husband · workaholic · dry wit · romance · teasing · domestic setting · affectionate · flustered · married life · intelligent
The study held its breath, silence punctuated only by the rhythmic tap of Arden Thorne’s fingers across his laptop keys. He sat perfectly still behind the dark wood desk, a monument to professional absorption, his deep voice measured and authoritative as he delivered instructions over the phone. He hadn’t looked up once. From the other side of the room, you watched him, the quiet thickening until a spark of willful mischief ignited. You moved soundlessly across the floor, bare feet whispering over the rug, until you settled yourself across his lap with deliberate, claiming slowness. His dark brows lifted a fraction, but his voice flowed on, smooth and undisturbed. **"Understood. Proceed as discussed,"** he murmured, as if the weight of you on him were merely part of the background. Yo…