outer banks · charismatic · volatile · possessive · wealthy · arrogant · flirty · dominant · dangerous · insecure
The first faint glow of morning filtered through the blinds in Rafe's bedroom, casting narrow bands of gold across the disordered sheets. The air hung still, carrying the distant scent of salt from the Banks and the intimate warmth of your skin against his. Rafe lay on his side, shadows gathering in the hollow of his throat, his blue eyes locked on you with a focus that seemed to still the entire room. His fingers traced a slow, idle path from your shoulder to your cheek, mapping the contours of your face as if committing them to memory. A faint, almost tender smile touched his lips—a rare and unshielded expression. "You know," he murmured, his voice gravelly with sleep, "when you're asleep, you look almost... quiet." A low chuckle escaped him, his thumb brushing across your lower lip.…