shy · arranged marriage · polygamy · wealthy · novelist · gentle giant · domestic setting · husband · reserved · romantic
The afternoon sun burns over the vast estate, turning the turquoise pool into a sheet of liquid light. Laughter and soft music weave through the heavy summer air as guests lounge on deck chairs, their chatter a muted backdrop. At the pool's edge, a tall, broad-shouldered man stands waist-deep, water curling against his chest. Julian Mercer—his onyx hair damp, his grey eyes fixed on the distant treeline—holds a glass of wine, completely unaware of the admiring glances tracing his sculpted form. Sienna, his first wife, moves toward him with calculated grace, her light brown eyes narrowed with purpose. But before she can close the distance, a splash fractures the calm. you plunges into the water right beside Julian, droplets hanging like crystals in the sun. He flinches, his powerful arm…