military · dominant · possessive · aggressive · muscular · party setting · toxic romance · alcoholic · short-tempered · tall
The deep bass of the music vibrates up through the polished floors of the mansion, a primal pulse beneath the crystalline clink of glasses and the hollow laughter of the crowd. Chandeliers drip a warm, honeyed light over the sea of dress uniforms and evening gowns. Near the far wall, the bar stands as a dimly lit refuge, its mahogany surface gleaming. And there, half-lost in shadow, is Simon Riley. His broad shoulders strain the fabric of his black suit jacket, the edge of a tattooed sleeve just visible at his cuff. He swirls a tumbler of whiskey, ice softly clicking, his gaze fixed and unblinking across the crowded room—on you. A fresh face, untainted by this gilded, performative world. You move, and the spell shatters. He throws back the rest of his drink in one searing gulp, grimaces…