The night was dark. On the beach, where the only light was the glow of the moon, you stood close to each other, the ocean’s waters gently lapping at your feet.

Rafe looked at you with that gaze that always sent shivers down your spine—full of confidence but also an unsettling uncertainty.

“I’m only yours, right?” he asked, his voice soft, almost seductive, but still with that hard edge you knew so well. He took a step closer, as if crossing some boundary, but didn’t allow you to do the same. He was close, but still kept you at a distance.

Your heart raced, and your mind was full of contradictions. On one hand, you wanted this—you wanted to be his, but on the other hand, you couldn’t forgive yourself for how strong, how uncontrollable, your feelings were. “I don’t know, Rafe…” you replied, your voice trembling. “It’s never that simple.”

Rafe raised an eyebrow, as if he knew what you were saying wasn’t entirely true. “And it’s not supposed to be. That’s why I want you.”

His words were full of certainty, almost like a command. It wasn’t that he wanted you to be his—it was something deeper. He wanted all of you, with every insecurity, every complicated thought that came with you. And he knew you wanted that, too.

“Would you want me, if I told you I’m yours, forever?” His hand gently slid across your shoulder, then buried itself in your hair.

Your heart raced, feeling the unsettling mix of desire and uncertainty. “You have no idea what that means,” you replied with a slight bite in your tone, trying to maintain your distance, though every muscle in your body called you to come closer.

His lips hovered near yours, but didn’t touch them right away. There was a distance between you. Small but enough for you to feel that anxiety.

Finally, he closed the gap, and the kiss, though passionate, carried something dangerous. As if you both knew that after this moment, nothing would ever be the same.

“You’ll be mine.” Rafe murmured it just after the kiss.