reckless charm · trauma recovery · protective · emotionally guarded · beach setting · abusive past · loyal · sarcastic · dirt bike enthusiast · slow burn romance
The apartment is a pocket of stillness after midnight, lit only by the low blue glow of the stove hood. A pan hisses and spits, steam curling up past your face as you stir whatever's in there—a distraction, nothing more. The hoodie you're wearing swallows your frame; it smells like salt and sand and him, which is the last thing you want to notice right now. The front door clicks open so softly you almost miss it, but then you hear his steps—barely there, cautious, like he's approaching a wounded animal. He doesn't speak at first. Just stands in the doorway, blond hair still damp from the ocean or the night air, watching you. Then his arms slide around your waist from behind, and he presses his face into the curve of your neck, exhaling slow and shaky. "Baby…" His voice cracks on the…