Page 26 of Surrender to Me

I wore a bright orange one-piece bathing suit that cut across the middle and Legend had on a pair of black swim trunks. I almost forgot how to breathe. “You keep staring like that, you’re gonna end up in trouble sooner than later,” Legend smirked, stepping into the pool with slow, deliberate movements.

“Please,” I shot back, before stepping down into the warm water. “I’ve already seen all there is to see.”

Legend’s smirk deepened as he swam closer, his body moving through the water way too effortlessly. “Hmm,” he murmured, reaching out to pull me against him, “And yet, you look a little weak in the knees, baby.”

I rolled my eyes, pretending his touch didn’t make my stomach flip, and swam away toward the pool ledge. “Let me enjoy my drink in peace.”

Legend chuckled, swimming to the bar and nodding to the bartender. “Pour her another.”

The bartender nodded and slid a fresh margarita toward me. “Now this,” I sighed, taking a sip, “is the good life.” Legend smirked, taking his own drink, and settled beside me on the edge of the pool. For a moment, we just soaked in the sun, letting the music fill the space between us. Then, out of nowhere, I asked, “What’s your favorite movie?”

Legend exhaled, stretching his arms along the edge of the pool. “Here you go with the questions.”

“I need to know if you have taste outside of music and food,” I teased.

Legend smirked, tilting his head slightly. “Goodfellas,” he said. “Top-tier classic. Never gets old.”

I raised a brow. “You give me more Godfather energy.”

“I likeThe Godfathertoo,” he admitted, taking a sip of his drink. “ButGoodfellas? It’s got everything—power, loyalty, betrayal, money, real stakes. And the pacing? Perfect.”

I hummed, nodding. “Solid pick.”

“And you?” he asked, glancing at me.

“Honorable mentions likeFriday, Set It Off, Poetic Justice...”

“You just naming Black movie essentials at this point,” he chuckled.

“And? We don’t miss.” I laughed as Legend shook his head, amused. “Alright, what about shows?” I asked, swirling the straw in my drink.

“I don’t watch much TV,” he admitted, watching me over the rim of his glass. “But when I do, I go for throwbacks.The Wire. Sopranos. Breaking Bad... shit that actually makes you think.”

“Damn,” I teased. “You just love crime and corruption, huh?”

Legend chuckled, rubbing his jaw. “Maybe. Or maybe I just respect stories about power and the people who know how to use it.” Something about the way he said that shit all calm and confident, like he wasn’t just talking about fiction, sent a slow shiver down my spine. I quickly took another sip of my drink. “And you?” he asked, smirking like he knew he just threw me off balance.

“A mix of things,” I said, clearing my throat. “When I need drama?Snowfall.When I need laughs?Martin.When I need nostalgia?GirlfriendsandLiving Single. But when I just wanna feel cozy?” I smiled. “I rewatchA Different Worldlike it’s my first time. They just put it on Netflix too.”

Legend nodded slowly, watching me. “I like that.”

“See? We’re not so different,” I smirked, nudging him with my foot under the water.

Legend chuckled, shaking his head. Just as I was about to tease him again, my phone rang from the side of the pool. I glanced at the screen.Tyrae.“Lemme guess. Your girl's calling for all the nasty details, huh?” he smirked, licking his lips.

I scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“You about to tell her everything?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.”

Legend hummed, setting his drink down. “I gotta make a call anyway,” he said smoothly, pushing himself up from the water. “I’ll leave you to your confession session, sweetheart.”

“Whatever,” I muttered, shaking my head.

As he stepped out of the pool, I let my gaze shamelessly drag over his wet, muscular body, the water dripping down his tattooed chest, sliding past the waistband of his trunks. Legend caught me looking and he smirked. Still smiling, I swam over to grab my phone and answered.

“Girl, it’s about damn time!” Tyrae’s voice exploded through the speaker. “What the hell have you been doing?!”

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