Chapter 7 After Sin

I woke to the scent of expensive cologne and warm skin.

Soft sheets cocooned me. A muscular arm draped across my waist. My back was pressed against a hard, steady chest, and for a moment just a moment it felt like love.

Like I belonged.

If I didn't remember what happened last night, I might have thought we were lovers. The way his hand curled protectively around my stomach, the way his body molded into mine like we fit perfectly... it was easy to pretend.

But I wasn't his.

And we weren't in love.

Asher lay behind me, fast asleep. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. His face, usually carved from steel and shadows, was peaceful now boyish, almost. Like the world hadn't touched him yet.

And that made it worse.

Because I felt like trash.

Like something had been ripped out of me and replaced with sin.

A tight knot formed in my throat. I didn't deserve to feel safe in his arms. I didn't deserve the softness of silk against my skin, or the expensive warmth wrapped around me. I deserved to be alone. Cold. Empty.

Tears slipped silently down my cheeks. I didn't even realize I was crying until one slid into my mouth and I tasted salt.

And then his voice shattered the silence.

"Are you okay?"

I jumped slightly. I hadn't noticed him stir. But now he was wide awake, looking at me with more emotion than I'd ever seen in his eyes before. Concern. Real concern.

"I... I'm fine," I lied.

He sat up slowly, brushing hair from my face with the gentlest touch. "Ivy," he said softly, "you don't have to pretend with me. If something's wrong, you can tell me. Anything."

Could I really?

Could I trust a man who just shared me with two others? A man who wanted to own me with money, sex, and power?

Still... something about his tone cracked through my defenses. I bit my lip and looked down.

"I don't know what's wrong," I whispered. "I think I should be happy. But I feel... dirty. Guilty. Like I committed some kind of crime."

His eyes didn't leave mine. "Did you enjoy it?"

My breath caught. I wanted to lie. I wanted to say I didn't, to pretend none of it had meant anything. But I couldn't.

"Yes," I breathed. "I did."

He nodded slowly. "Then why are you crying?"

"Because... what happens when people find out?" I whispered. "What happens when my sister grows up and hears what I did? What if the world turns on me? What if I can't go back to being normal?"

His jaw tensed. His hand found mine beneath the sheets.

"I'll give you everything," he said, voice low and fierce. "Everything money can buy. I may not look it, Ivy, but I care for you. Genuinely. I'd never want you to feel like I'm picking on you at your lowest. You were kind to me when I didn't deserve it."

He sat back, pulling the blanket higher over my chest. "So here's what I want you to do. Two things."

I blinked up at him, confused.

"Write two lists," he continued. "One of everything that's ever bothered you. Everything you need to sort out. All the little things that keep you up at night."

"And the second?" I asked.

"A list of everything you've ever dreamed of doing. Even the wildest ones. Even the things you never dared to say out loud."

"Why?"

He leaned down, kissed my forehead. "Because you'll be living only in your dreams from now on, princess. That's the life I'm giving you."

The sincerity in his eyes threatened to undo me.

"I'll have someone bring you new clothes," he added, already reaching for his phone. "And your driver will take you home."

I looked at him, startled. "Home?"

He smiled faintly. "Yes. Home. To my house."

I stared at him, chest tight.

"I've had your things moved," he said simply, like it was the most natural thing in the world. "I meant what I said-I don't want you worrying about anything again. Rent, bills, safety, food. None of it. From today forward, you belong to me. And I take care of what's mine."

His words were warm and possessive and terrifying.

But part of me didn't want to run.

Part of me wanted to stay.

⸻

Later That Morning

I stepped out of the Rolls Royce wearing a soft white sweater dress, silver heels, and the diamond necklace from last night-because apparently, I was expected to wear it like it was part of my skin now.

The house-his house-was a mansion on a hill. Pale stone, tall windows, ivy climbing the sides like something out of a fairy tale.

My things were already in the guest room. My toiletries arranged neatly on the marble counter.

This wasn't a sleepover.

This was relocation.

I sat on the edge of the enormous bed, gripping the blank notebook Asher's assistant had handed me.

Two lists.

Pain and dreams.

I stared at the empty page, heart pounding.

Where was I even supposed to begin?