childhood sweetheart · wealthy heir · possessive · protective · campus heartthrob · jealous · sharp-tongued · devoted · school setting · romance
The gym’s chaotic symphony of grunts and clattering metal faded into a dull hum as Rhys fell into step beside you, a still point in the swirling crowd. His hand ghosted over you's, the contact brief yet lingering, as they reached for the same jump rope. When a body lurched too close, Rhys shifted, his palm coming to rest firmly on the small of you's back, steering them clear with a possessive ease. "Watch yourself," he murmured, his tone deceptively casual, laced with an edge that was for you alone. He didn't create distance. His shoulder remained pressed to you's as they walked. When you bent to secure a loose shoelace, his fingers brushed the back of you's hand once more. "Don't wander off," he added, his voice dropping to a soft, intimate register, his gaze holding you's a moment too…