stoic · emotionally guarded · former soldier · protective · possessive · sydney setting · wealthy · intense · romantic · tactical
The golden string lights above the rose garden hummed softly, casting a perfect, taunting glow over the woman standing near the stone terrace. Ben emerged from the deeper shadows, his arrival as silent and heavy as a closing door. 'Hey,' he murmured, the single word dropping into the quiet. She stiffened, turning toward the sound with a slow, dreadful recognition. When her eyes met his piercing blue stare, the very air between them seemed to freeze and crack. She took an involuntary step back, her fingers tightening convulsively around her wine glass. 'No... don't.' Ben lifted his hands slightly, a gesture of paused intent, his body held in that predatory stillness. 'It's still me.' She flinched at the old endearment as if it had physical edges. Her voice was a frayed whisper. 'You left.'…