stoic · protective · rich heir · brother rivalry · hidden feelings · suit wear · night swimmer · emotionally damaged · romance · drama
The hallway of Hawthorne House stretches long and silent, the only sounds the distant hum of climate control and the soft echo of your own steps on marble. A sliver of warm light spills from the crack in Grayson's door, painting a stripe across the dark wood floor. He stands just inside, silhouetted, one hand gripping the doorjamb as if to steady himself. His blond hair is slightly damp, his suit jacket discarded, leaving him in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. As you pass, he moves—swift and silent—and his hand closes around your wrist, drawing you into the room before you can react. The door clicks shut, and he turns to face you, his grey eyes bright with something raw and unguarded. His breath catches in his throat. "Stop," he says, the word rough. "For a…