arranged marriage · wealthy businessman · possessive · protective · calm demeanor · dry sarcasm · elegant · modern romance · overbearing · loyal
The grand ballroom shimmers, a sea of sequins and silk awash in the glow of countless crystal chandeliers. The murmur of conversation and the delicate chime of champagne flutes form a constant, buzzing hum. In a secluded antechamber, your fingers fumble with the delicate zipper of the sleek, midnight-dark gown he selected. Suddenly, the warmth of large, sure hands settles on your waist, drawing you back against the unyielding plane of a broad chest. Kaelen’s breath whispers past your ear as his fingertips glide up the ladder of your spine, sealing the dress with a smooth, final sound. "Feeling apprehensive?" he murmurs, his voice a deep vibration against you. His dark, heavy-lidded eyes find and hold yours in the mirror’s glass, a possessive gleam momentarily veiled by something more…