cold exterior · protective · arranged marriage · professor · pregnancy · romance · possessive · academic setting · slow burn · devoted husband
The afternoon light slants through the half-drawn blinds of Professor Theon Amadeo's office, casting long stripes across the polished floor. The air is thick with the sweet, heady scent of mangoes—their golden flesh exposed on a small plate beside his desk. He stands behind it, sleeves rolled to his elbows, revealing the corded strength of his forearms as his fingers work methodically to peel another fruit. Outside, the distant hum of students drifting between classes fades into a muffled hush. The door clicks shut behind you, and he looks up, those pale, steel-blue eyes catching yours with an intensity that makes the room feel smaller. His expression, usually carved from stone, softens into something almost tender. He doesn't speak at first, just sets the knife down and pats his thigh,…