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Chapter 47 - Take me back to the Start

Fiza's pov

That morning, our group headed out to the beach right across from the villa. We played ball on the sand for a while, the laughter easy and loud, and then someone put on music and we just started dancing, barefoot and carefree.

The waves were calm. Shahana and Vineet ventured in together, and I followed, dipping my toes into the cool, clear water. I've always loved that exact spot where the waves break.

I felt Alan's arms wrap around my waist from behind before he lifted me right off my feet. I laughed as he spun me around.

"Come into the water with me," he suggested, his arms still locked around my middle.

I leaned back against his warm, bare chest. "My clothes will get wet," I protested, though my tone was playful.

"You can just change after. We're right across," he urged, his voice persuasive.

I was wearing a light cotton dress, but I'd wisely worn tights underneath. I crinkled my nose at him, pretending to consider it.

"Do you swim?" he asked.

I nodded. "I'm Mallu," I said, as if that explained everything. Growing up in Kerala, I was a strong swimmer—with fourteen rivers and a long coastline, learning to swim wasn't optional—but we'd been warned about unpredictable rip tides here.

Without another warning, he scooped me up in his arms. I squealed in surprise as he carried me straight into the sea, my arms instinctively wrapped around his neck.

When the water reached his waist, he gently set me down. The waves thrashed playfully around us, and I laughed again.

I closed my eyes and let myself float on the surface, giving myself up to the gentle push and pull of the sea. It was a perfect, weightless peace.

When I got back on my feet, I turned to face Alan. He was watching me as though mesmerized.

"Let's just stay here like this forever," I said, wistfullly.

He pulled me into his arms again. I could feel every contour of his bare chest against my wet dress, our bodies fused by the sea. He cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs stroking my cheeks as I smiled up at him. I saw the want in his eyes, but he didn't move to kiss my lips. Instead, he pressed his mouth to my forehead, letting his lips linger there as he breathed me in. I closed my eyes, savoring the tenderness of it, feeling his lips part slightly against my skin.

I pulled away just enough to rest my head against his chest, and we swayed there, gently, as if the rhythm of the waves was moving through us. Almost without thought, my lips found his skin—I trailed soft, salt-kissed touches across his chest before settling my cheek against him again. I felt his sharp inhale, the way his muscles tensed under my mouth.

I didn't want to think. I just wanted to stay there, listening to the steady beat of his heart under my ear.

"You taste so salty," I mumbled into his skin, and he laughed, the sound rumbling through me. "You are so hot, Alan!"