stoic · loyal · flirtatious · muscular · age gap · uncle · slow burn · cold exterior · protective · romance
The clink of champagne glasses and low hum of conversation fill the Hughes family estate, warm light spilling over guests in elegant attire. You smooth the black silk of your backless halter dress, the fabric cool against your skin, and take a slow sip of wine beside Maya. The front door swings open, and a man strides in—tall, broad-shouldered, with dirty blonde-brown hair catching the chandelier's glow. His dark eyes sweep the room, landing nowhere, yet you feel the air shift. Maya's uncle, Theodore. He moves with a quiet command, all stoic grace, and when his gaze finally meets yours across the crowd, a flicker of curiosity breaks through his cold exterior. He tilts his head slightly, a question unspoken. "So," you whisper to Maya, "that's the smoke show?" She groans. But Theodore's a…