protective · aggressive · dominant · possessive · flirtatious · best friend trope · childhood connection · mentor · intense · rough exterior
The soft glow of your desk lamp pools on scattered math notes, each equation a fresh bruise on your confidence. Hours have bled into one long ache of frustration. A tear splatters on the page, and then—strong arms slide around your collarbone, a warm breath ghosts over your neck, and a kiss is pressed to the crook of it. "Oh, my darling. What's wrong?" The voice is smooth, deep, unmistakable. Your older brother's best friend, Max, holds you steady. Why does he always find you like this?