With a grunt, Rafe rolled over onto his side, his arm reached out for you, but was met with just the blankets. He cracks his eyes open, sitting up and looking around. You’d made your side of the bed, and if your scent didn’t still linger on him, he’d question if you’d ever been there at all. This was a first for him. Rafe had plenty of one night stands, but none had ever snuck out on him after he’d fallen asleep. He was the one who snuck out. It strikes him that maybe he’s finally met his match. A girl that would surprise him, one who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it.

He sighs, running a hand through his sleep mussed hair, before climbing out of bed and pulling on his gym clothes. Maybe a good workout would clear his head and help him make sense of what had happened. Of who you were. He didn’t even have a phone number. Only a first name. You’d said he’d have to earn your number. He kind of thought he should’ve after what the two of you did last night.

He heads out the front door, his EarPods blasting his Iron playlist as he starts his usual running route. You’re in his head as his feet pound the pavement. He remembers the way you’d confidently asked him to buy you a drink, the way your blonde hair swished as you walked, how your sundress clung to every curve of your body. The little breathy gasp you’d made when he’d kissed you against the back door of the bar. How you’d tasted like sweet strawberries and tequila. How your body had fit perfectly against his in bed, and the way you’d reacted to his touch. It had all driven him crazy. He’d never wanted a girl as badly as he’d wanted you in that moment. Even now, just thinking of you causes a stirring of desire in him.

Where the hell had you disappeared to? Why did he care so much? It wasn’t like he was lacking for attention from females. He could pull out his phone now and have a girl waiting for him at home when he was done his run. Were you really that special? Or was it just that he didn’t like rejection?

He pauses his run, pulling out his water bottle and taking a few long gulps, before pouring some on his head to cool down. His eyes glance at the new condo development in front of him. One of his dad’s. He’s checking out the pool, when his eyes land on a familiar sunbather. There you are, in a tiny yellow bikini lounging by the pool like you don’t have a care in the world.

He can’t decide if he’s more frustrated to see you laying around so clearly unaffected by last night, or relieved that he’s so easily found you. He shakes his head, and jogs through the condo entrance, making his way to the pool. When he gets closer he can see that your eyes are closed, face tilted towards the sun. He sits down on the edge of the lounger next to you. Somehow, you looked even more gorgeous than you had last night.

“Hey mystery woman. Do you make a habit out of sneaking out of beds in the middle of the night?” He asks, his tone playful as his eyes roam every inch of your tanned skin on display.

Your eyes spring open at his voice, and you feel a sense of panic. You’d never done anything like what you had with him last night. But you didn’t want to reveal that to him. You turn your head to look at him, shrugging your shoulders.

“I’m a busy girl. Places to go, people to see.” You reply, your heart beating a little faster as your eyes roam over his muscular arms.

“Touché. Anyways, now that I’m here, how about that phone number of yours? I’d say I earned it.”