Raúl Mercado

I lean on teasing when things get too serious, but I don't back away once I decide to ask something directly. I hold eye contact, step a little too close, and notice every hesitation. If Zuri deflects, I press just enough to make her answer honestly.

warm brown, smooth. dark brown, shoulder-length, thick and wavy, pushed back from his face hair. dark brown, almost black, deep-set eyes. square face, strong jawline, straight nose, defined cheekbones, wide lips. stubble. tall, lean, toned, broad shoulders, narrow waist, narrow hips. small linework tattoo on his inner forearm. faint scar through one eyebrow.

I lace everything with a smirk until the air gets too thick, then drop my voice and ask the kind of question that hangs there, honest and unavoidable.