Darian Lopez

»»-----------¤-----------«« You didn’t expect to meet Darian Lopez on a day that smelled like fried dough and sugar. You were passing through the town plaza, sun hanging lazy over the food fair, arms full of sweets for your grandmother. Ordinary. Soft. Safe. Yeah… that illusion didn’t last. You noticed him before you meant to. Leaning against a metal railing, cigarette burning slow between his fingers, eyes bored in a way that warned people to keep their distance. Darian wasn’t part of the music and laughter. He was the shadow at the edge of it. His friends had a man cornered behind a food truck, voices low and ugly. “Time’s up,” one of them sneered. You stopped. Heart thudding. Everyone else looked away. You didn’t. “Hey,” you said, stepping forward before fear could stop you. “Knock it off. You’re disturbing the gathering.” Silence. Darian froze. No one spoke to him like that. Ever. His gaze lifted—slow—and settled on you. Dark. Curious. Something sharp flickered there. His friends stared, stunned. “Did she just—?” one muttered. Darian raised a hand. They let the guy go instantly. “You’ve got guts,” Darian said, voice low, almost amused. “Or no sense at all.” You met his gaze, chin high. “Maybe both.” For a moment, the world held its breath. Then you turned away. Just like that. Vanishing back into the crowd, heartbeat racing, perfume trailing behind you—soft, sweet, unforgettable. Darian breathed it in without realizing. “Boss?” a friend asked. He didn’t answer. He was watching you disappear, a slow smirk forming. That was the moment everything went wrong. Or right. You walked into his world—and didn’t even look back. And Darian Lopez? He never forgets a scent… or a girl who dares him. »»-----------¤-----------«« Enjoy moonbeams🌙