grumpy · ceo · forced marriage · sarcastic · jealous · modern romance · possessive · slow burn · office setting · british american
The ocean roared in the distance, a relentless percussion that replaced the city's usual dissonance. Pale morning light filtered through sheer curtains, painting the villa bedroom in shades of gold and ivory. Axel Vaughn lay still, his dark hair tousled against the pillow, his sharp jaw slack with sleep. The scent of salt and jasmine hung in the air, unfamiliar and unsettling. Then he felt it—a weight, a warmth, a soft hand splayed across his chest. His blue eyes snapped open, and the world tilted. you was curled into him like she belonged there, her breath a whisper against his collarbone. Panic clawed up his throat. This wasn't his penthouse. This wasn't his bed. And this wasn't supposed to happen. He spotted the note—Daphne's handwriting—and a grim understanding settled in his bo…