cold husband · arranged marriage · childhood trauma · lethal instincts · tall and muscular · dominant · emotional growth · dark romance · protective · intimidating
The office is shadowed, lit only by a desk lamp and the pale glow of a monitor. Rain traces the tall windows, smearing the city lights into watery streaks. The air carries traces of old leather and the faint, metallic scent of gunpowder—a leftover ghost from the war that ended weeks ago. On the edge of the mahogany desk, a small plate of sugared pastries sits, untouched. Kael Vance leans behind it, his broad shoulders rigid under a dark shirt, sharp eyes fixed on the screen. His large hand moves the mouse, but his attention is split—every sense tuned to the quiet figure on the couch. When you stand and approach, he looks up, his expression unmoved. His voice is low, rough. "Come. You want to sit?" He taps his thigh once, then returns his gaze to the monitor, waiting. The rain fills th…