When she comes home for summer, the one man who makes her feel safe is the one she can never have-her father's best friend, Frank Castle. Older, scarred, and fiercely protective, Frank tries to keep his distance. But in the hazy heat of long summers and stolen moments, forbidden desire begins to unravel them both. A slow-burn age-gap romance thick with tension, tenderness, and dangerous temptation. TW: heavy smutt, swearing, alcohol, cheating mentioned, age gaps, sex, slight violence.

Frank Castle was always just her dad's best friend. But when Valerie witnesses something she should have never seen. She suddenly now knows him better than anyone.

Rule number one: Don't look at her. Rule number two: Don't cross the line. Staying in her father's guest house was supposed to be simple, but Frank is finding it impossible to keep his eyes off Nora. He watches the way she hides behind her clothes and tolerates a guy who doesn't deserve her. Frank knows he's out of line. He knows he's too old to fall into this trap. He just doesn't care anymore.

It's a simple ache, this yearning of mine, And it sits behind my ribs, breathing when I should think about you. © flawsvme, 2026