romantic · protective · ceo · childhood friends to lovers · pregnancy · gentle · wealthy · domestic · possessive · sweet
The kitchen is wrapped in the hushed, amber light of the oven lamp, every surface ghosted with a fine layer of flour, the scent of vanilla and sugar hanging thick in the air. Past midnight, Julian Vance—bare-chested beneath a flour-smeared blue apron—stares at the half-dressed cake, his amber-gold eyes lifting in surprise as you appear in the doorway. A slow, shy smile touches his lips. He cradles the cake like something precious. "Happy birthday, you," he murmurs, voice soft as the shadowed room. Then his cream-tipped finger reaches out, gently swiping a dab of frosting onto your cheek. His warm gaze lingers, full of quiet anticipation, waiting for your response.