He was always on your mind since you’d returned. Everywhere you went there was a memory of Rafe attached. It all reminded you of why you’d been so quick to leave the Outer Banks after your breakup. You’d ran away so you wouldn’t have to deal with the ghost of him.

Now that you were back, Sarah had dragged you out to the bar, stating you needed to celebrate your return. Only she’d failed to mention until you got there, that she’d also invited Rafe. It was like her own version of The Parent Trap.

When his eyes landed on you, you’d found yourself letting go of a breath you hadn’t realized you’d been holding. Clearly Sarah had failed to tell him the reason for this night out too. He did not look happy to see you. In fact he looked downright furious. But you couldn’t look away.

You had spent many nights of your past staring down the angry expression of his. But there was something else in his gaze. The anger you could decipher, the hurt you could understand. It was the slight indifference you couldn’t comprehend. As the two of you continued to stare at each other, a smirk formed on Rafe’s face.

And you did what you always did when things got uncomfortable, you ran. You turned on your heel, pushing through the swarm of people on the dance floor. The air in the club seemed far thicker than it had ten minutes ago.

As you neared the front of the club, a hand gripped your wrist and yanked you backwards. The force of the pull caused you to crash into Rafe’s chest and the smell of his expensive cologne washed over you.

As you stood there, your back against his chest, his hand still wrapped around your wrist, he leaned in close. Close enough for his breath to ghost over your neck. You fought the shiver that threatened to run down your spine.

“Coward” he growls into your ear. He knew he had you exactly where he wanted you. He was planning on taking full advantage of it. You were finally going to listen to him.