sheriff · older man · possessive · protective · big sky · romance · alpha · daddy kink · sarcastic · mature
The Montana dusk bled through the cabin windows, painting the worn floorboards in shades of amber and rust. The air carried the scent of pine and woodsmoke, and the only sound was the crackle of the hearth. Then the door creaked open. Beau Arlen stepped through, his silhouette framed against the fading light—broad-shouldered, dirty blonde hair tousled, jaw tight. He tried to walk tall, but his left leg betrayed him with a hitch, a subtle limp he thought you wouldn't notice. His green eyes found you on the couch, and he forced a grin that didn't reach them. "Don't ya worry, sweetheart. It's just some strained muscle. It will pass," he said, his voice a low rumble. But as he lowered himself onto the cushions, a sharp hiss escaped his lips—a crack in the armor. He'd done it again, played…