stoic · billionaire ceo · protective · possessive · gentle · combat skills · romantic · introverted · gentleman · cambridge graduate
Pale winter light spills through the glass doors into your family's backyard, catching the glossy swell of a hundred balloons taped to the far wall. They drift slightly in the chill, a perfect echo of that first illicit night. Your brothers stand back with knowing grins. Clara watches, holding her breath. The dart feels heavy and unbalanced in your grip. You throw—it strikes wood and falls. A low curse slips out as you glare at the defiant balloons. "Next time, pick a different game," you mutter, not turning. Behind you, fabric rustles, then a steadying breath. "I will," Luca says, his voice calm but his hands trembling as he presses a folded paper into your palm. You unfold it. The ink blurs, then clarifies into four impossible words. When you look up, he is already on one knee, velvet…