𝔅𝔬𝔯𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔡𝔦𝔢 - Rafe Cameron

⑨

...

The next morning, Jazmine woke up slowly, the sunlight filtering through the curtains of the large room. She blinked, still groggy from sleep, before lifting her hand to her face, trying to clear her thoughts.

She realized she was in Rafe's bedroom, lying in his bed. He, however, was sitting on a large chair next to her, arms crossed and head tilted forward, fast asleep. His face looked peaceful, free from the worries that usually weighed him down. His brows, usually knitted with tension, were smooth, making him look almost... angelic.

A small smile appeared on Jazmine's face. She never would have imagined that he would stay, keeping his promise to watch over her all night. Silently, she got out of the bed, grabbing a blanket that was draped over the mattress. She approached Rafe and, with a gentleness she rarely showed, placed the blanket over his shoulders. She paused for a moment, her hand brushing against his cheek, her fingers tracing the line of his cheekbone.

A distant memory surfaced. A fleeting moment when she had once felt safe, loved, but it was so vague, so distant that she doubted it was even real. She quickly pulled her hand back as if it burned, stepping back from him. She couldn't afford to get attached, not now, not to him. She quietly went back to her room, her heart conflicted, unaware that Rafe had been awake for a while, watching her with a tenderness he didn't show to anyone else.

After a refreshing shower, Jazmine finally got dressed. She slipped on a simple dark green dress that highlighted her golden skin. She tied her hair up in a messy bun with a clip, not bothering to style it more than that. She slid her feet into Hermes sandals that Rafe had given her and adorned her wrists with a few gold bracelets. As she looked through her jewelry box, she realized she only had one necklace, the one her father had given her as a child. Everything else seemed insignificant in comparison.

When she finally went downstairs, she was greeted by a table overflowing with delicious dishes. Rafe had gone all out, trying to make this moment special, even though he awkwardly attempted to hide the catering bags.

"Did you sleep well?" Rafe asked with a crooked smile.

"Very well, and you?" Jazmine replied, her smile softening.

"Can't complain," he said with a shrug, looking casual.

Jazmine raised an eyebrow, studying him for a moment. "You should have just gone to bed or at least used another room."

Rafe looked down, a hint of guilt in his eyes. "I know you don't like that... And I wanted to make sure you were okay."

She stared at him, surprised by his honesty. For the first time in a long while, she felt a lightness in her chest, a strange warmth that she hadn't allowed herself to feel for a very long time.

"Sit down," he said, gesturing to the table. "After this breakfast, we're going to town."

Breakfast passed peacefully, filled with light conversation and shared smiles. Jazmine never imagined things could feel so simple, so normal.

After their meal, Rafe took her to a faraway island, away from the curious eyes and whispers of the Outer Banks. They took the ferry, and as they arrived, Jazmine felt a sense of freedom wash over her, as if this island was a bubble where nothing could reach them.

At every shop they visited, Rafe stopped and encouraged her to try on new outfits. Jazmine laughed, a sound so rare yet so genuine, as she walked out of each dressing room. For the first time in years, she felt at ease, almost carefree. She had never had anyone her age to share these moments with, only Singh and his men, always cold and distant. Rafe was different; he was that breath of fresh air she never knew she needed.