That night, Rafe decided he needed to keep a closer eye on Tasha, in case her wound was worse than initially thought, so this ended up with him sharing his hotel room with her. He didn't mind, even if he wouldn't ever admit it, he enjoyed her company.

Besides, this way he could get under skin that much quicker.

Rafe smirked as he stepped out of the shower, wiping the water from his bare body before wrapping the towel loosely around his hips, keeping it low to show off his toned abdomen. He ran his fingers through his damp hair as he stepped into the bedroom, where Tasha was sitting at the table in the corner of the room by the windows. You could see the faint lights of the city, but also the dark, moonlit sky.

When the door opened Tasha looked at Rafe as he stepped out, her eyes widening slightly as she noticed he was only wearing a thin towel wrapped around his waist. She gulped, her cheeks turning red as he caught her gaze, a smirk coming to Rafe's lips.

"See something you like?"

Tasha merely rolled her eyes, going back to reading her journal, even though she shifted uncomfortably in the chair due to the strange feeling Rafe made her feel. Rafe walked over to her, gently reaching down to grab her necklace, letting his fingers brush against her upper chest momentarily. "I've never seen you without this."

It was a small cross necklace with diamonds, and a silver chain. Tasha smiled slightly at him before glancing down at the necklace. "I've had it since I was a little girl. The chains pretty worn but the cross is still in tact."

"It suits you." Rafe smiled slightly, turning his back to her as he walked to the other end of the room and with his back turned to Tasha, dropped his towel to the floor.

Tasha's mouth was wide open in the shape of an O as she gazed at him, trying to memorize every inch of his back side. "Cocky bastard." She mumbled under her breath upon hearing Rafe chuckle, pulling on a loose pair of sweatpants and boxers.

Rafe walked to Tasha again, this time staring down at her with a semi-serious expression on his face.

"You should be sleeping."

"No rest for the wicked, right?" Tasha shrugged. "I don't get much sleep. Besides, these notes aren't going to write themselves." She sighed.

Rafe shook his head, slowly stepping towards her and carefully grabbing onto the book, letting his hand cover her own as his eyes pierced hers. He said nothing, his gaze enough to let Tasha's grip loosen on the book, allowing Rafe to set it aside.

"Atta girl."

Tasha rolled her eyes at him as she let his hand go, her cheeks still flushed a light pink. "I never did thank you today."

"You don't have to." Rafe replied as he sat on the chair opposite her. "But may I ask you a question?"

Tasha nodded.

"What happened back there? That can't be the closest death scare you've had."

Tasha chuckled, smiling slightly. "No, I've had a few worse scenarios."

"Then why —"

"Has Sam ever mentioned my parents?"

Rafe was quiet for a moment as he gaged the situation. "Only that they died when you were younger."

Tasha nodded. "My parents died in a car accident when I was sixteen. We fell into a river. That's why I'm afraid of vehicles and water near roads.

"I'm sorry." Rafe replied sincerely.

"And you? Any tragic stories?"

Rafe chuckled, "Both of my parents are gone."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright. Here, I should check your wound."

Rafe leant over to her, gently removing the bandaid that covered the side of her forehead.

"How does it look?" Tasha asked, trying to keep her eyes focussed everywhere except for his toned chest.

"It'll heal up in a few days." Rafe said as he examined her wound.

"Do you think it'll scar?" Tasha asked with a frown.

"I don't think so. If it does, it'll be minor." Rafe replied, resting his hand on her leg. "You shouldn't be so reckless."

"I'm not reckless." Tasha replied, trying to ignore his firm grip on her leg as he stared her down.

"Not reckless?" Rafe chuckled humourlessly. "If you didn't put your seatbelt on, you could've been killed."

"How unfortunate." Tasha replied emptily. "I saved our asses back there."

Rafe sighed as he sat back in his chair, his his hand still resting on her leg. "You're stubborn."

"Yes, I am." Tasha replied, a small smile on her face. "Is that a problem? Finally someone who won't just do as you tell them to?"

Rafe chuckled. "I'm pretty sure I could make you do what I wanted quite easily." His grip on her leg tightened slightly, his fingers digging into her skin.

"Whatever you say, Mr.Adler." Tasha scoffed, pushing his hand off her leg to stand up.

Rafe was quicker, however, and before she could get far he had grabbed her wrist, pulling her onto his lap.

"Hey— What the hell, Rafe?!" Tasha glared at him, her hands pressed against his bare chest while his hands rested on her hips.

He smirked at her, raising his eyebrows. "Is there a problem? Would you prefer if Sam were here instead?"

"Okay, first off— rude, second, is Rafe Adler actually jealous?" She teased him, resting her hands on his bare shoulders.

"I'm not jealous." Rafe replied, his eyes boring into hers as his grip tightened on her hips.

"Riiiight. So, you wouldn't mind if I went to see Sam then? All aloooone, in the middle of the night?"

"... No."

Tasha hummed in acknowledgement, "You do realize two can play at that game, right? You're not the only one who can seduce."

"I'm well aware." Rafe smirked. Before Tasha could reply she yawned, which only made him chuckle. "C'mon. Go to bed."

"Make me."

Rafe sighed, picking Tasha up into his arms like she weighed as little as a feather. "You are far too stubborn for your own good, you know that?"

Tasha smiled smugly at him once he laid her on the bed. "Care to join me, Mr.Adler?"

Rafe chuckled, "Now, if I did that, you'd get no sleep."

Tasha pouted her lip, "C'mon, Rafe. You look exhausted." She patted the open space on the bed next to her. "I promise I'll be good."

Rafe looked at her for a moment before sighing, laying down beside her but leaving a fair amount of space between them. "Happy?"

Tasha nodded, laying on her side so she could look at him. He was handsome, there was no doubt about that, but he definitely did look more exhausted than Tasha had ever seen him before. He had dark circles beginning under his eyes, and there was light stubble on his face, which was a very rare occurrence since Rafe always seemed to look clean cut.

"Do you enjoy staring at me?" Rafe glanced over at her, a smug smile on his face.

"First, I was gazing, and second... you're good to look at." She couldn't help but smile at him.

Rafe shook his head, ruffling her hair with his hand. "You said you'd go to sleep if I laid here. I'd hate to have to leave—"

"No! No, see? See? Happy? I'm going to sleep!" Tasha closed her eyes, trying to ignore the warmth in her body from being close to him.

When her eyes were closed, Rafe took this time to actually look at her properly. She was beautiful. Even with the wound on her forehead, she still looked just as perfect as before. Rafe felt his chest tighten as he moved his hand to her face, caressing her cheek and jaw gently. He couldn't understand why he cared so much for her. Or why he wanted to be with her, and never leave her. He had never felt this way about anyone and it terrified him.

He let her face go, laying his head back as he stared at the ceiling, trying to ignore the feelings that were welling up in his chest. Rafe's entire body froze when Tasha moved so she was laying against him, her head on his bare chest.

"What are you doing?" He asked evenly, trying to keep the emotions hidden in his voice.

"Do you want me to move?" Her voice was soft, a yawn leaving her lips as she cuddled closer into him.

Rafe said nothing, not sure he could keep his voice even. Instead, he held her waist, holding her body closer to his. He could feel her smile against his chest, and he couldn't help but smile too.

"Beautiful." He mumbled, too quiet for her to hear.

"Beautiful."

•••

A/N: Some well needed Rafe and Tasha alone time :D comment any ideas you have