He finally looks up at me, and I swear, this is where his sapphire eyes must’ve been created.
“I’m ready to belong here,” he whispers. He takes his shirt off and drops it beside his checkered Vans. Before I can blink, he’s in the water, the splash reaching my face. He disappears, then pops back up a few seconds later, droplets running over his parted lips like starlight. It’s mesmerizing.
“What?” he calls. “You just gonna stand there? Screw that cooling-off bullshit of yours. You totally brought me here to make out. Now cool off in here!”
I don’t have an argument against that, because a small part of me—yeah, the same part that said fuck it earlier—absolutely did have that intention.
It doesn’t take long for me to undress and dive into the pool. The cold water feels welcoming after our hike under the midday sun. I pull out my hair tie, tucking it into the pocket of my swim shorts before diving to Tom.
When I break through the surface, he’s waiting for me, only inches away now.
“Come here,” he murmurs, fingers digging into my shoulder to draw me closer.
He’s waiting for me to meet him halfway. That small act of mutual consent, feels just right in this delicate moment.
I find his waist, slide my hand to his hip, then lower, inside his shorts. My hand grips his ass, tugging him closer until our bodies collide.
The first touch of our lips is short. So is the second. And the third.
Tom laughs as he chases my mouth, teeth meeting teeth, pulling away just as I lean in again. It turns into a playful game of cat and mouse, each of us teasing, waiting to see who gives in first.
It’s him.
His hand slides to the nape of my neck, keeping me there as he finally crashes his lips into mine. And we just stay like that, feeling it, how they fit each other. Then a quiet groan slips from his throat, and I lose control.
My tongue presses hungrily into his. He stops me with slow, careful movements that catch me off guard.
His hands come up to cradle my face, his thumbs stroking my cheekbones, and just like that, I feel myself being loved rather than objectified. I give in to it, tasting salt and all of him.
He takes control, and I let him, eager to follow his lead.
His tongue explores every edge, every soft ridge inside my mouth. He’s learning me, and he’s taking his time with it.
I match his pace, my hand sliding up between his shoulder blades to the back of his head, scrunching his curls between my fingers. He pulls back, sinking his teeth into my lower lip just enough to make it sting. The moan that tears out of me is desperate, needy for more.
“Fuck,” he whispers hoarsely, smiling against my mouth.
My thumb drags over his lips. “You’re such a good kisser, Tom.”
“Can’t remember feeling anything this intense,” he says, breathless. “No numbness.”
“Stay with me, Sapphire, and you're allowed to feel all of it.”
He holds me tight like letting go isn’t an option anymore.
I lift him onto the rock at the pool’s edge. He locks his legs around my waist, pressing himself against me, holding me there so tight it hurts.
His fingers dig into the small of my back, and with his free hand, he grabs my chin and yanks it to the side.
The next thing I feel is his teeth dragging over the sensitive spot on my neck. A hard suction against my skin, followed by soft kisses all over my scars. It sends a shiver to my stomach, but I let him. I’m confused that I let him.
“You’re mine,” he growls.
I don’t answer. I can’t. My body’s burning, pinned under his hands, locked between his thighs.
He rocks into me, and I gasp, head tipping back, eyes squeezing shut.
“Look at me,” he says.
