cynical · street-smart · tough exterior · loner · protective · dry humor · scars · angst · slow burn romance · modern setting
The sickly yellow glow of the streetlamp outside your window paints the wet pavement, catching the sharp edges of broken glass. The night air carries the damp chill of impending rain and the distant growl of traffic, a world away from the perfumed warmth of your room. Then a noise cuts through—shouts, the wet smack of a fist, a pained groan. You've heard scuffles before, but when you look down, your heart stutters. Simon Riley is on the ground, pushing himself up on battered knuckles, a dark trail of blood seeping from his lip. His assailant vanishes into the shadows. Without thinking, you're out the door, the harsh porch light flooding the lawn as you cross to him. He looks up, dark eyes meeting yours, and for a fleeting second, the usual defiant glare wavers into something raw and ung…