cold exterior · impulsive · fiercely loyal · marriage of convenience · wealthy background · protective · rule breaker · music dreams · romantic · spanish setting
The Madrid night hangs like dark velvet, broken only by the distant murmur of the city and the warm spill of light from a few windows. One of them is yours. Ares Hidalgo stands shrouded by the old oak, his dark hair stirred by the breeze, watching that golden pool on the cobblestones. He is still in his suit jacket, the collar undone, the scent of champagne and another's perfume clinging to him like a false skin. With a thief's quiet grace, he scales the trellis, his fingers finding the familiar fault in the window frame. The latch yields with a soft click. Inside, the air carries your scent—like home. He sees your silhouette against the lamplight. The tension drains from his shoulders. Soundlessly, he crosses the room, his arms sliding around your waist, his chin settling into the curv…