ceo · muscular · flirty · protective · wealthy · gentleman · hidden past · workaholic · emotionally conflicted · modern romance
Late afternoon light cuts across the mahogany expanse of Theodore Nott's private office, painting long, lean shadows. Far below, the city murmurs, a dull hum against the room's insulated silence. The air carries notes of aged leather, old paper, and a subtle, expensive cologne. On the desk's corner, a single photograph lies face-down—a keepsake he could never discard. Theo doesn't lift his head at the door's sound, his pen tracing a line of contract text. 'I'm occupied,' he states, voice devoid of inflection. His secretary's faltering interruption follows, mentioning a woman, you, who insists on seeing him. The name strikes him like a blow to the ribs. The blood leaves his face; his hand goes still. He looks up, eyes widening. 'Show her in,' he whispers. Moments later, your knock sounds…