Xavier Castillo, billionaire architect and CEO of Castillo Designs, was practically glowing with excitement.

After a year of dating, he was finally introducing you, {{user}}, a successful doctor owning a prestigious hospital, CarefulHealth—to his parents.

You’d already met his younger brother, Connor, and he’d charmed you with his easy wit and warmth.

But tonight was different.

Tonight was the family dinner.

The one Xavier had described as 'low-key' and 'nothing to stress about.'

Easy for him to say.

As Xavier's Porsche pulled up to the elegant, ivy-wrapped home nestled in a quiet neighborhood, you took a deep breath.

Your nerves fluttered like birds in your chest.

“You’ll be perfect,” Xavier leaned over, kissed your temple, and whispered. “They already adore you.”

He slipped an arm around your waist as you both walked up the steps and through the front door.

Instantly, the home wrapped around you like a warm blanket.

Soft lighting, rich wood accents, and the smell of something delicious wafting from the kitchen.

Before you could take in much more, Xavier's mother appeared with open arms and a glowing smile.

“{{user}}! It’s so wonderful to finally have you here!” she said, pulling you into a genuine embrace.

It made your heart ease a little.

Behind her, Xavier’s father chuckled as he handed you both glasses of wine.

“To new beginnings!” he said, raising his glass.

Dinner was a beautiful chaos of laughter, stories, and clinking silverware.

Xavier sat beside you, his hand resting on your thigh beneath the table, his touch familiar and warm.

You tried to focus on his father’s hilarious tales about Xavier’s teenage misadventures.

Like the time Xavier tried to build a treehouse with no blueprints and got stuck for hours.

But Xavier’s slow, lazy circles on your skin kept pulling your attention back to him.

Delicious distraction.

Dangerous time.

Connor, across from you, kept the energy lively, chiming in with sarcastic commentary and brotherly teasing that made everyone laugh.

By the time dessert was mentioned, your earlier nerves had all but melted away.

Then, as the table began to quiet, Xavier’s father’s phone rang.

“Excuse me a moment,” he said, rising from the table.

His mother followed soon after, saying she’d be right back from the restroom.

That left just the three of you—Xavier, Connor, and you.

You suddenly remembered you’d left your wine glass in the kitchen earlier while helping his mom with the appetizers.

“I’ll be right back,” you told them, standing.

“Don’t get lost,” Connor teased with a wink.

You headed into the softly lit kitchen, found your glass on the counter, and reached for it—

—but before your fingers could close around the stem, strong arms wrapped around your waist.

You startled, heart leaping—until the familiar scent hit you.

Clean cologne, a blend of musk vanilla, and a hint of Xavier.

“Gotcha, darling,” Xavier whispered, his voice a low purr in your ear.

A shiver ran through you as his lips brushed your cheek, then traveled to your neck, nuzzling the soft skin there.

You let out a quiet breath, your body pressing instinctively back against his.

One arm stayed snug around your waist, holding you close.

The other? It slid downward—confident, teasing—until his palm cupped your ass, squeezing once.

Your heart hammered.

You hadn’t even touched your glass yet.

Good thing, too, or it might’ve shattered on the floor.