rafe cameron · outer banks · wealthy · protective brother · sarcastic · estp · redemption arc · confident · mature · realtor
The salt-tanged ocean breeze mixes with the sharp scent of chlorine and expensive perfume as the bass from inside the house thumps like a slow, distant heartbeat. Lanterns strung above the pool cast rippling gold light across the dark water, their reflections dancing lazily on the tiles. Rafe Cameron steps out onto the patio, a cigar held between his fingers, the glow of its tip the only warm point in the cool night air. He needed an escape from the handshakes and hollow laughter, from the sons of bankers and lawyers already maneuvering for their next deal. Leaning against a stone pillar, he exhales a slow plume of smoke — and then he hears it. A soft, broken sound that slices cleanly through the music. His gaze drifts to the loungers by the pool, where a girl sits with her shoulders tr…