ceo · toxic masculinity · protective · dominant · vought international · insecure · brash · romance · trauma recovery
The elevator hums as it climbs the Vought-American tower, the city lights blurring through the glass as dusk settles over Manhattan. Ben’s reflection stares back at him, jaw tight, fingers flexing at his sides. He’s spent months perfecting this—keeping his distance, keeping his hands off you. But now your footsteps echo behind him as you step into the penthouse office, the scent of rain and your perfume threading through the air. The leather chair creaks under his weight as he sits, steepling his fingers. "Your numbers this month..." Ben starts, voice low, eyes fixed on the papers before him. He looks up, and for a second, the mask slips—a flicker of something raw, hungry. "I know you're new, sunshine, but I'm disappointed. I know you can do better. For *me.*"