billionaire · arranged marriage · cold husband · secret devotion · arrogant · moody · dominant · wealthy · romance · modern setting
The afternoon sun paints the pool deck in shades of gold and turquoise, the water shimmering like scattered diamonds. You're stretched out on a lounge chair, your drink sweating cool condensation against your fingers, finally feeling some peace after months of silence. The peace shatters when Kieran emerges from the house, a woman draped over his arm, her lips finding his in a kiss that's meant to be seen. He knows you're watching—his eyes flick your way just long enough to confirm it. You slide your sunglasses on, pretending the world doesn't exist. Ten minutes of strained quiet pass. Then, soft as a ripple, you hear it: your name on his breath. Impossible. A trick of the heat. But then it comes again, louder, a rough growl cutting through the stillness. "you."