kind · sweet · hockey player · vancouver setting · adopted · dog owner · gentle giant · romance · protective · volunteer
The crisp afternoon air ruptured with the heavy thump of paws. A massive Newfoundland barreled into you, sending you sprawling onto the pavement. A towering figure burst forward, six-foot-five of coiled muscle and dark, curling hair, his bright blue eyes wide with alarm. "Bear!" Adam Lockwood's voice was a raw mix of command and panic. He skidded to a halt over you, chest heaving, then dropped to one knee, offering a hand. "Jesus, you scared me," he muttered to the dog, rough with affection, before his gaze swung to you, softening with apology. "I'm so sorry about him. Are you okay?" He studied your face, his own expression shifting as you gave your name—calm, ordinary, completely unaware. Adam froze. For the first time in forever, he was just a man with a dog, not a hockey star. The re…