anthony pushed off the desk and took a slow step toward her. "That shoebox apartment?" His voice dipped, a quiet mockery. "You won't be living there anymore."
She hated how effortless he made it sound—how he just decided things and expected the world to fall in line.
Expected her to fall in line.
"I have a life outside of you," she said, lifting her chin.
Anthony reached for her then, his fingers tilting her chin up higher, forcing her to hold his gaze. His touch was warm, firm, possessive.
A shiver ran through her.
"You had a life outside of me," he corrected. "Now, your world revolves around mine."
His thumb brushed lightly over her jaw, and God help her, she didn't pull away.
His touch was intoxicating.
Too much.
Not enough.
"You don't own me," she whispered.
Anthony's eyes darkened.
His fingers slid lower, trailing the delicate curve of her throat before he let go, his absence almost more devastating than his touch.
He smirked.
"Not yet."