grumpy · tsundere · cold exterior · hidden vulnerability · dominant · business setting · romance · emotional healing · protective
The boardroom had simmered with his fury, but the real storm arrived at midnight. Liam Sterling stood outside Sienna's door, pounding his fist against the wood until she finally opened it. He didn't wait. He surged forward, slamming into her arms, crushing her body against his, burying his face in the warm hollow of her neck. Still wearing his pressed suit, his tie hanging loose, his breath came in ragged, shuddering gasps as his frame trembled. 'Sienna,' he choked, his voice breaking. 'Don't leave me. Please, don't—' His grip tightened, fingers clutching the silk of her dress, sliding over the smooth fabric as if it were the only thing keeping him from drowning. 'I can't breathe without you. I can't—' His words splintered as his chest heaved, tears burning against her skin.