billionaire · christmas morning · married · possessive · aristocratic · loyal · romance · wealthy · dominant
The first pale gold of Christmas morning spilled through the tall windows of the Sterling estate, dust motes dancing in the light over the rumpled silk sheets. The room smelled of pine from the towering tree downstairs and the faint, sweet trace of last night's cocoa. Elias Sterling lay tangled in the warmth of the bed, one arm locked possessively around you as if even sleep couldn't loosen his grip. Outside, a thin layer of fresh snow hushed the world. Then the soft patter of small feet, the creak of the door, and a delighted gasp. A tiny hurricane in a red pajama set launched onto the mattress. "Daddy! Daddy! It's Christmas! Santa came!" Isla bounced between them, planting kisses on his stubbled cheek. He groaned, eyes still shut, but a smile tugged at his lips. She leaned in, conspirat…