LITTLE SECRET | RAFE CAMERON

23: 𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘸

While Rafe was talking to Kelce outside, Alice had found her way back to the crowded kitchen.

However, completely alone.

Sarah was nowhere to be found, Kelce obviously wasn't there either and even Topper was nowhere near.

Sighing, Alice sat down at the kitchen island after taking a cup and filling it with literally anything that would help her to get her mind off of everything.

It was as if what was going on in her mind was gradually becoming louder than reality.

After everything that had happened in the past few weeks, she wondered why she allowed herself to think about Rafe in a way she definitely shouldn't.

All the years they knew each other, Rafe had only ever been Rafe. Nothing she actually thought about in a deeper way or even considered important, even though she had always liked him.

As a friend, of course.

As her thoughts about him grew louder, she quickly downed the last sip of her drink and put the cup back on the counter. She felt the liquid burn its way down her throat as she propped her head on her hand and tapped her finger against the cup.

She shouldn't have come.

„Want a refill?"

The firm voice that suddenly appeared in front of Alice snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up at the stranger whose eyes were even darker than hers, meeting them for the very first time that night.

A guy with a smile as mild as she had never seen before.

He looked familiar to her. Or at least something about him did, but she would've never forgotten a face like his, so striking.

„No, thank you" She shook her head as a sweet laugh fell from her lips. „I don't think I should drink more tonight"

„Not enjoying yourself much, huh?" He joked as he took a sip from his cup himself.

Alice sighed, looking back at her cup. „at least I'm trying to."

The guy joined her and leaned against the empty counter space next to her. She took a moment to take in the sight of him. His hair was as black as charcoal and looked so incredibly soft, with a tiny strand hanging over his forehead. He was well dressed, the black shirt with the collar suited him pretty well and flattered his strange charisma.

So dark and yet so charming.

Sorry, but do I know you?" She asked him with narrowed eyes.

„Jacob Manson, I was friends with Ian a few years ago"

Realization hit her as soon as she heard his name. His brown eyes, that sweet smile on his lips paired with the wavy hair. Of course she had seen it all years ago, just never in this way.

Jacob Manson looked all...grown up.

„Oh my god, of course" Alice gasped as she turned to him a little more openly, put one leg over the other, causing her dress to ride up a little.

It had been a very long time since she had last seen him. But she remembered clearly that he certainly hadn't looked so intimidating back then.

Of all the friends Ian had had over the years, Alice remembered Jacob as the quietest. He had never really made himself known, had always been friendly and had rarely been involved in any kind of trouble, but Alice couldn't imagine that this still applied to him.

Not with his firm demeanor.

„You know..." Jacob grinned and tilted his cup, taking a sip before looking back at her. „...I saw you at Midsummer's"

„You did?"

„Oh yeah, I even thought about asking you for a dance" He gave her a sweet grin. „cause you looked really pretty"

Alice clearly felt the heat rising to her cheeks. His casual compliment crept its way far into the depths of her body, where she definitely didn't want to feel it. Firstly because he was technically a stranger and secondly...because of Rafe.

„Why didn't you?" She asked him.

Jacob got a little closer to her. So close that her bare knee brushed against his leg and yet he looked into her eyes and not at her uncovered skin. „cause' Ian was there too, I didn't want any trouble"

„Ian?" Alice tilted her head, even more confused now. „what does he have to do with it?"

„He just has some rules when it comes to you"

„Rules?"

„Uh-huh." Jacob muttered. „Usually any guy who tries to get with you, gets into trouble with him"

In many ways, Ian always made use of the fact that he was the older brother. Sometimes they got along great when he tried to be less of an asshole and more of a brother, but as soon as it came to scaring off boys who had it in for her, he was first in line.

But the good thing was that Ian hadn't come to this party.

„You know what?" Alice had to grin and brought her hand to his shirt, smoothing it down a little until she moved her hand down to his. „Ian's not here, why don't we go dancing?"

The surprise on his face melted into a grin as she slipped her fingers between his and climbed off the chair. She steered him out of the kitchen, past the many people, clearly feeling his gaze burning into her back from behind.

He followed her, his rough hand clasped in hers as he admired the dress she was wearing with a grin. The loud music drowned out all the voices in the room, while all they could find were teenagers dancing with each other and probably having a few too many drinks.

Alice turned to Jacob, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders and giggled as he confidently brought his hands low to her waist. He pulled her close, letting her feel the overwhelming warmth that radiated from his body.

Their bodies connected to the rhythm that flowed trough the room.

There were many things that Alice found strangely attractive about guys. But when Jacob held her body in his hands and led her to the music so smoothly-as if it was his best skill-she felt a quiet inexplicable attraction to him.

She giggled sweetly as he spun her around, making her momentarily forget that she had been trumped with drama at the start of this party.

However, as he turned her around and stopped her with her back against his chest, his hips pressing firmly against her backside as they moved together, she felt that one pair of piercing eyes keeping their gaze on her.

And when she spotted him, she felt her throat tighten as if someone had wrapped a string around her neck.

Rafe leaned against the door frame that led into the room. Another beer in his hand, which he took a sip from, but his eyes never left hers. And hers never left his, even though she felt Jacob's hands roam over her body.

His breath on her neck, his body pressed against hers and his warmth surrounding her, while Rafe's cold eyes took it from her right away.

He had a glimmer of...jealousy in his eyes that frightened even her.

And suddenly her self-confidence towards Jacob was almost non-existent. As if he had told her with those flickering eyes of his to watch what she was doing.

Like he told her not to give to others what was truly his.

She turned her back to Rafe only to meet Jacob's eyes-so full of desire-and carefully removed herself from his hands and faked a smile.

„I'll be back, just need something to drink" She assured him, getting a nod of approval from him in return. With quick steps, Alice headed for the door and bumped into Rafe's shoulder as she pushed past him. He turned and watched her disappear in the crowded house.

He got what he wanted and he always would, no matter how.