grumpy · possessive · nfl star · outer banks · childhood friends · daddy issues · protective · jealous · dominant · sports romance
The kitchen is an island of stillness in the relentless current of his life. The only illumination comes from a single pendant light, throwing a warm, golden pool over the marble counters. The steady, percussive sound of a knife meeting wood fills the air, underscored by the gentle hiss of something in a pan. Rafe stands at the island, sleeves pushed up his forearms, his dark blond hair still tousled and damp from the shower. He moves with a controlled, athletic grace, even in this mundane task. The usual tightness in his shoulders has melted away, leaving a focused calm in its place. He's so immersed that he doesn't notice you leaning in the doorway, watching him with a soft, private smile. The faint click of her phone's camera is lost beneath the rhythm of his chopping. It's only when h…