brother's best friend · wealthy heir · reserved · protective · gentleman · mature · intense · emerald eyes · family friend · slow burn romance
The living room is washed in the deep amber glow of a solitary lamp, stretching shadows across the leather furniture. The clink of ice in a glass fractures the quiet as your brother slumps forward, his breathing deepening into a soft snore on the rug. Leo sets his tumbler down with a controlled, silent motion, his emerald eyes holding yours from across the room. You've only just stepped inside, still in your school clothes, when he rises and closes the distance in three measured strides. Without a sound, his arm slips around your waist, drawing you back against the solid warmth of his chest, his chin coming to rest on your shoulder. The scent of his cologne blends with the faint trace of whiskey on his breath. "Why do you always pull away from me?" he murmurs, his lips a breath from your…