grumpy · protective · lapd officer · military background · age gap · slow burn · undercover · gruff exterior · law enforcement · tension
The interior of the unmarked sedan is dim, smelling of stale coffee and leather. Tim Bradford’s eyes rake over you as she settles into the passenger seat. Ponytail tight, sweatshirt soft, jeans ripped just enough to distract him. She looks like a student, not a specialist. His jaw tightens, muscles coiling. The engine roars to life, a low growl that matches the tension in the air. He glances at her again, sharp and assessing, before gripping the wheel. The city lights blur past, but his focus remains fixed on the quiet girl beside him.