It was Valentine’s Day in the Outer Banks, and the salty breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine through the air. You had always imagined a picture-perfect Valentine’s Day—roses, candlelit dinners, maybe a sweet handwritten note. But with Rafe Cameron, nothing was ever predictable.

You weren’t sure if he even remembered what day it was. He wasn’t exactly the hearts-and-flowers type. But when your phone buzzed that morning with a message from him—“Be ready at 7. Dress warm.”—your heart skipped a beat.

At exactly 7 PM, Rafe pulled up in his truck, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. He was never one to explain his plans, but the glint in his blue eyes told you tonight would be special.

He drove you to a secluded spot near the water, where the moon shimmered over the waves. There, tucked away behind the dunes, was a bonfire surrounded by blankets and fairy lights strung between driftwood poles. A small picnic was laid out—champagne, strawberries, and takeout from your favorite place.

“You really did all this?” you asked, stunned.

Rafe shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, well… don’t get used to it.” But his smirk softened into something more real, more vulnerable.

You spent the night wrapped up in each other—laughing, teasing, stealing kisses between sips of champagne. He played with your fingers as you leaned against his chest, his usual cocky demeanor slipping away, leaving only the real Rafe—the one who, despite his flaws, loved you in a way that felt raw and undeniable.

As the fire crackled, he suddenly pulled something from his jacket—a delicate silver necklace with a tiny heart pendant. “It’s not much, but… I wanted you to have something.”

Your breath hitched as he clasped it around your neck. “Rafe, it’s perfect.”

He tilted your chin up, his lips brushing against yours. “You’re mine, you know that, right?” His voice was low, serious. “Not just today. Every day.”

Under the stars, wrapped in his warmth, you knew—this was a Valentine’s Day you’d never forget.