Chapter Six

Leo's P.O.V

“I’m not going anywhere,” I said, my voice low, steady, only for her.

Her eyes shimmered, caught between disbelief and something deeper—hope, maybe. Fear.

I leaned in just enough that she could feel the truth in every word.

“It’s always been you too.”

Her lips parted, barely breathing.

And I stayed right there, close enough to taste the moment, but not moving—

not unless she did first.

This wasn’t just want.

It was everything we’d both been holding back.

I pulled my hand away, slow, fingers dragging like they didn’t want to let go.

Then I stepped back—just in time.

Nick’s voice carried first, loud and careless. “You two going to stand there all night or—”

Amelia swam up beside him, slick hair clinging to her shoulders, eyes sharp despite the laugh on her lips.

But she didn’t look at Nick.

She looked at Nora.

Then at me.

She smirked, barely, and didn’t say a word.

She knew.

“Let’s play chicken,” Nick said, loud enough to cut straight through the tension hanging in the air.

I glanced at him—grinning like an idiot, already shoving water at Amelia like he hadn’t just interrupted something real.

Amelia rolled her eyes but smiled. “You just want an excuse to throw me off your shoulders, don’t you?”

“Absolutely,” Nick said, no shame. “Come on, Leo. You and Nora versus me and Amelia. Let’s go.”

I looked at Nora.

She was already watching me, water sliding down her neck, chest rising with a quiet breath. The heat between us hadn’t faded. Not even close.

Her lip twitched into a crooked little smirk.

“…You in?” she asked.

And there was something in her voice—

a dare.

I didn’t answer.

Just moved.

Stepped behind her, hands slipping around her waist before she could react.

She yelped, half a laugh, half a gasp—

“Leo!”

But I was already lifting her, smooth and easy, water cascading off her body as I hoisted her up and onto my shoulders.

Her thighs gripped the sides of my neck, her hands tangling in my hair for balance.

I settled my grip around her legs, looking up just enough to catch the wide-eyed, breathless grin on her face.

“Better hold on,” I said, voice low.

Her fingers tightened. “Oh, I am.”

“Good,” I murmured.

Then I slid my hands up her thighs—slow, deliberate, fingers tracing the water-slicked skin as I adjusted my grip.

She inhaled sharply above me, the sound barely more than a breath, but I felt it.

In the way her body stiffened just slightly.

In the way her fingers curled tighter in my hair.

My thumbs brushed just beneath the edge of that lace, and I could feel her pulse pounding through her skin.

Amelia was already up on Nick’s shoulders, fist pumping in the air like she was entering a ring.

“You ready, bitch?” she called, laughing. “I’m taking you down!”

Nora snorted, settling her balance on my shoulders. “You know damn well you’re not. I’m stronger than you.”

Amelia cackled. “Yeah, because you’re a gym rat! I’ve seen your arms, you freak.”

We stepped forward into the deeper part, water swirling around my chest.

Then came the push and pull—Nora and Amelia grabbing at each other, laughing, swaying as Nick and I held steady beneath them.

It was chaos.

Until Nora leaned forward with a wicked grin—

and pinched Amelia’s nipple.

“Ah!” Amelia screeched, letting go instantly.

Nora shoved, and down they went in a splash, Nick disappearing with her.

Nora threw her head back, laughing so hard she nearly fell off me.

“You cheat!” Amelia shouted, popping up from the water.

Nora grinned, wiping water from her face. “Hey, I never said I play fair.”

I couldn’t help it. I squeezed her thighs—slow, deliberate.

She sucked in a breath, still laughing, but her body tensed just slightly around me.

I tipped her back without warning.

She shrieked, “Leo!”—right before she hit the water with a splash.

I laughed, not even trying to hide it, the sound tearing out of me as she disappeared beneath the surface.

I barely had time to breathe before—

WHAM—she came up and tackled me, arms locking around my shoulders, her momentum dragging me straight under.

Cold water rushed over my head, bubbles flying past my ears, her legs tangling with mine like she meant to drown me for real.

Under the surface, I found her.

Hands searching—grabbing her by the waist, then sliding lower—

I gripped her by the ass and yanked her to me, hard, pulling her flush against my chest.

We broke the surface together, gasping, water streaming down our faces, bodies pressed tight.

Her hands landed on my shoulders, breath catching as she looked at me—

I glanced past her—just for a second.

Nick was completely distracted, wrapped up in Amelia, their laughter echoing across the lake like they were the only two people alive.

Perfect.

I leaned in, mouth brushing the shell of Nora’s ear, voice low and rough.

“You’re going to regret that,” I whispered.

Then I nipped her earlobe, just enough to feel her jolt.

She gasped—then pressed her tits full against my chest, slick skin sliding against mine like a dare.

Her legs locked around my waist.

And then—soft, dark, right against my throat—

“You going to punish me, Leo?”

Before I could speak, her lips were on my neck.

Right there.

Heat surged up my spine. I froze, breath caught halfway, hand tightening around her ass so hard she moaned into my skin.

Fuck.

She wasn’t playing anymore.

She pulled back just enough to look at me, that smile on her face—soft, wicked, completely unbothered.

God.

I could never not want to see her smile.

Even when it was dangerous.

Especially because it was dangerous.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, sweetheart,” I said, voice rough, strained.

Her eyes sparked. She chose that exact moment to roll her hips into me—slow, deep, no hesitation.

I groaned, low in my throat. “Nora. Your brother is right behind us.”

Her mouth brushed my jaw.

“He can’t see,” she whispered, hand sliding down my chest, slow and deliberate, fingers skating over muscle and water until they reached my abdomen.

She didn’t break eye contact. Not once.

“Nora,” I warned again—voice barely there.

But the way she was looking at me?

She already knew she had me.

“Kiss me, Leo.”

Her voice was a whisper—barely more than breath.

But it wrecked me.

Everything around us blurred—the firelight behind, the distant splashes and laughter, even the risk of her brother just feet away.

All I saw was her.

Dripping wet, legs wrapped around me, mouth parted, eyes full of heat and something deeper—something dangerous and real.

I didn’t hesitate.

I grabbed the back of her neck, pulled her in, and kissed her like I’d been starving for it.

Because I had.

Her mouth met mine, soft at first—then urgent, hungry, lips parting as we sank into it like nothing else existed.

And right there, waist-deep in dark water, I knew I’d never get enough of her.