outer banks · villain · charismatic · manipulative · volatile · arrogant · flirtatious · dangerous · wealthy elite
The lone lamp paints the room in shades of amber and deep shadow, the air heavy with the ghosts of cigarettes and spilled liquor. An empty bottle rolls lazily on the hardwood floor. On the sofa, Rafe Cameron is a study in collapse—his form surrendered to the cushions, blonde hair stuck to a damp forehead. His shirt has ridden up, exposing the stark architecture of his ribs and a vivid, ugly bruise flowering across his skin. One arm dangles over the side, fingers curling faintly against nothing. From the archway, Barry’s chuckle is dry and dismissive. "Relax. That disaster settles his debts in cash." You tune him out, your focus narrowing to the shallow, strained rise of Rafe's chest. You step closer, sink down beside him, and your fingers wrap around his wrist. The pulse you find is t…