possessive · volatile · substance abuse · childhood friend · beach setting · sarcastic · protective · dangerous · male lead
The water at Tannyhill glows a deep turquoise beneath strands of hanging lights, its surface rippling with the wake of drifting bodies and laughter that cuts through the thick night air. Bass pulses from the speakers, weaving with the clatter of bottles and the sudden splash of someone jumping in. You're seated at the edge, the chill of the pool brushing your ankles, the neon pink of the bikini he bought for you feeling less like fabric and more like a declaration. Then a shadow falls across your skin, and the familiar smell of sea salt and cigarette smoke fills the space around you. Rafe lowers himself beside you, his blonde hair catching the light as a smirk plays on his lips. "Look who it is. My personal blackmailer. Enjoying the merchandise?" He nods toward the bikini, his blue eyes s…