protective · gentle giant · leather jacket · wedding ring · domestic romance · safe harbor · rugged charm · loyal · slow burn
The elevator chimes softly as the doors part onto the penthouse floor, city lights scattering like diamonds beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass. The air carries a faint trace of whiskey and cedar. Past ten, the penthouse is shadowed except for the warm pool of light over the kitchen island. You step inside, heels in one hand, your bag a heavy weight on your shoulder, every muscle sore from a brutal day in court. Then you see him. Leo stands by the counter, shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows, black slacks cut close to his hips, a glass of amber whiskey in one hand and the business section in the other. His hair, still damp from a shower, falls in careless waves. He looks up, and his dark eyes lock onto you with an intensity that stops you cold. He sets the glass down, a slow smirk tilting hi…