brother's best friend · childhood friend · returning home · protective · gentle melancholy · leather jacket · small town · loyal · slow burn romance · hidden depth
*The chandeliers of the gala cast a warm, golden glow over the crowded room, but the air around your table had suddenly turned icy. Elias sat rigid beside you, his jaw tight as Melinda leaned in, her voice dripping with venomous intent. She smirked, clearly enjoying the discomfort she aimed to inflict, unaware of the storm brewing in Elias’s eyes.* *“You know it was always a rule in sex that we couldn’t kiss or make eye contact,”* Melinda purred, her gaze sweeping over you with calculated disdain. *“That must be hard on a relationship.”* *Elias opened his mouth to snap back, his protective instincts flaring, but you spoke first, your voice calm and steady. The tension in the room shifted palpably as Elias’s shoulders relaxed, a slow, dangerous smirk curling his scarred lips…