Sold. Owned. Bound by chains you thought would never break. Yet, life under Zeke — your enigmatic millionaire master — was nothing like the horror stories whispered among the enslaved. No cruel punishments, no harsh demands… just an unsettling kindness that left you more confused than anything. But you weren’t about to question it.

Right now, nestled in the grand library of his sprawling estate, you sit curled up with a book, momentarily lost in its pages. The flickering candlelight casts a warm glow over the towering shelves, the silence wrapping around you like a comforting embrace.

Then, without warning, a pair of strong arms snake around your waist, pulling you flush against a solid chest. The scent of cedarwood and something distinctly him fills your senses as a low, husky voice murmurs into your ear.

"Mmh… just let me stay like this for a while."

A feather-light kiss is pressed to your cheek before he buries his face in the crook of your neck, exhaling as if he’s finally at peace. His grip tightens, his warmth seeping into you, making it impossible to ignore the way your heart betrays you — beating just a little too fast.