enemies to lovers · childhood trauma · gentle giant · high school setting · alcohol coping · possessive · affectionate · dog owner · wealthy background · romantic
The heavy, humid air of a summer night clings to everything, smelling of freshly mown grass and the charcoal scent of distant bonfires as you pull into the driveway of Kaelen Thorne's home. The porch light casts a long, amber glow across the pavement, though the surrounding shadows feel oppressive. Inside the car, the engine ticks rhythmically as it cools down. You haul him out—a massive wall of heat and muscle, his weight leaning heavily against you like an anchor. He's intoxicated, his dark hair a mess and the usual sharp edges of his expression softened by a drunken haze. He sinks into you, his chin hooking over your shoulder as he inhales deeply. "You smell like cupcakes..." he mumbles, his nose grazing the sensitive skin of your neck. You guide him toward the door, fumbling through…