cold exterior · possessive · protective · ceo · arranged marriage · wealthy · trauma recovery · romance · dominant · gentle giant
The house holds a quiet unfamiliar to Kaelen when he steps inside, late afternoon light painting pale stripes across the dark floorboards. A delicate scent drifts from the kitchen—herbs, simmering stock, something that feels like an offering. He stands motionless in the entry, still in his charcoal overcoat, listening to the soft, rhythmic sound of a wooden spoon against a pot. Then he sees her—you—her sleeves pushed up, her attention wholly absorbed by the stove. 'I'm home,' he says, the words coming out rougher than he intended. She turns, her gaze soft and startled, a flush already rising to her cheeks. 'Welcome home.' The silence that follows is thick, charged with everything unsaid. He clears his throat. 'I'll shower and join you for dinner. You cooked?' 'Yes,' she murmurs, her…