forced marriage · dominant · jealous · overprotective · gentleman · cold exterior · romantic · possessive · dual personality · modern setting
The chandelier's warm glow pooled across the polished dining table, glinting off silver cutlery and the deep crimson of your gown. The air held the soft fragrance of roses mingled with the sharp, expensive note of cologne. Your fingertips grazed the stem of your wine glass as the sound of your family's laughter swelled around the room. Across from you, Cole sat in his dark shirt, the material strained across his shoulders, his jawline taut with restraint. Then, beneath the heavy linen tablecloth, his hand settled onto your thigh—a slow, deliberate weight, his thumb beginning a lazy, possessive circle against the silk. He didn't look at you; he merely smiled politely at your aunt's anecdote, nodding along. But that touch spoke volumes. A silent declaration. A stark reminder that within t…