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i leaned back in my chair, a drink in my hand, running my hand through rafe's hair. he smirked at me, lifting his glass to his lips. "want to hit the beach later? top's throwing a bonfire."
"yeah, that sounds great," i said, grinning as i placed a kiss on his temple. "i haven't seen everyone in a while."
kissing me on the cheek, he gave my thigh a squeeze. "okay, i'll shoot him a text."
bringing my drink up to my lips, i took a long sip watching rafe send a text to topper.
a drunk guy was making a scene at the end of the bar, yelling and tossing empty bottles, so i turned to see what was happening.
"what the hell do you mean i'm cut off?" he yelled, slamming his empty beer bottle on the bar.
i stared at him, confused, and he suddenly shot his neck toward me.
he started walking quickly in my direction, catching rafe's attention as he glanced up from his phone.
my heart raced as i watched him quicken his stride, fists clenched at his sides.
"what the fuck are you looking at?" he slurred, bumping into people as he made his way over. "you like what you see?"
rafe quickly shoved his phone into his pocket and pressed his hand against the drunk man's chest.
"watch yourself," he said firmly, positioning himself between me and the guy.
he sneered, wiping his mouth with his hand. "clearly she's bored sitting here with you."
"rafe, let's just go," i whispered, grabbing my purse off the counter.
"no, i'm not going to let him talk to you like that," he said, glancing back over his shoulder as he shoved the man away. "i'll make sure he apologizes for disrespecting you."
"not gonna happen, buddy," he spat, pushing rafe's hand away.
rafe glanced down, shaking his head as he let out a low laugh. "you're really going to regret that."
i instinctively took a step back, fully aware of where this was headed. rafe had a temper and a habit for getting into fights, but there was one thing he never tolerated: a man trying to hit on me.
in one swift motion, rafe swung his arm, knocking his fist into the man's jaw. the impact hurled the man stumbling backward, clutching his face in shock.
anger flashed in his eyes as he gripped rafe's shoulders and slammed him against the bar. the drunk man sloppily swung his fist, missing rafe's head.
rafe ducked down and forcefully shoved the man's body, sending him flying back into a table.
"rafe, rafe, just stop," i exclaimed, my hands flying up to my mouth.
the man steadied himself, pushing back up to his feet. he rose his fist in the air and successfully made contact with rafe's mouth.
rafe took a step back, bringing his hand to his chin, where blood was already beginning to drip down. he looked down at his hand, stained with his own blood, and chuckled to himself.
"god, you're an idiot," he seethed, taking one final swing at the man's cheek that knocked him out cold on the ground.
rafe stood over the guy, shaking out his fist.
i looked at the scene that it created at the country club, a crowd was gathered around of men and women that had the appalled looks on their faces.
rafe grinned as he tossed cash on the bar, then stepped over to wrap his arms around my shoulders. "alright, let's get out of here."
i stared at him in shock, bringing my hands up to his bloodied face. "jesus, are you okay?"
he sucked in his teeth and shrugged as we walked to the car. "yeah, he had it coming."
rafe held the car door open for me, and i slipped inside, trying to wrap my head around how quickly everything had spiraled out of control.
rafe sank into the driver's seat, his chest rising and falling with the remnants of adrenaline. he glanced over at me, the corners of his mouth twitching into a small grin despite the blood splattered on his face.
the sight of him, even with the blood trickling down his chin, ignited something deep within me. i leaned closer, unable to resist how good he looked.
"are you really okay?" i asked softly, searching his eyes.
he smirked, a teasing glint dancing in his gaze. "i'm fine. just hard to stay calm when other guys are after you."
before i could respond, he leaned in, closing the space between us. his lips brushed against mine, tentative at first, but then deepened as he pulled me closer. his hands reached for my hips, his thumbs pressing into my skin.
i melted into him, my hands tangling in his hair as i kissed him back with equal intensity. my lips parted as his tongue entered my mouth, exploring it. i could partly taste the blood surrounding his mouth, but i almost didn't care.
rafe pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against mine, a grin spreading across his face. "see? i'm fine."
he pressed one last kiss to my lips before fastening his seatbelt.
i laughed softly, still breathless from the kiss. "yeah, but maybe let's avoid any more bar fights."
"can't help it if i have a beautiful girlfriend," he said, his smile lingering as he started the car, the engine rumbling to life.
