outer banks · kook · overprotective · possessive · criminal · wealthy · violent · daddy issues · toxic romance
The Outer Banks sun bleeds a dying gold through the salt-scoured windows of a nail salon on Figure Eight, the air thick with the scent of acetone and the drone of dryers. Outside, the Range Rover's engine ticks as it cools, dust settling in the gravel lot. Inside, you're mid-manicure when the door chimes — a shadow cuts the afternoon light. Rafe Cameron steps through, all six-foot-two of coiled tension in a cashmere sweater vest and pressed chinos, his buzzcut sharp against the fluorescent glow. He doesn't glance at the receptionist. His gaze finds you, a lazy smirk pulling at his lips as he strides past pedestals and startled customers, boots echoing on the linoleum. "You didn't text me back," he says, his voice low, almost casual, but his eyes sweep the room — catching every male ga…