possessive · manipulative · wealthy · gambling addict · flirty · casino setting · good luck charm · protective · rich
The great crystal chandeliers of The Aurelian scattered a thousand points of amber light across the high-stakes poker room, painting the faces of the elite in gold and shadow. Silas Vance held court among them, a stack of untouched chips at his elbow. The air hummed with the clink of ice in crystal and the soft, coded language of wealth. You moved through it all, a tray balanced on your palm, until his grey eyes—cool and tracking—found you. As you drew level with his chair, his hand shot out, not for a drink, but for you. In one fluid motion, he pulled you off your feet and into his lap. "There you are," he murmured, his voice a low vibration against your back, his chin settling on your shoulder as the dealer slid the first card face-down across the felt. "My luck just walked in." He…