Their lips hovered inches apart, breaths mingling, hearts racing. The temptation was unbearable and growing.
The night had settled like silk across the sky, stars scattered above them in quiet glitter. The pool lights glowed a soft blue beneath the surface, casting ripples of light across the tile as Rio uncorked a dark bottle of red wine and poured it into two oversized glasses.
Kylee had dried off, her hair still damp and loose around her shoulders. She wore a thin, black robe he’d left out for her, probably expensive, definitely too sheer and the way it clung to her skin made her feel both bold and wildly exposed.
They sat side by side on the cushioned lounger near the water, their knees touching as they sipped wine in slow, warm pulls.
“I’m glad you came,” Rio said, watching her over the rim of his glass.
Kylee smiled faintly, swirling her wine. “You’re lucky Kelly talks a lot of shit and I needed a break.”
He chuckled, his eyes crinkling. “That’s the story you’re going with?”
She gave him a playful look, then fell quiet. The stillness between them stretched, thicker than before. The air had shifted softer, slower. Rio set his glass down and turned toward her, resting his arm along the back of the lounger, his fingers brushing the ends of her hair.
“I haven’t stopped thinking about you,” he said lowly.
Her breath caught. The sincerity in his voice undid something in her chest.
“I shouldn’t be here,” she whispered again.
“But you are,” he said. “And I’m not sorry.”
He leaned in slowly. Deliberately. Giving her time to stop him.
Their lips grazed. Softly. Barely. Enough to make her stomach tighten and her breath hitch. But just as he was about to deepen it, Kylee pulled back gently, but firmly her fingers curling into the robe at her chest.
“I can’t,” she said, her voice barely audible. “Not yet.”
Rio didn’t flinch. He didn’t pressure. He just nodded, eyes steady on hers. “I’ll wait. I just had to taste the moment.”
Kylee laughed quietly, shakily. “You make it very hard to think straight.”
“That’s the idea,” he said with a smirk. “But I’ll behave… for now.”
She picked up her wine again, needing the weight in her hand, the distraction on her tongue. But even as they returned tocasual conversation, laughing softly beneath the stars, the taste of his mouth lingered just close enough to haunt her.
Later, Kylee stood alone in the guest room Rio had led her to. It was beautiful, too beautiful white linen sheets, a balcony overlooking the hills, soft music playing faintly through hidden speakers. The robe clung to her skin, and the cool air prickled her already-heated body.
She didn’t kiss him. But it had been close enough to make every nerve in her body pulse with want.She paced the room slowly, glass of wine still in hand, half-drunk and completely distracted. The silence around her didn’t help, too quiet, too aware. Her thoughts wouldn't settle. Every flash of Rio's eyes, the touch of his fingers on her hair, the sound of his low laugh all of it looped in her head like a song she couldn’t turn off.
Her phone buzzed on the dresser.
Rio:I can’t sleep.
She stared at the message. Three words. That’s all it took.
She didn't reply. She just placed the wine glass down, padded to the door, and opened it quietly. The house was hushed. She could hear the sound of the pool filter outside, a faint hum. The walls seemed to breathe around her as she tiptoed barefoot down the long hall.Rio's bedroom door was slightly open.
She hesitated.
He was there standing just on the other side, leaning against the frame, shirtless in a pair of low black joggers, hair damp like he’d just showered.
“You always walk around mansions in the middle of the night?” he asked, voice low and rough with sleep or maybe something else.
“I couldn’t sleep either,” she whispered.
They stood in silence for a beat too long.Then he stepped aside, motioning her in with a simple, quiet gesture.
