Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 31

The tension in the air is suffocating, wrapping around me like a vise as we step into the cabin. Rafe's grip on my hand loosens, but the intensity in his eyes still burns hot, simmering with unspoken accusations and a possessiveness that's starting to feel more like a prison than protection.

I try to shake off the unease, taking a deep breath as I make my way to the small kitchen area. My hands are shaking as I fill the kettle with water, forcing myself to go through the motions of making tea—anything to create a sense of normalcy, to push away the memory of Rafe's outburst at the bar.

But the sound of his pacing behind me, the way he moves with barely contained energy, makes it impossible to ignore the storm brewing between us. I glance over my shoulder, watching him as he paces back and forth, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for something—or someone—to blame.

"Rafe, we need to talk about tonight," I say softly, trying to keep my voice steady, even though my heart is pounding in my chest. "This isn't healthy—for either of us. You can't get so upset every time I talk to someone else. I love you, but this... this is too much."

He stops pacing, his eyes snapping to mine, and I see the flicker of jealousy flare up again. The same jealousy that turned him into someone I barely recognized tonight—someone who scared me.

"Too much?" he repeats, his voice defensive, his jaw clenching. "What's too much is you laughing and flirting with other guys while I'm standing right there. Do you think that's okay?"

My heart sinks at his words, and I feel a wave of frustration and helplessness wash over me. He's twisting everything, turning my attempts to have a normal night with friends into something ugly and malicious. But I can see the storm building in his eyes, and I know I have to tread carefully.

"Rafe, I wasn't flirting," I say quietly, trying to keep my voice calm and soothing. "I was just talking. You're the one I love. You have to believe that."

But he's not listening. His eyes darken, and before I can react, he crosses the room in a few quick strides and grabs me by the shoulders. His grip is tight, unyielding, and the intensity in his eyes is like nothing I've ever seen before.

"You think I'm just going to let you do whatever you want with whoever you want? You're mine, Teresa. Mine!"

The world tilts on its axis, and for a moment, all I can feel is the pressure of his hands on my shoulders, the way his fingers dig into my skin. My heart pounds in my chest, panic and fear swirling together in a dizzying blur.

"Rafe... you're hurting me," I whisper, my voice trembling as I look up at him, hoping—praying—that he'll see the fear in my eyes and snap out of it.

His eyes widen, and for a moment, I see it—the horror, the guilt—as he realizes what he's doing. He releases me like I'm something fragile, stumbling back as if he's been burned. The anger drains from his face, replaced by shock and shame.

"Teresa... I'm sorry," he whispers, his voice breaking. "I didn't mean to... I didn't mean to hurt you. I swear."

I take a step back, wrapping my arms around myself as I try to process what just happened. My shoulders ache from the force of his grip, and I can still see the wild, unhinged look in his eyes. I'm scared—scared in a way I've never been with him before. And I don't know what to say. I don't know how to make this better.

Rafe takes a step toward me, his eyes pleading, his hands shaking as he reaches out. "Please, Teresa, I'm sorry. I just... I love you so much, and sometimes it gets the better of me. I would never hurt you on purpose. You have to believe that."

I want to believe him. I want to see the man I fell in love with—the one who made me feel safe and cherished. But right now, all I can see is the man who lost control, the man who hurt me without even realizing it.