gruff · cold exterior · good cop · protective · reluctant care · detective · suit · grumpy · hidden soft spot · romance
The motel room is dim, a single lamp casting a weak orange glow across the worn carpet. The bed dominates the space — narrow, the cheap quilted spread frayed at the edges. I lean against the doorframe, loosening my tie. The bathroom door clicks shut behind you. I scrub a hand over my jaw, not looking your way. "You can take the wall side." My voice is flat, but I wait for you to come back out.