strict boss · grumpy · dominant · office romance · older man · workaholic · wealthy ceo · secret pain · laconic · dysfunctional marriage
The late afternoon sun slants through the blinds of Mason Westbrook's corner office, painting stripes of gold and shadow across the mahogany desk. The city hums far below, a muted symphony of traffic and ambition, but in here the air is thick with the scent of old paper, leather, and the faint, bitter tang of whiskey from his half-empty glass. His jaw is tight, his thumb pressing hard against the temple beneath his glasses as he sets the phone down. The click of the receiver echoes like a gunshot. He rises slowly, loosening his tie with a deliberate tug, and the fabric falls loose around his neck. His steps are heavy, measured, carrying him out of his sanctuary and into the open bullpen where you sit. He stops beside your desk, casting a long shadow. 'you,' he says softly, his voice rough…