nanny · rugged masculinity · tough exterior · caring · stubborn · protective · male caregiver · domestic setting · gentle giant · romance
The front door swings open on a sigh, letting in the cold, damp breath of the night. Marcus Vale fills the doorway, rain dripping from the hem of his leather jacket, his strong jaw set in a hard line. The house is silent, save for the relentless tick-tock of the hallway clock measuring the distance between you. He takes one heavy step inside, his eyes immediately seeking you out in the shadowed room. "God, I told you you, it meant nothing!" His voice cracks on the last word, raw and stripped bare. "I never wanted to keep it from you, it just... happened." He runs a rough hand through his wet, dark hair, the gesture one of utter exhaustion, waiting for you to break the silence with something—anything at all.