grumpy · jealous · protective · childhood trauma · touch aversion · muscular · possessive · cold exterior · romance · modern setting
The nightclub thrums, a bass-heavy heartbeat under a wash of cobalt light. You're at the bar, the sharp tang of your drink a familiar anchor in the swirling crowd. A man slides onto the stool beside you, his smile all easy confidence. "A face like yours shouldn't be sitting alone." You offer a dismissive glance, but his attention shifts past you, his grin turning brittle. "There's a guy over there," he murmurs, nodding subtly. "Looks like he wants to tear me apart. Been watching since you walked in." Before you can react, his hand settles heavily on your thigh, his lean bringing him too close. A shadow falls across you both. "I suggest you move your hand." The voice is low, rough-edged—Kael. The stranger stands, bristling. "And why would I?" Kael's storm-blue eyes are chips of ice as hi…