Refrain: Outer Banks x Reader

Chapter 14

The lack of moonlight graced the night sky, contrasting with the twinkling lights that were covering this side of the island. I could make out a faint echoes of the waving water in the heaviness of the music that played from every direction, disturbing the otherwise calm night.

We sat there at the table for about 30 more minutes. I didn't talk much which I honestly preferred. They were talking about their summer plans, upcoming events, exactly the same conversations you would expect from the crowd. 

The wind had picked up in the last half hour, swaying the lanterns and twinkling lights that were decorating the porch in the process. The little fabric Rafe insisted of me wearing, did almost nothing from shielding me from the slight sting of the wind. As the sudden breeze traveled through the patio, I instinctively shifted towards Rafe who was still sitting next to me, his right hand resting on the back of the back of the couch right behind me. I must've pressed myself on him when I felt his warm hand shift and land on my arm, pulling me even closer to him before dipping down closer to me and whispering in my ear. His hot breath fanned over my hair, lingering there for just a second before I got the chance to respond.

- You okay? – He whispered.

- Yeah. - I said lowly, not daring to look up at him.

- You sure? – He questioned before pulling me even closer to him which I didn't even know was possible. I could feel his fingertips grazing slowly on the skin underneath them, caressing their way on my arm before they stopped before increasing the pressure where they landed. – Are you cold? – He asked furrowing his eyebrows at the feeling of my cold skin under his incredibly warm touch.

- A little. - I whispered. - It's okay.

- Stay here. - He said suddenly and released me from the comfortable space I had found myself strapped in.

- Rafe... - I tried to say but he got up before I could add anything else. I shifted in my seat, straightening my back and placing my almost full cup on the table in front of me. The cup which somehow managed to get filled up more and more as the night went on.

I looked around, trying to find something to concentrate on. I felt lost the moment Rafe disappeared from my sight. I wasn't carrying a conversation or anything. It's just... Him being by my side felt... calming. His presence beside me was calming. His hand on my shoulder, or the way our legs touched from time to time as the night went on. The little moments, the discreet movements and comments soothed whenever I felt him being near. I couldn't explain the hold he had over those small things. He was just there, and that was more than enough for me.

- I'm stealing you away. - I heard from behind as I felt the familiar warmth land on my shoulder.

- Stealing me away? – I asked and looked up at him, my eyes landing on the smirk I adored so much.

- Get up. - He ordered in a playful tone.

- Where are you guys going? – I heard Topper ask as I got up. Rafe shot him a stern look which resulted only in Oh's and Ah's from the table.

- I really don't like that reaction. - I nudged Rafe's shoulder with a smile as we walked inside the house.

- Neither do I. – He glared and guided me towards the stairs.

- Where are you taking me? – I asked as we walked upstairs.

- You'll see. - He said and took my hand in his. 

We stopped at the big white door right in front of the stairs. I looked around the barren hallway, trying to catch any prying eyes that might've followed us here before he finally opened the door. A bedroom, I thought the moment we walked. The worry tracing my face at the sudden realization. Did I really just walk into a bedroom with Rafe willingly, on my own? My heart started to pick up its pace as we walked in. He laughed the moment he picked up on my reaction.

- I'm not doing anything. - He said, still laughing. – Calm down. Not that kind of a guy. – He said before unfolding something in his hand, which I didn't even realize he was holding. A dark blue jacket.

- Thanks. - I said as he put it on me. The warmth and the faint smell of his cologne wrapped around me the moment the fabric touched my body. I shifted slightly in it, trying to fully take it in.

- You look good. - He stepped back before eyeing me closely, smirking at the sight in front of him. - In my clothes. - He added.

- Yeah? – I asked with a smile and looked down. The jacket was a pretty much the length of my dress, covering most of it in the process. I scrunched up the sleeves a little to fit me better before straightening my back and looking up at him. He was still smirking, not taking his eyes away from me. – I like it.

- It suits you. - He nodded before opening the window and stepping outside. – Aren't you coming? – I heard as his hand appeared from the other side, guiding me on the rooftop. 

It was hushed up here but I could still hear the faint chatter and the music that was coming from downstairs. It wasn't loud but it definitely disturbed the serenity of the night. We walked carefully towards the railed side of the roof before sitting down. I could see everything from here. The moon, the waving sea and the stars that were playing behind the passing clouds, shimmering through the torn night sky. It was calm and peaceful and he was there right next to me. 

- Do you like it? – He asked with a smile after examining my face for a moment.

- You have no idea how. - I whispered, not daring to raise my voice and disturb the serenity that was covering the surroundings. He laughed lowly before removing his gaze from mine.

- How did you know about this? – I asked and looked over to him.

- It's Tops house. - He said, still looking over to the ocean. – I practically grew up here. – He added before finally looking over to me. He smiled and continued. - I broke my wrist there. - He pointed towards the driveway. – First fight there on the beach. We learned how to ride our bikes here, practically destroyed the lawn in the process. – He chuckled. – Haven't really been up here since...- He paused. – A long time.

- And what made you come up here then? – I asked and leaned back to lay on the raised part of the roof.

- You. - He answered lowly after a small pause before mirroring my movement.

- What a line. - I rolled my eyes and looked over to him.

- You started it. - He chuckled.

- I know. - I said and scrunched up my nose, still grinning. – It's really nice up here, Rafe.

- It is. - He said with a smile before shifting his eyes towards my hands that were resting on my stomach. He cleared his throat before speaking. - How's your hand? – He asked and motioned towards the small bandage that still graced my wounded hand. I lifted it to inspect it myself before replying.

- Good. - I replied and showed it to him. - No stitches.

- No? – He asked and took my hand into his, inspecting it closely. – What did your mom say?

- That I need stitches. - I said with a smirk. - Which I refused. So, fake ones.

- Told you. - He said and looked over to me, still holding my hand in his.

- Yeah, I know. - I chuckled and took my hand back. – Thanks again, for... - I said and motioned to my hand.

- You're welcome. - He replied with a proud expression on his face. – But don't do anything stupid again, okay?

- It was on a broken glass. – I defended. – It's not like I did it on purpose.

- Then be careful next time. – He added in an authoritative tone.

- Fine. - I pouted and looked at him again. - Next time I'll try and be more careful.

- Good girl. - He whispered before shortening the distance between us that was already extremely short. I looked over to him, my heart skipping the vital beats that it needed as I registered the warmth that his body was wrapping me with. He was intoxicating and I couldn't help but fall more into the sweet trap that was being constructed in front of me.