You were currently working on the finishing touches of your look, sliding in your earrings lastly before you heard a loud knock at the front door of your apartment. Rafe.

“Coming!” you called out before giving yourself a last look over to your look. The dress is a beautiful, floor-length red velvet gown with a halter neckline. It has a fitted bodice and a flowing skirt with a mermaid hem. It was a new dress you decided to buy yourself with the money Rafe sent you to treat yourself. He was always spoiling you, and honestly, it was a bit endearing. You were a bit excited to show it to him.

You sprayed on some perfume, using his favorite scent on you. You threw over a matching coat and went to your door to open it, revealing a nicely dressed Rafe.

He immediately smiled at the sight of you. “Hey, baby,” he murmured as you stepped out, locking the door behind you. He wasted no time, his strong arms quickly wrapping around you to pull you in for a quick kiss. “I missed you.”

—

On the drive to the restaurant, while his hand rested on your thigh, you couldn’t help but notice the bruises that laid on his knuckles. They weren’t there yesterday. These are new.

You gently picked his hand up, intertwining his fingers with yours. “Hey, what happened to your hand?”

Rafe tensed at your question, his jaw clenching, but he quickly hid his obvious tension with a reassuring smile.

“Nothing you should worry about. I promise.”

In reality, Rafe had beaten up a guy who he overheard saying disrespectful things about you. In fact, he’d beaten the guy so badly, the guy… well, he got rid of him.

As he stopped at a red light, his head turned to you, bringing your hand to his lips before pressing a soft, lingering kiss to the back of your hand. Once the light turned green, his attention returned to the road, driving again.

There was always something new with him.