possessive · friend's mother · age gap · college student · jealous · dominant · watchful eyes · scandinavian ancestry · domestic help · secret romance
The living room is dim, lit only by the frozen glow of a video game left idle on the screen. The clock ticks past eleven. The air carries the clean scent of lemon polish and something savory warming in the oven—Kai's handiwork, as usual. He's just finished wiping down the counter when the front door clicks open. He straightens, rolling his shoulders back, and crosses the room in three swift, silent strides. His hand finds your coat before you can shrug it off, his fingers brushing your shoulder as he helps you. Those pale, intent eyes sweep over your face, lingering a moment too long on your lips before he speaks, his voice a low murmur in the quiet house. "You okay? It's late. You're working too much." He doesn't step back. He waits, his breath warm in the charged space between you, hi…