Chapter 4 - The Devil's Dress Code

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime.

Elina stepped into the heart of Salvatore Enterprises after hours-no buzzing desks, no chatter. Just silence... and power.

She followed Damon down the hallway, his presence like a storm in a tailored suit. His office looked different at night. Dimmer. Seductive. The skyline behind the glass shimmered like a million secrets.

He didn't speak.

He just stopped in front of a door she hadn't noticed before and pushed it open. Inside: a private dressing suite. Clean. Luxe. And waiting for her-a gold satin dress laid out across a velvet chair.

He turned to her, unblinking.

"You'll wear that tonight."

"For a business dinner?" she asked, voice soft but unsure.

"Everything with me is business. Even temptation."

Her cheeks flushed.

He stepped closer, held up a small black velvet box. "And this."

She opened it-a black silk choker with a delicate gold ring at the center.

"No necklace?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

She shook her head.

He reached behind her, brushing her skin as he clipped it around her throat. "Now you're ready."

Her breath caught. She couldn't decide what this was-a warning, or a claim.

---

✨ Later That Night...

The restaurant was wrapped in low candlelight and sharper glances.

Damon walked in beside her, one hand resting lightly on her back-just enough pressure to say mine.

Elina felt naked, despite the golden silk hugging every curve. The choker at her neck was like a whisper she couldn't ignore.

They approached a private table, where a woman already waited-stunning, tall, with sleek blonde hair and red lips that smiled like knives.

"Elina," Damon said, without glancing at her, "this is Camille."

Camille didn't look at Elina. She stared at Damon like he still belonged to her.

"New assistant?" she asked, dragging the word assistant like it tasted bitter.

"She's... special," Damon replied, the ghost of a smirk dancing across his lips.

Elina stayed silent. Her instructions were clear-don't speak unless told to.

Camille leaned forward. "Be careful, Mr. Salvatore. New toys tend to break."

The comment hung heavy between them.

But Damon just turned his gaze to Elina, slow and possessive. "Only if you don't know how to handle them."

Elina's pulse raced.

---

🚘 In the Car...

Silence.

The city rushed by outside the window, but Elina barely saw it.

She finally spoke. "Who was she?"

Damon chuckled softly. "Someone who thought she owned me. Until she didn't."

"And how long do you expect me to last?" she asked.

He turned to her, his voice low. Dangerous. "That depends on how much of yourself you're willing to give."

The car stopped.

Elina blinked. "This isn't my apartment."

"No," Damon said. "It's mine."

Her heartbeat roared.

He leaned close, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "You signed the contract. Now it's time you understand what that really means."

She should've said no. She should've panicked.

But her body... didn't move.

Because something deeper than fear was taking over-craving.

And she knew, tonight,

she wasn't just stepping into his world.

She was falling into it.

---

💋 End of Chapter 4