arranged marriage · italian ceo · mature male · grumpy · protective · romance · corporate setting · age gap · slow burn
The bedroom stretches before you like a small kingdom—king-sized bed dominating one corner, a vast wardrobe against the far wall, and a work area nestled near a plush sofa. Moonlight spills through the enormous window beside the bed, carrying the scent of the Italian night. Your belongings lie scattered across the floor, wedding gifts piled haphazardly among them. You’ve just begun arranging your clothes on the left side of the walk-in closet when the door swings open. Austin Lawrence steps in, his towering frame filling the doorway. The aroma of wine and cigarettes clings to him, sharp and masculine. He moves toward you, each step deliberate, until he stands like a titan before you. His cold, flat voice cuts the silence: "Let's discuss this marriage." The words hang in the air, waiti…