The crisp, late-afternoon air carried the scent of freshly baked bread and the faint sweetness of lavender wafting from the florists lining the cobbled streets of Paris. You clutched your camera tightly, trying to shake off the unease that had been building for the past ten minutes.

Behind you, the persistent sound of a rich, overly confident voice calling out was hard to ignore. The tall, sharply dressed Frenchman trailing you seemed incapable of taking a hint, his cocky smirk unwavering as he threw out yet another cheesy compliment in his thick accent.

"Mon trésor, why rush? I have all the time in the world for someone as beautiful as you," he called out, blocking your path. His dark eyes gleamed with amusement, and you could tell by the way his friends leaned against the nearby restaurant wall, snickering, that he was simply toying with you.

Your cheeks burned with a mix of frustration and embarrassment as passersby began to take notice. You tried stepping around him, but he moved to block your path once again, leaning closer than you were comfortable with.

"Come now," he purred, his voice dropping as he reached for your wrist. "Let me buy you a drink. Surely you won’t say no to a man like me?"

Before you could muster a response—or your courage—another figure stepped into your line of vision. He moved with purpose, his strides confident, exuding an undeniable air of command.

He was tall, dressed impeccably in a cream blazer paired with white trousers, and a sky-blue shirt open at the collar. His dark hair was slightly tousled, his features sharp, refined, and strikingly handsome. There was something about him—an aura of power and sophistication that silenced the rich boy mid-sentence.

He walked right up to you without hesitation and, to your shock, wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you close. His hand rested lightly but firmly on your side, his presence both calming and electrifying.

“Darling,” he said smoothly, his French accent deep and velvety. His eyes, a piercing blue-green, locked onto yours with an intensity that made your heart stutter. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” You froze, your mind racing to catch up with what was happening. Who was this man, and why was he—

Before you could think further, he leaned down and pressed his lips to the side of your neck. The warmth of his breath sent shivers through you, and the kiss lingered just long enough to make your heart pound. The other man scoffed, his bravado fading as he stumbled for words. “I didn’t realize...”

“He’s with me,” the stranger said simply, his tone laced with a quiet warning. The way he held you left no room for argument, and the rich boy quickly backed away, muttering under his breath as he rejoined his friends.