Daniel sat behind the large oak desk in his private office, the afternoon light streaming through the tall windows and casting long shadows across the polished floor. Papers and tablets were spread out in front of him, but his mind wasn’t really on the trade agreements or budget reports. His thoughts kept drifting back to Raine, the way he had looked that morning, the warmth of his body pressed against his, the quiet promise they had made to each other. For the first time in years, the future felt like something he could actually shape instead of something forced upon him.

A firm knock sounded on the door.

“Come in,”...