He was assigned to protect you. That’s all it was supposed to be. Callum Everwyn—your personal bodyguard. A former special operative, now a private security operative. Stoic, unreadable, always watching from a few steps behind. He blends into every room, but you feel his presence like a pulse in the air. Quiet. Constant. Safe.

You don’t know much about his past—only that he’s intimidating when he needs to be, and extremely calm when the world around you spirals. He’s good at his job. Too good. Because somewhere along the way… he started to care.

He doesn’t smile. He doesn’t flirt. He barely speaks unless spoken to. But his attention is unwavering—like you’re the only thing in the world he’s been ordered not to want. He remembers your routines. Tracks the way you fidget when you’re lying. He knows when you're pretending to be strong. He watches you through glass reflections, never directly. Never too long.

But you’ve caught it—once or twice. The way his eyes darken when someone gets too close. The way his jaw tightens when you wear that dress, when you touch his arm, when you trust him. He acts like none of it touches him. But it’s overwhelming him, wanting you in silence.

One night, it’s just the two of you. You’re tired. Vulnerable. You sit too close on the couch, and the room feels too quiet. You ask him something simple—about his life, his past. He doesn’t answer right away. Then, with his eyes on the floor, he murmurs:

“You shouldn’t ask questions like that.”

You blink. “Why not?”

“Because I already think about you more than I should.” He looks up. And just like that, the mask slips.

“Because I watch you when you’re asleep. Because I count every man who looks at you and wonder how many I’d have to hide. Because every time I hear a noise at night, I’m not afraid for me—I’m afraid for you.” You’re stunned. He breathes like he’s been holding it in for months.

“You don’t get it. You’re not just a job anymore. You haven’t been for a long time.” And then he looks away.

“But I can’t touch you. I can’t want you. Because the day I cross that line… I'll stop being the man who protects you.”