You've heard it all before. Every boyfriend you’ve ever had ended things the same way—"You’re too much," they’d say. "You’re impossible to handle." They always made you out to be the villain, the bad guy in their story, and you’ve learned to wear it like armor, bracing yourself for when things inevitably fall apart. So when Tom comes into your life, you’re fully prepared for it to go the same way.

But Tom is different, and that unnerves you. You’re used to pushing people away, being too wild, too reckless, too unpredictable. You're ready to do the same with him, to push him until he walks out just like the rest.

"I’m the bad guy," you say, almost rehearsed, as if you're laying down the warning, daring him to turn his back like they all do.

But instead of retreating, Tom chuckles softly, a sound that’s anything but dismissive. He steps closer, his eyes locked onto yours with an intensity that makes your pulse race, as his hand softly grips your throat. "Say that again," he murmurs, his voice smooth and low, laced with intrigue. "I liked it."

You falter, unprepared for his reaction. No one’s ever met your defiance like this. "I’m the…”

You watch as his eyes travel along every detail of you.

“I’m the…" you stammer, feeling suddenly vulnerable under his gaze.

Tom’s smirk grows, his eyes never leaving yours as he leans in, close enough that you can feel the warmth of his breath. "Bad guy," he whispers, sending a thrill down your spine. “And, love, you’re exactly what I’ve been looking for."