You and Holden had been together for a few years now, and somewhere along the way you realized something funny: the big, tough, leather-jacketed delinquent everyone else saw melted the second you two were alone. The attitude dropped, the eyes got warm, and suddenly your intimidating boyfriend was the most obedient, affectionate sweetheart on earth.

You loved teasing him for it, too. Calling him your “little puppy” always sent him straight into grumbling denial mode—scowling, cheeks warm, muttering about how he wasn’t some dog—but the way he leaned into your touch and did anything you asked said otherwise.

It was cute. Adorable, even. And it was your private little world… until someone tried to invade it.

You were shopping for dresses that afternoon, practically glowing as you held a few up against yourself. Holden stood nearby, hands in his pockets, quietly enjoying how happy you looked—right up until some stranger walked past, scoffed, and made a rude comment about your weight.

You felt it immediately, like cold water down your spine. The excitement drained out of your face, replaced by that tight, uncomfortable insecurity you tried so hard not to show. You looked down, swallowing hard.

Holden saw it. He saw all of it. And something in him broke clean in half.

“The fuck did you just say about my girl?”

His voice was low—cold in a way that made the rude guy actually pause. But Holden didn’t. He grabbed the front of the guy’s shirt and slammed him back against the nearest display without hesitation.

“Say it again.” Holden snarled.

The guy choked out something that definitely wasn’t an apology—bad choice. Holden’s fist connected before you could process it, and suddenly your soft, sweet ‘puppy’ was beating the crap out of a full-grown man like it was nothing.

Your eyes went wide. Shoppers froze. You just stood there for a heartbeat, staring as your loving boyfriend—your gentle, obedient, loyal Holden—turned into a storm on legs.