Drew Starkey Imagines

Summer's Got Nothing on You

The sun was already high in the sky, painting the Outer Banks in shades of gold as the warm breeze carried the scent of salt and sunscreen through the air. It was one of those summer days that felt straight out of a country song—the kind where nothing mattered except the ocean, the music, and the boy beside you.

And today? Today was perfect.

You stretched out on a towel, the heat of the sun soaking into your skin as the soft strumming of a country guitar floated from Rafe's speaker. Thomas Rhett's voice hummed through the air, mixing with the rhythmic crashing of the waves.

"Damn," Rafe murmured from beside you, shifting on his towel so he could look at you properly. "If you get any tanner, I might have to start calling you my little beach goddess."

You cracked one eye open, smirking. "Goddess, huh?"

Rafe grinned, his tanned skin glowing in the sunlight, blond hair messy from the saltwater and wind. "Hell yeah. Look at you, all sunkissed and perfect."

Rolling your eyes, you reached over and flicked some sand at him. "Charmer."

He chuckled, brushing the grains off his chest before leaning over to press a quick, salty kiss to your lips. "Only for you, baby."

It was days like this that made you love summers in the Outer Banks even more. The two of you had spent the morning in the ocean, diving through waves and racing each other back to shore. Rafe had been annoyingly smug about winning until you tackled him into the sand, sending both of you into a fit of laughter.

Now, you were stretched out on the beach, letting the sun dry you off as the music shifted to Kenny Chesney. The mellow tune fit the moment perfectly—lazy, golden, and filled with the promise of a perfect day.

Rafe reached over, fingers lazily tracing circles on your thigh. "What do you say we take the boat out later? Just us, the water, maybe a few cold beers?"

You sighed in contentment, tilting your head to look at him. "Sounds like heaven."

He grinned, slipping his sunglasses down to get a better look at you. "Nah, darlin'. Heaven's right here."

A few hours later, you were perched on the edge of Rafe's boat, your legs dangling over the side as the water lapped gently against the hull. The sun had started to dip, casting an orange glow across the sky, and the warm breeze carried the scent of salt and sunscreen through the air.

Rafe was at the wheel, one hand on the throttle and the other gripping a cold beer as he steered toward a quiet cove he loved. The music still played, a steady mix of country classics and summer anthems.

"This is the life," you murmured, leaning back against the seat as you took a sip of your drink.

Rafe turned to you, his blue eyes shining under the sunset. "Yeah, it is."

Once the boat was anchored, he pulled you into his lap, his arms wrapping around you as the waves rocked you both gently.

"Ever think about what it'd be like to do this every day?" he asked, voice low and thoughtful.

You hummed, tilting your head back against his shoulder. "You mean, just living on the water? No responsibilities, no stress?"

He nodded, pressing a kiss to your temple. "Yeah. Just me, you, and the boat. Maybe a little shack right off the beach, so we can wake up and walk straight into the ocean every morning."

You smiled, letting the fantasy wash over you. "That does sound pretty perfect."

Rafe tightened his grip around you, his voice softer now. "One day, I'm gonna make that happen for us."

You turned in his arms, your heart swelling at the sincerity in his gaze. "You really mean that?"

He nodded, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from your face. "I really do."

By the time you got back to shore, the stars had started to peek through the sky, and your stomach was grumbling from a long day in the sun.

Rafe, ever the planner, had already set up something special—a firepit near the dunes, with a cooler full of food and drinks. He tugged you along, his hand warm and steady in yours.

"I figured we could do something simple tonight," he said, popping open the cooler and pulling out a couple of burgers. "Just us, the fire, and some good food."

You smiled, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "You're full of surprises today, Cameron."

He smirked, starting up the grill. "Gotta keep my girl happy."

As the fire crackled, you curled up in Rafe's hoodie, sitting beside him in the sand as you both ate, laughing between bites. The ocean stretched out before you, dark and endless, the waves a steady rhythm against the shore.

Rafe wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close as he looked out over the water. "This is my favorite part of summer," he admitted.

You glanced up at him. "What is?"

He met your gaze, eyes full of something deeper than just the easygoing love of summer. "Days like this. When it's just you and me, no bullshit, no worries. Just us."

Your heart squeezed at his words, and you reached up, cupping his face as you pressed a slow, lingering kiss to his lips.

"Well, lucky for you," you murmured, pulling back just enough to smile against his mouth. "Summer's not over yet."

Rafe chuckled, resting his forehead against yours. "Good. 'Cause I'm not done making memories with you."

And as you sat there, wrapped in his arms, under the glow of the fire and the hum of country music in the background, you realized—there was nowhere else you'd rather be.