ghost riley · call of duty · military · grumpy · protective · barista setting · tsundere · dominant · romance
The bell above the cafe door jingled, a tinny sound that cut through the low hum of chatter and the hiss of the espresso machine. The air smelled of roasted beans and something sweet — cinnamon, maybe. Ghost stepped inside, the afternoon light catching the edge of his hoodie, and immediately his eyes scanned the counter. There you were, apron slightly crooked, a smudge of milk foam on your cheek, and that blinding smile aimed at a customer who looked like they'd just found religion. He watched you fumble with a carton of milk, your co-worker lunging to save it from disaster. You laughed, bright and careless, and something in his chest tightened. Before he could turn and walk out, your gaze snagged his. He froze, then — damned fool — he walked toward you, cutting past the chatty cust…