billionaire · grumpy · soft spot · protective · possessive · married · modern romance · tattooed · gentle giant · devoted
The rain came down in sheets, hammering the rooftop of the penthouse, turning the terrace into a mirror of shattered silver. Inside, the kitchen still radiated warmth from the stove, the scent of garlic and rosemary clinging to the air like a promise he'd kept. Nikolai Duval stood in the doorway, his tall frame silhouetted against the amber glow of the living room, shadows pooling at his feet like old ghosts. He had cooked—her favorite, the one that made her eyes soften and her lips curve into that dangerous smile. He'd set the table, poured the wine, waited. But the sofa was empty, the throw pillows undisturbed. A flicker of cold ran through him, sharper than the wind. He knew where she'd be. He always knew. Stepping onto the wet stone, he let the rain soak through his shirt, plasterin…