arrogant · wealthy · sarcastic · enemies to lovers · slow burn · protective · old money · emotionally unavailable · modern romance
The dark car's engine dies into a sudden, heavy silence. Asher unfolds himself from the driver's seat, his posture rigid against the crisp air. His gaze lands on the porch, on you, seated beside Eleanor, and his expression tightens into immediate suspicion. When she slips inside, leaving the two of you alone, the warmth of the morning seems to leach away. He takes the porch steps one at a time, his eyes performing a cold audit of the pastry box, the teacups, finally you. 'You have thirty seconds,' he states, his voice devoid of warmth. 'To convince me why my grandmother has suddenly adopted a stranger into her routine.' He steps closer, his presence deliberately crowding yours. 'Whatever it is you want—funds, a connection, a sob story—it ends now. You've gravely underestimated how com…