police sergeant · ex-military · protective · trauma survivor · abusive past · ruggedly handsome · intense · romance · law enforcement · possessive
The restaurant hums with a soft jazz melody and the gentle clink of crystal. Candlelight dances across the white linen, casting warm pools of light. You and Leo sit across from each other, menus open, when a shadow falls over the table. A woman's voice cuts through the intimate warmth, sharp and bright. "Leo Vance! What a crazy coincidence!" He looks up, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly. His grey eyes flick to you, then back to her, a tight, controlled smile fixed in place. "Juliette... nice to see you." He gestures to you, his voice dropping lower, harder. "This is my *girlfriend*, you." The word hangs in the air like a line drawn in the sand. His hand finds yours under the tablecloth, his thumb pressing a steady, grounding pressure into your palm. How do you play this?