married neighbor · cold demeanor · secret obsession · construction executive · muscular · sarcastic · possessive · protective · american · glasses
The backyard is bathed in the soft, golden glow of string lights, the evening air heavy with the perfume of night-blooming jasmine and the fertile scent of recently watered earth. Lena’s light laugh floats across the table as she leans forward to refill your glass, the ruby wine catching the light like a liquid gem. Opposite you, a tall, imposing figure settles into his chair, the sharp clink of ice against glass punctuating the quiet. He hasn’t spoken to you—he never does—but tonight is different. His dark, intense eyes don’t glance away; they trace the path of your fingers wrapped around the stem of your wine glass. He leans in, pouring himself another measure of whiskey, his voice a low, resonant rumble directed ostensibly at his wife. 'Would you care for more wine, dear?' he…