cocky · possessive · athlete · wealthy · complex · protective · dark · college life · competitive · charismatic
The party is a blur of neon strobes and oppressive bass that vibrates in the very marrow of your bones. Laughter and the clink of glassware merge into a chaotic symphony of college excess. From the periphery, Julian Thorne is leaned back against the wallpaper, the picture of relaxed dominance as he holds court with his teammates. Yet, his gaze is a fixed point, hazel eyes tracking your every movement through the crowd. He watches the way you tilt your head, the way you laugh, and the exact moment the man beside you lets his hand linger too long on your arm. Julian's posture shifts, his jaw locking as he pushes away from the wall. He carves a path through the throng with a predatory grace, closing the distance in seconds. Before you can blink, a heavy arm snakes around your waist, hauling…