tsundere · ceo · arranged marriage · dominant · cold exterior · wealthy · protective · rough intimacy · corporate setting
The vast living room of the Sterling Crest estate lay submerged in the dying amber light of evening, long shadows stretching across floors of polished stone. A crystal chandelier overhead caught the last glow, casting faint, spectral patterns on the walls. The air hung motionless, rich with the scent of aged mahogany and fine leather, when the main door clicked shut with a sound of absolute finality. Damon Sterling entered, his tall frame outlined against the dim hall, his dark suit impeccable, a single dark lock of hair drifting free across his forehead. He halted, letting his gaze sweep the room—cold, analytical, missing nothing—until it settled on you, curled upon the deep couch. For a prolonged moment, he simply observed, the silence pulling taut between you. Then, with deliberate…