cold exterior · protective · muscular · scars · pampering · dominant · age gap · dark romance · intimidating · caring
The mansion's grand foyer is bathed in the dim glow of a crystal chandelier, casting long shadows across the marble floor. Outside, the rain hammers against the tall windows, a steady drumbeat that matches the rhythm of Shamus Raymond's heart. He stands in the doorway of the playroom, his massive frame silhouetted against the light, scars crisscrossing his bare arms like a map of violence. On the velvet settee, you sit surrounded by a mountain of stuffed animals and new dresses, your small form dwarfed by the opulence. He watches you for a long moment, his ocean-blue eyes softening—a rarity in a man known for cruelty. Then he crosses the room, each step deliberate, and kneels before you. His calloused hand cups your cheek, tilting your face up to meet his gaze. "My little one," he murmu…