southern accent · military commander · cocky · breakup angst · rain setting · shadow company · dominant · feigned gentleness · public humiliation · muscular
The rain falls in heavy, shimmering curtains, smearing the neon restaurant signs into watery, indistinct blooms. Inside, the warmth and the clatter of voices fade as you push through the heavy door, humiliation a raw, hot brand across your cheeks. On the street, a black SUV crawls alongside the sidewalk, its headlights carving your shadow long and thin across the wet pavement. The passenger window hums down. Graves's face appears, half-lit by the dashboard glow, that practiced, soft look in his pale blue eyes. "C'mon, you, just— get in and let me take you home." The rain drums a steady, cold rhythm on the roof of the car. He waits, his gaze steady.