ISSUES 2 II OUTERBANKS S3/S4

intimate nights

"I didn't want to kiss you goodbye.. that was the trouble. I wanted to kiss you good night and there's a lot of difference."

❥

"You changed your wayfarers", I realize when I actually see the new sunglasses that hang on his shirt. "Just for today for..", he starts but realizes that it's best for me to not know, "Let's just say I've changed them for today. But the wayfarer were a present from you. I'd never change them for anything." Rafe inhales a portion of coke himself before another one is added. "To seduce Sofia?"

"Did it work? I mean, are you jealous?" "Not really", I smile amusedly, "I know who you love and that's certainly not her." "Then why'd you resist so hard from being with me?", Rafe asks so quiet I couldn't hear him at all almost. In the same moment, Rafe sits down with me just to lean his upper body over mine to demonstrate even more power. "I don't", I breathe hard shaking my head, "It's just easier if you're the bad guy, okay?"

"As long as you'll scream my name, I'll be anything, baby." God, Iz, breath in, breath out. In and out. In and out. Shit, Rafe's pressing his lips against mine demandingly, passionately.. whiskey lips longing for me. Rough hands scanning my body. My legs wrapping around his body to pull him closer.

"Can the three of you come by separately for once?", I greet Topper, Rafe and Kelce when they arrive at my party, "It'd give me this kind of feeling that you actually all care about me and it's not one of you dragging the others here." Anna and Mike have left for a weekend trip and Kie stays with the pogues so Sarah and I decided to throw a party here.

"You could also be glad that we're here", Topper grins lightly giving me a hug. Kelce is the next one to greet me before Rafe stands in front of me giving me a serious look. Rafe and I have always been close so it's even more complicated when we're around others. I guess they're just waiting for us to finally be dating. I think I would have lied to myself for a little longer if John B hadn't opened my eyes.

I'm not angry at him for not being with me. I don't even know if I would've wanted to be with me. Plus, I can still be friends with him no matter how we've spent the night. But what I hate about it is not knowing what's happening between us. It's always been easier with Rafe. We've liked each other since we've been younger but he's never made a step on me and I'm too afraid to get closer to him. I feel like it cause too many problems. We've got the same friends, his sister is my best friend.. Rafe's older and going to college soon.

"You could have just told me if you wanted to be alone with me", Rafe immediately flirts with me making me blush. "I just expected a little more", I giggle trying to ignore his comment. I like him speaking like that but I've got no idea how to react to it. Sometimes I feel like this shy young girl. "Is that enough?", Rafe asks holding a bottle of whiskey in the air before he lays his arm around me and kisses my temple.

"I can deal with this", I chuckle enjoying his presence. "Enough flirting for today. We've got a plan. Get drunk and get laid", Kelce calls through the hallway as he goes into the living room where the party has already started. When I step forward to follow him and Topper, Rafe lays his hand on my waist for a moment. "Looking good, Bella." I smile at him fluttered and decide to ignore the warm feeling that he's giving me.

Looking back this party could be called the beginning of Rafe's and I official relationship. We've had a classic teenage party with all the stupid games. As soon as some started playing suck and blow, Rafe pulled me aside. Me being drunk in that situation means that I made a move on him. I got closer to him each second we were talking and Rafe finally gave in when he kissed me first.

We haven't talked about what happened a few days ago because we could hear Topper and Kelce call for him through the house. They were ready to go and it would have been too obvious if he came back from my room too late. Instead, he invited me over today. "Where are Ward and Rose?", I ask him after not seeing either of their car in the garden. "They took Rose's car to spend a weekend with her friends at a resort", Rafe tells me normally but within a second my back hits the wall and his lips meet mine.

"Rafe", I whisper quickly letting go of him to make sure that this won't be a mistake, "Wait." "What's wrong, Bella?", Rafe asks me surprised as expected but still softly as he lays a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Nothing's wrong.. I just want to make sure to know what this is before something happens that none of us knows how to deal with." "I'm not playing with you, Bella, I-"

"I'd never think you'd be playing with me, Rafe", I whisper kind of shocked, "You mean a lot to me and I know you wouldn't hurt me." "I would never", Rafe agrees convinced and takes my left hand into his right one, "I want this, Bella. I want it all with you. I didn't want to rush it all but I can't hold it back no more, not with-" This time it's me who interrupts him. I just kiss him while I let my emotions explode.

Sarah 💗

Is Kie at yours?

I thought I'd stop by

Bella 💞

Actually

I'm at yours

You're at mine?

as in my place?

Why'd you-

oh

let me guess

you're not in my room

no I'm not

well now you need to stop by your place

so we can have a conversation

in two hours?

yes, I'll see you there

and please stay out of my room

if it's what I think it is 🥴

I'd say no promises

but I'm too happy to

make jokes about this

so thanks 💗

"Now that you're mine.. please drop Sarah. She's going to get on our nerves", Rafe mumbles against my neck making me giggle. "She might be getting on your nerves sometimes.. just like you get on her nerves.. but we both know you're glad that we're friends." "Still, you were closer to me first", Rafe adds smirking charmingly.