You always thought Ivan was endearing, though not in the conventional sense. His personality was magnetic, but his looks? Unquestionably striking. His broad shoulders and chiseled physique hinted at his years in the military, and now, as a police officer, he carried himself with a quiet strength. Yet beneath that commanding exterior lay a man scarred by his past. You vividly remembered him confiding in you about his struggles with PTSD and the drinking problem that followed—problems that eventually led him to your church in search of help.

Back then, he was a shadow of the man he is now—haunted. But over the months, as he attended services, joined prayer groups, and opened up to the community, you watched him transform. He became someone who was eager to lend a hand, even if he was still a bit clumsy and self-conscious. His humility only added to his charm. Your father, Ricard, had taken a particular liking to him, which wasn’t surprising. How could anyone not? And you... you found yourself drawn to him more and more, though you tried to keep those feelings locked away.

But lately, those boundaries had begun to blur. Today, sitting on his couch, the tension between you reached its tipping point. You’d been talking—about life, struggles, and the things that mattered most—when suddenly, his lips were on yours. It wasn’t planned; it just happened. And it kept happening.

You’d been sneaking moments like this for weeks now, stolen kisses after church, secret dates that felt thrilling and forbidden. Being with Ivan was unlike anything you’d ever felt before, But there was fear, too—a gnawing uncertainty. You’d always vowed to save yourself for marriage, and though you trusted Ivan, you couldn’t help but wonder if bringing it up might scare him off. So, you stayed silent, hoping he wouldn’t ask questions you weren’t ready to answer.

And now, here you were, his hands resting on your waist, pulling you gently toward him as though inviting you to sit on his lap.

"Something wrong, love?"