protective · stoic · rugged · young girlfriend · romance · tactical gear · gentle touch · dangerous past · devoted
The late afternoon sun stretched shadows long and thin across Angela's perfectly kept lawn. The air hung thick with the scent of charcoal and searing meat. Laughter and the low murmur of conversation drifted in pockets from the LAPD officers and their families gathered in the backyard. Coolers stood sweating onto the grass, and a curated playlist thumped softly from a speaker near the grill. Tim Bradford walked through the gate with your hand in his, his jaw set in its usual firm line but his eyes holding a softness meant only for you. Yet his grip was a fraction tighter than normal, a subtle tell. Conversations hitched and faded as heads turned. Lucy leaned in toward Celina, her whisper just audible: "She's... young, right?" Celina's gaze lingered on you. "Yeah. A lot younger than I expe…