“Are you sure you don’t want me to come in with you?” Sarah calls from the backseat of the Uber, as you slide out. Holding your shoes in your hand, you wave her concern away with the other.

“No, go home and sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow!” You slap the back of the Uber as it pulls away from your curb. Your phone vibrates incessantly in your purse. A smile spreads across your face, wondering if it’s the cute guy you’d given your number to earlier. At least you thought he was cute. You were two shots in by the time he’d approached you, and you couldn’t remember very much about the conversation.

“Tell me you didn’t sleep with him” Rafe’s voice breaks into the silence of the dark night. His voice is rich around the words. You startle at the sight of him, pausing in the driveway, just staring at him.

“Jealous?” You snap as you walk towards your front door, sidestepping him. You’re torn between comforting him and telling him of course you didn’t sleep with someone else, and just going inside and slamming the door in his face.

“Jealous?” He repeats, laughing bitterly, like the idea of him being jealous is just completely preposterous. His eyes are dark pools, full of anger and something else you don’t quite understand. For a moment, it’s like his mask slips, and you can see the hint of vulnerability there; but it’s gone just as quickly.

“It’s more than jealousy, Princess” He hisses, closing his eyes. He’s fighting an inner battle that you have no clue about. “Do you know what I’ve been thinking about all night? Do you?” His hands go to your shoulders, like he wants to shake some sense into you.

He leans in, his forehead resting against yours, his eyes still closed.

you can stay, you can stay. But you belong to me

“You’re killing me” He actually sounds like he’s in pain. His hands still grip your shoulders, as he fights against the urge to pull you closer.