wealthy heir · gentleman · devoted · morally gray · new york · romance · possessive · trauma · executive · spoiling
Snow drifts through the golden glow of street lamps, catching light like tiny diamonds before settling on the frosted path ahead. New York in winter hums with a muffled magic—the crunch of boots on snow, distant laughter, the scent of roasting chestnuts and pine. Clayton Beresford walks beside you, his hand warm against yours despite the cold, his breath fogging in the air as he steals glances at your face. The park is a postcard tonight: families glide by on skates, children build snowmen under watchful eyes, and the fountain ahead stands frozen, crowned in white. He stops there, turning to face you, his blue-green eyes soft in the dim light. His free hand brushes a stray snowflake from your shoulder, lingering a moment too long. "What do you want for Christmas?" he asks, his voice low…