Page 9 of Under the Lights

“Nope,” he shook his head and looked down at me with a devilish gleam in his eyes. “This way, come on.”

He headed in the opposite direction, which, according to the signs, led only to the pool.

What was he up to?

Dom opened the door to the infinity pool and motioned for me to step through.

The city’s nightlife rose to greet me — the low hum of traffic, a distant siren, and the occasional burst of laughter from the street below. The door swung shut behind us with a soft click, sealing off the quiet hush of the hallway.

A breeze swept across the open rooftop patio, tugging at my hair and cooling the heat lingering on my skin.

The infinity pool stretched out before us like a sheet of obsidian. Soft blue LED lights illuminated it from below, shimmering in the rippling water.

The pool’s edge blurred into the skyline, creating the illusion that it poured directly into the glittering city lights. Empty lounge chairs stood neatly aligned in rows, and sleek planters filled with ornamental grasses swayed gently in the breeze.

I scanned the area uncertainly, the stillness making the space feel even more private.

“What’s going on?” I crossed my arms over my chest and turned to face him.

The sign by the pool clearly stated that swimming was not allowed after 10 P.M., so it was deserted. The rooftop felt miles away from everything else — quiet, open, suspended between earth and sky.

“I can’t bring you the ocean, but I thought this might be the next best thing.” Dom shrugged, kicked off his shoes, and dug his wallet and keys out of his pockets.

“You want me to jump in there?Now?” I stared at him with raised eyebrows.

“Iknowyou’re gonna jump in there.” His unwavering confidence was astounding. “Come on, Darlin’. It’ll be fun.”

I shook my head vehemently. “There’s no way.”

Dom grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled it up over his head with one hand in that weirdly sexy maneuver that only guys could somehow pull off.

More ink. It seemed like every square inch of his skin was tattooed. Thick lines and mandala patterns crawling down his arms, across his chest, wrapping his ribs. Nothing delicate about it.

Bold and unapologetic, just like the rest of him. He wasn’t shredded — he was massive all around. Broad, heavy, built like he was made to hold up the world.

One tattoo curled up the side of his throat, disappearing behind his ear and snaking around the back of his neck. I couldn’t stop staring. I wanted to explore the designs, trace the lines, find out why he’d gotten each one.

He nodded thoughtfully, his tongue tucked into his cheek, then a smirk formed on his face. “Yes, you will.”

I gaped at him, exasperated.

Whywould I jump into a pool with him now, for no good reason? What was the point? People like me didn’t do things just for fun. We planned. We assessed risk. We considered the consequences.

I hadn’t spent years curating a spotless résumé and a reputation as the girl who always had her shit together, just to throw it all away for a midnight swim with a reckless stranger.

My eyes darted back to the sign, as if I needed more proof. There it was — bold and clear:Pool closed. No swimming after 10 P.M.

Exactly.Not allowed.

And yet… my heart thudded in my chest like it hadn’t gotten the memo.

Isn’t that what tonight is all about?whispered the little voice in the back of my head. Wasn’t that what I’d wanted? To do something forbidden, to be unpredictable, to be selfishfor once— to have fun?

“Okay.” I uncrossed my arms and nodded once, as if to convince myself.

“Okay?” The grin on his face got even bigger, so infectious I couldn’t help but smile back.

Shit, it was really easy to make him happy.

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