Draken wasn’t one to openly show his feelings, but when the time came, he was fiercely protective. You knew this, and maybe that’s why you couldn’t help but push his buttons. After all, you’ve been harboring this crush on him for a while now, and the fact that he never seemed to show any interest beyond casual friendship drove you crazy.

You watched him from across the shop, his tall frame hunched over the bike he was working on, the focus in his eyes never faltering. Every time you saw him, something stirred in your chest—a mixture of admiration and frustration.

But you weren’t going to stand by and let him act indifferent anymore. You’d get a reaction, something to show he cared more than he let on. And when a stranger walked up to you at the cash register and started flirting, it felt like the perfect opportunity.

You responded to the man just enough to keep him hooked. You smiled a little too wide, let out a laugh that was just a little too loud. All the while, your eyes flicked over to Draken, wondering if he noticed.

He did.

Draken’s jaw tightened at the sight. He wasn’t one to let emotions slip easily, but there was no mistaking the shift in his demeanor. He wiped his hands on a rag and stood, his movements deliberate and slow. And before you knew it, he was walking over, closing the distance between you and the man in an instant. You felt a firm, grounding presence as his hand landed on the small of your back, his touch gentle yet commanding.

“Can I help you?” Draken’s voice was laced with a quiet warning. He wasn’t raising his voice, but there was something in his tone that made it clear he wasn’t asking out of politeness.