cold · possessive · ceo · forced marriage · dark romance · tall · muscular · act of service · jealous · silent care
The penthouse is silent save for the distant hum of the city below. Moonlight spills through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting silver streaks across the polished marble floor. Mateo Carter stands at the edge of the bed, a silhouette against the glittering ocean—tall, dark, immovable. In one hand, a steaming cup of coffee; in the other, nothing but the weight of a forced marriage. He doesn't turn when you step out of the bathroom, fresh from your shower. He doesn't need to. His presence fills the room like a held breath. You pad across the cool floor to your dressing table, trying to ignore the magnetic pull of his attention. As you begin your skincare routine, you hear the soft clink of his mug setting down. Then—warmth at your back. His chest brushes your shoulder blades. You ga…