𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐓 ― rafe cameron

τριάντατέσσερα ; 34

song of the chapter:
BREAK IT OFF ; pinkpantheress

Rafe stepped closer again, closing the distance between them. He reached out, tilting her jaw up gently with his fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze. She felt a warmth spread through her as he brushed away her tears with his thumb, the softness of his touch igniting a spark within her.

"Don't cry," he murmured, his voice low and soothing. "You're too beautiful for that."

Then, without breaking eye contact, he leaned in, capturing her lips with his in a soft, tender kiss. It was a contrast to the chaos around them—no loud music, no drunken shouts—just the two of them suspended in a moment that felt entirely theirs.

Margarita melted into the kiss, feeling all the weight of her worries begin to lift as his lips moved against hers. It was gentle, sweet, and everything she had longed for since that night they had shared. Rafe pulled away slightly, his forehead resting against hers, their breaths mingling in the air.

"Can we start over?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "I want to make this right."

She nodded, a small smile breaking through her tears as hope flickered in her chest. "I'd like that," she replied, her heart racing with the possibility of what could be.

Rafe stepped back, a playful smile dancing across his lips as he raked a hand through his hair, attempting to shake off the weight of the moment. "Alright, let's do this properly," he said, a teasing glint in his blue eyes. "I'm Rafe Cameron—your charming, dashing knight in somewhat tarnished armor."

He extended a hand toward her, his smile widening as if he were inviting her into a world where everything felt lighter. "And you are?"

Margarita couldn't help but laugh through her lingering tears, feeling the warmth of his presence wrap around her like a familiar embrace. "Margarita Angelopoulos. Nice to meet you, Rafe," she replied, taking his hand, her heart fluttering at the contact.

"Nice to meet you too, Margarita. I've heard a lot about you," he said, his tone teasing but with a hint of sincerity that made her blush. "But I'd like to get to know the real you. No more games, no more pretending."

She felt a rush of emotions wash over her—hope, excitement, and a tinge of nervousness. "I'd like that too," she admitted, squeezing his hand lightly before letting go.

"Good," he replied, his expression turning more serious. "Because I want to be someone you can actually count on, not just some reckless fling."

Margarita nodded, the weight of the past starting to lift as she found herself more captivated by him than ever. "Let's make that happen, then," she said, a newfound determination settling within her.

"Deal," Rafe agreed, a bright smile breaking through, the playful banter igniting a spark between them that felt promising. They stood there for a moment, both feeling the shift in the air, as the party continued to swirl around them, oblivious to the connection being rekindled just outside the chaos.

Margarita climbed into her bed, feeling a mixture of nerves and exhilaration as she scooted over, making room for Rafe to join her. The bed felt warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy of the party still pulsing through the house. She reached for the remote, turning on her TV, which slowly descended from the ceiling, casting a soft glow across the room.

As the screen flickered to life, the familiar opening notes of Break It Off by PinkPantheress filled the space, instantly bringing a smile to her face. She turned to Rafe, her heart racing, and began to sing the lyrics back to him playfully, letting the music wash over them.

"Tell me what you want, I can make it happen," she sang, her voice light and teasing, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Tell me what you need, I'll just keep on asking..."

Rafe chuckled, leaning back against the headboard, his gaze fixed on her as she poured herself into the song. There was something intoxicating about watching her let go, her usual guarded demeanor melting away in the warm glow of the music.

"Why don't you break it off?" she continued, a playful smirk on her lips as she emphasized the line, shooting him a sidelong glance. "Break it off with me if you don't want it. Break it off with me if you don't want it."

Rafe raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin tugging at his mouth. "You sure you want me to break it off? Seems like you're enjoying this."

Margarita laughed, her laughter ringing out like music itself. "Not what I meant! You know what I mean," she replied, feigning annoyance but unable to hide her smile. "I just want to have fun without the drama. Just like the song says."

He leaned in closer, the playful banter creating an electric tension in the air. "I can do that," he replied softly, the seriousness of his words cutting through the light-hearted atmosphere. "But just know, I'm not going anywhere. Not this time."

She met his gaze, a rush of emotions flooding her. The song played on, a backdrop to their moment, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of hope—an escape from the chaos that had threatened to pull her under.

As the song continued to play softly in the background, Rafe wrapped his arms around Margarita's neck, pulling her gently down into a lying position beside him. The warmth of his body enveloped her, and she felt a comforting heaviness settle over her as she nestled against him.

He cuddled into her neck, his breath warm against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. Rafe's lips pressed soft kisses along her collarbone, trailing lightly as if he were savoring every inch of her. The gentle intimacy of the moment contrasted sharply with the wild energy of the party they had left behind, creating a cocoon of warmth and safety.

Margarita closed her eyes, allowing herself to sink into the sensation, feeling the chaos of her thoughts dissipate as she focused on Rafe's presence. "This feels nice," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, the vulnerability of the moment creeping in.

"Yeah, it does," he replied, his voice low and soothing. He pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes, the warmth of his gaze reassuring. "You know, I'm really glad you're here with me right now."

She smiled softly, a rush of affection swelling in her chest. "Me too," she admitted, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't experienced in a while. "It's like... everything else just fades away."

"Exactly," Rafe said, his lips finding her neck again, planting kisses that felt like a promise. "No distractions, just us. Let's keep it like this for a while."

Margarita felt herself relax, the weight of the world outside slipping away as she curled closer to him. She threaded her fingers through his hair, gently pulling him even closer, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. It was simple, it was real, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to just enjoy the moment, holding onto it as if it were the only thing that mattered.

--- end of chapter