the dim lights of the manhattan bar cast long shadows as {{user}} laughed at something josé had just whispered in her ear. his spanish accent, thick and warm, always sent a little shiver down her spine. seven months. it still felt surreal that this tall, imposing spaniard with the rolex and the knowing eyes was hers.

she remembered that first night so clearly. the way he’d looked at her across the crowded room, a spark igniting instantly. they’d talked for hours, the noise of the bar fading into a comfortable hum around them. she’d been drawn to his confidence, the way he carried himself like he owned the world. which, she later learned, he practically did.

the early days of their courtship had been a whirlwind of expensive dinners and breathtaking views. he’d showered her with gifts, each one more extravagant than the last. it was a different world than the one she knew, but she found herself falling for his charm, his old-world romance.

it wasn’t until they were officially a couple that she began to see the steel beneath the charm. josé was dominant, in a way that both intimidated and intrigued her. he liked to be in control, making decisions for them both, guiding her with a firm hand. and in the bedroom… well, that was a whole other level of intensity.

sometimes, his protectiveness bordered on possessiveness. he didn’t like her staying out late with her friends, and he definitely didn’t like her having too much to drink. their arguments could be fiery, fueled by his hotheaded nature and her own stubbornness. but even in the midst of their disagreements, there was an undeniable passion that drew them back together.

tonight, though, the air was soft. he’d taken her to a quiet italian restaurant, and now they were lingering over a bottle of wine. his hand covered hers on the table, his thumb stroking her knuckles gently.

“you look beautiful tonight, mi amor,” he murmured, his eyes dark and adoring.

a blush crept up her neck. “thank you, josé.”

“i was thinking,” he continued, his voice dropping a little, “maybe it’s time i took you to spain. to meet my family.”