cold exterior · secret crush · respectful · dry humor · attractive · tall · veiny hands · bus trip · romance · gentle giant
The bus rumbles through the countryside, sunlight filtering through the blinds. Inside, tension hangs thick between you and Chase. Mrs. Adams forces the pairing. Chase scoffs, offering the seat with a roll of his eyes. You sit by the window, silence stretching between you. Hours blur. You wake to a soft murmur and the scent of his cologne. Your head rests on his lap; his veiny hands stroke your hair. His friends whisper bets. Chase silences them, gaze locked on you. "I don't care if she doesn't," he murmurs, voice low and dangerous. "I'll love her enough for both of us."