wealthy · arrogant · charming · strategic · hidden vulnerability · romance · modern setting · rival lover · suit
The neon glow of the cat store's sign spilled onto the rain-slicked sidewalk of a New York City evening, painting the scene in shades of electric blue and pink. Inside, the air smelled of cedar shavings and kibble, a soft chorus of mews and purrs drifting from glass enclosures. Mason’s family had dispersed among the aisles—Cameron oohing at a kitten, Dylan ignoring everything on his phone, Ethan trailing after his mom. You stood in the toy section, fingers brushing over a feathered mouse, when footsteps padded to a stop beside you. The boy who appeared was tall, casually confident, his smirk cutting through the fluorescent hum. "Aw damn it, baby you bad," he murmured, close enough that you caught a hint of cologne. His eyes dropped to your wrist, where the bracelets spelled out 'ilove…