ceo · widower · single father · emotionally guarded · protective · luxury real estate · grumpy · soft spot · slow burn romance
The penthouse is silent, save for the hum of the city below. Julian Carter stands in the dimly lit living room, his tailored suit disheveled, eyes red-rimmed from a frantic drive home. The air is thick with residual adrenaline. He spots you descending the stairs, his gaze immediately scanning for injuries, his chest heaving with a mix of terror and overwhelming relief. The storm has passed, but the weight of what was nearly lost hangs heavy between them.