Obsession Behind Glass Walls

Cole Asher, a ruthless billionaire, watches Sloane Whitmore, a talented but overlooked jewelry designer, through a wall of security feeds in his Manhattan penthouse. His empire is built on control, and Sloane is his latest fixation—her creative spark and resilience fascinate him. He orchestrates an "accidental" meeting, determined to recruit her for a secret project that will outshine his rival Julian's upcoming collection. Cole's interest is more than business; it's personal, tinged with possessiveness and a need to prove himself. The city's glittering skyline is nothing compared to the allure of Sloane's untapped potential. As he manipulates events to bring her into his orbit, Cole's calculated detachment begins to crack, hinting at the dangerous intensity beneath his polished exterior.

Peppermint and Broken Barriers

Sloane, reeling from another bank rejection, meets Cole at a bar after a spilled drink and a ruined Christmas sweater. Their banter is electric, and Cole's probing questions about her designs make her feel seen in a way she hasn't before. Despite her embarrassment, Sloane is drawn to his confidence and the way he listens. The encounter leaves her both hopeful and unsettled, as if she's standing on the edge of something transformative. Later, with her best friend Chloe, Sloane contemplates leaving her stifling job to pursue her own line, emboldened by the possibility that someone might finally believe in her vision. The city's holiday lights seem to promise new beginnings, but Sloane can't shake the feeling that she's being watched.

Resignation and Risk

Haunted by her encounter with Cole and tired of creative suffocation, Sloane resigns from her job, only to be immediately cut off from her projects. The abruptness leaves her reeling, but also free. Her mother's practical concerns and her own doubts threaten to overwhelm her, but a mysterious email from Asher Industries offers a lifeline: an all-expenses-paid trip to Switzerland to discuss her Midnight Frost collection. The specificity of the offer—and the knowledge of her most private designs—both terrifies and intrigues her. With nothing left to lose, Sloane chooses risk over regret, packing her dreams and fears for a journey that could change everything.

The Swiss Invitation

Sloane's arrival in Switzerland is a surreal plunge into luxury and control. Every detail, from the private jet to the presidential suite, is tailored to her preferences—down to the peppermint tea. The opulence is both seductive and unsettling, and Sloane's anxiety grows as she realizes how much someone has learned about her. The invitation is more than a business meeting; it's a test, a seduction, and perhaps a trap. As she prepares for dinner with the enigmatic CEO, Sloane senses that she's being drawn into a game where the stakes are higher than she imagined, and the rules are written by someone who already knows her every move.

Power Plays in Gstaad

In a private dining room overlooking the Alps, Sloane discovers that Cole is not just the man from the bar, but the orchestrator of her new reality. He admits to watching her, manipulating events, and knowing her secrets. The dinner is a negotiation of power—Cole offers her creative freedom, resources, and a chance to eclipse Julian's fraudulent collection, but at the cost of her privacy and autonomy. Sloane is both repelled and fascinated by his dominance, recognizing in him a mirror of her own hunger for more. The tension between them is electric, a dance of control and surrender that leaves Sloane questioning her boundaries and her desires.

The Offer and the Trap

Cole presents Sloane with a contract: unlimited resources, a penthouse studio, and a tight deadline to launch her collection before Julian. The catch—she must live under his roof, work under surveillance, and submit to his rules. Sloane negotiates fiercely, demanding privacy and creative control, but the underlying current is clear: this is as much about power as it is about art. The contract becomes a symbol of their dynamic—mutual attraction laced with danger. Sloane signs, aware that she's stepping into a gilded cage, but unable to resist the promise of finally being seen and unleashed.

Boundaries and Bargains

Back in Manhattan, Sloane moves into Cole's penthouse, where every comfort is offset by the ever-present cameras and the sense of being both protected and possessed. Their interactions are charged with unspoken desire and the constant negotiation of boundaries. Sloane throws herself into her work, but the proximity to Cole—and his relentless attention—makes it impossible to keep things strictly professional. A sleigh ride in Switzerland, a rooftop photo shoot, and late-night creative sessions become battlegrounds for control and vulnerability. Sloane is both empowered and unsettled, drawn to the darkness in Cole and the way he challenges her to embrace her own.

Surveillance and Surrender

The surveillance that once felt invasive becomes a source of anticipation for Sloane, who finds herself performing for the cameras, testing the limits of Cole's control. Their relationship deepens into a game of dominance and submission, played out through jewelry that doubles as restraints and moments of raw confession. Sloane's designs grow bolder, reflecting her willingness to explore the edges of her own power and pleasure. Cole, for his part, is forced to confront the depth of his obsession and the possibility that surrendering control might be the only way to truly possess—and be possessed by—Sloane.

Creative Chains

Sloane's Midnight Frost collection takes shape, each piece a reflection of her journey from fear to freedom. The creative process becomes inseparable from her evolving relationship with Cole, who pushes her to embrace the duality of strength and vulnerability. Their intimacy is marked by trust games, physical restraint, and the constant testing of limits. Sloane learns that true power lies in choosing when to yield, and Cole discovers that love is the ultimate risk. Together, they forge a partnership that is as much about art as it is about the willingness to be seen, known, and changed.

Frost and Fire

As the collection nears completion, external pressures mount. Julian's machinations grow more desperate, and the threat to Sloane becomes explicit. The launch date looms, and the line between business and personal stakes blurs. Sloane confronts the reality of being used as a pawn in Cole's war with Julian, while Cole grapples with the consequences of his secrecy and the depth of his feelings. Old wounds are reopened, and the cost of ambition becomes clear. The couple must decide whether their connection can survive the truth—and whether they can trust each other enough to face the dangers ahead.

The Ice Queen Emerges

At a glittering gala, Sloane debuts her collection, outshining rivals and silencing doubters. Wearing her own designs and Cole's collar, she commands the room, transforming from underdog to Ice Queen. The world finally sees her brilliance, but the victory is bittersweet—Julian's threats escalate, and the cost of visibility becomes apparent. Sloane's confrontation with her former boss and the art world's elite cements her status, but also marks her as a target. The night is a triumph, but the shadows are closing in, and Sloane realizes that true power comes with a price.

Rivals and Revelations

Julian's vendetta turns violent, culminating in Sloane's abduction on Christmas Eve. The truth about Cole's surveillance, the biometric security, and the real stakes of the Midnight Frost collection come to light. Sloane is forced to confront the reality of being both muse and weapon in a battle she never chose. Cole, desperate and guilt-ridden, must rely on his own darkness—and the loyalty of his team—to rescue her. The lines between love and obsession, protection and possession, are drawn in blood and betrayal. Both must decide what they are willing to sacrifice for each other.

Kidnapped on Christmas Eve

Held captive in Julian's lair, Sloane endures psychological and physical threats as Julian attempts to force her to unlock Claire's legacy and erase her own. Her defiance, wit, and refusal to break become acts of resistance, buying time and refusing to let Julian rewrite her story. The trauma is real, but so is Sloane's determination. She clings to the hope that Cole will come for her, and that her art—and her love—cannot be stolen or destroyed. The ordeal becomes a crucible, forging her into something unbreakable.

The Final Confrontation

Cole, with Knox and his team, launches a calculated assault to rescue Sloane and end Julian's reign. The confrontation is brutal, both physically and emotionally, as old wounds are reopened and the true cost of obsession is revealed. Sloane's courage and Cole's willingness to risk everything for her turn the tide. Julian is exposed, his crimes laid bare, and the stolen designs are recovered. In the aftermath, Sloane and Cole must reckon with the scars left by violence, the fragility of trust, and the possibility of a future built on honesty rather than manipulation.

Aftermath and New Beginnings

In the quiet after the storm, Sloane and Cole face the consequences of their choices. Apologies are made, boundaries renegotiated, and the work of rebuilding begins. Sloane claims her independence, demanding partnership rather than protection. Cole learns to let go of control, embracing vulnerability as the foundation of real intimacy. Together, they create new traditions—Christmas trees, cinnamon rolls, and a puppy named Havoc—choosing each other not out of need, but out of love. The past cannot be erased, but it can be transformed.

A Crooked Christmas Tree

Cole's grand gesture—a crooked Christmas tree and a rescued puppy—becomes a symbol of his willingness to embrace mess, imperfection, and the unpredictable beauty of life with Sloane. Their reconciliation is marked by laughter, tears, and the realization that love is not about control, but about choosing each other every day. The penthouse, once a fortress, becomes a home. Sloane's declaration of love is met with Cole's own, and together they step into a future that is uncertain but shared. The tree, the puppy, and the chaos are proof that they are building something real.

The Atelier and the Future

With Julian defeated and the Midnight Frost collection a triumph, Sloane opens her own atelier—a space for creativity, collaboration, and the next generation of artists. Cole supports her not as a patron, but as a partner, offering resources and trust rather than control. The cameras remain, but now they are symbols of transparency and mutual watching, not surveillance. Sloane's journey from overlooked designer to Ice Queen is complete, but the real victory is in the freedom to create, to love, and to choose her own path. Together, they face the future—imperfect, unpredictable, and full of possibility.

Characters

Cole Asher

Cole is a self-made billionaire whose life is defined by control, surveillance, and the relentless pursuit of power. His initial interest in Sloane is both strategic and personal—she is the key to defeating his rival Julian and avenging the death of Claire, but she also awakens a vulnerability he cannot suppress. Cole's psychological complexity lies in his struggle between dominance and the fear of loss; he oscillates between protector and possessor, often blurring the line between love and obsession. His arc is one of learning to relinquish control, to trust, and to accept that true intimacy requires risk. Through Sloane, Cole confronts his own darkness, ultimately choosing partnership over possession and finding redemption in vulnerability.

Sloane Whitmore

Sloane is a gifted jewelry designer whose ambition is matched only by her capacity for self-doubt. Overlooked and underestimated, she is driven by a need to prove herself—not just to the world, but to herself. Sloane's journey is one of transformation: from a woman trapped by others' expectations to an artist who claims her own power. Her relationship with Cole is both a crucible and a catalyst, forcing her to confront her fears, embrace her desires, and demand respect. Sloane's psychological strength lies in her refusal to be defined by others, her willingness to risk everything for her art, and her insistence on honesty—even when it hurts. She emerges as the Ice Queen, not cold, but unbreakable.

Julian Voss

Julian is the story's antagonist, a former mentor to Cole and the widower of Claire. His charm masks a deep-seated need for control and recognition, and his inability to accept loss drives him to increasingly desperate acts. Julian's psychoanalysis reveals a man haunted by inadequacy, obsessed with legacy, and willing to destroy anyone who threatens his narrative. His relationship to Cole is one of twisted father-son rivalry, and to Sloane, he is both predator and thief—seeking to erase her identity and claim her work as his own. Julian's downfall is his inability to adapt, to see that true power lies in creation, not destruction.

Chloe Hallman

Chloe is Sloane's best friend and confidante, providing emotional ballast and comic relief. Her unwavering belief in Sloane's talent and her refusal to let her friend give up are crucial to Sloane's journey. Chloe's psychoanalysis reveals a woman who values loyalty, humor, and authenticity. She is the voice of reason, the cheerleader, and the occasional instigator, reminding Sloane of her worth and pushing her to take risks. Chloe's own relationship is a model of healthy support, contrasting with the high-stakes drama of Sloane and Cole.

Knox Bishop

Knox is Cole's head of security and his moral compass. A former Special Forces operative, Knox is the embodiment of discipline and loyalty, but also of quiet empathy. He sees through Cole's bravado and is unafraid to challenge him, especially when it comes to Sloane's safety. Knox's psychological depth lies in his ability to balance duty with compassion, and his subtle influence is often the difference between disaster and survival. He is the unsung hero, orchestrating rescues and managing crises with calm efficiency.

Hailey Parker

Hailey is a fellow designer who becomes Sloane's assistant and creative partner. Her gothic-inspired aesthetic and technical skill complement Sloane's vision, and her presence is a catalyst for the collection's evolution. Hailey's psychoanalysis reveals a woman who has learned to survive in a cutthroat industry by embracing her uniqueness and supporting other women. She is both a mirror and a foil to Sloane, challenging her to push boundaries and reminding her that art is a team effort.

Jasmine Walsh

Jasmine is Sloane's former boss, a gatekeeper who stifles innovation in favor of market trends. Her relationship to Sloane is one of envy and control, and her psychoanalysis reveals a woman terrified of irrelevance. Jasmine's downfall is her inability to recognize true talent, and her attempts to undermine Sloane only serve to highlight her own mediocrity. She is a cautionary figure, a reminder of what happens when fear overrides creativity.

Claire Voss

Claire is the ghost at the heart of the story—a brilliant designer whose death haunts both Cole and Julian. She represents lost potential, the cost of ambition, and the dangers of being silenced. Claire's legacy is the battleground for the story's central conflict, and her psychoanalysis reveals a woman caught between two powerful men, struggling to claim her own voice. In death, she becomes both muse and martyr, a symbol of what Sloane must overcome.

Maya

Maya is Sloane's former assistant, whose disappearance is a chilling reminder of the story's stakes. Her fate is a consequence of proximity to power, and her psychoanalysis reveals the vulnerability of those caught in the crossfire. Maya's arc is a warning about the cost of secrets and the importance of looking out for one another in a world that often rewards betrayal.

Havoc (the puppy)

Havoc, the golden retriever puppy, is more than comic relief—he is a symbol of hope, imperfection, and the possibility of new beginnings. His presence softens Cole, grounds Sloane, and brings levity to a world defined by high stakes and high drama. Havoc's psychoanalysis is simple: he is love in its purest, most unguarded form, reminding the characters—and the reader—that joy is found in the mess.

Plot Devices

Surveillance and Voyeurism

The story's narrative structure is built around the motif of surveillance—literal cameras, hidden feeds, and the constant watching that defines Cole's world. This device serves multiple purposes: it is a tool of control, a source of tension, and a metaphor for the desire to truly see and be seen. The cameras blur the line between protection and possession, forcing Sloane to confront her own boundaries and Cole to reckon with the cost of his obsession. Voyeurism becomes both a source of danger and a path to intimacy, as the characters learn that true connection requires vulnerability, not just observation.

Power Dynamics and Consent

The story's central relationship is a constant negotiation of power—contracts, boundaries, and the interplay of dominance and submission. The BDSM elements are not just erotic, but symbolic of the larger themes: who holds power, who yields, and what it means to choose surrender. Consent is foregrounded, with explicit discussions of rules, safe words, and the right to revoke control. This device allows the story to explore the psychological complexity of desire, trust, and the ways in which giving up power can be an act of strength.

Foreshadowing and Parallelism

The narrative is rich with foreshadowing—early references to surveillance, control, and the dangers of ambition set the stage for later revelations. The story's structure mirrors itself: Sloane's journey echoes Claire's, Cole's obsession with Sloane parallels Julian's with Claire, and the cycle of creation and destruction repeats across generations. These parallels heighten the stakes, deepen the emotional resonance, and invite the reader to consider the ways in which history repeats—and can be rewritten.

The Crooked Christmas Tree

The recurring image of the crooked Christmas tree is a plot device that encapsulates the story's central message: beauty is found in imperfection, and love is about embracing the mess. The tree, like Sloane and Cole's relationship, is flawed but cherished, a testament to the power of choosing each other despite—and because of—uncertainty. It is both a literal and metaphorical anchor, grounding the characters in the present and offering a vision of a future built on acceptance rather than control.

Analysis

Alta Hensley's He Knows When You're Awake is a dark, seductive exploration of power, vulnerability, and the search for authenticity in a world obsessed with control. At its core, the novel interrogates the boundaries between protection and possession, love and obsession, art and commerce. Through the lens of a high-stakes romance set against the glittering backdrop of Manhattan's elite, Hensley examines the psychological costs of ambition, the dangers of secrecy, and the redemptive power of trust. The story's BDSM elements are not mere titillation, but a vehicle for exploring the complexities of consent, agency, and the paradoxical freedom found in surrender. Sloane's journey from overlooked designer to Ice Queen is a testament to the resilience of the creative spirit, while Cole's transformation from voyeur to partner underscores the necessity of vulnerability for true intimacy. The novel's use of surveillance as both threat and invitation reflects contemporary anxieties about privacy, autonomy, and the desire to be truly seen. Ultimately, He Knows When You're Awake is a celebration of imperfection, a reminder that love is not about control, but about choosing each other—again and again—in the face of uncertainty. The crooked Christmas tree, the rescued puppy, and the atelier at the story's end are not just symbols of hope, but blueprints for a life built on honesty, courage, and the willingness to embrace the mess.

Last updated: November 29, 2025