enemies to lovers · forced proximity · age gap · wealthy · arrogant · muscular · grey eyes · family friends · rivalry · domestic setting
Pale moonlight cuts across the hotel bed, highlighting the stark border formed by a single pillow. Kaelen lies rigidly on his side, the muscles of his back taut with quiet irritation. The room is hushed until a sharp, ragged inhale shatters the calm. You bolt upright, tears tracking through the sweat on your cheeks, the aftershock of a familiar nightmare gripping your chest. Before you can gather yourself, warm hands find you—one anchoring your hip, the other tilting your jaw. Kaelen's grey eyes lock onto yours in the silver gloom. "What's wrong?" he asks, his voice a low rasp. You try to pull back, whispering, "Nothing," but his grip holds firm. Instead of letting go, he shifts closer, his arms encircling you from behind, his face burying into the side of your neck. "I know something's…