Outer Banks Imagines ~ JJ and Rafe

Rafe ~ i've missed you

POV: you and Rafe had an unspoken epic love and then you moved away but now you're back

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You needed a drink and there was only one place to go. You stepped into the country club yard and grabbed a drink for yourself from a passing waiter, your attention snagged by an ongoing conversation.

"You know, I've been watching you, Rafe. All those real estate moves. You built that condo on Bayline," Hollis said, your tone casual.

You nearly choke on your drink as you turns back and see Rafe engaging in a conversation with a woman.

"Mmm," Rafe replied, sounding indifferent.

"And the renovation of the church plot."

You leaned against the bar, champagne glass in hand, trying to appear nonchalant while eavesdropping.

"It was just, you know, a little thing. But I made it happen, so..." Rafe trailed off as his gaze caught onto you. You look away, but his eyes remained fixed on you.

"Yeah, people are noticing. The right people. I've got a little development project cooking, and I'm looking for a partner who's not afraid of deep waters, someone who's going to leave it all on the field," Hollis continued.

Rafe blinked, his focus returning to the conversation. "Sorry, partner?"

Sofia appeared next to Rafe, interrupting.

"Oh, hi," Hollis greeted, surprised.

"Hi," Sofia replied, her demeanor friendly.

"Who's this?" Hollis asked.

Rafe placed a hand on Sofia's back, glancing at you. "This is my... uh, friend, Sofia."

The term "friend" left a sour expression on Sofia's face, causing you to snicker quietly.

Rafe noticed it and looked a bit distracted. "Sofia, this is Mrs.—uh, Miss—Robinson. Hollis" he introduced.

You raise your glass, tilting the remaining liquid down your throat before turning back to the bar and requesting a top up from the bartender.

"Nice to meet you," Sofia replied, her smile polite but wary.

"The pleasure is mine, Sofia. Well... you take care, Rafe," Hollis said, preparing to leave.

"You too," Rafe replied, watching Hollis depart. He turned back to Sofia. "Hey, why don't you head home first?"

"You don't want me to wait for you?" Sofia asked, a hint of disappointment in your voice.

"No, I'll be fine. I'll see you back at home," Rafe assured her, his tone slightly desperate to get her out.

Sofia nodded, understanding, and walked away, leaving Rafe to face you again. He made his way over, his expression a mix of annoyance and curiosity.

"Y/N."

"Rafe." You replied, turning to him with your glass now full.

"You're back."

You gives him a tight lipped smile, "I'm back."

"What are you doing here?" He asks, his tone cold.

"Last I checked I can be here. Sofia's really cute by the way," you remarked, tilting your head.

"What? Don't tell me you're jealous, Y/N." He challenged, a playful smirk forming on his lips.

"Me? Jealous? Come on, Rafe, we rejected each other, remember?" Her voice was light, but there was an undercurrent of something deeper.

"Then why are you so interested?"

"I'm not, but I must admit it was entertaining watching you refer to Sofia as just a 'friend.' The look on your face was priceless."

"Why do you even care?" Rafe challenged, his brow furrowing as he stepped closer.

"I don't. We hate each other."

"Then why haven't you pulled away from me?" He leaned in slightly, his fingertips brushing your waist.

"Careful, Rafe. You have a girlfriend, remember?" You tease as you draw lazy circles over his arm.

A heavy silence settled between them, charged with unspoken tension.

"Where'd you go, anyway?" he asked, breaking the spell.

"Around. Here and there. Never stayed in one spot," you replied, your gaze unwavering as you met his eyes, a challenge lingering in your tone.

"Maybe you should consider sticking around," he suggested, his voice low and inviting.

"Maybe I should." you shot back, a playful smile gracing your lips. "But then again, I wouldn't want to mess up your perfect little life with Sofia."

Rafe's smirk widened, his confidence evident. "Oh, you think she's perfect? She's cute, but she's not you," He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"Rafe Cameron, don't tell me you're in love with me." You tease, biting your lip.

"Don't tell me you're not enjoying this. That you haven't missed me."

"Maybe I have, maybe I haven't. I guess you'll never know."

He pulls you in by the waist, "I know you're in love with me too. I've been in the back of your mind everyday for the past year. I'm there in your dreams, in your waking moments." He leans down and brushes his lips against your ear, "I bet you even think of me when you touch yourself."

You felt your breathe hitch in your throat and your legs nearly buckle under you.

Because he wasn't lying.

You try to compose yourself, "what kind of fairytale have you been thinking about while I was away Rafe Cameron."

"I've missed you Y/N." He whispers, pulling away slightly so their lips were only inches apart, he lifts his other hand up to brush your jawline. "I've missed the way you light up any room you walk in, the way you carry yourself on your shoulders, the way you smile, the way you talk, the way you smell. I've missed all of it. Because you're it for me Y/N L/N, it's always going to be you."

You snicker, "that's sweet but you're with Sofia." You replied, stepping back and starting to leave but you pause, turning to look at him. "I've missed you too Rafe." You say, a playful grin on your face as you walked away, leaving him intrigued and eager for your next encounter.