Acquisition & Surrender: A BDSM Workplace Erotic Romance Novel

by April Cross

Obsession and surrender have never been more inevitable.

I've spent years perfecting the art of being overlooked. Entry-level analyst. Quiet. Safe. No one notices me, and that's exactly how I've survived.

Then Sebastian Ashford acquires the company I work for and everything changes.

He's powerful. Commanding. A man who sees straight through every wall I've built. He offers me a promotion I don't think I deserve. The problem? When we're alone, all I can think about is giving him my complete submission.

Every time he looks at me, my body betrays me, craving the control only he can provide.

One touch and I'm already addicted. One command and I'm desperate to obey.

I'm terrified of how much I need him. And I'm helpless to resist.

"Acquisition & Surrender" is a scorching romance featuring a dominant boss, intense power exchange, workplace tension, dirty talk, and a woman discovering she's worth keeping. This emotional, filthy story delivers possessive obsession and a guaranteed HEA.

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2026

About the author

Writer of spicy stories... okay, I'll be honest, most of my stuff is ghost pepper spicy. I started writing short alien erotic romances and moved into contemporary sharing stories, before branching out with April Cross to give a home for my longer contemporary erotic romances. I prefer to write erotic romances that have an element of power play with guys who like to be in control.

Reviews

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

He wanted her obedience. She needed to be wanted. They both got more.

Elise has spent her life staying quiet and invisible. It’s safe. It works. Until Sebastian Ashford walks in, acquires her company, and upends everything. He’s powerful, controlled, and impossible to ignore. When he offers her a promotion, it feels like a risk she’s ready to take. Especially when his gaze says he wants more than her work.

Behind closed doors, he gives her rules, structure, and control. She gives him her submission. What starts as a strict dynamic deepens into something real, built on trust and emotional exposure. She learns to be wanted without apology. He learns how to hold on without breaking. Together, they push limits, stay grounded, and choose each other again and again.

But not everyone wants to see her rise. When their connection threatens to cost her everything, Elise has to decide if she’s ready to be seen, and if he’ll stand with her when it counts. What could tear them apart might also prove just how real it is.

Elise grows from a guarded, overlooked analyst into a woman who stands in her power without losing her softness. Sebastian shifts from a closed-off CEO to a partner who protects with devotion and loves without restraint. Their relationship begins with dominance and submission but evolves into a connection defined by respect, safety, and emotional depth.

Ultra-steamy, high-heat, age gap, boss and employee BDSM romance with a possessive hero and a submissive heroine who learns her worth. It explores control, surrender, intimacy, chosen family, and the kind of love that lets you be fully seen. It's about reclaiming your voice through trust and building a future you never thought you'd have.

The Elevator Pitch: A commanding CEO pulls a quiet analyst out of the shadows and into a world of control, surrender, and obsession. What starts as workplace tension ignites into a darkly addictive dynamic built on trust, power, and need. It’s intense, filthy, and achingly intimate with a possessive hero who doesn’t let go.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I initially had reservations about how Elise and Sebastian’s relationship began and how Elise shifted so quickly from a woman hiding in plain sight to one willing to submit to a man she barely knew, those doubts were easy to forget once the heat kicked in. The real standout for me, though, was the way April captured Elise’s emotional and physical awakening as she stepped into Sebastian’s dominant world. Watching Elise let go, surrendering to Sebastian’s control, and finding unexpected peace in his touch, whether it was the warmth of his hands or the sting of a flogger, cast BDSM and power exchange in a surprisingly tender and affirming light. Much of that positivity stems from Sebastian himself. Yes, he’s a Dominant who challenges Elise and pushes her boundaries, but he also cherishes her deeply and introduces her to pleasure on a level she’s never known. I especially appreciated that he didn’t overwhelm her by throwing everything at her all at once. Those deliberate pauses between scenes were deliciously erotic in their own right, proving that anticipation can be just as powerful as action. Sebastian is also refreshingly confident in his dominance, secure enough to allow Elise moments of control, which only adds depth to their dynamic. Alongside Elise’s sexual exploration, her emotional growth was just as compelling. A childhood spent drifting through the foster care system left her carrying heavy emotional baggage, and Sebastian becomes the first person who truly sees her. Elise does cry a lot throughout the story, but given the emotional weight of her journey, it feels earned. My one frustration with her character was her constant tendency to leap to worst-case scenarios, even when Sebastian was open and vocal about wanting a future with her. However, that begin said, that insecurity feels realistic given her past. Ultimately, Elise flourishes under Sebastian’s care, and I loved that she also gains a found family through his close-knit group of friends and coworkers. Emotional, sensual, and deeply affirming, I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Slwd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elise and Sebastian

“Acquisition and Surrender” is a standalone erotic novel written by April Cross. I’m certainly glad Ms. Cross spread her wings and created a book of this length. We get to experience the emotional, heartfelt, romantic, passionate, and erotic relationship of two souls who found what they needed in each other. The book is centered around Elise, a woman who wanted to remain under the radar and be invisible and billionaire Sebastian, her boss with a commanding presence who sees the woman trying to hide. An instant connection draws Elise into Sebastian’s world of dominance and submission. This is a great story that builds from the beginning. I definitely liked getting to know these two characters. We learn a lot of what motivates Elise to behave the way she does, we are allowed into her headspace when she’s spiraling and into her quiet when she’s floating in subspace. We get to experience her changes as Sebastian stays with her and takes care of her. Sebastian was definitely a dominant, we learned his backstory when he was ready to share that part of himself. Of course there is a villain, of sorts, who is out to destroy Elise, and new found friends who offer support and kindness. This is a well thought out and well written story. The main characters are likable ind interesting. The pacing works within the framework of the story. Aspects of BDSM are tastefully included, everything Elise and Sebastian do together is consensual and respectful. If you are a fan of this genre or of April Cross, you’ll definitely enjoy “Acquisition and Surrender”, a great title for a contemporary workplace romance. Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Louise J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elise has learned to make herself invisible in life to protect herself from the kind of rejection and disappointment she experienced growing up. When the company she works for is acquired by Sebastian’s, she finds herself the focus of his gaze immediately and she doesn’t want to shy away from it. From their first encounter, Elise is overwhelmed by her desire to submit to Sebastian, and when he offers her a promotion which will bring her into closer contact with him, she can’t say no. In Sebastian she finds someone who is powerful in his dominance, but who also cares, challenges, cherishes and unlocks desires Elise didn’t know she had. This longer novel from April allows for a deeper exploration of a BDSM relationship and the pleasure, release and security it can provide, along with laying bare Elise’s emotional journey from hiding herself to being fully seen and accepted by Sebastian and her found family. An explicit and illuminating read full of steam, spice, vulnerability, trust and emotion. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaitie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was everything. It was hot, romantic, emotional, realistic, inspirational...practically perfect.

Elise is a relatable character for anyone who doesn’t feel worthy of love or attention, and seeing her fall for the dominant, self-assured CEO who loves her in return was just *chefs kiss*

Elise finds herself in becoming submissive, and I loved that their bdsm dynamic was portrayed far more realistically than many books do. It built (relatively) gradually, responsibly, and with so much consent and checking in.

And none of that took away from how hot all of the spicy scenes were. The dirty talk was immaculate and delightfully filthy. But it wasn't just spice, there was a lot of heart and deep connection, which is what makes a story really memorable in the end.

Highly recommend!

[Valerie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Booksprout and the author for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This book goes above ad beyond many of this author's other novels: there is a good story underpinning the development of the BDSM, and excellent character creation. The description of Elise's lonely birthday celebration immediately had me rooting for her to find a 'special someone' and the instant attraction to the new 'boss' promised plenty of heat.
The explicit nature of the sexy scenes makes the book full of thrills, and I liked how this linked to the deepening of the loving, caring relationship between Elise and Sebastian. Even the co-worker relationships are interesting, Tessa makes a superb friend.

[SBee Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

★ ”For the first time in years, I don’t feel invisible...” ★

“…I feel chosen…and safe.” The new head for Mercer and Associates seems to be the only one at work who sees Elise and her potential, and she has been there for three years. But there is definitely more possible, if they choose to pursue what their insta-chemistry indicates. Their journey was character building, finding in each other a fulfilling connection which gifted exactly what was missing in their lives, exploration of the BDSM dynamic was enriching and emotional. Engaging story with lots of heat and mild workplace drama to challenge their trust.

[Bec A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cannolli! This was fast paced and scorching from the start. Instant attraction from our main characters Sebastian and Elise, when he takes over the company she works for. What follows is an exploration of finding one's self and trusting the process. Absolutely brilliant book with a fantastically spicy and compelling plot that keeps you engaged.

Includes tropes from breeding to found family with Sebastian being the perfect Dom to introduce Elise into the BDSM world.

Please check your TW before reading.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[PN_booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an insta-love workplace story. The chemistry was immediately apparent between the Elise and Sebastian and they didn't hesitate to explore it, which I appreciated. Elise had some personal issues to work through, and Sebastian was the perfect person for her. I would have liked to also read Sebastians POV as it seems that he had been through some things in the past as well. Overall a very enjoyable, high heat story with some heart.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vievie2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually such a tender and vulnerable story about both Elise and Sebastian. Elise's swift trust in Sebastian saw his confident yet caring guidance unlock her emotional scars from foster care. Through steady support, she finds growth, found family, and a deep, affirming connection and although Sebastian was mostly in control, it was wonderful to see his vulnerabilities as well. Surrender never felt so liberating!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Taara Amrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tender, honest, and sweet BDSM romance. Nothing dark, just an option offered and accepted. Both are survivors who took different paths to handle their childhoods. She learns that strength comes in believing in herself. He learns that power comes from letting love in. A fabulous and very erotic example of a life as a Dom/sub relationship.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ms. Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elise has spent her working life trying to be invisible and safe. When Sebastian Ashford takes over the company she works for, instead of being laid off, she finds herself on his intense radar. Soon she feels driven to give him her complete submission. A scorching hot workplace relationship where eventually Elise overcomes her lack of self-worth and accepts Sebastian’s domination and care.

[Hope Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting fast paced read of two people on their journey to find their worth and share their needs. The workplace meet cute coupled with their strong need for each other is addictive as you read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

She spent her life being invisible, that’s the way she liked it. Now though she’s been seen and heard won’t let her go. With every breath she takes she wants to follow his commands.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vivien Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a yummy workplace with very hot spicy scenes. Elise is used to fading into the background but Sebastian really sees her. He's her dominant boss and she really wants to submit. I loved ther relationship dynamic and the smexy scenes were so good!

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was well written. The story was believable.