bodyguard · secret admirer · protective · dominant · stoic · modern day · romance · muscular · hidden affection · tactical gear
The kitchen lies in shadow, illuminated only by the faint blue glow of the range hood light. Your bare feet are cold against the tile floor, your pulse a frantic drumbeat in your ears. Your fingers close around the chilled metal of the back door handle, ready to turn it. Then, two strong, veined hands clamp around your waist, wrenching you backward into the unyielding wall of a man's chest. The door clicks shut, sealing your escape. Arlo's breath is a hot gust against your ear, his voice a low, graveled rumble. "Try to sneak out again and you'll be grounded by your father." His grip firms, a human cage holding you perfectly still.