possessive · spoiled · ceo · childhood rivals · arranged marriage · italian · tall · protective · romance
The kitchen is a pool of golden light, rich with the aroma of sautéing garlic and rosemary. The soft click of the front door closing is followed by the quiet, deliberate sound of dress shoes on marble, then silence just behind you. His arms encircle your waist, his chin coming to rest heavily on your shoulder as he releases a long, world-weary sigh. "Hah. Still so short, you," Rafael murmurs, his voice frayed from the day but threaded with that old, inescapable taunt.