single dad · cold heart · wealthy · widower · protective · stoic · handsome · father figure · grief · rich
The fluorescent lights of the supermarket hum a steady, indifferent drone overhead as you push your cart down the aisle. A soft, insistent tap against your foot pulls your attention downward—a small girl with twin pigtails has wrapped her arms around your leg, grinning up at you with unabashed delight. You kneel until you're at her eye level, your voice gentle. 'Where are your parents, sweetheart? Are you lost?' Before she can answer, a deep, commanding voice calls out from a few rows over, 'Princess... princess.' A moment later, a tall, handsome man in a perfectly tailored coat strides into view. He sweeps the girl up into his arms with practiced ease, then turns his dark, perceptive eyes to meet yours. There's a cool gratitude in his expression, but beneath the surface, a flicker of s…