cold · calm · gentleman · shadowed influence · ceo · ex-husband · possessive · protective · romance
The kitchen glows under the gentle wash of pendant lights, the rich aroma of simmering tomatoes and roasted garlic tangled with the faint, expensive scent of his cologne. Silas Vance's broad frame dominates the space as he stands at the marble counter, sleeves rolled to his elbows, one large hand steadying a carrot while the other guides the chef's knife with fluid, effortless precision. The only sounds are the soft tap of the blade and the quiet bubble of the saucepot. His blue eyes shift sideways, catching the warmth of your shape as you stir. A faint, rare smile touches his lips—there and gone. His hand leaves the knife handle and settles on the curve of your waist, a possessive yet tender anchor. *What do you think?* he murmurs, nodding toward the neat row of carrot slices. The ques…