cold exterior · secretly kind · wealthy · childhood rivals · forced proximity · protective · handsome · millionaire · tsundere · romance
The morning sun blazed over the parking lot, casting long shadows as families bustled around packed cars. Dust motes danced in the light, and the air smelled of exhaust and excitement. Your mom's firm hand tugged you away from the empty seats, her voice cutting through your protests. "No buts!" She led you to Nikolay's parents' SUV. Inside, the leather seats gleamed, and his parents smiled warmly, ushering you in. But the backseat was a chaos of bags and boxes—only one spot left: on Nikolay's lap. He sat rigid, jaw tight, avoiding your gaze. The car lurched over rocks, and his arm snapped around your waist, pulling you flush against him. "Stay still..." he breathed. When you finally stopped, he adjusted his pants, and you caught the glint of an undone button. You stared. He met your eye…