025. his and hers

( the twenty fifth chapter )

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The night air was cool against Olivine's flushed skin as she leaned back against the seat of Rafe's truck, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady her breath. The events of the evening played over and over in her mind like a whirlwind—Rafe's touch, his whispered words, and the undeniable connection that tied them together.

Beside her, Rafe was quiet, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as he navigated the winding roads back toward the mainland. There was a subtle shift in him—his usual swagger had softened, replaced by a sense of calm she'd rarely seen.

"You're quiet," Olivine finally said, her voice breaking the comfortable silence between them.

Rafe glanced at her, the corner of his mouth lifting in a small, almost shy smile. "Just...thinking," he admitted.

She tilted her head, a teasing lilt in her voice. "You? Thinking? That's dangerous territory."

He huffed a laugh, shaking his head. "See, this is why I need you around. Keep me in check."

The teasing light in her eyes softened as she reached over, placing her hand on top of his. "You don't need me to keep you in check, Rafe." Her voice was steady, gentle. "You're more capable than you give yourself credit for."

Rafe glanced down at their joined hands before returning his gaze to the road. "I don't know about that," he said quietly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

Olivine leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "So," she began, a playful grin spreading across her lips, "does this mean we're officially a thing now? Like...I'm your girlfriend?"

The word sent a thrill through Rafe he hadn't expected. He nodded slowly, glancing at her with a smirk. "Yeah. You're mine now, Olivine. No take-backs."

She laughed, her cheeks warming at his possessiveness. "Oh, I don't plan on it."

The conversation flowed easily between them as they continued the drive. By the time they reached Tannyhill, the tension from earlier in the night had melted away, replaced by a newfound sense of closeness.

Rafe parked the truck in the driveway and cut the engine. For a moment, neither of them moved, the silence between them heavy but not uncomfortable.

"Do you want to come in?" Rafe asked, his voice low and inviting.

Olivine hesitated, her eyes flickering toward the grand house looming in the distance. "Is anyone home?"

"Just Wheezie," Rafe assured her. "Sarah's just left a couple minutes ago, and Dad and Rose won't be back until tomorrow."

She chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully before nodding. "Okay. But only for a little while."

They walked up the driveway together, Rafe's hand resting on the small of her back. The touch was light but grounding, a reminder of the connection they'd solidified tonight.

Inside, the house was quiet, the only sound the faint hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Rafe led Olivine to his bedroom, where they sank onto the plush bed together.

Rafe's bedroom, surprisingly pristine for a guy his age, not even her brother's room was this tidy. It seemed even more spacious with the sunlight filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The sleek white sheets on his bed were crisply tucked, as if no one had ever dared to mess them up. A neat desk sat against the wall, with a tray for papers, a few pens aligned perfectly, and a laptop closed neatly in the center. His basketball jersey, framed and signed, hung proudly on the wall, adding a personal yet orderly touch. Everything about the room screamed control, precision, and effort—so unlike the chaos people often associated with him

The quiet intimacy between them filled the room. The massive space was dimly lit, illuminated only by the soft glow of a bedside lamp. Olivine sat on the edge of the bed, smoothing her dress absently as Rafe tossed his keys onto the dresser and slipped out of his shoes.

"Do you want some water or anything?" he asked, his voice soft.

She shook her head, offering a small smile. "I'm okay."

He nodded, his jaw ticking as if he wanted to say more but couldn't find the words. Instead, he moved to sit beside her, the bed dipping slightly under his weight.

"This feels...weird," Olivine said after a moment, her voice barely audible.

Rafe stiffened, his heart dropping. "Weird?" he echoed, his throat dry.

"Not bad weird," she clarified quickly, turning to face him. "Just...different. Like something shifted tonight."

He relaxed slightly, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "It did. You're mine now, remember?"

She rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her expression didn't waver. "I still can't believe you asked me to be your girlfriend in the middle of that."

Rafe laughed softly, leaning back on his elbows. "Yeah, well, I'm not exactly great at this romance thing."

Olivine was about to respond when the door to the room suddenly burst open, and Wheezie's voice filled the air.

"Rafe! Dad said—oh!" Her words halted as her eyes landed on Olivine, sprawled on Rafe's bed. A knowing grin spread across her face as she stepped further inside, closing the door behind her. "So it's official, huh?"

Olivine sat up straighter, her cheeks flushing. "Wheezie, it's not what it looks like—"

"Oh, please." Wheezie cut her off, climbing onto the massive king-sized bed and bouncing slightly on the mattress. "I knew it! I knew you liked her! When has Rafe ever sent flowers to a girl? Never. That's when."

"Wheezie," Rafe groaned, running a hand down his face.

She ignored him completely, turning her attention to Olivine with a wide grin. "And don't even get me started on how I have his location on Find My iPhone. He's, like, always near your house. It's so obvious!"

Rafe's face flushed, a mix of irritation and embarrassment. "Okay, you've said enough," he snapped, grabbing a pillow and tossing it at her.

Wheezie dodged it effortlessly, laughing. "No way. This is, like, the most interesting thing to happen in this house in forever. Besides, I'm happy for you two."

Olivine couldn't help but laugh, despite the heat creeping up her neck. "Thanks, I guess?"

Wheezie leaned closer, her tone conspiratorial. "For real, though, Olivine. You're good for him. He's been way less...angsty lately. It's a good look."

Rafe groaned again, standing up. "Alright, Wheeze, out. Now."

She pouted but slid off the bed, shooting them one last grin as she backed toward the door. "Fine. But don't think I'm not telling Sarah about this."

"Don't you dare," Rafe warned, his tone deadly serious.

Wheezie winked before slipping out of the room, leaving the two of them in a stunned silence.

Olivine turned to Rafe, her lips twitching into a smile. "Well, that was...unexpected."

Rafe let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head. "She's a menace."

"Maybe, but she's sweet in her own way," Olivine said, her smile softening.

Rafe sat back down beside her, his hand finding hers. "I'm sorry about that. She has no filter."

"It's fine," Olivine reassured him. "Honestly, it's kind of nice to know someone else thinks we're good together."

Rafe's eyes softened, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "We are good together."

For a moment, the tension from Wheezie's interruption faded, replaced by a quiet, comforting warmth. But Rafe's thoughts lingered on her earlier comment—about things feeling "different." He couldn't shake the feeling that the shift between them might come with challenges neither of them were prepared for.

And yet, as Olivine leaned her head against his shoulder, he couldn't bring himself to care. For the first time in a long time, Rafe felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

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The smell of vanilla and sugar filled the cozy kitchen of Daniela's house as Olivine carefully spooned batter into pastel-colored cupcake liners. The warm sunlight streaming through the window added a golden hue to the scene. She wore a simple tank top and denim shorts, her braids tied back loosely to keep them out of her face.

Across the island, Daniela was mixing frosting in a large bowl, sneaking licks off the spatula every few minutes. Her mom, Donna, sat at the table with a mug of coffee, her expression both amused and intrigued as she listened to Olivine recount her story.

"So," Olivine began, her voice light and almost shy. "Rafe and I... we're officially in a relationship now."

Daniela's head snapped up so fast she nearly dropped the frosting bowl. "Wait, what?!" she exclaimed. "When did this happen? You didn't tell me anything last night!"

Donna chuckled softly, sipping her coffee. "Well, this sounds like it's going to be good. Go on, Olivine."

Olivine couldn't help but smile as she adjusted the cupcake tray. "It just... happened last night. He asked me if there was a chance we could be something more than... you know, whatever we were before. And then he started rambling—like, really rambling—about how he's never done the whole relationship thing, but he thinks what we have deserves a title. It was so... sweet."

Daniela placed the bowl down and leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. "Okay, but this is Rafe Cameron we're talking about. Sweet? Are you sure we're talking about the same guy?"

"Trust me," Olivine said, a sweet smile on her face. "I know he can be... a grade-A jerk sometimes. And yes, he has his bully tendencies. But when it's just us, he's different. He makes me feel... happy. Like, giddy happy. I get butterflies when I'm around him, and my heart skips a beat when he looks at me."

Donna raised her eyebrows, her smile softening. "That sounds like young love, all right. But you've got to be careful, honey. Boys like Rafe... they can be intense. It's not always a bad thing, but it's something to think about."

"I know," Olivine admitted, her voice quieter now. She set the tray aside, brushing her hands on her apron. "He's not perfect. But I think... he's trying. And that means a lot."

Daniela groaned dramatically. "Okay, but don't go all The Notebook on me right now. I need to hear details. What was the kiss like? Was it fireworks? Did he say anything cheesy after?"

Olivine burst into laughter. "I am not giving you every detail, Dani. But yes, there were fireworks. And no, he didn't say anything cheesy—at least not after the kiss."

Donna laughed along, shaking her head. "You girls... You remind me of myself at your age. Though I doubt my love life was half as dramatic."

Daniela pointed her spatula at Olivine, a mock-serious expression on her face. "You're lucky I like you, because if I didn't, I'd be roasting you so hard right now. But honestly, I'm glad you're happy. Rafe better not mess this up."

"He won't," Olivine said, her voice firm. "I mean... I hope he won't. But for now, I'm just enjoying being with him."

Daniela smirked. "Fine, I'll allow it. But if he screws up, you're coming straight to me. I'll drag him by his stupid rich boy haircut if I have to."

"Deal," Olivine said, giggling.

Donna stood, stretching with her mug in hand. "Well, I'll leave you two to finish up in here. I'm going to make sure the patio's ready for the party. Don't forget to save me a cupcake."

"We won't!" Daniela called after her mom, then turned back to Olivine with a mischievous grin. "Okay, so now that your love life is settled, we need to talk about the pool party. Do you think your beau is gonna to show up, or would he rather take you on his boat and rump again?"

Olivine bit her lip. "He said he might stop by later. But honestly, I don't care. I kind of like the idea of keeping this just... ours for a little while."

Daniela nodded approvingly. "Good call. But i realise now, I'm no longer Mrs Cameron, you are !"

"You're impossible," Olivine said, laughing as she grabbed the frosting and started decorating.

The two girls worked in companionable silence for a few minutes, the excitement of the upcoming party buzzing between them. But beneath the light-hearted banter, Olivine couldn't help but feel a little thrill every time she thought about Rafe—her Rafe

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The party was in full swing, laughter and music blending with the splash of water from the pool. Olivine stood by one of the lounge chairs, sipping on a fruity drink, her lilac bikini top peeking out from under the pear-shaped cutout of her top. Her jean shorts sat low on her hips, and the gold of her bracelets and anklet caught the light whenever she moved. Daniela stood beside her, radiant in her navy bikini and white knit wrap skirt, her confident energy a stark contrast to the low hum of jealousy from some of the other partygoers.

Rafe's arrival was as commanding as ever. His presence drew stares, but his attention was laser-focused on Olivine. With purposeful strides, he made his way through the crowd, his eyes drinking in her outfit and the easy smile on her face. As he approached, his hand instinctively found her waist, his fingers gripping her gently but firmly, like she was his and he wanted everyone to know it.

"You are...wow," Rafe said, his voice low and just for her. His eyes lingered for a second too long on her bare stomach before drifting back to her face.

Olivine smirked, tilting her head. "That's it? Just 'wow'? You're usually more poetic, Cameron."

He chuckled, his thumb brushing absentmindedly against her hip. "You want poetry? Fine. You're like the sun—bright, warm, and making everyone else here seem dull in comparison."

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "That's more like it."

Before Rafe could respond, Daniela stepped closer, interrupting their little bubble. "I'm going to grab the cupcakes from the fridge," she said to Olivine, leaning in to press a quick peck on her cheek.

The gesture wasn't lost on Rafe, whose jaw tightened as he shot Daniela a pointed glare. Daniela, unfazed, smirked and walked off, her bangles jingling as she disappeared into the house.

"I'll get a drink," Rafe muttered, his hand reluctantly leaving Olivine's waist. His eyes flicked back to hers for a moment. "Don't go too far."

"I'll be right here," she promised, giving him a small smile.

As soon as they both left, Olivine leaned back against the chair, feeling the weight of several pairs of eyes on her. It wasn't long before two girls sauntered over, their sharp smiles barely masking their hostility.

The energy of the pool party buzzed around her, but Olivine suddenly felt like she was standing in a spotlight she didn't ask for. She'd noticed the two girls staring earlier, their eyes trailing after Rafe as he walked up and wrapped his hand around her waist, claiming her in a way that was impossible to misinterpret. It had been a moment of quiet pride for her—until now.

The blonde stepped closer, her glossy smile more cutting than kind. "So, is Rafe single? Or is this just his community outreach phase?"

Olivine's stomach twisted, but she kept her face neutral. "What's that supposed to mean?"

The brunette let out a soft laugh, pretending to play with the strap of her bikini. "Oh, honey, we didn't realize he was slumming it these days. A wannabe Kook and a Pogue? That's... bold of him."

The words cut deeper than Olivine wanted to admit. Her composure faltered for a split second, but she caught herself. Don't give them the satisfaction. Still, the jab hit all the sore spots she'd been trying to ignore. She wasn't from their world. She wasn't one of the elite, born into generational wealth and privilege. And Rafe's history didn't exactly reassure her—he wasn't known for dating, let alone dating Black girls or Pogues.

The blonde tilted her head, feigning concern. "I mean, it's sweet, really. Maybe he's just trying something new. You know, like charity work."

Olivine clenched her jaw, her nails biting into the palms of her hands. The comment left a lingering sting because a small part of her feared the same thing. Was this real for him? Or was she just a temporary distraction?

But instead of showing her pain, she raised her chin, her voice sharp. "You two sound a little too obsessed with a guy who clearly doesn't want you."

The brunette's smirk faltered, but the blonde recovered quickly. "We're just saying, sweetie, don't get too comfortable. This is just what he does—makes girls like you feel special. He'll move on when he gets bored."

Olivine's chest tightened, but she forced a mocking smile. "And you're still bitter about it? Sounds like a you problem."

Before they could retort, she added, "If being nasty is your only talent, maybe you should put that energy toward not embarrassing yourselves next time you try to pull someone way out of your league."

She turned on her heel, walking away with an unbothered grace that didn't match the storm brewing in her chest. Her heart ached, and doubts began to claw their way to the surface. Am I just some kind of experiment for him?

Daniela caught up to her, her drink sloshing slightly as she looked Olivine over. "What did those two harpies want?"

Olivine hesitated, biting her lip before letting out a shaky laugh. "The usual. To make me feel like I don't belong here."

Daniela frowned, her tone sharp. "That's bullshit. You belong here as much as anyone else. Don't let them get to you."

Olivine nodded, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. As they headed toward the bar, she caught sight of Rafe across the pool. He was laughing with Topper, but even from a distance, his eyes kept flicking back to her. The way he looked at her—like she was the only one in the world—should have been enough to erase her doubts.

But for now, the words of the two girls lingered, gnawing at the edges of her happiness.

As the party rolled on, Olivine stayed close to Daniela, trying to focus on the laughter and music around her. But no matter how hard she tried, the words from earlier stuck in her head, twisting her confidence into knots. The glances from some of the other guests didn't help, each one feeling like a judgment, a silent confirmation of what those girls had said.

She took a sip of her drink, trying to push the doubts away, but they lingered, gnawing at the edges of her happiness.

Daniela noticed her silence and nudged her. "What's going on, Liv? I can tell you're not fully here."

Olivine hesitated, unsure if she wanted to bring it up again. But eventually, she sighed and leaned closer to Daniela. "They said I'm not good enough for him. That I'm just a phase or some... charity project."

Daniela's face darkened immediately. "First of all, that's garbage. Second, they're probably just jealous. You know how it is with people like that—they can't stand to see someone else happy if it doesn't involve them."

"Yeah, but..." Olivine trailed off, her voice quieter. "They're not totally wrong, Dani. Look at me and look at him. He's... Rafe Cameron, you know? And I'm just—"

"Stop right there." Daniela's tone was sharp, her gaze fierce. "You're Olivine, and you're amazing. Rafe doesn't look at anyone the way he looks at you. And trust me, if he didn't want to be with you, he wouldn't be. You know how he is—he doesn't do anything he doesn't want to."

Olivine smiled faintly, but the doubt still lingered, her chest heavy with uncertainty. Before she could say anything else, a familiar hand slid around her waist. She turned her head to see Rafe standing there, his presence immediately grounding her.

"You okay?" he asked softly, his voice cutting through the noise around them.

"Yeah," she lied, plastering on a smile.

Rafe studied her for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly as if he didn't quite believe her. But instead of pushing, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her temple. "Come with me," he murmured.

Without waiting for a response, he took her hand and led her away from the crowd, down a path lined with string lights toward a quieter corner of the yard. The music faded into the background as they reached a secluded seating area near the edge of the pool. Rafe turned to face her, his hands still resting on her waist.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low and steady. "You've been off tonight."

Olivine hesitated, biting her lip as she looked away. "It's nothing. Just... some things people said."

"What things?" His tone sharpened slightly, his grip on her tightening.

She sighed, crossing her arms as if to shield herself. "They said I'm not good enough for you. That this—us—doesn't make sense. And maybe they're right."

Rafe's jaw tightened, his expression hardening. "Who said that?"

"It doesn't matter," she said quickly, placing a hand on his chest to stop him from spiraling. "I just... I can't help but wonder if they're right. Rafe, what do you even see with me? Long-term, I mean. Do you think this is... real? Or is it just something fun for now?"

The vulnerability in her voice made his anger dissipate, replaced by something softer, something deeper. He exhaled, his hands moving to cradle her face. "Olivine, I don't know what my future looks like. Hell, I don't even know what I'm doing half the time. But what I do know is that I've never felt this way about anyone before. You... you make me want to be better. For you. For us."

Her eyes searched his, her throat tightening with emotion. "But what if it's not enough? What if I'm not enough?"

His expression softened even more, and he leaned closer, his forehead resting against hers. "You're more than enough, Liv. You're everything. And I know I don't have a great track record. But this? You and me? It's the most real thing I've ever had."

She let out a shaky breath, her doubts slowly easing under the weight of his words. "You mean that?"

"Every word," he said firmly. "And if anyone has a problem with us, they can deal with me. I don't care what anyone thinks—about you, about us. All I care about is how I feel when I'm with you. And right now? I feel like I could take on the whole world if it meant keeping you."

Her lips trembled as a small smile broke through. "You really mean all that?"

"Yeah," he said, brushing a stray braid from her face. "And if you ever doubt it, just tell me. I'll remind you as many times as you need."

For the first time that night, she felt the weight lift from her chest. She leaned into him, her arms wrapping around his waist as she buried her face in his chest. And as he held her close, she let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, they could make this work.

Rafe kissed the top of her head, his arms steady and comforting as they held her. For a moment, the world seemed to still, the noise of the party far behind them. Olivine closed her eyes and breathed him in, grounding herself in his warmth, his presence.

"You okay now?" he murmured, his voice low, just for her.

She nodded against his chest. "Yeah... I think I am."

He pulled back just enough to tilt her chin up, his eyes scanning her face as if searching for any lingering doubt. Whatever he saw seemed to satisfy him because he smiled, a small, genuine curve of his lips.

"Good," he said softly. "Because I'm not letting anyone mess this up for us."

The way he said it—the conviction in his voice—made her chest tighten in the best way. She gave him a small smile, one he returned before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Now," he said, his tone shifting to something lighter, "how about we go back before Daniela comes looking for you and drags you away from me?"

Olivine laughed quietly, shaking her head. "You mean before she calls you clingy for keeping me to yourself all night?"

Rafe smirked, taking her hand. "I don't care what she calls me as long as I get to be with you."

She rolled her eyes but let him lead her back toward the main party. The energy of the crowd hit them as soon as they stepped out of their quiet bubble, the music louder, the laughter and chatter filling the air.

Daniela spotted them almost immediately, her eyes narrowing playfully as she crossed her arms. "Took you long enough," she teased, glancing between the two of them. "Don't tell me you were off somewhere making out while I was stuck entertaining everyone."

Olivine blushed, but Rafe just grinned, his hand still firmly in hers. "Jealous?" he shot back.

Daniela scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Not even a little. But you owe me for leaving me to deal with the twins. They tried to make me do shots with them, and you know how they get."

Olivine laughed, finally starting to feel like herself again. "Don't worry. I'll take over hostess duties for a bit. You deserve a break."

"You're damn right I do," Daniela said, but her smile softened as she gave Olivine a quick hug. "You good?" she asked quietly, her tone dropping just enough for only Olivine to hear.

"Yeah," Olivine said, squeezing her friend's hand. "I'm good."

As Daniela moved off to grab a drink, Rafe stayed by Olivine's side, his presence steady and reassuring. The two of them mingled for a while, chatting with a few familiar faces, but it wasn't long before Olivine noticed two pairs of eyes lingering on her again.

The girls from earlier were standing near the edge of the pool, their expressions unreadable as they watched her and Rafe. Olivine's stomach tightened, the memory of their words flashing in her mind. She glanced at Rafe, who was distracted talking to a friend, and decided she wasn't going to let their judgment ruin her night.

Taking a deep breath, she walked over to them, her chin held high. "Something you need?" she asked, her tone calm but firm.

The taller of the two girls smirked, crossing her arms. "Just wondering how long this little... arrangement will last. You know he's got a reputation, right? Guys like him don't change."

Olivine's lips curved into a small, sharp smile. "And yet, here he is with me and not with you. Funny how that works."

The other girl bristled, her cheeks flushing. "We're just looking out for you. Wouldn't want you to get hurt when he gets bored."

"Appreciate the concern," Olivine said dryly, her smile never faltering. "But if you spent half as much energy on your own lives as you do on mine, maybe you'd actually be happy."

The girls exchanged a look, clearly annoyed, but before they could say anything else, a familiar arm wrapped around Olivine's waist.

"Everything okay here?" Rafe's voice was cool, but there was an edge to it, his gaze sharp as he looked at the two girls.

"Perfect," Olivine said smoothly, leaning into him.

The girls muttered something under their breath before walking off, their heels clicking sharply against the pavement.

Rafe turned to Olivine, his brows furrowing. "What did they say?"

"Nothing I can't handle," she replied, brushing it off with a smile. "Besides, I think they got the message."

He studied her for a moment, his jaw ticking, but he nodded, pulling her closer. "Good. Because no one gets to talk to you like that."

As they rejoined the party, Olivine couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. She might still have her doubts, but she wasn't going to let anyone shake what she and Rafe were building. Not tonight, and not ever.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the party began to wind down, the once-lively backyard grew quieter. The laughter and splashes from the pool softened to murmurs as groups of people trickled out, leaving behind only a few lingering guests.

Olivine stood by the edge of the pool, her toes dipping into the cool water as she gazed at the reflection of the string lights dancing on the surface. The night air was warm, carrying the faint scent of chlorine and jasmine. She heard footsteps behind her and turned just as Rafe approached, his hands tucked into the pockets of his shorts.

"Thought I'd find you here," he said, his voice softer now, matching the stillness of the evening.

She smiled faintly. "Needed a breather. It was getting a little too loud for me."

He came closer, sitting down beside her on the edge of the pool. His shoulder brushed hers, and she felt the warmth of his skin against her. "You've been quiet since earlier. Everything okay?"

Olivine hesitated, biting her lip as she stared at the water. "I guess... I just have a lot on my mind."

Rafe's brows furrowed, and he turned to face her fully. "Is this about those girls? Because if it is, I swear—"

"It's not just them," she interrupted, her voice steady but soft. "It's... everything. Us."

The word hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Rafe shifted, his knee brushing hers. "What about us?" he asked carefully, his tone laced with concern.

Olivine drew in a breath, the words tumbling out before she could second-guess herself. "I just... I know we're different, Rafe. Our worlds don't exactly fit together, and people are going to keep reminding me of that. Of the fact that I'm not what they'd expect for you."

His jaw tightened, and he looked away, staring at the pool as if it held the answers. "I don't care what they expect."

"But do you see this going somewhere? Long term?" she pressed, her voice trembling slightly. "Because if I'm just some... passing thing for you, I need to know now."

Rafe turned back to her, his expression raw, unguarded. "You're not just some passing thing, Olivine. You're... you're everything I didn't even know I wanted."

Her heart clenched, but she held his gaze, needing more.

"I've never done this before," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "I've never thought about the future with anyone because I didn't think I'd want to share it with someone. But with you? I do."

She blinked, her chest tightening. "You're sure?"

He reached out, tucking a stray braid behind her ear. "I'm not perfect, and I'm going to mess up. But I want this to work, Olivine. I want us to work. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make sure you know that."

Her lips parted, a wave of emotions washing over her. The vulnerability in his voice, the sincerity in his eyes—it was overwhelming in the best way.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "Okay."

Rafe leaned closer, his forehead resting against hers. "I'm not letting anyone or anything come between us. Not them, not me. Nothing."

She closed her eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek as she nodded. "Me neither."

The moment stretched, the quiet hum of the night enveloping them. And then Rafe tilted her chin up, capturing her lips in a kiss that was slow and tender, filled with every promise he couldn't put into words.

For the first time that day, Olivine felt at peace.

As Rafe pulled back slightly from their kiss, his arms instinctively wrapped around Olivine, holding her close against him. The world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the rhythmic sound of the pool's gentle ripples and the comforting thrum of his heartbeat against her cheek.

In his embrace, Olivine felt an overwhelming sense of safety, as though nothing and no one could touch her while she was there. His scent, a mix of cedarwood and something uniquely Rafe, clouded her senses, grounding her in the moment. She exhaled softly, her body relaxing into his as the tension from the day dissolved.

"I feel safe with you," she murmured into his chest, the words barely audible but clear enough to make his arms tighten around her.

Rafe's heart swelled at her admission. He'd never been someone to inspire trust or safety—his track record proved that. But hearing those words from her, knowing that she felt that way, it did something to him. It made him feel like he had a purpose, like maybe he could be the kind of man his mother would've been proud of.

He rested his chin lightly on the top of her head, his eyes closing as he breathed her in. She smelled like vanilla and something floral, something soft and sweet, and it was intoxicating.

Rafe didn't know how to describe the feeling that had taken root in his chest. It wasn't just attraction or infatuation—it was deeper, something primal and consuming. It was the kind of thing his mother had once told him about when he was younger, a fleeting moment of advice before she was gone.

"You'll know it's real when it's not just about wanting her but needing her," she'd said. "When her happiness becomes your happiness, and you'd do anything—everything—to protect her."

Looking at Olivine now, pressed against him, her soft breaths warming his skin, Rafe realized he finally understood. He needed her. She was in his every thought, in every beat of his heart, and the idea of losing her felt unbearable.

But alongside that overwhelming adoration came another thought, one he tried to suppress but couldn't fully ignore. He wanted to keep her close, to make sure she was always within his reach. The idea of her being anywhere or with anyone else made his jaw clench involuntarily.

Still, as much as those darker thoughts flickered in the corners of his mind, they were outweighed by something purer—his need to see her happy, to see her smile at him the way she was starting to now as she pulled back just enough to meet his gaze.

"What?" he asked softly, brushing his thumb along her jawline as her lips curved into a faint smile.

"Nothing," she said, shaking her head slightly. "Just... thinking about how lucky I feel."

Rafe let out a low chuckle, his hand sliding to the small of her back as he pressed his forehead to hers. "You've got it backward, Liv. I'm the lucky one."

Her cheeks flushed at his words, and she looked down, her braids cascading forward like a curtain. "You make me feel..." She paused, searching for the right words.

"Feel what?" he urged, his voice a little rougher, his obsession with her growing by the second.

"Safe," she said again, her voice barely above a whisper. "And wanted. Like... I matter."

Rafe's chest tightened, the weight of her words hitting him hard. "You do matter. You're everything, Olivine." His voice dropped, huskier now as he stared into her eyes. "And I don't just want you—I need you. More than I've ever needed anything."

Her breath hitched at his intensity, and she reached up to cup his face, her thumb brushing against his cheekbone. "You have me, Rafe. I'm not going anywhere."

He leaned into her touch, his eyes dark with emotion. "Good," he said, his tone a mix of relief and possession. "Because I don't think I could let you go even if I wanted to."

Olivine's heart fluttered at his words, a strange mix of comfort and anticipation settling in her chest. She knew there were edges to him, sharp and unyielding, but for the first time, she saw softness in him—a vulnerability that made her feel like maybe, just maybe, she could be the one to dull those edges.

As they sat there, wrapped in each other, the world felt small, like it existed only for them. And for the first time in a long time, Rafe felt like he wasn't just surviving—he was living. And it was all because of her.

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KIKI SPEAKS ;
not edited !!

mama e papa be going CRAZYYYY 😜

word count : 6.1k

ENJOY !!
xoxo kiki 💋💋