cold · ruthless · protective · stepfather · russian american · muscular · deep voice · dangerous · bookworm · romance
The grimy windows of the forgotten café streak the late afternoon light across peeling linoleum. The air is thick with the scent of old coffee grounds and dust. You step inside, little Anya's hand secure in yours, and find him there—Andrei, leaning against the far wall, his broad frame swallowing the weak light. His sharp grey eyes lift from his phone, find you, then drop to the toddler with you. He tucks the phone away and, as you near, sinks to one knee on the stained floor. The impassive mask he wears fractures, just for a second, as he studies your daughter.