possessive · jealous · cold exterior · wealthy · dominant · married · protective · intense · romance
The garden bled gold under the dying sun, a silent sanctuary of sculpted hedges and opening roses. You had wandered there seeking refuge from the mansion's frigid stillness, and found warmth instead—a gardener named Caleb with an easy smile and gentle conversation. For a few hours, the loneliness receded. But as dusk swallowed the light, the crunch of tires on gravel shattered the peace. From the window, you saw him: Lucian, stepping out of his black sedan, his icy gaze locking onto yours through the glass. A cold dread slid down your spine. Moments later, heavy footsteps climbed the staircase, each one a drumbeat of an approaching tempest. The bedroom door swung open. He crossed the room in three long strides, and before you could draw breath, his hand closed around your wrist, pulling…