Beneath the surface
Summary : Rafe Cameron has always been intense, but there's a darkness within him that few ever see. For a long time, he managed to keep it buried, but not anymore. You’ve always known he had a mean streak, but you never thought it would be directed at you. Now, you're about to see just how rough and physical he can really get.
Warnings : Physical and emotional abuse, Dubious consent, Manipulation and Power imbalance, Violence, Dark themes
You’ve always been drawn to the fire in Rafe Cameron's eyes, the way he carried himself with an arrogant confidence that could both repulse and attract. He was a storm you couldn’t help but walk into, even if you knew you’d end up drenched.
Tonight was no different.
The tension between you had been simmering for weeks, every conversation laced with barely concealed anger, every touch tinged with something darker. But tonight, something had snapped in him. You saw it in the way his eyes flashed when you disagreed with him, in the way his jaw clenched tight enough to crack.
You weren’t backing down though, not this time. You were tired of his domineering attitude, of the way he treated everyone like they were beneath him. You couldn’t let him think he could treat you the same way.
“Stop it, Rafe,” you said, voice low but firm. “You’re not going to scare me into doing what you want.”
He laughed, a harsh, mirthless sound that sent a chill down your spine. “You think you’re so tough, don’t you?” he sneered, stepping closer, his tall frame towering over you. “You think you can handle me?”
Your heart raced, but you stood your ground, even as he closed the distance between you. His hand shot out, gripping your chin with a force that made you wince. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with,” he whispered, his breath hot against your ear, voice dripping with menace.
You tried to pull back, but his grip tightened, his fingers digging into your skin. “Rafe, stop,” you said, but your voice wavered, betraying the fear you were trying so hard to hide.
“Why?” he taunted, his eyes dark and wild. “Afraid you might like it?”
Before you could respond, he pushed you back against the wall, the impact knocking the breath out of you. He was on you in an instant, his hands rough as they pinned your wrists above your head. His body pressed against yours, trapping you in place.
“I’m done playing nice,” he growled, his lips brushing against your neck as he spoke. “You’re mine, and it’s time you learned what that really means.”
You shivered, a mix of fear and something else washing over you. Rafe’s touch was rough, his movements aggressive, but there was an undeniable heat between you, one that you hated yourself for feeling.
“You’re hurting me,” you whispered, hoping that would make him ease up, but he only smirked, his grip on your wrists tightening.
“Good,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “Maybe that’ll make you listen.”
Rafe’s mouth was on yours before you could protest, the kiss hard and punishing. He didn’t kiss you like he loved you; he kissed you like he wanted to claim you, to mark you as his.
You tried to turn your head, to break away, but he wasn’t having it. His hand tangled in your hair, pulling your head back so he could look into your eyes. “Don’t fight me,” he warned, his voice dangerously soft. “You won’t win.”
You glared at him, refusing to give in, but your resolve was crumbling. He could see it in your eyes, and it only fueled his dark desire.
“See?” he murmured, his lips brushing against yours in a mockery of a gentle kiss. “I knew you’d come around.”
But this wasn’t coming around. This was Rafe using his strength, his power, to get what he wanted, and it terrified you how easily he could do it. How easily you could fall for it.
“Rafe,” you whispered, your voice breaking. “Please.”
Something flickered in his eyes then, a brief moment of hesitation, but it was gone as quickly as it came. “You think I’ll stop because you’re scared?” he asked, his tone cold. “You think that matters to me?”
You didn’t answer, couldn’t answer. You were too consumed by the fear, the confusion, the way your body was betraying you, responding to his rough treatment in ways you didn’t want to admit.
Rafe’s grip loosened slightly, but his presence was still overwhelming, still suffocating. He leaned in, his lips ghosting over your ear. “You’ll learn to love this,” he whispered, a promise laced with dark intent. “You’ll learn to love me.”
And in that moment, you knew it wasn’t just a warning. It was a threat. Because Rafe Cameron wasn’t just mean, rough, and physical. He was dangerous. And now, you were trapped in his darkness.
Whether you could find your way out... that was something only time would tell.