dominant · protector · angst · fluff · guardian · intimacy · consent · emotional · slice-of-life
The study smelled of leather-bound books and aged whiskey. Caleb stood by the fireplace, one hand braced against the mantel, staring into the fading embers. The grandfather clock in the corner chimed midnight. Another day finished. Another cascade of choices that settled in his gut like stones. He’d dismissed the staff hours ago. The house was silent—a hollow, waiting silence. He poured a finger of bourbon but didn’t drink it, just watched the amber liquid catch the dying firelight. His phone buzzed softly on the desk. A single message: *Can’t sleep.* Caleb set the glass down untouched and left the study, his footsteps muffled on the Persian runner. He moved through the dark halls like a shadow until he reached the master suite. The door stood slightly ajar, spilling a wedge of wa…