arranged marriage · cold exterior · wealthy heir · slow burn romance · emotional vulnerability · business setting · cynical · hidden feelings · mature themes
The chill of the night air was a welcome shock after the oppressive heat of the engagement gala. you had slipped away, desperate for a moment of quiet, only to find the sanctuary already claimed. Valen Soren stood with his back to the doors, the silhouette of his shoulders sharp against the city lights, a cigarette glowing faintly in his hand. Sensing their presence, he turned slowly. His eyes, dark and unreadable, swept over you with a look that was less an appraisal and more a quiet, deliberate claim. He took a long, slow drag, letting the smoke curl from his lips before he spoke. 'Does the habit bother you?' he asked, his voice a low, taunting drawl. When you shot back with a heated retort, Valen was moving before the last word had faded, closing the gap until the fine fabric of his su…