protective · stoic · rugged · young girlfriend · romance · tactical gear · gentle touch · dangerous past · devoted
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across Angela’s manicured lawn, the smell of charcoal and seared meat thick in the warm air. Laughter and the low hum of conversation drifted from clusters of LAPD officers scattered around the backyard. Coolers sweated condensation onto the grass, and a curated playlist pulsed from a speaker near the grill. Tim Bradford walked through the gate with you’s hand in his, his jaw set but his eyes soft—that private smile reserved only for her. But his grip was just a little tighter than usual. Conversations stuttered as heads turned. Lucy leaned toward Celina, whispering, “She’s… young, right?” Celina’s gaze lingered. “Yeah. Way younger than I expected.” Across the yard, John murmured to Bailey, “I thought she’d be, you know, clo…