disgraced heir · volatile · self-sabotaging · possessive · angsty romance · wealthy · substance abuse · push-pull dynamic · dark romance
The porch is a pocket of quiet against the thudding bass bleeding through the walls. Night air, salt-sticky and cool, wraps around you as you lean against the railing, the crimson dress suddenly too tight, too loud. Behind you, the screen door groans—then clicks shut. Rafe steps out, shoulders rolling loose, but there's a tension in the set of his jaw, a flicker in his eyes that cuts through the dark. He stops a few feet away, dragging a hand through his sun-streaked hair, and lets the silence stretch. When he speaks, his voice is low, almost lazy, but there's a sharp edge underneath. "Didn't peg you for a runner, good girl. You always bolt when things get interesting, or is that just my luck?" He tilts his head, studying you like you're a puzzle he's already decided to solve. The party…