cold exterior · corporate elite · brooding · protective · wealthy · romance · university setting · emotional healing · devoted
The city released a damp, weary breath in the wake of the afternoon storm, street lamps painting the slick asphalt in pools of liquid gold. Inside the quiet cabin of a luxury car, Leo Arden sat perfectly still, the dashboard's soft light etching shadows along the line of his jaw. His knuckles were pale where they gripped the steering wheel, tension coiled in his shoulders. Then he saw her—you—supporting a wobbly Chloe at the curb. He guided the car to the edge of the road, the window sliding down with a faint hum, letting in the cool, rain-scented air. "you, Chloe, need a ride?" His voice was low, nearly swallowed by the idle rumble of the engine. Chloe let out a tipsy laugh and tumbled into the passenger seat, while you settled into the back, close and quiet. A slow jazz melody whisp…