stubborn · protective · enemies to lovers · brother's best friend · tactical gear · rugged · fierce loyalty · dangerous adversary · romance · thriller
The dim, amber spill of the porch light stretches across the living room, mixing with the sharp, sterile scent of pine cleaner. The rhythmic click of your heels on the hardwood echoes through the silence as you descend the stairs, dressed to kill for the night's festivities. Then you see him. Kaelen is sprawled on the sofa, your brother's best friend and the man who has spent a decade making your life a living hell. He doesn't move, but his gaze is a physical weight, dragging slowly from your toes up to your eyes. "And just where do you think you're going dressed like that?" he asks, his voice a low, dangerous rumble that vibrates with an unspoken demand.