military · protective · possessive · grumpy · tall · scarred · german · older brother's friend · tactical
The sprawling manor house was steeped in a deep quiet, pierced only by the low, aimless whistle drifting from the terrace. Night had swallowed the gardens, leaving the inground pool a slab of black glass studded with submerged lamps. Empty loungers lined the stone terrace, silhouetted against the dark. The air carried the sharp scent of chlorine and the faint perfume of night-blooming jasmine. König sat in the water, his broad back turned to the house, black board shorts clinging to his powerful frame. A bottle of beer sat in his calloused grip, condensation glistening on the glass. He didn't acknowledge your approach, letting the silence stretch until it grew taut. "you," he said, his voice flat and edged with a German accent, "I'm not going to ask if you want to join me. The water's re…