Twisted Loyalties

37

I can't stop thanking Julian for everything. "Thank you, again for all this," I say for what feels like the hundredth time, looking over at him as he sets our bags down in the suite.

He just gives me a small smile, brushing it off like it's no big deal, but it is to me.

"Don't mention it," he replies, shrugging casually. "But, listen, I was thinking—want to go for a swim?"

I hesitate, glancing out at the hotel pool sparkling under the sun. "Sure," I finally say, realizing I could use a little fun.

We both head off to change, and I slip into the white bikini I managed to stuff in my bag last-minute.

It feels a bit daring, but I'm here with Julian, and for some reason, I want to look my best.

I catch myself in the mirror, brushing my hair back, trying to steady my nerves.

When I step out, Julian's already waiting, wearing simple black swim trunks, his lean, toned frame on full display.

I don't even try to hide the way my eyes linger—his broad shoulders, the defined muscles in his chest, the way his dark hair falls a bit messily over his forehead.

He catches me looking, and a hint of a smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth, which only makes my cheeks flush more.

"Ready?" he asks, giving me a wink, and I quickly nod, hoping he didn't catch just how flustered I was. He leads the way down to the pool, the entire space empty as the sun glints off the surface.

I'm about to dip my foot in when I feel Julian's hands lightly press on my shoulders.

"Julian—!" I squeal, but it's too late. He pushes me right in, and I go under with a splash.

When I come up, sputtering and laughing, he's standing by the edge with a huge grin, clearly very pleased with himself.

"Seriously?!" I say, trying to look annoyed, but I can't hold back my smile.

"Had to get you in somehow," he teases, giving a small shrug. "Besides, you looked way too dry."

I roll my eyes and splash water up at him, but he dodges, laughing. "Oh, you think you're funny, huh?"

He grins, stepping back. "Yeah."

With that, he dives in, the water rippling around him as he surfaces right next to me, closer than I expected.

His eyes are warm, full of that familiar spark, and suddenly the world outside the pool feels a million miles away.

For the first time in what feels like forever, I laugh without holding back, splashing him again.

He tries to dodge, but I catch him square in the face.

"Oh, you're asking for it now," he says, moving toward me. I try to swim away, but he's too quick.

In one smooth move, he wraps his arms around me, and before I know it, he's lifting me up, dunking me playfully under the water before pulling me back up, both of us laughing.

In this moment, it's just the two of us—no expectations, no past mistakes, just laughter echoing off the water.

He holds me close, our laughter fading into something softer, something that feels almost like peace.

I don't know what the future holds, but for now, I'm just grateful to be here, wrapped in his arms, feeling like everything else can wait.

I reach up, brushing a stray strand of hair off her cheek, and she smiles, that playful glint in her eyes softening into something deeper.

She doesn't pull back, doesn't say a word, just looks up at me with that trust and warmth that pulls me in every time.

I lean in, hesitating just a second to make sure she's okay with it, and then close the space between us.

My lips meet hers, slow and soft at first, like we're both savoring the moment.

But then I feel her hands slide up around my neck, pulling me closer, and everything shifts.

The kiss deepens, more intense, more like us—filled with all the things we haven't put into words yet.

Her fingers trail along the back of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine as I draw her even closer, pressing her to me as the cool water swirls around us.

She tastes faintly of salt from the pool, but there's that sweetness that's all her.

When we finally pull back, we're both a little breathless, her lips slightly swollen and her cheeks flushed, a dazed smile playing on her face.

I can't help but smirk a little, still holding her close.

"Still think splashing me was a good idea?" I murmur, my voice low.

She chuckles, her fingers tracing small circles on the back of my neck. "Maybe it was," she whispers back, grinning.

And for that moment, standing there with her in my arms, nothing else matters but the two of us.

I keep her close, watching the way she smiles, her eyes still half-closed as she catches her breath. Her cheeks have this soft blush, probably from the sun—or maybe from me.

It's a sight that sinks deeper than I'd like to admit, and for a second, I'm lost in it.

We stay like that, just holding each other, her fingers playing absently at the back of my neck.

I brush a wet strand of hair from her face, and she leans her cheek into my hand.

It's such a small thing, but it's got this weight, this intimacy that makes it feel...different.

"You're stuck with me now," I murmur, half-teasing but meaning it more than I let on.

She laughs softly, her eyes meeting mine with that same spark. "Good. I like being stuck with you."

I can feel my chest tighten at her words, but I brush it off with a grin, squeezing her waist just a little, bringing her even closer.

We stay like that, wrapped up in each other, with nothing but the sound of the water gently moving around us.

After a few more quiet seconds, I nudge her chin with my finger, lifting it just a bit. "Hungry?"

She nods, her smile growing. "Starving."

"Alright then," I say, reluctantly letting her go. "Let's get dried off and find some food."

We climb out of the pool, and I grab a towel, wrapping it around her shoulders.

She looks up at me, her face lit up with a mix of amusement and warmth, and it takes everything in me not to pull her back in.

AUTHORS NOTEE

Too cute!!