036. love under the moonlight
pt. 2

( the thirty sixth chapter )

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

As Rafe and Olivine made their way toward the beach, the soft glow of string lights reflecting off the water, one of Rafe's friends—clearly buzzed—came stumbling out of the country club doors and spotted them.

"Rafe! Yo, man!" the guy called out, grinning as he jogged over. His tie was undone, and his eyes were glassy, his excitement barely contained.

Rafe sighed under his breath, already annoyed, but he stopped in his tracks, his hand still resting on Olivine's back. "What is it?"

The guy grinned wider, leaning in like he was sharing a secret. "There's a little hype party going down in the locker room," he said, his voice low but eager. "Couple of chicks brought pills, and we've got some yayo too. You should come through, man. It's gonna be sick."

Olivine froze beside Rafe, her stomach twisting at the mention of drugs. She glanced up at him, searching his face.

Rafe's expression hardened, his jaw clenching as he stared at his friend. There was a beat of silence, the tension palpable, before Rafe shook his head. "Nah, not tonight," he said flatly.

His friend frowned. "Aw, come on, man. Just for a little bit. It's like old times."

"I said no," Rafe repeated, his tone colder this time. "I'm chilling with my girl right now."

The friend's eyes flicked to Olivine, as if noticing her for the first time. He let out a low whistle. "Ah, I see. Priorities. Got it." He raised his hands in mock surrender, backing away with a smirk. "Well, don't say I didn't invite you."

Rafe didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the guy until he disappeared back inside.

When he turned back to Olivine, she was watching him closely, her expression unreadable.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice softer now.

"Are you?" she countered, her brows furrowing slightly.

Rafe exhaled through his nose, running a hand through his hair. "I'm fine," he muttered. "I just don't have the patience for their crap tonight."

Olivine tilted her head, studying him. "You didn't even hesitate," she said quietly.

"Of course not," Rafe replied, meeting her gaze. "I'm not interested in that stuff anymore, Liv. Haven't been for a while."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and she gave him a small smile. "Good."

Rafe reached for her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. "Come on," he said, pulling her gently toward the beach. "I'd rather spend the night with you than deal with their nonsense anyway."

As they walked down the path, the sound of the waves growing louder, Olivine squeezed his hand, a sense of quiet relief settling over her. Whatever else might be going on around them, at least for tonight, they had this moment.

As they strolled along the moonlit beach, Olivine let out a frustrated sigh, glancing down at her feet. The sand clung stubbornly to her skin, sticking to every curve.

"I hate this," she grumbled, stopping in her tracks and shaking her foot, trying to dislodge the grains.

Rafe turned to her, his brows lifting in mock surprise. "Hate what? Sand? On a beach?"

She shot him a look. "Yes. It's coarse, it's sticky, and it's getting all over my heels. Try walking in these things and tell me how much you love sand."

Rafe smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. Without a word, he crouched in front of her, his hands moving to her ankles.

"Rafe, no! What are you doing?" she asked, startled, as she tried to step back.

He glanced up at her, his grin lazy. "Relax. Just doing my boyfriend duties. Hold still."

Before she could protest further, he deftly untied the delicate straps of her heels and slid them off her feet.

"Better?" he asked, standing and tossing the shoes over his shoulder casually.

Before she could answer, he scooped her up in one swift motion, cradling her in his arms like a bride.

"Rafe!" she squeaked, clutching his shoulders. "Put me down!"

"Not a chance," he said, grinning at her. "You hate the sand, remember? I'm sparing you."

She huffed, though her lips twitched into a reluctant smile. "You're ridiculous."

"And you're adorable," he shot back, leaning in to kiss the tip of her nose.

Her cheeks flushed, and she let out a soft laugh. "You're impossible."

As he carried her along the shoreline, his eyes flickered to the diamond choker around her neck. His voice softened, his playful demeanor giving way to something more serious.

"The necklace suits you so well," he murmured, almost to himself.

Olivine's fingers brushed over the blue gem at its center, her gaze lifting to meet his. "It's beautiful, Rafe. But... why?" She hesitated, her tone gentle. "Why give it to me? Not that I don't love it—it's perfect—but I'm just surprised."

He stopped walking, his arms tightening around her slightly. "Because you're the only one I'd ever trust with it," he said simply.

She blinked, caught off guard by the intensity in his tone. "What do you mean?"

He took a breath, glancing at the ocean as he collected his thoughts. "It was my mom's favorite "It was my mom's favorite piece of jewelry," Rafe said softly, his voice almost carried away by the waves lapping at the shore. "She used to wear it all the time when I was a kid. I remember sitting on her lap and staring at it, thinking it looked like the prettiest thing in the world. Until I met you."

Olivine's breath hitched, her hand moving to cover his on her hip. "Rafe..."

"I didn't want it to just sit in that jewelry box forever," he continued, his voice steady but laced with emotion. "It deserves to be seen, to be loved, the way she loved it. And when I look at you... it feels right. Like she'd want you to have it. Like she'd love you as much as I do."

Her eyes filled with tears, but she bit her lip to keep them at bay. "That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me," she whispered.

Rafe tilted his head, his gaze searching hers. "I mean it, Liv. You're everything to me. I know I screw up sometimes... okay, a lot. But I'm gonna get better for you. I promise I'll get clean, I'll get my head straight. Whatever it takes. You make me want to be the man I know I can be."

Olivine nodded, her tears spilling over as she cupped his face with both hands. "I'll be right here, Rafe. Every step of the way. You're not alone in this."

He gave her a small, grateful smile, the kind that made her heart ache in the best way. "Thank you," he murmured, leaning in to press a long, tender kiss to her lips.

When they pulled apart, he hugged her tightly, his chin resting on her shoulder as he began to sway gently to the rhythm of the waves. She nestled into him, her fingers tracing soothing circles on his back.

"I don't deserve you," he murmured into her hair.

"Shut up," she said with a soft laugh, pulling back just enough to look at him. "You deserve everything good in the world, Rafe Cameron. And don't you dare forget it."

He smiled, his eyes bright with affection as he dipped his head to kiss her forehead. "You're my everything, Liv."

"And you're mine," she replied, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions in her chest.

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other, with the ocean as their only witness. For the first time in what felt like forever, everything felt right.

As they stood swaying to the rhythm of their unspoken connection, Rafe lifted his head from Olivine's shoulder and gave her a lingering look, his thumb brushing gently across her cheek.

"You're like a dream, you know that?" he said softly, his voice carrying an almost boyish awe.

Olivine tilted her head with a small smile. "A dream? Really? That sounds dangerously close to a cliché, Mr. Cameron."

He smirked, his hands sliding to rest on her waist as he pulled her just a little closer. "I mean it. You don't even see it, do you? How perfect you are, Liv. Every time I think I've figured you out, you surprise me."

Olivine's face softened, her fingers playing with the collar of his blazer. "I'm not perfect. I've got my own messes, Rafe."

"And I'd clean up every single one of them if it meant I get to keep you," he said, his tone low and serious.

Her cheeks flushed, and she let out a soft laugh to lighten the intensity. "Careful, or I might start thinking you're just as cheesy as Topper."

Rafe grimaced at the mention of his friend, shaking his head with a grin. "Don't compare me to that idiot. I've got way better game."

Olivine rolled her eyes playfully. "Debatable."

He chuckled, his eyes glinting mischievously before he bent down and scooped her into his arms without warning, his grip secure and strong.

"Rafe!" she squealed, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.

He grinned down at her, clearly pleased with himself. "Can't have you getting sand on those pretty heels anymore, can I?"

"You're ridiculous," she muttered, but her smile betrayed her.

As he carried her, he paused for a moment, leaning down to press a soft kiss to the tip of her nose. "But you love it."

"Maybe," she admitted, resting her head on his shoulder.

They reached a nearby beach bench, and he gently set her down on it. Then, without missing a beat, he knelt in the sand in front of her and carefully began untying the straps of her heels, his fingers deft but gentle.

"You really don't have to—"

"Shh," he cut her off with a look of faux sternness. "Let me take care of you for once, okay?"

Olivine fell silent, her heart melting as she watched him work. Once her heels were off, he placed them neatly to the side, then stood and extended a hand to her.

"Let's walk," he said simply.

She took his hand, letting him guide her down the shoreline, their pace unhurried. The cool sand under her bare feet made her shiver slightly, but Rafe tightened his grip on her hand, his thumb tracing soothing patterns on her skin.

"You know," she began after a moment, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, "I still can't believe you gave me this necklace."

He looked at her, his expression soft. "Why not?"

She hesitated, her free hand instinctively touching the pendant. "It's... such a big deal, Rafe. It meant so much to your mom. To your family. And now it's mine? I just... I don't know, it feels like too much."

Rafe stopped walking, turning to face her fully. He gently cupped her face, tilting her chin so she'd meet his gaze.

"Liv, listen to me," he said firmly, his voice warm but resolute. "There's no one else in this world I'd trust with it. No one else it'd look this good on. You've become... everything to me. I didn't just give it to you because I thought it'd match your dress. I gave it to you because I want you to know how much you mean to me."

Her breath caught in her throat, and she blinked quickly to keep the tears from spilling.

"Rafe..."

"Don't cry," he said with a soft laugh, leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead. "You'll make me look bad."

She laughed, brushing at her eyes. "Too late."

He smiled, pulling her into a tight embrace. As he held her, he began swaying again, humming softly under his breath.

Olivine rested her cheek against his chest, letting his warmth surround her. "You're too good to me," she murmured.

"Not good enough," he replied quietly. "But I'm working on it. For you."

She pulled back just enough to look up at him, her fingers threading through the hair at the nape of his neck. "You're already everything I need, Rafe."

For a moment, neither of them said anything. Then he leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss that was slow and deliberate, pouring every unspoken word into the connection.

When they finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers, a small, content smile playing on his lips.

"Let's stay here a little longer," he said softly.

"Just a little," she agreed, her heart full and steady, knowing there was no place she'd rather be.

As the evening stretched on, the moonlight bathed the shoreline in a silvery glow, casting soft shadows on the waves that lapped at their feet. Rafe and Olivine walked in easy silence, the world around them fading into the background.

Olivine glanced up at the moon, her lips curving into a wistful smile. "It's beautiful tonight, isn't it?"

Rafe followed her gaze, his arm draped lazily around her shoulders. "Yeah, it is," he murmured, but his eyes didn't leave her face.

She caught his stare and raised a brow. "You're not even looking at the moon."

"I am," he said simply, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "The one right in front of me."

Olivine groaned, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "That's terrible, Rafe."

He chuckled, pulling her closer. "You love it."

"Debatable," she teased, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃

KIKI SPEAKS ;
not edited !!

this will be continued in part three, y'all !!!

word count : 2.2k

ENJOY !!
xoxo kiki 💋💋