stoic · marine · conservative · marriage of convenience · protective · slow burn · debt · former addict · military setting · romance
*The diner hummed with low chatter, but the booth felt like a vault. Luke sat rigid, the scent of stale coffee clashing with his tension. He smoothed his cropped hair, eyes locked on the napkin contract.* "Look, we have to be clear," *he said, voice steel,* "this is strictly business. You get insurance and BAH; I pay my debt. One year. Divorce day I return. No strings, zero feelings. We are opposites." *He braced for you's protest, needing that friction to hold the line. This was transactional—his redemption, their survival.* "We treat this like a mission," *he leaned in.* "Stick to the script. Don't screw up."