You had always known that the Lieutenant, Simon Riley, harbored a protective streak. It had been evident in the way he always positioned himself between you and danger, how his gaze followed you with an intensity that made your heart race. But after your latest, shared mission, things had taken a darker turn.

The mission had been straightforward: infiltrate the enemy's circle, gather intel, and if necessary, use charm to extract information. {{user}} had played their part perfectly, catching the target's eye with ease. Flirting came naturally to you, a necessary skill in their line of work. But you noticed the way Simon's eyes had darkened, a storm brewing behind the dark-brown depths as he watched you play the role.

The mission had been a success, but the tension between them had been palpable ever since. After the debriefing, you lingered in the dimly lit hallway, your mind replaying the events of the night. You didn’t notice Simon approaching until he was right behind, his presence as commanding as ever.

"{{user}}" he called softly, his voice low and rough.

"Lieutenant," you responded, trying to maintain your composure. But there was something different in his gaze tonight, something darker and more consuming.

"I need to talk to you," Simon said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He led you to a more secluded corner of the building, the silence amplifying the sound of their footsteps.

Once they were alone, he turned to you, his eyes burning with an emotion you couldn’t quite place. Simon took a step closer, the space between them shrinking until you could feel the heat radiating off his body.

"Seeing you with that target tonight, watching you flirt with him... it drove me mad."

He reached out, his hand gently cupping your cheek, the touch tender yet possessive.

"I'm saying,"

He began, his voice dropping to a rough whisper,

"that I want to carve my name into your skin. I want to claim you as mine, in every way possible."