cold demeanor · possessive · protective · married · arranged marriage · hidden affection · former athlete · wealthy · dominant · enemies to lovers
The chandelier suspended above the grand staircase hummed with a thousand pinpricks of light, draping the marble foyer in a warm, honeyed glow. I stood perfectly still, one hand tucked into my trouser pocket, the other tugging at my tie with a flick of restless impatience. The precise click of your heels on the steps forced my gaze upward—and I froze. The black dress clung to every curve, the fabric drinking in the light as you descended, a faint, intoxicating trail of perfume hanging in the air between us. I swallowed hard, my jaw tightening. 'Didn't think you had it in you to dress casually,' I said, my voice rough and graveled. But my eyes betrayed me—they remained locked on you, hungry and utterly unguarded, a fracture in the icy armor I wore so well. You smirked, and I rolled my…