Last Summer

Rafe

I knew what I was doing. She made me squirm in that dress, last night. I was just returning the favor.

She's right though.

We are strangers.

I kept tracing the shape of her collarbone, watching as her eyes fluttered shut. Her hair fell as she tilted her head to the side.

"River." I said softly.

"Mmm." She hummed back, her plump, pink lips in a pout. Her eyes were still shut.

"Tell me about you." I kept my voice quiet and soothing, making her putty in my hands.

If fucking Topper could see me right now, I would never hear the end of it.

"What do you want to know?" River's voice was almost sleepy, her eyes opened slowly, meeting my gaze. It took everything in me to not lean in and press my lips to her's.

"Any and everything." I breathed.

She pulled away quickly, before I lost my self control. I bit down on my bottom lip, watching as she plopped herself down in the sand, feet facing the water. I had almost forgotten we were on the beach, standing in the sand.

"I'm a Libra. My birthday is in October." She shaded her eyes with her hands as I made my way sitting by her side.

"A Libra?" I asked, having no clue what that was.

"Yeah, that's my Zodiac sign." She laughed, nudging me with her shoulder, "When is your birthday?" She continued.

"November 4th," I replied, watching her lips as she talked. A playfulness danced in her eyes.

"Then, you're a Scorpio." River smiled. I still had no idea what she was talking about but I figured I could look it up later.

"How long have you lived here?" She turned the questions to me, I laughed.

"My whole life." I looked out at the beach. Yeah, I was a Kook. I had everything I ever wanted, but my dad couldn't care less about me. I was a college drop out who occasionally partied and did coke. Sarah is his golden child, his favorite. We all know it.

"Do you like it?"

I nodded. I honestly couldn't imagine not living in the OBX, or even on Figure 8.

"What about you? Do you like it?" I turned the questions back on her.

She nodded too, "Yeah. I like it. When I'm not stuck in that house. I love the beach. The beach back home is cold. Too cold to swim in. This is my favorite thing about OBX. The warm water and surfing."

I turned my face towards her, smiling and intrigued.

"Do you have a board?"

"Of course I have a board." She laughed.

"Great." I replied, "Tomorrow, we surf."

"I'd like that." River said, before standing up and taking off towards the water. She didn't even hesitate as she jumped in the waves. She looked so carefree, letting the waves hit her legs and laughing. I stood up and followed her into the water. It was warm and I could smell the salt.

River was completely soaked by the time I reached her, her laugh filling my ears. I couldn't help but laugh too.

"Wow, look how relaxed you look!" She exclaimed, her wet hair sticking to her face.

"I'm always relaxed." I said, sarcastically.

She gave me a knowing look and put her hands on her hips. Then in one quick motion, she took her hand and moved it across the surface of the water, splashing water across my face. My jaw fell open and I started to laugh.

"Oh! You're going to get it." I boomed loudly and took off after her.

Eventually, we were both soaked, lying in the sand, catching our breath. The sun was starting to set. I turned my head toward the girl laying next to me. She followed suit.

"I like you, Rafe." She said, smiling.

"I like you, River." I replied.

She sat up quickly and leaned towards me, her face above mine. She had sand on her cheeks and her fucking eyes made my heart race.

She leaned down and planted her lips on mine. My hands instantly came up to touch her face. Although it was our first time hanging out, the kiss was long overdue. Her kiss was sweet and soft, her lips perfectly supple. I didn't want to stop. Her hands were on either side of my head, my heart stopped racing. Our lips moved in sync until she began to laugh and pull away, covering her smile with her hand.

"I'm sorry," She giggled. I sat up, confused.

"It's nothing bad, it's just that I kissed Rafe fucking Cameron." She gushed. I smiled at her wildly, pushing her hair behind her shoulder. She wrinkled her nose at me and followed it with another giggle.

"You're extraordinary." I said, my tone turning serious. She pressed her lips to the palm of my hand that had been previously placed on her cheek, it sent tingles up my arm and through the rest of my body.

"You don't know me, Rafe Cameron." She laughed, standing up and pulling me up with her. I stepped closer, everything in me telling me to close the space between us. I held her face in my hands, she looked up at me.

"I know enough, River Maxwell."