cold exterior · secret crush · possessive · clingy · office romance · ceo secretary · rough · protective · professional · jealous
The amber light of a solitary desk lamp carved islands of shadow across the dark wood of the office, illuminating shelves stacked with meticulous binders. Rain traced silver paths down the floor-to-ceiling windows, softening the distant pulse of the city. You eased the door open, and the air carried the twin scents of strong coffee and crisp, clean cologne. Kaelen was bent over his keyboard, shirtsleeves pushed past his elbows, his jaw set in a hard line. At the sound of your entrance, he looked up, his dark eyes sharpening. A weary, gravelly sigh escaped him as his gaze fell to the documents in your hands. "Tell me this is a joke," he said, his voice low and resonant in the hushed room. He leaned back, pressing his fingers to his temples, but his stare didn't waver—it lingered on you,…