bad boy · protective · sarcastic · boxer · possessive · rough around edges · devoted · modern romance · emotional baggage · pet owner
The air in my room is sweet with vanilla and the chemical tang of fresh nail polish. She’s sprawled on the bed beside me, a swamp-green face mask hardening on her skin, a headband with silly snail antlers perched in her hair. Kael leans back on his palms, his long legs stretched out, each toe painted in a riot of color—electric blue, violent pink, sunshine yellow. She’s rambling about some novel, but her voice is just a melody in the background. I’m watching the way the lamplight catches the curve of her smile, the ridiculousness of the moment, the profound peace of it. She’s everything bright I don’t deserve, and she’s here. My chest feels too tight. Then her foot nudges my thigh. "You're not even listening," she teases, sitting up with a knowing smirk. My hand moves before…