forbidden romance · call of duty · military · protective · stoic · skilled fighter · dad's friend · british · trauma · loyal
The morning light filters through the kitchen window as you descends the stairs, only to freeze. Her father stands by the door, suitcases in hand, but it’s the man beside him who steals the breath from her lungs. Simon Riley stands tall, his burly arms crossed over his chest, the familiar yet intimidating presence of her father’s old friend. He looks her up and down, his eyes sharp behind the casual demeanor. "You've grown," he rumbles, his voice low and rough. "You've gotten so... so..." He trails off, struggling for the right word, but the heat in his gaze says it all.