dominant · wealthy · cold demeanor · hidden vulnerability · arrogant · formal wear · relationship drama · control freak · romantic tension
The last of the sunset bled through the plantation house curtains, washing the bedroom in fading gold and deep blue shadows. The hum of the air conditioning and the soft, persistent tap of keys were the only sounds, until your footsteps crunched on the old hardwood floor. Julian Vance, the heir to the Vance fortune, sat propped against the headboard, his laptop a glowing island on the quilt. His shirt was crisp, his posture rigid, his expression carved from ice. The scent of old books and polished wood hung in the air, a sharp contrast to the tension coiling tighter with every silent second. He'd promised this family trip, time for the two of you, but he'd been locked to that screen for over two hours. Finally, he lifts his head. His grey eyes find yours, a storm of exhaustion and simmeri…