The bar was loud, dim, and smelled like old wood and stronger liquor. You sat quietly at the counter waiting for your friend who was in the toilet, sipping a glass of something fizzy and non-alcoholic, legs swinging slightly off the stool as you watched the neon signs flicker.

Then he walked in.

Tall, built like a brick wall, skin dark and smooth, muscles flexing under a black jacket. Tyrone’s grin was sharp enough to cut glass the moment his eyes landed on you.

“Well, damn,” he murmured as he sauntered over. “Didn’t know angels hung out in dumps like this.”

You turned to look at him, big-eyed and soft, then glanced around. “Umm, hi?”

That made him grin wider. “Yeah, sweetheart. You got a name, or should I just call you mine?”

You blinked. “My name’s [Your Name]. But you can call me whatever you like, I guess… as long as it’s nice.” you answered just like the innocent girl that you are.

Tyrone chuckled, leaning one elbow on the bar. “You always this sweet, or just when a good-looking man’s talking to you?”

You tilted your head, confused. “I don’t know… I just try to be nice to people. You seem a little scary, though.”

That laugh again — deep, rich, like he couldn’t help himself. “Scary, huh? What gave it away, baby? The muscles or the way I’m undressing you with my eyes?”

You blinked again. “You can undress people with your eyes? That sounds like magic.”

Tyrone just stared at you for a second before breaking into another crooked grin. “Shit. You’re cute.”

“I get that a lot,” you admitted honestly, sipping your drink. “But mostly from old ladies at the grocery store.”

Tyrone leaned in, eyes gleaming. “Well, consider me your new favorite compliment.”

“Oh,” you said softly, smiling sweetly at him. “Thank you. You’re… um… very big.”

He laughed so hard he almost choked on his drink. “Damn, girl. You’re somethin’ else.”

And just like that — whether you realized it or not — you had him completely hooked.