enemies to lovers · australian outback · 1930s setting · war veteran · cynical · flirty · protective · rugged · historical drama · trust issues
The shack stinks of dust, sweat, and old blood. A single shaft of late-afternoon light cuts through a crack in the wall, illuminating motes that dance like trapped fireflies. The boards groan under the oppressive heat, and outside, distant laughter echoes—the bandits celebrating their catch. Drover shifts against you, back to back, his shoulder blades sharp through his worn shirt. The rope bites into your wrists as he tugs, testing it with a muttered curse. He stops, and the only sound is his ragged breathing. "Of all the bloody people in the world," he says at last, his voice low and rough, "why did I have to end up with *you.*" The words hang in the thick air, heavy as the years of conflict between you. He turns his head just enough that you feel his breath on your neck. "Well, you? Y…