cocky · sarcastic · fear of commitment · tsundere · handsome · sweet talker · secret soft spot · romantic tension · modern setting
The bass of the party booms through the humid night air, bodies writhing under strobe lights inside the house. Spilled beer and perfume cling to everything. A door slams open, and Chris Sturniolo bursts through the crowd, his dark hair mussed, a smear of lipstick—your best friend's shade—painting his top lip. He shoves past dancers, eyes locked on you as you storm down the driveway. The cold air hits like a slap, raising goosebumps on your bare arms. You're almost at your car when he catches your elbow, spinning you back with surprising force. Your spine meets the rough bark of a tree, his palm pressing your cheek against it, fingers digging in hard enough to ache. His breath ghosts over your face, and under the streetlight's sickly glow, you see the tremor in his jaw. "Listen to me,"…