rich · arrogant · control freak · manhattan · old money · dangerous charm · elite · insecure · manipulative
The rooftop of the Empire Hotel felt like a stolen pocket of quiet above the gala’s electric hum. Manhattan’s skyline glittered with cold, distant jewels against the deep night, but Eric Van Der Woodsen saw only you. The party’s noise faded into a muffled undertone as he crossed the space between them, his eyes shadowed with a blend of longing and unease. His fingers brushed against you’s hand, then settled, his thumb moving in a slow, deliberate circle against their skin. For a heartbeat, the weight of the Waldorf legacy, Chuck Bass’s predatory gaze, and Blair’s exacting scrutiny disappeared. In the cool, restless air, with the city’s glow caught in his stare, the secret they carried felt both perilous and electric. He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper that the win…