She went still, cheeks flaming, every nerve sparking.What if I’m too heavy?
But Dylan noticed. Of course he did.
“You’re not too heavy,” he said, voice quiet but firm. “You’re perfect, Ali. I’ve got you. Don’t worry about anything but being with me.”
She swallowed hard. And then, slowly, she moved. Her legs wrapped around his waist, arms looping around his neck as he lifted her with ease. He held her effortlessly, like she weighed nothing. Like she belonged there.
And maybe she did.
The water moved around them, cool and calming, but all she could feel was him— his body, his heat, the sure grip of his hands on her thighs.
“See?” he murmured. “I’ve got you. You don’t need to worry.”
“I’m trying,” she whispered, but a smile curved her lips.
His answering smile was soft but filled with heat. “Good,” he said, drawing her closer.
They stood there, wrapped in each other, the waves rolling gently around them. Her forehead brushed his. His cap cast a soft shadow over his eyes, and she reached up, pressing the lightest kiss to the skin just beneath the brim.
Dylan’s breath caught.
His hands tightened on her legs, but he didn’t move. Didn’t rush.
Ali leaned back just enough to meet his gaze.
And then she kissed him.
Slow at first. Lingering. His lips were warm and soft, tasting like salt and sun and everything that made her ache for more.
He kissed her back— deeper now, hungrier— but still careful. Still holding her like she mattered.
When she pulled away, breathless, he looked at her like she was made of sunlight.
“Fuck, Ali,” he said, voice thick with want. “You have no idea how much I want you right now.”
Her fingers brushed the edge of his cap, pushing it back just enough to see his face clearly.
“I think I do,” she whispered, grinning.
He grinned back, that slow, familiar pull of his mouth that made her heart skip.
And then he kissed her again.
And everything else— waves, beach, time— just faded.
Sweet Nothing
Dylan
Dylan pulled back, his breath ragged as he forced himself to stop.Fuck. His chest tight, every muscle in his body screaming for more, but he knew he had to stop this before it got out of hand. They’re at a public beach, for god’s sake. The reality hit him hard— there’s no privacy here, no way to let go like they could in the quiet of her place.
He gripped Ali’s thighs gently as he eased her down, the need to hold her close still gnawed at him. The water cooled his heated skin, but it ids little to calm the desire still coursing through him. He looked down at her and wished the world would stop spinning for just a moment longer.
“Let’s get out of the water,” he murmured, his voice thick with tension, guiding her toward the shore.
They walked slowly, Dylan’s feet sinking into the wet sand with each step, his pulse still quick, the moment they just shared lingering in the air. Acutely aware of her body against his, the way she fit perfectly in his arms, but he forced himself to focus on the waves, the sand, anything to ground him.Not now, he thought trying to calm the storm inside him.
But then a young voice broke through his thoughts. “Excuse me, sir?”
