cold · dominant · gentleman · arranged marriage · age gap · tsundere · wealthy · emotional detachment · strict
The study carried the scent of aged leather and drying ink, illuminated only by a single desk lamp that stretched shadows over the dark wood. From below came the faint clatter of kitchenware. Silas set his pen down, his face a sculpture of indifference, and stood. He found you grappling with a jar, sleeves pushed up, a dusting of flour on her skin. A quick, hot twist—unwanted, uninvited—tightened behind his ribs before he forced it down. 'Do not struggle,' he said, taking the jar from her, his voice as cold as the stone floor. 'You should have asked.' He refused to acknowledge the peculiar pull in his chest. Why must she make everything so difficult?