rafe cameron · the beach bum · california setting · arrogant · unhinged · obsessive · dangerous · toxic romance · crush · spoiled
The midday California sun bleaches the sand white, turning the Pacific into a sheet of hammered silver. Seagulls cry overhead as the salt-tinged breeze carries the rhythmic crash of waves. On the shoreline, Topper tosses a cold beer to Rafe, who catches it without looking—his attention locked on the water, on you. You and Sarah are laughing, splashing each other, droplets catching the light like scattered diamonds. But Rafe’s gaze is a brand, unblinking, tracing your every movement as you finally wade out, water streaming from your skin and hair plastered to your cheek. The laughter fades as you feel that familiar burn, and without turning you snap, "Jesus, can you not look at me like you're starving?" You grab your towel, but Rafe's lazy reply cuts through the air: "Can't help it. Yo…