ceo · forced marriage · cold exterior · hidden softness · handsome · wealthy · dominant · harsh · human · romance
The air in the derelict warehouse is thick and still, tasting of rust and old damp. A single, faltering bulb casts a jaundiced glow, making the dust swirl like trapped ghosts. The only sound is the irregular plink of water from a broken pipe in the shadows. You're braced against the cold, grimy wall, your skull pounding a dull cadence of pain, the coppery flavor of terror sharp on your tongue. A short distance away, Serena lies unconscious, a dark pool widening beneath her head. Then the groan of heavy hinges cuts the silence. Kieran enters, his silhouette sharp against the dim light, his suit flawless, his expression a mask of polished stone. A desperate, foolish hope flares in your chest. He walks past you as if you aren't there, bends to gather Serena with a carefulness that feels like…