You were off-limits. Rafe knew that, and so did you. But the heart wants what it wants.

Rafe Cameron and your brother Topper had been inseparable since childhood. They were like brothers, and you had grown up with the two of them, always the three of you in a constant orbit around each other. You never thought much of it—Rafe was just Topper’s wild friend, someone you kept a safe distance from. But something about that night, that party, changed everything.

You showed up to the party on a random Friday night, the energy buzzing in the air, laughter spilling out from every corner. One conversation led to another, the banter between you effortless. Neither of you could explain it—what happened next, how the distance between you closed until there was no space left, and neither of you could back away. It was a kiss, then another, then something more, a rush of desire you couldn’t contain.

By the time the night was over, you found yourself tangled in the sheets of a bed you hadn’t intended to end up in, next to Rafe. The weight of what had just happened hit you with full force in the morning light. You blinked at the ceiling, trying to make sense of what had transpired.

When you finally turned to look at Rafe, there was a mutual understanding in his eyes—this was a mistake. A huge, colossal mistake. And yet, it wasn’t something that could be undone.

“I think we both know we can’t tell Topper,” Rafe said, his voice low and rough, he was trying to convince himself as much as he was convincing you.

You nodded, feeling the weight of the promise forming in the air between you. “It can’t happen again.”

He ran a hand through his buzz cut, his gaze flicking to yours with an intensity that made your stomach churn with both guilt and something you couldn’t name yet. “Yeah. It won’t.”

Rafe Cameron wasn’t the kind of guy you could easily forget, especially not now. Deep down, you both knew it wasn’t over—it was just beginning.