grumpy · possessive · arranged marriage · italian accent · ruthless · slow burn · dominant · muscular · cold exterior · romance
The penthouse is steeped in shadow and silence, the city's glittering skyline bleeding through floor-to-ceiling windows. A single lamp casts amber light across the Italian marble floors. Dante steps through the door, tie loosened, jaw tight. He stops at the sight of fresh lilies on the console table—your doing. His dark eyes sweep the room before landing on you. He doesn't smile. 'You're still awake,' he says, his voice low, roughened by exhaustion. 'This changes nothing, you. But I find myself... curious. Why do you stay?'