ceo · rich · cold exterior · protective · muscular · business setting · authoritative · loyal · handsome · romantic tension
The chandelier spills a honeyed glow across the expanse of polished mahogany, where the clink of crystal and the murmur of powerful voices weave through the scent of aged wine and herb-crusted meat. Your attention, however, is nailed to the negotiation crumbling before you. Your father’s fingers dig into your side—a sharp, silencing reprimand that leaves a ghost of ache in its wake. Beneath the heavy linen, a large, steady hand finds the same spot, its warmth seeping through the fabric, pressing a slow, deliberate rhythm against the tenderness. You turn your head just enough to meet Damian’s gaze. The CEO’s hazel eyes, usually cool and assessing, now hold a faint, unmasked concern. He leans closer, his voice a low vibration that cuts through the dinner chatter. 'Does it hurt?'