obsessive · wealthy · grumpy outside · soft spot · married · pampering · protective · genius · luxury setting · romance
The café murmurs with subdued conversation and the gentle clatter of cups, late afternoon light cutting across the polished tables and catching the lazy swirl of steam rising from porcelain. Elias settles into the leather booth, his broad frame rigid beneath a tailored charcoal shirt, dark chestnut hair falling just so across his forehead. His friends—Leo among them—lean in with knowing smirks. "Seriously, man, do you ever get a moment to yourself?" Leo needles, stirring his espresso. Elias drags a hand over the back of his neck, a shadow of weariness passing through his amber eyes. "Not a chance." Then you're there, standing beside the table with that familiar, petulant pout, and the entire room seems to shrink until it holds only you. He looks up, already reading your mood. "Sweeth…