The others had moved farther up the shore, Harper tugging Ashcroft toward the beach bar for fresh fruit skewers and rum smoothies. Maya lingered near the edge of the towels, still catching her breath-legs unsteady for reasons that had little to do with the waves.
Damien stood a few feet away, brushing sand off his arms, the sun casting a golden sheen across his wet skin. His board shorts clung low on his hips, droplets sliding down his back in slow, unhurried trails.
He turned, holding out a towel. “Here.”
Maya hesitated before taking it. “Thanks…”
Her fingers grazed his, and her skin tingled at the contact-too aware. Of everything. Of him. Of the way her body still hummed from earlier. She could feel the phantom imprint of his hands on her waist, the way he steadied her… held her… wanted her.
She turned away quickly, wrapping the towel tighter around herself-covering more than just her skin. “You’re not even cold.”
Damien’s voice was closer than she expected. “I run hot.”
No kidding.
She glanced up. He was staring at her again. Not in that fierce, burning way from before-but quieter now. Focused. Like she was something rare and breakable and worth keeping. The pull between them tightened-fine as silk, impossible to sever.
“You’re not scared of anything, are you?” she murmured, eyes fixed on the horizon. “You drove like you’ve done this a thousand times-fast, in control. Like the waves couldn’t touch you.”
She paused, then looked up at him, voice softer now-more raw.
“You didn’t even wear a life jacket.” Her fingers tightened around the towel. “Aren’t you afraid something might go wrong?”
Damien shrugged one shoulder, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. “I’m a strong swimmer,” he said, voice calm but edged with something softer. He leaned in just slightly, lowering his tone. “Besides… if anything happened to you, I’d be in the water before you even called my name.”
His eyes flickered with amusement, then darkened with something deeper. He took a slow breath, the corner of his mouth tilting into a confident smirk.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.