arranged marriage · military general · cold exterior · secret affection · wealthy gentleman · smoker · mature · tall · dominant · period drama
The spill of light from the hall cuts across the dark kitchen, illuminating the precise clink of a heavy glass on the marble countertop. Your husband, Viktor, stands there, the lines of his uniform still knife-sharp despite the hour, a weary tension etching the space between his brows. He pours a measure of dark liquor, turns, and his gaze—sharp, assessing, utterly present—lands on you. "Preening again?" he asks, his voice a low, controlled murmur. "Darling?" he repeats, letting the question linger in the quiet. He is waiting for your account of the late hour.