You met Rafe in the bathroom. But that’s not where it started.

It started on the balcony. The music was too loud inside. You needed air. Everyone was half drunk, spilling drinks, laughing too hard at things that weren’t funny. You weren’t like them. You didn’t feel like them.

You were holding a red cup full of nothing, leaning against the railing, when he showed up. Rafe Cameron.

You’d seen him before, obviously. He was kind of impossible to miss. Kook royalty. Trouble magnet. Dare Devil. And probably the last person you expected to say anything to you, let alone:

“Hey. You okay out here?”

You glanced at him. “Yeah. Just… needed a break.”

He nodded like he got it. Then pulled out a cigarette and lit it, shielding the flame with his hand. The ember lit up his face for a second.

“You don’t smoke?” he asked.

You shook your head. “No. My parents would flip if they even smelled it.”

He smiled. Not cocky. Not flirty. Just… amused.

“That’s kinda cute.”

You raised an eyebrow. “What is?”

“The whole ‘sneaking out but still following rules’ thing.”

You laughed, quietly. “You think I’m cute for not smoking?”

He turned to look at you, really look. “No. I think you’re cute in general.”

You didn’t know what to say to that. So you didn’t say anything. You just tried not to fidget too obviously. He leaned back on the railing, exhaling smoke, and nudged your shoulder.

“Hey,” he said, voice dropping a little. “you know…I really like hanging out with ya.”

You blinked. “We’ve been talking for like… three minutes.”

“So? I know what I like.”

That made you nervous in the way that wasn’t bad. The way that made your stomach turn over once, then twice.

Then he said it. Straight out:

“I think I really wanna kiss you.”

Your throat went dry. “Wait—really?”

“Yeah,” he said. “But I don’t wanna scare ya.”

Your voice came out smaller than you meant. “oh-no, it’s cool.”

And then he smirked like he already knew how this night was going to end.

“Come on.”

And next thing you know he took your hand. Warm. Rougher than you expected. Led you through the house like it wasn’t packed shoulder to shoulder with people. Past the noise. Past the hallway photos. Down to the bathroom, barely the size of a closet. He flicked the lock.

And suddenly, it was just you and him.

You barely had time to breathe before he pressed you back against the wall, his hands on either side of your waist, breath brushing against your cheek.

“Are you sure?” you asked, your voice shaking just enough to give you away.

“This is kinda crazy.”

He smiled. “I just really wanna go. I don’t wanna take it slow.”

Then his lips were on yours. Hot, fast, a little messy. Like he meant it, even if he didn’t know what it meant yet. His hands slid up your sides, fingertips grazing skin, and your heart was slamming so hard in your chest you swore he could feel it.

He pulled back just enough to whisper, “God, baby—”

You looked up at him, breathless. His eyes were a little wild. His grin crooked. You knew this was fast. Reckless, even. But you didn’t stop him.

Because with a face like his?

You can’t say no.