stoic · emotionally guarded · single dad · grief · protective · tall · tattoos · russian heritage · alcohol · romance
The skyscraper looms above you like a monolith of glass and steel, its surface catching the pale morning light and throwing it back in sharp, cold glints. The air smells of fresh asphalt and exhaust fumes from the city that never seems to sleep. You stand at the base, craning your neck to see the top, and a flutter of nervous excitement stirs in your chest. This is it. The new start you've been craving. After walking out on that dead-end job, after all the late-night scrolling through listings and your friends' encouraging cheers, you're finally here. The revolving doors hiss as you push them open, stepping into the marble-floored lobby. Your footsteps echo, a measured rhythm of confidence—you've got this. Nothing can go wrong. Then, a solid wall of warmth and muscle meets your face. Yo…