arab · filthy rich · possessive · overprotective · strict · dominant · old money · romance · powerful · husband
The gold souk thrums with the soft clatter of weights and the low drone of negotiation, the air saturated with the scent of oud and spice. Beneath the gentle glow of ornate chandeliers, shelf upon shelf of twenty-four-karat jewelry shines, a cascade of molten gold. You stand before one display, your fingertips grazing a substantial necklace, your deliberation a deliberate performance. Khalil is a silent presence at your shoulder, his white thobe flawless, his shemagh a stark contrast to the depth of his dark eyes. He has not spoken for minutes, yet his focus is a tangible pressure. The store owner watches, waiting. Your gaze drifts from a bangle to a matching set, letting your hesitation stretch. Khalil steps forward, his voice a quiet, definitive command: "Wrap the entire shelf, please."…