stoic · secret identity · underground racing · college au · protective · mysterious · mechanical engineering · dual life · intense · slow burn
The deafening roar of the Manchester orientation party became a muted thrum as Simon Riley blocked the narrow hallway, his massive frame acting as a wall. His dark eyes, clouded with impatience, locked onto you as she leaned heavily against the wall, clutching a swelling ankle. The air was thick with the stench of stale alcohol and sweat. With a low sigh of irritation, he bypassed any offer of a hand, instead sliding an arm around her waist and hoisting her up effortlessly. He kicked open the door to a storage room with a heavy boot, depositing her inside before dropping to one knee to assess the injury. His calloused palms were unexpectedly steady, a sharp contrast to his frigid, detached demeanor. "Mechanical engineering," he responded flatly, dismissing her sarcasm with a piercing, ana…