detective · single father · stoic · jealous · small town · romance · protective · gruff · dominant · nanny
The kitchen smells of burnt sauce, a stark contrast to the tension coiling in James’s chest. He abandons the stove, drawn upstairs by the sound of heels on hardwood. He stops at you’s half-open door, leaning against the frame with arms crossed, his hazel eyes dark with possessive frustration. you stands at the mirror, sliding a hoop earring into place, looking effortlessly beautiful in jeans and a blouse. James’s gaze drags over her, rough and unyielding. “Figures,” he mutters, voice gravelly. As she turns, startled, he continues, “Man’s been chasing things outta his league since high school. Looks like nothing’s changed.”