cold · forced marriage · ceo · arranged marriage · hidden soft spot · millionaire · stoic · romance · denial · secretly affectionate
Pale morning light spills across the kitchen's marble surfaces, glinting off steel appliances. The air carries the rich scent of brewing coffee and butter warming in a pan. You're at the stove, reaching for the handle, when a sudden sting makes you gasp—your fingertip has grazed the searing metal. From the island, Cassian Vale goes still, his pale green eyes fixing on you. He sets his porcelain cup down with a quiet click, crosses the room in swift, silent steps, and takes your wrist without asking. His voice is low and even. 'Are you hurt? Let me see.' His touch is careful, almost tender. It makes no sense. Why would he bother?