Page 80 of Doctor Neighbor

Buster points out people walking by on the street below as we eat, making up ridiculous stories about their lives. I find myself laughing, genuinely laughing, for the first time in weeks. The weight on my shoulders lifts, if only for a moment.

"You know what would be perfect right now?" Buster asks with a mischievous glint in his eye.

I raise an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"A night swim." He grins. "Come on, it'll be good for you. Help you relax. I've been thinking about it since my swim earlier."

I hesitate, thinking of all the reasons why I shouldn't, sleep being at the top of the list. But something about the idea of slipping into the cool water under the stars feels irresistible. Romantic, even.

"You know what? Let's do it," I say, surprising myself. "We have something to celebrate."

Buster's smile widens. "Really?"

I nod, feeling a flutter of excitement in my chest. "Give me a few minutes to change."

Walking back to my apartment to put on my swimsuit, I realize I'm looking forward to something for the first time in weeks. It's a small thing, but it feels monumental.

8:49 pm

I slip into the pool, the cool water enveloping my body. The night air is crisp against my skin, creating a delicious contrast. Buster follows, his muscular form cutting through the water with ease. We float towards the deep end, our bodies illuminated by the soft glow of underwater lights.

Buster’s hand brushes against my leg as we tread water, sending a shiver that has nothing to do with the temperature. I reach out, running my fingers along his bare chest, marveling at the strength I feel beneath my touch.

"Thank you," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "For everything you're doing for us. For Maddie."

Buster's eyes lock with mine, intense and sincere. "Cole, you don't have to thank me."

I shake my head, moving closer. "But I do. You're our hero, Buster. What you're doing... it's not a small thing. You could have walked away at any point."

My arms slip around his neck, our bodies pressed together in the water. I'm acutely aware of every point of contact between us.

"I know it won't be easy," I continue. "The procedure, the recovery... it's a huge sacrifice. It means more to me than I could ever express."

Before he can respond, I press my lips to his in a deep, passionate kiss. All the gratitude, fear, and hope I've been carrying pours into it. When we finally break apart, both breathless, I rest my forehead against his.

The water laps around us, a sensual caress against my skin as Buster's hands find my waist. We're suspended in the pool, the rest of the world fading away under the cloak of night. The risk of being caught in the public pool only heightens the moment’s intensity.

Buster's touch is electric, igniting a fire within me that the cool water can't quench. I wrap my legs around his hips, feeling the hard proof of his desire pressing against me. Our kiss deepens, tongues exploring with a hunger that seems insatiable.

His hands slide down to cup my bottom, pulling me tighter against him. I can feel the roughness of his swim trunks against my inner thighs, a stark contrast to the silkiness of the water. I arch my back, pressing myself against his erection, eliciting a low growl from him.

We're lost in each other, the world around us forgotten. My fingers trace the contours of his broad shoulders, circling his tattoo, mapping out the terrain of his body as if it's the first time I've touched him. Buster's lips leave a trail of fire down my neck, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin.

With a swift motion, he lifts me out of the water and sets me on the edge of the pool. I'm exposed to the cool night air, and my bikini bottoms are a mere whisper of fabric between us. Buster's eyes are dark with desire as he looks up at me, his hands splayed possessively on my thighs.

He tugs at the strings of my bikini, freeing me from the flimsy material. I'm naked and vulnerable under his gaze, yet I've never felt more powerful. With a swift movement, he pulls his trunks down just enough to free himself, his erection jutting out, rigid and demanding.

Buster enters me with one sure thrust, filling me completely. A gasp escapes my lips, the sensation of him inside me both overwhelming and exhilarating. We move together in a primal rhythm, each stroke stoking the flames higher and higher.

The water splashes around us as we lose ourselves in the moment, the sound mingling with our ragged breaths and soft moans. I cling to him, my fingers digging into his back as I meet him thrust for thrust.

The intensity builds, a coil of pleasure winding tighter and tighter within me. Buster's movements become more urgent, his breathing ragged as he chases his release. I can feel the edge approaching, a wave of ecstasy that threatens to consume me.

With a final, powerful thrust, we both shatter, our cries of pleasure echoing into the night. Buster holds me close. Our bodies are still joined as we ride out the aftershocks together.

Our breathing slows, and the haze of passion begins to clear. I realize just how vulnerable we've been. The danger of being caught only adds to the thrill of what we've just shared. But at this moment, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Buster looks up at me, his eyes soft with affection. He reaches up to brush a damp lock of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear. I lean into his touch, savoring the tenderness of the gesture.

---