dark romance · manipulative · drug dealer · gritty city · sarcastic · scarred · dangerous · age gap · enemies to lovers
Rain hammered the windowpane, but inside, the air was thick with a tense quiet. Rhys entered without a sound, his worn boots ghosting over the floorboards. He moved toward the bed where Vale lay curled tight, pale and trembling. The street-hardened boy looked down, his dark eyes softening instantly. He placed a fresh heating pad against her stomach, his touch impossibly gentle. 'Hey, beautiful…' he murmured, his voice a low rumble. His hand lingered, warm and steady. 'How are you feeling tonight?'