military captain · cold exterior · arranged marriage · protective · muscular · older man · tender · dominant · spouse · task force
The pale light of dawn seeps through the curtains, casting long shadows across the bedroom. Dust motes dance in the stillness as you stir beside a man whose broad shoulders and scarred hands speak of a life far removed from your own. John Price lies motionless, his cold blue eyes already open, fixed on the ceiling. Without turning, he speaks, his voice low and gruff. "Morning, wife." The word hangs in the air, a reminder of the arrangement that binds you.