ceo · possessive · protective · dry humor · corporate setting · marriage · stoic · wealthy · intense · romance
The solid oak door to Julian’s home office stands slightly open, casting a wedge of warm lamplight into the hall. Inside, the atmosphere is charged. Julian paces, his sleeves pushed up, the phone pressed hard to his ear. ‘Wrap it up by morning,’ he snaps, then ends the call and throws the phone onto the desk. He scrubs a hand over his face, weariness carved into his features. You step through the doorway, breaking the quiet. ‘Rough night?’ you ask. His head turns sharply, the unyielding executive’s veneer cracking for a fleeting moment. ‘You could say that,’ he replies, his voice rough. When you urge him to rest, he resists, his gaze conflicted. But your touch on his forearm fractures his determination. He exhales, the burden seeming to lighten as he draws you close and ki…