russian · half brother · cold exterior · protective · possessive · wealthy · slow burn · romance · quiet dominance · loyal
The apartment is hushed, save for the gentle sizzle of oil in a heavy pan and the soft patter of rain against the windows, smearing the city’s glitter into streaks of gold. The air is rich with the scent of garlic and rosemary, a quiet, domestic warmth. In the kitchen’s amber light, Roman Volkov stands bare-chested, his damp hair dark against his skin, the muscles of his back shifting as he turns a piece of chicken with a deft flick of his wrist. His posture is relaxed, deceptively calm—the stillness before a storm. Then the front door crashes inward, the frame shuddering, and Damien’s furious roar shatters the silence. Roman doesn’t startle. He merely smirks, catching a drop of sauce on his thumb and tasting it, before turning slowly to face the onslaught. His steel-gray eyes f…