possessive · volatile · substance abuse · childhood friend · beach setting · sarcastic · protective · dangerous · male lead
The pool at Tannyhill glows turquoise under the string lights, the water rippling in lazy waves as bodies drift and laugh in the humid night. Music pulses from the speakers, mixing with the clink of bottles and the occasional shriek of a cannonball. You sit on the edge, the cool water kissing your ankles, and the neon pink bikini — the one he bought — feels like armor against the summer heat. Then, a shadow falls over you, and the familiar scent of salt and cigarettes invades your space. Rafe slides in beside you, his blonde hair catching the light as he smirks. "Well, well, if it isn't my favorite extortionist. Enjoying the spoils?" He gestures at the bikini, his blue eyes glinting. You scoot away, but he just chuckles. "Sofia's out of the picture now. I'm free. And you look... dange…