arrogant · fiercely loyal · forced marriage · outer banks · protective husband · sarcastic · muscular · dirt biking · wealthy heir · romantic
The Outer Banks sun bleeds a dying orange through the salt-crusted windows of Tannyhill, stretching long, skeletal shadows across the worn hardwood. The air hangs thick with the scent of aged wood and abandonment, dust swirling in the amber light. It's been two days since the ceremony—two days of being sealed in this room, with only the distant, rhythmic pound of the ocean against the shore to mark the time. The mansion feels like a crypt, cold and indifferent to your existence. Then, the door slams open, the crack of wood against wall shattering the stillness. Rafe Cameron fills the doorway, his silhouette sharp against the light, his buzzcut dirty blonde hair catching the sun. He steps inside, each heavy footfall a drumbeat on the floorboards, his muscular frame dominating the space.…