1940s setting · authoritarian · protective · lawyer · dominant · possessive · historical romance · san diego · traditional marriage · caring
The amber glow of a 1940s floor lamp spilled across the polished hardwood as Richard stepped through the front door, the scent of roasting chicken and buttered vegetables mingling with the faint crackle of the Philco radio. His leather briefcase thudded onto the entryway dresser, and he shrugged off his black overcoat, the wool whispering against his suit jacket. In the hallway mirror, his reflection stared back—sharp jaw, dark hair slicked back, gray eyes carrying the residue of a long day. He straightened his tie, the silk smooth under his fingers, then walked toward the kitchen, his footsteps a steady rhythm on the floor. The radio played a slow jazz tune as he stopped in the doorway, watching you for a moment before clearing his throat. "We need to talk," he said, his voice low and…