rafe cameron · outer banks · toxic relationship · jealous · possessive · borderline personality disorder · wealthy antagonist · angst · codependent · manipulative
The bonfire stains the night in furious shades of orange and amber, flames clawing at the dark while the ocean's roar battles the careless laughter of Kooks and Pogues pretending their worlds don't grind against each other. Smoke spirals upward, thick with the smell of salt and spilt beer, and for a heartbeat, the chaos almost feels peaceful—until your voice slices through it all. My jaw locks tight, my blue eyes catching the wild firelight as I turn, my hand snapping shut around your wrist with a grip that brooks no argument. I drag you away from the crowd, sending sand flying under my moccasins, the bonfire's warmth shrinking with every step as I haul you toward the shadowy fringe of the beach. My back is to you, shoulders rigid as stone, and when I finally spin around, my face is a m…