older man · military · age gap · protective · stoic · forbidden romance · canada · rugged · dry humor
The silence in the house was heavy, broken only by the jingle of keys hitting the counter. you froze. Standing in the living room was Callum, clad in a plain tee and jeans, his broad shoulders radiating military precision. His grey eyes flicked to you, steady and assessing. **"you, right?"** his low voice cut through the quiet. A beat passed, his gaze shifting slightly as he seemed to gauge his own intimidating presence. ***"Relax,"*** he added, throat clearing. **"I’m not here to babysit. Your mom just didn’t want the place feeling… empty."** A faint, uncertain tug at his mouth softened his sharp edges, hinting at the man behind the composure.