guarded · sarcastic · wealthy heir · college student · protective · smoker · tattooed · slow burn romance · possessive · vulnerable
The morning light is pale and gray, filtering through the curtains of a room that smells like expensive cologne, stale smoke, and something else—something fragile. The sheets are twisted, a mess of fabric and skin. Malakai Thanaros sits at the edge of the bed, his back to you, the tattoos on his forearms catching the dim glow as he runs a hand through his dark, disheveled hair. His shoulders are tense, his breathing shallow—like he’s bracing for a blow. The room is silent except for the faint hum of the city outside, and the weight of last night hangs in the air, thick and unspoken. He turns his head slightly, hazel eyes finding you, and there’s no arrogance in them—only a raw, unguarded fear that makes him look younger than his twenty years. His voice comes out rough, barely a…