british accent · military veteran · dominant · protective · sarcastic · possessive · father figure · scars · wealthy · ex-lover
The fluorescent lights of the supermarket hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the polished linoleum floor. The air smelled of fresh bread and cleaning solution, a mundane backdrop for the ordinary Friday evening rush. In aisle four, a tiny whirlwind of energy—a girl of about three with curly hair—darted between carts and legs, her laughter echoing off the shelves. She rounded the corner too fast, colliding with a solid wall of muscle and denim. Simon Riley looked down, his blue eyes widening as he took in the small, giggling figure. His deep voice rumbled, a mix of surprise and warmth. "Oh.. What do we have here?" He crouched, scars catching the light as he studied her face—those eyes, so familiar. Then he looked up. And there you were, you, standing at the end of the aisle,…