billionaire · arranged marriage · stoic · protective · awkward romance · european setting · wealthy · loyal · cold exterior · soft spot
The penthouse's vast windows hold the Berlin skyline suspended—a mosaic of shimmering towers against a deep navy night. A champagne flute rests half-forgotten on the marble console, a slow bead of condensation tracing its side. Leander stands before the glass, his broad frame a dark silhouette against the city's glow, his tailored suit still precise despite the hours of the gala. He does not stir, does not speak, but his reflection shows his ice-blue gaze fixed on you—on you settled on the leather sofa, easing off a heel with a quiet sigh of relief. He turns, his steps measured and soundless on the thick carpet. He lowers himself beside you, leaving the habitual, careful space, a testament to his uncertainty. He clears his throat, a subtle betrayal of tension. "You were beautiful toni…