Edward came out of the bathroom with damp hair, a towel slung over his shoulder, and a smirk that told me he knew exactly what he was doing to my heartbeat.
I sat on the edge of the bed, pretending to scroll through my phone.
Pretending to breathe normally.
Pretending I wasn't overthinking everything.
He raised a brow. "You look like you're battling demons."
I forced a smile. "Something like that."
"Want help?" he asked, stepping closer.
"No," I blurted out.
He stopped. "Okay… that was dramatic. What's going on?"
I took a slow breath and looked up at him.
His presence was overwhelming tall, confident, dangerously attractive, and still shirtless. My mind kept replaying last night, his hands, his mouth, the way he said my name like he owned it.
And that was the problem.
Feelings were not part of the plan.
Not after Frank.
Not after everything I'd survived.
Not after the humiliation, the betrayal, the nights I cried in secret while he slept in another room.
I couldn't fall again.
Not for a stranger.
And certainly not for someone who made me feel too much too fast.
So I said the one thing that felt safe.
"Edward… I want to propose something."
He crossed his arms. "Sounds serious."
"It is."
He tilted his head, curious. "Let's hear it."
I stood up, suddenly restless, pacing a few steps before turning back to him.
"I don't want a relationship right now," I began.
His expression didn't change, but I saw the slight flicker of something disappointment? I pushed past it.
"I'm not looking for love, or commitment, or… complications."
"Okay," he said slowly.
"But last night was…" I swallowed. "Incredible."
His lips curved. "Trust me, I noticed."
Heat rushed to my cheeks. "I'm being serious."
"So am I."
I glared at him. "Edward."
"Leah," he mimicked, amused.
I exhaled sharply. "I want you. I'm not going to pretend I don't. But I don't want emotions involved. I don't want pressure or expectations."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Where are you going with this?"
I looked him straight in the eye.
"Be my contracted lover."
The silence was immediate.
Heavy.
Thick.
Almost audible.
Edward blinked once. Then again.
Then his lips slowly pulled into the slowest, sexiest smirk I'd ever seen.
"A contracted lover," he repeated, savoring every syllable. "So you want me on call?"
"Not like that," I snapped.
He raised a brow. "How then?"
I swallowed. "We… enjoy each other. No strings. No emotions. Just physical connection when we want it. Clear rules. No jealousy. No drama. No… falling."
Edward stepped closer, and my breath hitched.
"No falling," he echoed softly. "For either of us."
"Yes." I nodded quickly. "Exactly."
He stared at me for a long moment long enough that the silence between us became unbearable.
Then
"You're serious."
"Completely."
His smirk widened. "You want to hire me to pleasure you."
My face burned. "Edward!"
"What?" he asked innocently. "That's what you're saying."
"It's a mutually beneficial arrangement," I corrected, crossing my arms.
"It's adorable that you think rephrasing it changes anything."
"I'm trying to be practical," I insisted.
"Practical," he repeated again, stepping so close I felt the heat of his body through my clothes. He lowered his voice. "Sweetheart… nothing about last night was practical."
My pulse quickened. "Which is exactly why I want rules."
He lifted his hand and gently traced my jawline. "Rules."
"Yes."
"Boundaries."
"Yes."
"No emotions."
"Yes."
He leaned down, lips inches from mine. "And you think I'll be able to keep my hands off you unless you write it on paper?"
My breath caught. "I'm giving you an out."
He moved even closer. "Or you're trying to give yourself one."
"I don't know what you mean," I whispered.
"You're scared."
My throat tightened. "I'm being smart."
He shook his head slowly. "You're scared, Leah. And you think calling this a contract will keep you from feeling something."
I didn't respond. Couldn't respond.
Because he was right.
And I hated that he could see that so easily.
He took my hand gently, holding it between both of his. "Look at me."
I did.
He smiled not the seductive smirk, not the cocky grin. Something softer.
"If this contract makes you feel safe… I'll agree."
My heart flipped.
"But," he added, lifting my chin with his finger, "don't think for one second that it'll change what happens when I touch you."
I swallowed hard.
"And don't pretend you don't want that."
Heat flooded my cheeks again. "So you agree?"
He stepped even closer. "Leah… I'll agree to anything that keeps me near you."
My breath stopped completely.
Then he raised my hand to his lips and kissed it. Slowly. Deliberately. Sinfully.
"Contract accepted," he murmured against my skin. "But I'm warning you"
"Warning me of what?" I whispered.
He leaned in, lips brushing the shell of my ear.
"You're not the only one who wants more."
A shiver ran through me from head to toe.
This was supposed to be simple.
Casual.
Controlled.
But with the way he looked at me…
I knew we were already crossing lines.
And this was only the beginning.