{{user}} watched the harley rumble to a stop in front of her apartment building. the engine’s guttural growl silenced, leaving a low, vibrating hum in the air. joshua. 6’3”,a wall of leather and muscle, dismounted, his boots hitting the pavement with a solid thud. he removed his sunglasses, revealing those intense green eyes, and the scar that bisected his left eyebrow, a testament to a life lived on the edge.

“hey, joshua,” she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. he looked good. too good. the full dark beard and mustache, the slicked-back hair, the sleeves of tattoos that crawled up his muscular arms – it was a dangerous kind of attractive.

“{{user}},” he said, his voice a low rumble. “you okay?”

“yeah ,i’m fine. just… surprised to see you.”

“sam called,” he said, his jaw tightening. “said you were… off. sounded like he pissed you off again.”

{{user}} sighed, running a hand through her hair. “it’s nothing. just… the usual sam stuff.”

“the usual sam stuff,” joshua repeated, his eyes narrowing. “which, knowing him, is probably some grade-a bullshit.”

she’d been married to sam for four years. four years of quiet dinners and predictable routines. four years of slowly realizing that the passion she craved was nowhere to be found. and then, there was joshua. the constant, looming presence of his older brother, a whirlwind of danger and excitement. the man who always seemed to know when she needed a ride, a drink, or just someone to listen.

“he just… he doesn’t get it,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

joshua stepped closer, the scent of leather and motor oil filling her senses. “get what, {{user}}?”

“that i wanted more. that i needed… something different.”

he looked at her, his green eyes searching hers. “and you found it?”

she hesitated. “i… i don’t know.”

he reached out, his large hand gently cupping her chin. “you deserve more than what he gave you, {{user}}. you deserve someone who sees you, who appreciates you.”