(chapter seventeen)

Mature content
Reader discretion advised

OF COURSE John B went with her to the Heyward's Seafood. It was in fact a fish market, but also a normal grocery market, which they also sell homemade bread, savories and pastries. Pope was a little skeptical, but he trusted John B's judgement, and it didn't take long for Mr Heyward to hire the girl.

She was supposed to check inventory or be on the register, but after John B claim about her cooking talents, which JJ – appearing out of nowhere as he opened one soda can, being scolded by the older man — agreed, the man knew exactly where she was going to stay.

The Heywards were also known to have their fish savory, and since their chef had to take an absence leave because of an accident, she was going to be the only one in the small kitchen.

Talk about pressure.

She was glad that the man lend her the book he said it belonged to his grandmother, which was the secrets of their success.

And she could start the next day. So there she was: walking back to the Figure 8 with the cooking book tight in her hand, since the three boys had to leave with HMS Pogue to grab something. Eyes still followed her, and even if she barely remembered the bruises around her face Clara felt uncomfortable.

After a while of walking she was now standing in front of the house he was staying. Rafe had told her he and Ward had a bad argument, but he was working on it, so for the meanwhile he was staying there since they weren't on talking terms.

It felt kind of wrong to enter a house she wasn't invited, but she pushed the side door, going up the side stairs, just like Rafe told her to. After knocking on the glass of the door she heard steps from inside, and she felt a relief when her brown eyes met his electric blue ones.

"Hey, you" she smiled, and Rafe could only focus on her face. He was so angry at Susan Hughes, and he was going to go to the club to gave her a piece of his mind when Clara texted him.

"Hey, pretty girl," he said softly to her back, his left hand reaching out to cup her cheek and bring her to a kiss. His lips were barely ghosting over hers as he was scared that it would hurt, so Rafe kissed her forehead, pulling the girl closer as he closed the glass door behind her. "How's your nose?"

Clara tried to scrunch it like she usually do, but the stinging pain was still present, just a bit better. "Been better. It's still bad, so people keep staring."

"'Cause you still look ravishing," his fingers brushed the bruised cheek, as he kept the eye contact, as she tilted her head downwards and Rafe kissed her forehead once more, resting his head against the top of hers.

Rafe leaned his body on the table as Clara hugged him, his arms not hesitating on wrapping around her too, his eyes going to the hanging arm holding something. "So what's the book?"

"Mr Heyward hired me to work on the baking station," she mumbled against his chest, and Rafe furrowed his eyebrows as he pulled back slightly.

"You don't need to work, though-"

"But I do, Rafe," she looked up to him, feeling his finger caressing her back. "I can't expect to be living with your family-"

"We offered, okay? There's no problem."

"And I appreciate that, really. But it doesn't seemed fair to you," Rafe's eyes softened, a ghost of a smile appearing on his face. "If I can pay at least for my food or something, it would make me feel better."

With his left hand pressing on the back of her neck, he brought her to a kiss so soft, and yet so loving that she couldn't help but melt into it. When her hand touched his arm, Clara felt the roughness of the skin as she pulled apart.

"What happened to your arm?" Her hand hold it lightly as Rafe shook his head.

"Doesn't matter, don't think too much of it." He tried to dismiss but it was the girl's turn to shake her own head.

"This doesn't look good, Rafe-" and he cut the girl again as he sealed their lips.

"What did I do to deserve you?" He asked in between the kiss, a dumbfounded expression on his face, and Clara smiled, meeting his lips again, forgetting for a moment the burn just because the boy didn't want to talk about it.

Clara pushed the book on the table, gripping the boy's shirt as he pulled him even closer. She didn't care about the sting of her lip as she did that, she was just so, so grateful for having this boy in her life again.

The action took him by surprise, but he didn't hesitate in kissing her just as hard, the palms of his hands travelling to her back, sending a shiver around her body. His hand then going upwards and slipping around the back of her neck, his thumb running along her jawline.

With her breathing unsteady she clung to him more, their mouths separating for a brief second. "Please..."

"What's wrong, darling?" His voice was hushed, his nose still touching hers as she almost let out a frustrated groan at the lack of his kiss.

"Take me, please." Her voice was so shaken, and she didn't even opened her eyes as Rafe stared at her. "I need you, Rafe."

His jaw clenched under her hand and his breathing stilled for a second. "Clara, I don't want to rush you into anything just because you think I want to."

And she needed to open her eyes, meeting his blue ones, his gaze not flatering.

"If you want to take things slow, I'm fine with that. As long I still get to have you like this, is more than enough for me."

Clara pressed a delicate kiss to his lips to end his rambling, but to show she appreciated his thoughts. "You're the only thing that makes sense in my life right now. And I want you. I want you to have me."

It did give her a rush of excitement burning in her veins, her own certainty giving everything he needed to know as he pulled the girl in his arms once more, a little more possessive than before, but in a good way.

And Clara didn't have any other words at that moment. She wanted this, she wanted him, and there she was now, being carried with her legs wrapped around his middle to one of the rooms, her back lowed on the mattress.

Rafe was gentle as he helped the girl take the clothing piece, throwing in one side of the room he didn't pay any mind, kissing her jaw, then moving downwards. His fingers grazed the scarred skin of her ribs, then lower to the cut on her leg.

Her hands moved to the back of his head, locking her fingers on his hair as he did his work on her neck. "Hips up, baby."

And again he helped the girl take another piece off, not waiting to follow with his own. She felt slightly insecure with his eyes trailing over her body, but before she could even think of covering herself with her hands, Rafe held them in place.

His jaw clenched sharply, as his hands came in contact with her skin once more. "So pretty, so fucking pretty."

Her cheeks were burning as she took sight of his muscles outlined by the sunsetting. And Rafe brought his lips back down to hers, his hand travelled between them, her hips bucked to meet his fingers, and he put a small bit of pressure and stayed still after her gasp, waiting for Clara to adjust at the feeling.

"And all mine," he rasped out, as the girl thought she couldn't breathe. She closed her eyes, hands going to his back in support. It was painful, almost like she was longing the feeling as she moved again. "I'm going to make you feel good."

She panted as his hand moved in circles on her core, her hands gripping his shoulders. It was good, and she wanted to melt onto the touch that was lacking roughness. Rafe knew it was her first time, so he was trying to be as gentle as he could.

His lips were leaving wet kisses along her jawline, going down to her breasts, and she let out a repressed moan. "Don't hold back, pretty girl. I want to hear you."

The pace of his fingers quickened as her head was thrown back, her spine arching and she begged. "Please-"

"Come on," he said through gritted teeth, his pace increasing, and she felt the knot painful inside of her. "I wanna feel you soak my fingers."

She breathed, as an whine of pleasure bolted through her as she pulled Rafe closer to her, and yet he didn't move. He was just staring at her with a smirk on his face as he observed the high he brought her. "You're such a pretty girl."

"Please. Please, Rafe..." her brown half lidded eyes stared back at him. "I need more."

"More, yeah?" He asked, his free hand pushing her hair away from her face. "And what do you want more?"

Rafe could feel her hands gripping at the belt around his waist, as she pulled a bit.

"You."

And he smirked again, standing up to undo the belt and shove his shorts down, his dick hard underneath the material of his boxer, his hand going to the bedside table and opening the drawer, grabbing the condom.

After he pulled it on, he grabbed her waist, turning them around as he looked at her eyes again. "You sure?"

And she nodded. "Yeah."

He pressed another kiss to her lips as she felt the tip at her entrance, and he slowly pushed inside of her. Clara gasped, eyes squeezing shut at the pain, and Rafe wrapped his arms around her, his thumb stroking patterns on her skin as he tried to ease her pain.

Rafe had not moved, as he pressed kisses to her shoulder blade and the crook of her neck. "Are you okay?" The concern was clear in his voice. "Want me to stop?"

"No-" she shook her head, eyes still closed as she kept her fingers on the base of his neck and his back. "No, don't stop."

"I'm going to move, okay?" And when he felt her head nodding, he began to move inside of her. Her breath hitched every time his hips bucked, and he slipped out so it could soothe her.

And he pushed back inside, Clara felt the pain easing with every thrust he did, slowly merging with pleasure. His lips met hers once more, and then her jaw, shoulders, breasts, holding her tight as he got faster.

Her body slowly began to melt into him too, and she allowed herself to move in sync with him. "You feel so fucking good."

His forearms kept him above her as she gripped onto his back, nails dragging on the skin and her moans mixing with her ragged breathe, eyelashes fluttering.

"Rafe, I'm-"

"No, not yet." He interrupted her, as he was reaching his high along with her, as he moved faster.

Clara gasped for air, her back arching once more as she turned into a mess under him, a loud moan leaving her lips. Rafe let out a groan, and not long after he was just about to come just like her.

Rafe pulled out when he reached his own high after hers. His hair a mess as he watched the girl regaining her breath. She was so fucking beautiful.

"C'mon, let's get you clean up," he said after a few seconds, pressing his lips to her temple as he rolled out of the bed.

He was tired now, but Rafe wanted her to feel comfortable. He went to the bathroom, discharging the condom and cleaning himself. He grabbed a towel with a painkiller in one of the drawers, turning back to the room.

After cleaning the girl and offering the water bottle with the pill, he laid down, pulling the sheets over them as his hands came in contact with the bare skin of her waist, pulling her carefully closer.

"Thank you," she whispered, her head moving to hide on his neck as the boy held her tighter.

"You did so good, baby."

++++

Waking up in Rafe's arms became the favorite part of her day, it's where all the problems around her became still and she didn't have to worry. It was just the two of them on their bubble, where no one else could be able to disturb.

She kept staring at him, like all the times before, trying to memorize this moment.

Clara had some memory problems, she could only guess it was a trauma response, so she didn't remember a lot of her childhood, just the bad fights.

She didn't remember how she became friend with the Camerons, and she didn't remember the moving from her New York apartment to the Outerbanks. But she remembered the times where the neighbours would call the police after the really bad fights, she remembered how Shoupe came to aid them and lead the girl away as she sat for, what it seemed like hours, inside the police car.

She remembered the look of pity Peterkin would give her everytime they came knocking on her door, and her heartbeat blasting out of her chest.

Richard would constantly tried to mention some of their good times together, but she did not remember that. She didn't remember any of it and it upset her.

And now, every single time she was having a good time, or something it was worth remembering, Clara like to take a look, memorize and hope she would never forget.

She loved taking pictures and recording videos every chance she got, and so she did. Grabbing her phone, trying not to move around too much, she snapped a picture of how calm Rafe looked, how the sun was hitting his back and the side of his face through the courtains.

But as soon as he started to move, she locked the phone, her cheeks burning red as she tried to avoid eye contact.

Rafe smiled when his eyes opened, pulling the girl to his chest once more as she hid her head again. "How're you feeling?"

"I'm okay," she answered, her forehead resting on his shoulder as the boy hummed, hands moving on the skin of her back.

"You're sure?" And he felt her nod, so he pulled back just a little. "Okay, so why can't you look me in the eyes?"

"Just hold me for a bit longer, please." She whispered, getting more comfortable in his arms. "I'll get there."

He laughed softly and she smiled when his chest moved under her, oh she loved that.

"I never asked how did you get your phone back," Rafe asked after a few minutes of silence.

"I broke in and took my things," she answered, half lying because she didn't want to ruin the moment. Not now, mainly for the fact that the two boys seemed to have an on going rivalry. "I wanted to bring Twix with me."

"I know, baby, I'm sorry." His words were muffled by her hair, his hand playing with the ends of her hair. "We can always steal him for a little when you mother travels."

And she nodded, not really believing him, but being grateful for his tries to keep her hopes up. Rafe's fingers going up and down her bare back.

After a few more moments she released her arms from around him, her eyes meeting his without her face turning red.

"There you are," he smiled at her sleepy state, a lazy smile on her face. His hand went to brush her hair away. "Still so fucking beautiful, aren't you?"

"Look at you," she pointed it back, and he only scrunched his nose like she always did and shook his head.

"You really want to start this?" And before her answer he sealed their lips, hoovering above her once more as her hands rested on his sides. "My pretty girl."

Clara hissed a little when she moved to her back. Truth be told she could barely feel her legs, and when she moved she felt an ache between her legs.

"Let's run you a bath, okay?" He said so softly at her, not really waiting for her reply as he pushed himself up by his forearms, helping her up as she clenched her jaw.

Suddenly Clara felt a little concious about her displayed naked body, but Rafe was only focusing on getting her to the bathroom. Her legs shaking as he made sure that he was holding her close if she fell over.

++++

After making sure that Clara was safe at the Heywards store, he took his bike to the country club. He was too happy, and he needed a good time with his friends, just to talk and eat without his father knowing.

Rafe was never the one to brag about his hook-ups, but once again, Clara wasn't just a hook up. They never labelled it, but she was his girl. And he would never openly talk about their intimacy, mainly with the two problem boys — like Clara loved to call them.

But his mood quickly turned sour when he saw who was standing with Topper and Kelce. He abandoned the helmet as he walked in fast stroll, finger ready to meet the front of the braided haired girl's face.

"The fuck you're still doing here?" His voice was harsh as Grace's eyes widened and she took a step back. "Wasn't she clear enough for you to not talk to us anymore?"

"Rafe-" she choked it out, as she looked briefly at the two boys with confused stares, also gaining the attention of the other adults as everyone stared at the fuming boy. "Look, I didn't mean to hurt Cla-"

"Oh, I'm sure of it," he spat back, hand coming in contact with her arm as he held it into a tight grip. "Because I assure you that if you did, you wouldn't be much better than what she looks like right now."

Grace winced, but Topper put a hand on his friend's chest, pulling him back for a moment. "Dude, back off."

"You wouldn't tell me to if you knew how Clara is looking right now," he hissed back, and Topper paused, a crease appearing on his face as his eyes travelled back and forth. "How she looked after what Grace did, as Clara was laying on the floor with a pool of her own blood surrounding her?!"

The younger boy's head shot up to the girl, as Grace looked down. "Grace, what is he talking about?"

But Rafe didn't give her a chance to explain. "I wouldn't trust her, Topper. She and her mother doesn't seem to know how to keep their fucking mouths shut. But if you really want to know, Clara's staying at mine."

And when the Cameron boy looked around the adults eyes he spotted Steven and Susan Hughes, as the latter kept a close eye. Rafe didn't hesitate in pointing his finger at the woman.

"And you can go fuck yourself, you narcissist psycho bitch. Guess what, everyone?" He spat at the members as the woman's eyes widened. "Everything they are saying about her it's fucking true. So fuck you!"

He walked to the bar, Kelce not really understanding but agreeing with his friend. He never saw Rafe get so pissed off like that, so there must be something really wrong happening.

Topper stared at the girl. He could remember vaguely what his mother was talking after the midsummers party. He was confused why Clara was avoiding him, as the girl always tried to answer as fast as she could.

"Top, please..." Grace tried, but the boy shook his head as he walked backwards, going to follow his two friends.

He didn't want to hear from her. The only person he wanted to hear what happened was Clara herself if she felt comfortable to tell him.

And while that happened, Clara was very aware of the small vial on her pocket, her conscious making it appeared more heavy than it really was. She had no idea why she had them in her pocket, why didn't she left them behind, so there they were.

She was waiting for the fish savouries to end baking, her body still aching from the night before, now with the knowledge that the normal painkillers weren't cutting it anymore.

It takes two to get rid of the pain, right? Or maybe three like Ian had said it before.

Propping the bottle open, she swallowed three pills with her water bottle.

So, they finally did it🥴
Some soft smut just because Clara deserves it

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