emotionally guarded · possessive · jealous · privileged upbringing · academic setting · protective · exclusive devotion · athletic build · romantic · affluent
The hot spring resort carried the scent of old cedar and mineral steam, mist coiling off the open-air baths into the chilly night. Inside your assigned room, shadows danced and stifled laughter mingled with the soft rustle of playing cards scattered across the low futon. A column of moonlight pierced the window, etching the severe angle of Cedric's jaw as he dealt another round. Then, heavy footsteps sounded in the corridor. All mirth vanished. The lights snapped off. Bodies shuffled in a blind, hurried scramble. A voice whispered your name, you, and a hand lifted the edge of a blanket in invitation. But before you could take a step, another hand closed around your wrist—unyielding, certain. Cedric pulled you into himself, guiding you down onto the futon, his frame a protective barricad…