Page 49 of Closer

I shrug out of my own robe, letting it pool at my feet. Lil’s gaze rakes over me, lingering on my cock, already half-hard from looking at her.

“Like what you see?” I tease, enjoying the flush that stains her cheeks.

“Shut up.”

I take her hand, leading her to the edge of the pool. We pause there, toes curling over the lip.

I glance at her. “On three?”

She nods, her fingers tightening around mine.

“One, two—”

Chapter 15

Lilian

He yanks me into the heated water with him.

I shriek, the sound cut off when we’re submerged for one breathless moment before bouncing back up to the surface.

I sputter, pushing my hair out of my face. “You ass! I wasn’t—”

Laughter. Deep, unbridled, joyful laughter reaches my ears.

I blink the water from my eyes to find him next to me, his eyes crinkled at the corners, his head thrown back as he laughs and laughs.

A comfortable warmth spreads through my body. I can’t remember the last time I heard him laugh like that. Carefree. Happy. No shadows lurking in his eyes, no weight on his shoulders.

Just… pure, unadulterated joy.

My own lips twitch, and I splash him, catching him right in the face.

He sputters, his laughter cutting off abruptly. “Oh, it’s on, princess.”

He lunges for me, but I dart away, my own laughter bubbling up my throat. We chase each other around the pool, splashing, ducking, and grinning like idiots.

It’s fun. Easy. Like we’re two people with no history, no baggage, no complications.

But then he catches me, his arms snaking around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest. I gasp, my hands coming up to brace against his shoulders.

We’re both breathing hard, our chests heaving, and every inch of him is pressed against me, his skin hotter than the water. Droplets cling to his lashes and his lips.

“Lil.”

“Sebastian.” It comes out breathless, almost pleading.

He tips his head, his nose brushing mine. “Look up.”

The night sky stretches out above us, an endless expanse of inky black, dotted with twinkling stars. It’s breathtaking, but not nearly as much as the man holding me.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

I nod. My heart is pounding so hard. I’m sure he can hear it.

His nose brushes my temple. “Not as beautiful as you, though.”

It’s the same line, but this time it hits differently. He’s too close, too overwhelming. Too much. Not enough.

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