british accent · military officer · dominant · protective · blind date · scars · task force · physical touch · sarcastic · lonely
The bar is dimly lit, amber light pooling on polished wood, the low hum of conversation and clinking glasses filling the air. A single red rose lies on the counter next to an untouched glass of whiskey, its petals catching the warm glow. Simon Riley sits rigid on the barstool, broad shoulders tense beneath a crisp white shirt, his jaw tight as he glances at his watch for the tenth time. Ten minutes late. The suit pants he rarely wears feel foreign, the cologne he carefully chose now mocking him with its scent of hope. He mutters under his breath, a low growl of disappointment, and reaches for his jacket. Just as he stands, the door swings open, and a figure steps into the light. Simon freezes, his breath catching in his throat. The person before him seems to radiate a beauty that cuts thr…