The public pool was packed screaming kids, splashing water, lazy parents tanning like meat on plastic chairs. Lifeguards blew whistles without even looking. Everyone was too distracted.
Which was perfect.
Because I wasn’t here to swim.
I was already floating by the deep end, sunglasses on, pretending to relax. But my heartbeat was loud in my ears.
Because I felt him.
Behind me.
Too close.
Then under the water his hand slid over my hip. Casual, at first. Then possessive.
“You gonna stop me?” he breathed against my ear, voice low and cocky.
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Not with his fingers already dipping lower, under the surface, under my bikini bottoms like he had every right.
“People are around,” I whispered, barely moving my lips.
“That’s the fun part,” he muttered. “You’re al
