The rumble of a motorcycle roaring to a stop in your driveway snapped your attention away from the movie you’d put on as a distraction when you’d found yourself tossing and turning in bed. There was only one person you knew with a motorcycle. Only one person who would randomly show up, uninvited at one in the morning. Rafe.

You knew exactly what the late night visit meant. He’d broken up with Sofia again, and was looking for comfort in your arms. It was the same story every time they broke up. He’d show up here, drunk and full of promises of a future, and then like clockwork he’d end up back with her. And you were the idiot who fell for it every time.

Because while Rafe had Sofia, you had only ever had room in your heart for him. It was sad and pathetic, and you knew it. All it took were some pretty words from him and you folded like a cheap suit. You held onto the false hope that one of these times, his promises wouldn’t be just lies used to get you on your back. That one day they would actually mean something. Even though you knew all you were doing was guaranteeing yourself a broken heart.

He knocked loudly against your front door and your traitorous body was already moving towards it, ready to let him into the house and into your arms. Don’t be an idiot you tell yourself as you swing the door open.

“Princess” he drawls, easily pushing past you into the hallway. He grabs you by the waist, moving you backwards until your back hits the wall, his body pressing into yours.

“Let me guess” you say, trying to keep your cool as he leans his head into the crook of your neck and starts pressing hot kisses against the skin, “you broke up with Sofia”

“Smart girl” he murmurs against your skin, his free hand pressing against the wall by your head.

“I’m not doing this, Rafe. You need to leave” with a conviction you don’t really feel, you shove against his chest. You take him by surprise, because he’s so used to you always going along with what he wants, and he stumbles backwards.

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen, princess.” He recovers quickly, his jaw clenched in irritation as he looks down at you. He didn’t like this. You were usually so sweet, so pliant, so willing to give him what he wanted. Your defiance was completely new and unsettling. In a way, he almost found it a turn on.

He shook his head in disbelief, his hand coming out to grip you by your chin, tight like a vice. His voice comes out almost in a growl.

“I’m not leaving”