Page 41 of Below the Barrel

His lips quirk into a small smirk, and I see the challenge flicker in his eyes. “I’m perfectly relaxed.”

“Really?” I arch an eyebrow at him, trying to sound casual, but there’s a twinge of daring in my voice. “Because you seem pretty tense for someone who claims to be relaxed.”

He doesn’t answer me right away, instead stepping closer and taking a seat beside me—closer than necessary, if I’m being honest. I catch a whiff of saltwater and the faint smell of his skin, making it harder to ignore the heat simmering between us. He’s not touching me, but the air between us feels electric, and I can’t stop my pulse from racing.

“Maybe you’re the one who’s tense,” Koa says in a low voice, leaning in just enough for me to feel the heat of his breath against my cheek.

I stiffen for a split second, but quickly narrow my eyes at him, trying to hold my ground. “I’m perfectly relaxed, thank you,” I shoot back, hoping my voice sounds steady, though my heart is now in overdrive.

His smirk grows, and I know he’s enjoying every second of this, but I won’t let him turn the tables on me.

“Really? Because you look a little…flustered,” he says, his eyes flickering down to my lips briefly before meeting my gaze again. He leans in a bit more, his arm casually draping along the back of the couch, so close that the edge of his fingers brush against my shoulder. It’s almost imperceptible, but I feel it like a spark.

I roll my eyes, refusing to let him get the upper hand. “Don’t flatter yourself, Koa,” I say, though my voice is a little breathier than I intended.

He chuckles under his breath, his eyes glinting with mischief. “I don’t have to. You’re doing a pretty good job of that yourself.”

I open my mouth to throw a snarky comeback at him, but it gets caught in my throat when his hand moves. He reaches out, his fingers brushing lightly against my arm, trailing down slowly until they reach the edge of my shirt. My skin burns under his touch, and I suck in a quiet breath, determined not to show how much he’s getting to me.

“You sure you’re relaxed?” he murmurs, his fingers playing with the hem of my shirt, barely lifting it. His voice is low, teasing, but there’s something else in it too—something that makes my stomach flip.

I shove at his chest lightly, forcing a laugh. “You’re such a tease,” I mutter, trying to sound exasperated, but it’s hard to ignore how fast my heart is racing.

Koa grins, his eyes locking on mine with that infuriatingly confident look. “Maybe. But I’m pretty sure you like it.”

I snort, crossing my arms over my chest in defiance. “In your dreams.”

“In my dreams?” he echoes, pretending to be offended. His fingers brush my side again, and I feel a jolt of electricity shoot up my spine. He leans in, close enough that I can feel his breath against my neck. “I’m positive you like it, princess, and I’m wide awake.”

My breath catches in my throat, and I find myself leaning ever so slightly towards him before I realize what I’m doing. I force myself to pull back, shaking my head. “Keep telling yourself that,” I say, standing up abruptly, needing space before this playful teasing becomes something I can’t handle.

He laughs behind me as I start walking towards the bedroom to shower and change into clothes for the evening excursion.

“Running away already?” he calls after me, and I can hear the smirk in his voice.

I pause in the doorway, glancing over my shoulder. “Just preparing for the next round of this little game we’re playing, Koa. Don’t get too comfortable.”

His eyes linger on me, that slow smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I’m ready whenever you are, Maliah.”

Tonight’s groupexcursion is more laid back than the recent ones we’ve been on, and I couldn’t be more grateful. After piling into a van, we’re taken to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. It’s stunning, lush greenery surrounding us, orchids of every colour peeking out from the trees, and the sun setting just behind the mountains, casting a soft glow over everything.

“So we’re just supposed to wander through this place? That sounds boring,” one of the girls complains as we wander through the garden.

“Let’s make it fun then,” Reese chips in, turning to face everyone. “Have you ever played Murder in the Dark?”

For the next five minutes he explains the rules of the game, but I notice he’s put a twist on how it’s traditionally played. If themurderer can kill everyone before the time’s up, they win. But if anyone is left standing, the murderer has to come forward as the loser.

“So, it’s basically like Hide and Seek?” Koa asks, coming to stand next to me, his arm brushing against mine subtly. I feel the hairs on my arms stand.

“Yeah, something like that,” Reese agrees.

The group loves the idea, so we all agree to play, and soon enough, we’re all scattering into the dark forest, each of us searching for a hiding spot to start the game. I run deeper into the trees, the sounds of laughter and footsteps fading behind me. The sun has almost fully set now, leaving just enough light to make out shapes in the distance, but shadows creep between the trees, making it difficult to see much else. Perfect for a game like this.

The night deepens as I weave through the trees, branches scraping against my arms, the ground soft beneath my feet. I pause, leaning against a thick tree trunk to catch my breath. Charles—the one I’m certain is the murderer—is fast, but I’m faster. I can spare a few moments here.

That is until I hear it—footsteps, faint but steady, coming from behind me. I glance over my shoulder, thinking it’s Charles, but my heart skips a beat when I catch sight of a figure moving through the trees.Koa.

He’s walking slowly, purposefully, like a predator stalking his prey, his tall frame moving effortlessly through the underbrush. His eyes lock on mine, a devilish smile stretching across his lips. My stomach flips, and I instinctively take a step back, even though I know it’s useless. He’s caught me.

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