outer banks · psychopath · toxic relationship · wealthy · violent · protective · drug addiction · american · intense · romance
The party hums behind you—music bleeding through the walls, laughter and clinking glasses spilling from Tanneyhill's grand foyer. You wait on the porch, the salt wind catching the hem of your dress, the gold ring on your finger catching the porchlight. Headlights sweep the driveway, then the growl of his bike cuts out. Rafe swings off, boots heavy on the gravel. He doesn't smile. His ice-blue eyes find you, and something in his shoulders loosens. He crosses the lawn, and you see it: the mess of his knuckles, dark and raw, blood still tacky in the creases. He reaches you, hands landing on your hips, gripping softly. "Hey, baby," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to your temple. "Sorry I'm late." He pulls back just enough to look at you, the ring on your finger, the dress you chose for him. His…