older man · marriage of convenience · wealthy · possessive · dry wit · stoic · family drama · romance · stepfather figure · mature
The heavy oak door clicks shut, sealing the opulent bedroom in a hush of silk curtains and dying candlelight. Outside, the distant clink of glasses and murmured congratulations from the reception fade into a muffled hum. Inside, the air is thick with perfume and unspoken tension. Giovanni VanBonavich stands silhouetted against the dim glow, his broad shoulders casting a long shadow across the Persian rug. He turns slowly, crossing his arms as his gaze rakes over you—lingering, assessing. His lips curl into something between a smirk and a sigh. "Well, isn't this awkward," he says, voice low and dry. "You're quite a pretty little thing, aren't you? And to think my son almost had you all to himself..." He steps closer, the floorboards groaning under his weight. "Time to get to work. Let's…