Damien's voice was low, laced with concern. "You okay?"
Maya looked up, blinking under the pool's soft glow, the light dancing across his eyes. "Yeah, I'm..."
Before she could finish, a splash of water arched through the air. She flinched, but in a swift motion, Damien's arm wrapped around her waist. He turned her, shielding her with his body as the cold water hit his back instead. The droplets clung to his shirt, darkening the fabric, tracing down his spine.
Her breath caught. The closeness made her dizzy -- the way his hand still rested against her side, his chest pressed to her shoulder, the warmth of him so near.
For a moment, neither moved. The sounds of laughter and splashing faded, replaced by the pulse pounding in her ears. She looked up slowly. Damien's gaze held hers—steady, protective, burning with something unspoken.
"You didn't have to..."
"I wanted to," he said simply, voice rough, his thumb brushing the side of her arm before he caught himself and dropped it. "Come on. Wanna go somewhere quieter?"
She nodded, unable to find words.
They moved away from the crowd, weaving through the noise and lights until the poolside chatter faded into the background. The cool night air carried the scent of chlorine and music, and Maya's pulse still hadn't settled.
Meanwhile, near the bar, the energy was entirely different.
"Drink! Drink! Drink!" the crowd chanted.
Tessa leaned forward on the table, cheeks flushed, eight empty cups scattered before her. She raised the ninth, downed it, and slammed it down to a round of cheers.
Cole whistled. "Whoa, Tessa! You're officially my idol now!"
She laughed, dizzy and wild. "Let's keep playing!"
A guy from the other end leaned in, smirking. "How about we make it more fun? Loser strips."
The room erupted in whoops and hollers.
He locked eyes with her. "You in?"
Tessa squinted, grinning. "Can't wait to see your toothpick of a dick"
The crowd gasped and laughed. "Ooooh!"
The game began -- ping-pong balls flying, drinks sloshing, cheers rising. He missed a shot, groaning, and peeled off his watch. Another loss, another layer -- his shirt this time. When Tessa lost, she slid off her bangles with exaggerated flair, throwing them onto the table.
They kept going, the laughter louder, the dares bolder -- until Ethan broke through the crowd, eyes wide. "That's enough, Tessa. Let's go."
Tessa waved him off. "Wait, I'm not done!"
She raised another shot, but before she could lift it to her lips, Ethan grabbed her hand. "Come on. We're leaving."
The crowd booed, the guy across the table shouting, "No fun, man!"
Cole chuckled, clapping his friend's shoulder. "I'll give you a go," he teased, but Ethan was already dragging Tessa out.
Later, in the bathroom, the echo of the party was gone -- replaced by the harsh sound of Tessa retching into the sink. Ethan held her hair, silent, patient, his jaw tight.
"Did you really have to play that game… with those idiots?" he muttered.
She leaned up weakly, wiping her mouth. "Oh, please," she slurred, tapping his chest, "I could beat them eyes closed."
"Yeah, sure," he said, exhaling, watching her sway.
She grinned lazily. "Too bad I didn't get to see his face when I won. Or his.." she hiccupped..."toothpick dick." She burst into a giggle, slumping against him.
Ethan sighed, holding her upright. "Come on. Let's get you home."
When they got home, he laid her gently on the bed. She smelled faintly of alcohol and perfume, her hair falling over her face. He crouched, pulling off her shoes, then hesitated.
Her hand found his. "Don't stop," she mumbled.
He froze, heart hammering, then she murmured, "Water."
"I'll get you some," he said quickly, retreating toward the kitchen.
As the door clicked shut, Tessa blinked awake. "Ugh… I stink." She grimaced, tugging off her shirt and unhooking her bra with unsteady fingers. She reached for a fresh top, half-dressed, when the door creaked open again.
Ethan stood there, water bottle in hand. His breath caught, eyes widening. "Oh -- shoot, sorry!" He turned sharply away. "I'll wait outside."
"Where are you going? I still need my water."
She tugged the new shirt over her head -- it fell short of her hips. "You can look now," she said.
He turned, careful, but his gaze still stumbled over her bare legs before darting away again. He extended the bottle without meeting her eyes.
"Would it kill you to put on pants?" he muttered.
She laughed softly. "Why? Are my legs too sexy for your innocent eyes, baby Ethan?"
He sat beside her, this time facing her fully. "Are you sober now?"
She tilted her head, voice softer. "Do I look drunk to you?"
"How many drinks did you have before I rescued you?"
She snorted. "I don't know...five? Ten? And you didn't rescue me."
"I'm pretty sure I did."
She leaned back, teasing, "Nope. Had it under control."
He gave a short laugh. "Under control? You were two seconds away from revealing those orange-sized tits."
She scoffed, lifting her chin. "Please. I was fine. And for the record, they're not oranged-sized, they're B-cup sized. Look." she boasted lifting her shirt to reveal her tits.
He blinked, then turned away, clearing his throat as she pulled down her shirt in awkward silence.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have done that. Your eyes are still so young" She said, folding her lips.
He turned, eyes darkening, the playfulness gone. "When are you going to stop seeing me as the little one?"
Tessa's breath hitched at his tone. "When you stop acting like it."
His hands pressed to the bedframe beside her, trapping her between his arms. "Then tell me," he said lowly, voice rough, close enough that she could feel it, "what makes a man to you?"
Her lips parted. "Growing a mustache doesn't count," she whispered, trying to hide her nerves.
His gaze dropped to her mouth, then back to her eyes, searching, uncertain -- but wanting. The air between them trembled.
Before she could pull back, he leaned in. The first touch of his lips was soft, questioning. Her breath caught, her hands frozen.
He drew back an inch, eyes meeting hers. "Does that make a man?"
She didn't answer.
The silence broke when he kissed her again -- deeper, slower this time, filled with all the words he'd never said. Her hands lifted hesitantly, then settled on his shoulders. She kissed him back, trembling. His hand brushed her thighs, then slid to her waist, anchoring her to him. He drew back, his breath uneven as his gaze searched hers -- slowly, deliberately. Then, with a quiet exhale, he tugged his shirt over his head, his eyes never leaving her face. When he kissed her again, the kiss deepened -- hungrier this time, his hands tracing up beneath her shirt, his thumbs grazing her skin in a touch that made her shiver.
The world outside vanished.
Until--
The door flew open.
"Holy shit!"
Sophie's voice sliced through the air.
Tessa and Ethan froze -- her shirt half-raised, his chest bare, both breathless.
Tessa pushed him back instantly. "Sophie!"
He turned away, face flushed.
Sophie stood there, wide-eyed, jaw dropped.
Tessa opened her mouth, but no words came.
Silence hung thick between them -- broken only by the soft thud of Ethan's heartbeat still echoing in the room.