So I do.
He pulls the fabric over his head, and I stop breathing again.
He’s carved from marble. That’s the only way to describe it. Every muscle defined, shadows pooling in the hollows of his hips, his chest, his stomach. Dark hair falls across his forehead as he moves, and I want to push it back. Want to trace every line of him with my fingers. My tongue.
He takes his time with his pants. Knows exactly what he’s doing to me. Knows andenjoysit, the bastard.
Walter drifts lazily overhead, pulsing with starlight, completely unbothered.
Every other shadow at the pool’s edge has gone still. Even Bob. Even Finnick.
The Eds are practically vibrating.
Finn leans in, his breath warm against my ear. “You’re drooling, Trouble.”
“I amnot—”
“You absolutely are. It’s okay.” He pauses. “I am too.”
My face burns hotter. Finn just grins and settles back, looking far too pleased with himself.
When Malrik finally steps into the water, he positions himself directly across from me. Close enough that our knees could touch if either of us moved.
“Enjoying the show?” he asks, voice low enough that only I can hear.
“Shut up,” I manage.
He smiles. Slow and devastating.
I sink so low in the water my chin touches the surface.
Darian is last.
And he looks like he’s about to die.
His face is bright red, his magic crackling at his fingertips, and he’s staring at the water like it personally offended him.
“Darian,” Finn calls, still grinning. “The water’s not going to bite.”
“I know that,” Darian snaps. But he doesn’t move.
“Do you want us to turn around?” I ask gently.
He hesitates. Then shakes his head, jaw tightening with something like determination.
“No,” he says. “No, I— I can do this.”
He undresses with his back to us, which is somehow worse because now I’m watching the muscles of his shoulders flex, the curve of his spine, the way his hands shake slightly as he pushes down his pants.
Carl tries to sneak closer to investigate and gets yanked back by Steve, who immediately trips into Carl and sends them both tumbling into a heap at the water’s edge.
When Darian finally turns and steps into the water, he’s flushed all the way down his chest.
He sinks low immediately, water up to his chin, and refuses to meet anyone’s eyes.
“See?” Finn says cheerfully. “That wasn’t so hard.”
Darian makes a sound like a dying animal.
