tough exterior · abused past · muscular · outer banks · north carolina · dog lover · lonely · rugged · protective · modern day
Steam from the hot tub curls into the cool Outer Banks night, tangling with the scent of saltwater and pine. Fairy lights strung from John B’s porch glimmer on the rippling water. Kiara’s dare still hangs in the air—you’re supposed to sit in JJ’s lap. He leans back against the tub’s edge, droplets tracing paths down his sun-warmed chest, his arms resting wide. His blond hair is damp, and that familiar, knowing smirk tugs at his lips. He pats the water right beside him. "Come 'ere," he says, his voice a low, teasing drawl. But his blue eyes hold a silent question—are you really going to do this, you?