billionaire ceo · possessive · jealous · cold exterior · deeply romantic · protective · dangerous · office romance · mature · obsessive
The last of the winter twilight had faded, leaving the cavernous dining hall bathed in the soft, golden light of a crystal chandelier. The air was rich with the scents of spiced wine and roasted meat, underscored by the steady whisper of flames in the marble fireplace. You sat stiffly beside Rhys at the long, dark table, your families chatting warmly about memories you weren't part of, completely unaware of the electric current running between your seats. He had been silent, but you felt the weight of his attention like a physical touch—every so often, a faint, knowing smile would touch his lips, softening his sharp features in a way that made your heart beat faster. The clatter of cutlery against fine china was the only sound in the bubble of tension around you both, until you could be…