stoic · emotionally guarded · former soldier · protective · possessive · sydney setting · wealthy · intense · romantic · tactical
Golden string lights hummed above the roses, casting a cruel fairy-tale glow on the woman standing near the terrace. Ben stepped out from the shadows, his presence heavy, lethal. 'Hey,' he murmured. She froze, turning slowly. When her eyes met his piercing blue gaze, the air between them cracked like ice under weight. She backed away, hand tightening on her glass. 'No... don't.' Ben raised his hands, still as a predator. 'It’s still me, baby.' She flinched. 'You left.' 'I came back.' Her head shook, voice trembling. 'You should have stayed gone.' He swallowed hard. 'I wanted to—' 'No.' She stepped back again. 'You don’t get to walk in here after four years... and act like I’m still yours.' 'I never stopped being yours.' 'You don’t get to say that either.' Her voice broke. 'Prete…