Because Cherry’s like a beautiful storm – one that I can’t help but chase, even if I know the outcome could be catastrophic. But somewhere in the middle of all that danger I’d be risking could be a quiet moment of brilliance for just the two of us – the eye of the storm – while the world rages on around us. And for some reason, right now, driving into that tornado of temptation seems worth it, if only for that.
Cherry is already sitting on the pool’s edge, sneakers beside her as she dips her long, slender legs into the water, swishing them about. So much uncharted territory that I’d give anything to run my hands over. Blue light ripples across her body, reflecting through the water, highlighting every beautiful inch of her tanned skin. It gives her silkyhair a blue tinge too and I have to fight the urge to take a photo on my phone so I can paint her later.
Midnight Beauty, I’d caption it.
‘Are you coming in?’ she asks, fluttering her dark lashes at me. Her gaze drops to my jeans, then once to my T-shirt, and back to my face.
‘Of course,’ I respond, shrugging off my jacket and dropping it beside her.
Once I whip off my T-shirt, I look down to catch where Cherry’s wide eyes are trained on my chest, cherry-red lips popped open. I clear my throat and her eyes shoot up to mine, a strong blush spreading over her cheeks. She cuts her gaze back to the water when my fingers start playing with my belt. It doesn’t take me long to work my jeans off, leaving me in just my black trunks. I settle myself beside her, dropping my legs into the cool water, skin prickling in response. My puddled jacket acts as the barrier between us. The line I mustn’t cross.
‘Your turn,’ I say.
Her eyes flash again, and I don’t miss the way her chest lifts higher, pressing against her tight black halter neck. But then she’s pulling her top over her head, revealing the flimsy bikini beneath that barely contains her breasts. It might as well be a couple of scraps of material strung together.
Now my eyes are the ones widening.
I force them toward the pool ahead as she also shimmies out of her shorts, tossing them behind us. I don’t look at her properly yet, not when I’m unsure if I’ll be able to stop my eyes from roving over every inch of her incredible body.
‘It’s gonna be so cold,’ she says as she swirls a fingerin the water. She splays out a hand above the surface, watching the light reflect off it. The same one that was wrapped up in mine moments ago. I wonder how it would feel against the rest of my bare skin—
No, I’m in enough agony already, let’s not go down that road.
I nod, pressing my lips together. ‘Best thing to do is jump straight in, get your head completely under.’
‘On three?’ Cherry grins, teeth tugging on her bottom lip. Her legs bob in the water, anticipation vibrating off her.
‘One,’ I start. ‘Two …’
‘Three!’ Cherry yells and throws herself in with a loud squeal.
I submerge myself quickly after, the cold instantly racketing through my body. The stark contrast makes me tense for a beat before the water’s embrace eases it away. Nothing but silence floats beneath the surface, and it’s a small moment of unbelievable calm that I force myself to bask in for one more second, before shooting back up.
Cherry whips her hair back as she breaks the surface, a long trail of water splashing me. Her innocent giggle echoes around us as I wipe the water from my eyes, scowling. But then the brightest smile I’ve seen from her yet spreads through her pink cheeks, reminding me again of why I’m here.
‘Come on, then,’ I say, nodding towards the other end of the pool. I start taking slow strokes through the water, lazily kicking my feet. ‘It only counts as swimming at night if you actually swim.’
‘I guess so,’ Cherry hums, pushing off the wall to swim beside me. ‘Shall we race?’
‘How about we just … relax?’ I suggest, twisting in the water so that I’m swimming on my back. The warm summer night air kisses my bare chest, creating a welcome contrast to the cool water beneath me. I can’t remember the last time I went swimming. Cherry copies me, her long body stretching out under the moonlight.
‘Okay, but I hope you’re not trying to turn one of my bucket list items into one of your slow, little moments again like you did on the Ferris wheel,’ she jests, the splashing water doing little to hide her playful tone.
‘I would never dream of hijacking your big moment.’
‘I’m rolling my eyes, by the way.’
The laugh that barrels out of me is pure joy.
We continue our swim in comfortable silence, up and down for several more lengths, just relishing the serenity of the moment. The soft waves of the water as we glide through, the distant calls of animals, filling the late night air, the inconceivable peace of justbeingwith that one person who fills you with contentment.
Once we reach the pool’s wall at the shallow end again, I lean my arms against it, legs stretching out behind me as I float on my stomach. Cherry copies, my eyes unable to resist from trailing along her body, until her ass pops out of the water, and I snap my attention back to my arms. I take in a deep breath, chlorine filling my senses.
Maybe if I breathe down enough of it, it’ll dissolve this stupid obsession away.
Cherry’s elbow nudges mine as she twists again, propping her arms up behind her, breasts lifting out of the water. My jaw clenches when I notice her peaked nipples, too obvious through the thin fabric of her bikini.Does she wear things like this every time she swims? A hot rush of both desire and jealousy slices through me at the thought. I’d be silly to think she’s just worn this for me, but surely she has other less revealing swimsuits—
‘I’m having my first riding lesson with Fliss on Sunday,’ Cherry suddenly states.
