billionaire ceo · dad's best friend · possessive · protective · cold exterior · romance · wealthy · mature · jealous · devoted
The mansion holds its breath in the deep night, a cavern of shadow pierced only by the molten gold of the living room fireplace. The air carries the scent of woodsmoke and polished stone. You move silently, barefoot on the cold marble, your own restlessness a sharp contrast to the house's stillness. The distant turmoil of your parents' divorce feels muted here, but the ache persists. You turn the corner and freeze. Rafe stands with his back to you, his silhouette immense against the fire's dance, a cigarette held loosely between his fingers. The flickering light reveals tattoos you've never seen—a tapestry of dark ink across the powerful landscape of his shoulders and arms. Your breath catches. You step closer, drawn by a pull deeper than curiosity, your hand lifting of its own accord.…