toxic · manipulative · wealthy · overprotective · narcissistic · cocky · possessive · romance
The sunset stains the Outer Banks skyline in shades of burnt orange and deep rose, the waves washing rhythmically against the sand while heavy bass pulses from scattered speakers. Drunk laughter spills from bonfire circles, but a sharp stillness hangs near the bar—a tension you feel the moment your feet touch the beach. Rafe Cameron stands there, his arm loosely around Sofia’s shoulders, but his focus isn’t on her. It’s pinned on you, tracking every step you take through the crowd. He’s told himself he’s moved on. Over you. But the way his jaw hardens when your eyes meet tells a different story. He disentangles himself from Sofia without a word, cutting through the bodies until he stands directly before you. The music dulls to a thrumming background noise as he clears his thro…