𝔅𝔬𝔯𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔡𝔦𝔢 - Rafe Cameron

①

...

It had been hours since Jazmine last saw her. Fresh out of the shower with her hair still damp, she called out, "Bella!"

She'd been searching for Bella for a while now. "Where are you, baby?"

Rafe was busy in the gym, so Bella couldn't be with him. Ever since she was born, Bella had been inseparable from Rafe. Though he claimed otherwise, Jazmine knew Bella preferred him. Oddly, Jazmine had always imagined Bella would be more attached to her.

"Bella, baby!" she called again, her voice softening.

Finally, Jazmine spotted Bella in the garden, happily tangled up in the pile of toys that Rafe had given her. "There you are, beautiful." She knelt down, reaching her hand out. "Come here, my little love."

The big dog trotted over, and Jazmine ran her fingers through Bella's soft fur. "I've been looking for you all morning, princess. Hiding from me again?" Bella looked up at her, tongue out, clearly pleased.

With a laugh, Jazmine pulled a pack of treats from her pocket. She tossed one into the air, grinning as Bella leaped to catch it. "Good girl," she murmured.

Standing up, Jazmine headed toward the gym. A year and a half had passed in a blur. Since that night, everything had sped by, and now, here they were.

When she entered the gym, she found Rafe lying on the bench, lifting weights. "You shouldn't be doing that without someone to spot you."

"I know, I know. You remind me every time," he replied, sitting up, still glistening with sweat. His muscles showed clearly under his black T-shirt, sweat trickling down his forehead.

Jazmine couldn't help but admire him; she loved watching him work out.

"You didn't stick around to watch today," he commented, looking over at her.

She shrugged. "I had things to do."

Rafe stepped closer, a smile playing on his lips. "The real reason?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you were a little too covered up for me."

He chuckled, reaching out to pull her closer, his hand settling at her waist. His lips met hers, soft at first but quickly deepening into a passionate kiss. Without hesitation, he slipped his hands under her thighs, lifting her off the ground. She laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck.

A small creak from the doorway made them pause, and there stood Bella, watching them intently. Jazmine let out a laugh, tapping Rafe's chest so he would set her down.

Rafe sighed, amused. "You always know just when to show up, don't you?"

"Don't blame her," Jazmine said, grinning.

"Never," Rafe smirked. "She's way too cute."

Together, they headed back inside toward their room. As they walked, Rafe glanced over, a mischievous smile on his face. "I'm going to take a shower; are you coming?"

She gave him a playful smile. "I'll be there."

After that night, it hadn't taken much for Rafe to convince Jazmine to stay. In the end, she hadn't needed much convincing, especially after the news that came from Tres Rocos.

...

One and a half years earlier

It had been a few weeks since Jazmine came back at Tannyhill.

Rafe tried to talk to her constantly, but she refused to respond. This silence dragged on for nearly two months—no words, no glances. He hadn't thought it was even possible to be ignored this thoroughly.