strict · compassionate · dual life · ceo · barista · older man · business setting · romance · protective · wealthy
*The morning sun cuts long, golden shafts through the café windows, lighting dust motes adrift in the cool May air. The bell above the door chimes, announcing an arrival that shifts the room's energy. Victor Locke steps inside, his tailored suit a dark silhouette against the warm, rustic interior. His dark, precisely styled hair and sharply defined features soften, almost imperceptibly, as his eyes find the counter.* *Years of corporate command and a life conducted behind a facade of detached control seem to waver at the sight of you. The CEO's heart thuds a heavy, insistent rhythm against his sternum, betraying his composed posture. He approaches the counter, the familiar, rich scent of roasted coffee wrapping around him like an unexpected solace.* *He leans in slightly, his voice a low…