Chapter 23. Dress.

"Inescapable, I'm not even gonna try. And if I get burned, at least we were electrified. I'm spilling wine in the bathtub, you kiss my face and we're both drunk."

Hesitation written on their face, but the smile never moved from mine. I remember coming here trying to hide from my school work and the world thanks to my roommate. I watched them for a beat longer until finally I gave them one last push. 

"Are you guys coming? I mean, you're more likely to get killed by a wild pig here than by me," I teased, flashing a smirk before turning back toward the trail.

Justin was the first to move, falling into step behind me, and after a beat, the others followed.

We walked for another five minutes before the roaring sound of rushing water echoed through the dense brush. Excitement sparked in my chest as I pushed aside the final branches, revealing the hidden waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear lake.

"I knew it!" Mallory squealed.

"Whoa. I don't know what I expected, but damn, it definitely wasn't this," Erik said, his eyes scanning the view in awe.

"Worth almost getting murdered for?" I quipped as I kicked off my shoes and took off my leggings.

"You don't have to get in if you don't want to," I added, nudging Erik with my elbow, "but hey, your clothes will dry eventually."

Erik grinned, already tugging off his shoes. "No way I'm missing out on this." He pulled his shirt over his head and turned to me. "Ready when you are."

Seconds later, I grabbed his hand, and together, we sprinted straight into the water. The cold hit like a shock, a stark contrast to our sun-heated skin. I gasped before breaking into a laugh, flipping my hair out of my face as I turned toward Justin and Hunter—who were already racing each other through the water.

Then, I spotted Mallory hesitating at the edge.

"Come on, Mals! You can't miss this!" I called out. "You jumped in last time!"

She bit her lower lip, looking unsure. "I don't have the right clothes for this… and I like this shirt."

I pouted dramatically. "Please? I'll let you dress me for the next three days. No complaints. Makeup and all."

Mallory narrowed her eyes, her lips twitching side to side like she was seriously considering it. Then, suddenly, she ripped off her shirt, kicked off her shoes, and launched herself into the water.

Cheers erupted as she resurfaced, laughing breathlessly. She swam over and splashed me in retaliation, and before I knew it, we were locked in a full-blown splash fight.

Laughing, I dodged one of her attacks and made a break for the waterfall, adrenaline rushing through me.

Everyone followed closely as I swam ahead. We slipped beneath the cascading water, and on the other side, a big hidden concave in the rock formation revealed itself.

I hoisted myself out of the water first, settling onto the natural rock ledge. Justin pulled himself up beside me, his breaths just as unsteady as mine, laughter slipping between each exhale. The others floated in the water, taking in the scene around us.

"So," I said, glancing at each of them. "What do you guys think? Breathtaking, right?"

Justin let out a slow breath. "Absolutely breathtaking."

His voice was quiet, almost lost beneath the waterfall's roar, but I caught it. When I turned toward him, he was already looking at me. A few seconds passed and it felt too long, too obvious a glance before he quickly turned away. My stomach fluttered, and I prayed no one had caught my reaction.

Hunter's voice broke the lingering silence. "Yeah, this is insane. Auggie, how did you even find this place?"

I snapped out of it, shaking off the warmth in my chest. "One of my roommates, Khai, he's from here. He took us all over the island, showing us the secret spots only the locals know about." A grin spread across my face, excitement bubbling up. "I have so many places up my sleeve."

Erik swam up to the ledge where my legs dangled in the water, leaning against them as he looked up at me. "I can't wait to see them with you."

The way his eyes locked with mine sent a flutter of butterflies through my stomach. My heart pounded so loudly I swore it could be heard over the roar of the waterfall.

We lingered in the concave for a while, chatting about tomorrow's plans, until Justin got restless.

"This thing jumpable?" he asked, nodding toward the top of the waterfall.

I hesitated for a second before nodding. "Yeah, I've done it before. It's a bit of a climb, though."

He grinned. "Let's do it."

No one else wanted to join, so Justin and I made our way up the steep, rocky path. He boosted me a few times along the way, his hands firm on my waist, and each time I nearly slipped, we burst into laughter.

By the time we reached the top, the height looked more intimidating than I remembered. My stomach flipped as I peered over the edge, water crashing down beneath us.

Justin caught my hesitation immediately. "Hey, you don't have to do this," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I'll walk you back down. No pressure."

Below, Erik and Mallory started chanting my name.

I shook my head, exhaling sharply. "I did this last time too. I always hesitate."

Justin held out his hand. "Then let's do it together."

I looked at him, then at the drop ahead. Finally, I took his hand, gripping it tightly.

"I got you," he said.

And before I could overthink it, we jumped.

The water swallowed me whole, cold and shocking, but the moment my head broke the surface, all the anxiety disappeared, replaced by laughter and adrenaline. Justin resurfaced right after me, breathless and grinning.

"I almost thought you were gonna chicken out," he said between breaths.

"I almost thought I was definitely gonna chicken out," I shot back, still laughing.

Erik swam over, shaking his head. "That was cool! You looked a little scared, though."

"I was!" I admitted.

"But you did it anyway. You still continue to surprise me, August." Erik's smile was warm, encouraging.

I turned just in time to catch Justin's expression, tight-lipped, unreadable as he swam away, putting distance between us.

Erik's gaze stayed on me. "You and Justin became fast friends, huh?"

Something about the way he said it made my stomach flip. His smile didn't waver, but I couldn't tell if he was joking or if there was something else beneath the surface.

I forced a light laugh. "I still find him insufferable. But I think we've come to an understanding. I basically forced him to be my friend. I mean he did witness me crying for, like, seven hours straight. You can't deny a girl in tears." I put on an exaggerated pout. 

That finally cracked his expression, his shoulders relaxing as he chuckled. I slid my arms around his neck, hoping to push away whatever doubts might've been lingering.

"Told you he wasn't that bad," Erik murmured, his hands finding my waist, pulling me an inch closer.

"You were right." I pushed myself a little closer to him. We stared into each other's eyes. Not saying a word but definitely sharing the same feeling. 

For a moment, we just floated there. Then, the rest of the group started moving toward the shore, looking ready to leave.

We followed, slipping on our shoes before making the short trek back to the Jeep. Everyone looked exhausted, but I still had a little push left in me.

As the Jeep rumbled down the road, the golden glow of the setting sun stretched across the horizon, casting warm streaks of orange and pink over the landscape. The air smelled like salt and earth, drifting in through the open windows. Mallory was the first to pass out, her head bobbing between the back headrest and Hunter. While Hunter followed, arms crossed over his chest. Erik shifted beside Mallory, his elbow propped against the door, eyes blinking slower and slower until they finally shut.

The only sounds were the hum of the tires against the road and the occasional rustling of leaves as the breeze drifted through. I kept my hands firm on the wheel, my eyes flicking between the winding road and the soft light filtering through the trees.

Justin was the only one still awake. He sat in the passenger seat beside me, one elbow resting on the open window, the other draped lazily over his knee. His fingers tapped absently against his thigh, his gaze fixed ahead.

"Looks like we're the last ones standing," he murmured, his voice low, just for me.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. "You tired?"

"Nah." He stretched his legs out as much as he could, letting out a quiet sigh. "You?"

"Not yet."

He turned his head slightly, watching me as I drove. "You always this stubborn?"

I smirked, keeping my focus on the road. "I am not stubborn!" 

His lips twitched, forming a smile. "You are so stubborn! You're even stubborn about being stubborn."

I couldn't help but laugh because while I'm a people pleaser I'm also naturally stubborn. My mom used to say that I got that trait from my dad, being as stubborn as a mule. 

"What! I'm just not tired yet. I still have some energy left in me. Not because I'm being stubborn!" I lifted my hands off the steering wheel for a split second to throw my hands up half way in defense. 

"You still have some energy left in you huh?" His gaze didn't waver, dragging slowly over me, sending a chill down my spine.

All day we played it safe, not being super distant 'cause that would raise red flags. Not being overly friendly 'cause that would also raise red flags. But right now, when it's just us, he's letting it slip. I knew where this was going, this morning was fun but I couldn't risk Erik reading into it in case he wasn't actually sleeping. 

"Yeah, a little bit, though not a lot." I laughed trying to break the obvious tension in my voice. "I'm planning on seeing if Erik wants to go eat at the restaurant his cousin owns. He mentioned it last week so I thought it would be cool to check it out."

"How thoughtful and unstubborn of you, August." 

The warmth of his gaze lingered for a second longer before he turned back toward the road. The silence between us wasn't awkward. It was the comfortable silence we usually share, we both know what we're thinking but it doesn't need to be said. 

Every now and then, Justin would make some dry remark, and I'd fire one back, our usual back-and-forth keeping me more awake than I wanted to admit.

Somewhere along the way, our conversation drifted. It wasn't playful banter the whole time, there were moments where we talked about things that actually mattered. Nothing too deep, nothing too heavy, but enough to make me realize how easily we could slip into these kinds of conversations. How naturally we could go from teasing to something more real.

By the time we pulled up to the house, the sun had dipped lower, painting the sky in soft streaks of orange and pink. The others were still fast asleep, their heads tilted at odd angles, completely wiped from the day. I put the Jeep in park, stretching my arms over the steering wheel with a small yawn.

Justin glanced at me, his voice quieter now. "Guess you really weren't that tired, huh?"

I smirked, unbuckling my seatbelt. "Guess not."

He just shook his head with a knowing look before pushing open the door, and for a moment, I almost forgot that we weren't alone.

 We all hopped out of the Jeep, grabbing our things from the trunk, stretching as we made our way to the front door. The house was unusually quiet—either no one was home yet, or they were in the other house.

We dropped our stuff in the kitchen, Mallory and Hunter already heading upstairs. Erik, Justin, and I lingered behind. I plopped onto a stool, resting my head on the counter with a quiet sigh, closing my eyes for a moment.

A slow glide of fingers brushed up and down my back. Erik. His touch was meant to be soothing, but with Justin watching, it only made my skin prickle.

Erik leaned close, his voice low in my ear. "I'm gonna head back to my place to shower, but I'll be back if you want to do something. If you're not too tired."

I lifted my head to meet his eyes. "No, I'm not too tired. I'll shower now, too. See you in thirty minutes or so?"

He pulled me into a gentle hug before heading out the back door.

I glanced at Justin. He was still leaning on the counter, scrolling through his phone like he hadn't been paying attention, but the smirk tugging at his lips gave him away. He'd heard everything.

He finally turned to face me, that smirk fully formed. "So, you've got thirty minutes to spare, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. "I have to shower. Thirty minutes is barely enough time for that."

His grin widened. "Pretty sure thirty minutes is just enough time… among other things." He laughed, and I wasn't sure if he was joking or serious.

"Ha ha. Very funny." I stood up from the stool, shaking my head. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to shower and get ready." I started toward the stairs.

"Later tonight then?" He called after me.

I laughed, this time I knew he was serious. But I didn't give him the satisfaction of seeing my smirk. Instead, I just kept walking, tossing my response over my shoulder.

"Yeah, we'll see."

Upstairs, I rushed through my shower, letting the warm water wash away the lingering salt and sunscreen. My mind kept drifting to Justin's voice, the teasing edge in his words. Among other things. I shook my head, shutting off the water before I could linger too long on that thought.

I towel-dried my hair, running my fingers through the damp strands before slipping into a light, fitted summer dress. The kind that clung in all the right places. I swiped on some mascara, ran lip gloss over my lips, and gave myself one last once-over in the mirror.

Satisfied, I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs, only to slow my steps as I reached the bottom.

Erik and Justin stood in the kitchen, laughing. Whatever they were joking about, it had Erik grinning, Justin leaning casually against the counter, completely at ease.

A knot formed in my stomach. They looked… comfortable. Friendly. Like two guys who weren't supposed to be tangled up in the same mess.

I approached them hesitantly. "Hey, guys." My voice came out quieter than I intended.

Both of them turned to me at the same time. Erik's smile started small but stretched ear to ear, his gaze sweeping over me in a way that sent warmth up my neck.

Justin, though he wasn't looking at me. He was watching Erik, studying his reaction like it mattered more than his own.

"August, hey. You look beautiful." Erik's grin didn't falter.

I forced a light laugh, trying to shake off the weird weight in the air. "What were you guys laughing at? I could hear it all the way upstairs."

Justin was the one who answered, his tone easy. "Ah, nothing. Just some dumb work stuff."

Erik chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, dumb is the right word."

Before I could press for more, the back door opened, and Marshall and Dani strolled in, laughing about something between them. They barely glanced our way as they made a beeline for the fridge, Marshall grabbing a drink while Dani leaned against the counter.

"Where've you guys been?" Justin asked, his voice just as casual.

"Just walking the beach," Dani replied, popping the cap off her bottle. "Figured we'd head back before it got too late."

I glanced at Erik. "Didn't you say your cousin has a restaurant around here? I think I remember you mentioning it before."

Erik's face lit up. "Yeah, he owns a spot by the water. Great seafood, live music figured I'd take you tonight."

Before I could react, he turned to Marshall and Dani. "You guys should come too. It'll be fun."

Marshall nodded immediately. "I'm down."

Dani glanced between us, then shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

I forced a small smile, but disappointment settled in my stomach. I wasn't expecting a one-on-one romantic dinner, but I also wasn't expecting this a full group outing instead of something more… intentional.

Justin caught my eye then, his expression unreadable. Maybe I imagined it, but I swore I saw the hint of a smirk, like he knew exactly what I'd been expecting.

I quickly looked away. It's fine, I told myself. This was casual. Friendly. Nothing to overthink.

And yet, I couldn't quite shake the feeling that Erik had just unknowingly shifted the night into something else entirely. 

Erik glanced toward the stairs. "Should we see if Mallory wants to come?"

"I'll go ask her," I said, already heading for the staircase.

I found her in her room, sprawled across the bed, scrolling on her phone. At the mention of Erik's cousin's restaurant, she perked up.

"Seafood and live music? Yeah, I'm in. Give me five minutes to change." She hopped up, already rifling through her suitcase.

By the time I made it back downstairs, Hunter was already there, slipping his watch onto his wrist. Erik wasted no time extending the invite, but Hunter shook his head.

"Thanks, but I'm meeting Nancy. We're gonna walk the beach for a bit."

Dani raised an eyebrow. "That sounds suspiciously romantic."

Hunter smirked. "Or maybe I just enjoy a nice walk." He shot her a wink before heading for the door.

Erik turned to Justin next. "So you in?"

Justin leaned back against the counter and shook his head. "Can't. Already made plans."

Dani crossed her arms. "With who?"

Justin barely looked up from his phone as he pointed at the screen. "I had asked Hannah out before you guys came up with this."

I let out a sharp breath. Knowing he wouldn't be there, wouldn't be sitting across from me, wouldn't be in my thoughts eased the tension that had been sitting on my chest.

But then Justin glanced up, meeting my eyes for just a second too long. The way he looked at me made my stomach twist.

Was it really the truth, or was it just an easy excuse?

The thought didn't dwell for long once I heard Mallory come down the steps. Now that she was here we all headed for the front door. Making our way into the Jeep, Marshall took the driver's side while Erik took the passenger, leaving the girls in the back. 

The drive to the restaurant was filled with easy conversation and laughter, the energy light despite the long day. By the time we arrived, the place was alive with music and the low hum of diners enjoying the night.

Erik's cousin greeted us warmly, securing a table for us near the open-air patio. Drinks flowed easily, seafood platters were passed around, and the conversation never stalled. Mallory and Dani kept everyone entertained with their usual banter, while Erik and Marshall swapped stories that had the whole table laughing.

For a while, I let myself sink into the moment, enjoying the warmth of the evening and the effortless rhythm of the group. Any lingering tension from earlier faded into the background, replaced by the easy comfort of good company, good food, and the steady pulse of music in the air.

By the time we piled back into the Jeep, full and satisfied, I realized I hadn't felt any awkwardness or guilt with Erik. It was easy, comfortable, everything just felt right between us.

When we walked into the house, I spotted Hannah and Justin at the kitchen table, eating takeout and laughing. He hadn't been lying—he really did have plans, and now I felt a little ridiculous for doubting him. Embarrassed, almost, for assuming his world revolved around me, even though I knew he was pursuing Hannah.

They greeted us warmly, inviting us to sit down with them. Dani shot me a quick glance, and I gave her a tight-lipped smile. We all made our way over to the table and began talking about the dinner we'd just had.

As we settled around the table, I couldn't help but glance at Justin and Hannah. Every now and then, I'd catch Justin's eye, and a small smirk would tug at his lips.

"So, what's the plan tomorrow?" Erik asked, pulling me back to the conversation.

I shifted my focus on Erik, redirecting my attention. It was easy to get lost in him, to enjoy the moments we were sharing. But there was still the pull of what was happening with Justin, the undeniable chemistry between us that made my pulse quicken every time our eyes met. For now, I was content with that, enjoying both the connection with Erik and the thrill that came with Justin, without letting it get too complicated.

I tore myself from my thoughts and joined the conversation, letting the laughter around the table wash over me. We stayed chatting for a while longer, but soon sleep started to tug at me. We all decided to call it a night, each of us heading our separate ways. As I made it to my room, my entire body ached, and my eyelids felt like they weighed a ton. I knew I needed to lie down.

Slipping out of my dress and into cozy pajamas, I let out a heavy sigh. After that brutal 15-mile hike, I swore I'd never set foot on a trail again. Between the waterfall swimming and the big dinner, I knew sleep was right around the corner. I mindlessly scrolled through my phone, waiting for sleep to take over when a noise interrupted my thoughts.

At first, I tried to ignore it. But then I heard it again, followed by something rolling in front of the glass. Curiosity won out. I slid the door open and stepped onto the balcony. To my surprise, Erik stood below, grinning up at me.

I laughed softly, imagining him tossing stuff like some 80s romantic lead. "What in the world are you doing?"

"I was trying to get you to come to the balcony."

"Are you…throwing rocks?" I squinted down at him.

He held up a small pebble and tossed it toward me. "Nope. Jelly beans!"

I dodged just in time and burst into laughter. "That almost hit me!"

He laughed along with me. "I know you're exhausted, but… how about a night swim with me?"

My face flushed, as it always did around Erik. "A night swim? Right now? Are you crazy?"

He shrugged. "Maybe? So… is that a yes?"

I was exhausted, but the thought of spending more time with him sounded so much more appealing than sleeping. Plus, we hadn't had much alone time since he arrived. Maybe tonight would be the night I finally got that kiss.

I giggled. "Give me ten minutes!" I ran inside, shutting the door behind me.

I dug through my suitcase, overthinking every swimsuit option. After a few failed choices, I settled on my blue one-piece—safe, but still flattering. As I checked my reflection in the mirror, exhaustion stared back at me, but I wasn't about to miss this.

As I stepped out of my room, the quiet of the house contrasted sharply with the crashing waves outside. I nearly jumped when I saw Justin sitting on the couch in the den. I half expected him to either be asleep or still with Hannah. Last I saw, he'd stayed behind with her at the table.

"Hey, what are you doing out here?" I asked, surprised.

He looked up from his phone and gave me a quick glance, then looked back down.

"Hunter and Nancy… um, ended up hitting it off," he said, smirking. "Giving them some… space."

I couldn't help but laugh at the implication.

He stared at me again, his eyes narrowing as he took in my outfit. "Where are you going in a bathing suit at this hour?"

I crossed my arms. "Erik invited me to go for a swim."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're going out there with Erik… wearing that?"

I laughed, a little nervous at his sudden shift in tone. "What's wrong with it?"

"You're wearing a one-piece. You're completely covered." He frowned before looking at me with mock seriousness. "Turn around. Let me see."

I rolled my eyes but complied.

"You can't even see a cheek," he laughed, and I couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous it sounded.

"Hmmm…" He paused for dramatic effect, clearly amused. After a moment, a grin spread across his face. "You should wear that small black bikini. The one from our first day here. That one will do the trick." He leaned back, clearly proud of himself. "Gotta give him a little taste."

I opened my mouth to argue, but I hesitated. As much as I hated to admit it, he had a point. I wanted Erik to finally kiss me, and maybe, just maybe this would help.

I sighed, giving in. "Fine."

I laughed to myself as I slipped the bikini on. Mallory definitely knew what she was doing when she bought this for me. I glanced at my reflection again and felt a slight sense of discomfort. It felt smaller than I remembered it, but my saving grace was the darkness outside.

I walked out again, this time Justin wasn't on his phone. He was sitting on the edge of the couch waiting for me to get out. Waiting so he could get a look. His eyes traveled over me, and I felt heat creep up my neck.

"Well?" I asked, arms open.

He stood up and made his way over to me. 

"Let me see, turn around?" 

I did it again. I turned to look back at him. His gaze dragged over me, slowly. My chest tightened, my breath caught. I turned back to face him, but his eyes never left me. I could feel the way he wanted me. 

"Much better." He smirked and took another step closer. 

"Don't wait up for me Justin." I kept my gaze on his lips. There was hardly any space between us now. 

He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "I'll be waiting for you in your room." Our eyes met and I knew he wasn't joking. I nodded my head yes slightly. I couldn't resist him no matter how much I wanted to. He tilted my chin up with his thumb and the space between us became smaller. He leaned forward a little and I tilted my head back. The way he looked at me sent goosebumps across my skin. Our lips, now inches apart. But neither of us moved. 

A door creaked open.

We jumped apart just as Hunter walked out of his room. He paused, stared, then nodded at us before heading downstairs. The tension dissipated and I couldn't help but laugh. "Bye, Justin." I tapped his chest. "I'll be waiting for you…August." He said quietly with a smirk still beaming across his face. This was a dangerous game we kept playing.

I left before I could second-guess myself.

As I walked down the hall, trying to steady my breath, I could still feel the electricity in my skin where his hands had almost been. Focus. Focus, August.

I had to remind myself why I was going downstairs in the first place.

I stepped out into the night, the salty air wrapped around me, placing me in the present. The quiet noise of the ocean replaced the sound of Justin's voice in my head. The moon cast a silver glow over the path leading to the pool.

And then, there he was.

Erik was already in the water, facing the ocean, lost in thought. He looked so effortless, so different from the intensity I had just left behind.

He must have heard my footsteps because he turned, his words trailing off as his gaze landed on me.

"I was starting to think you—" He stopped, eyes raking over me. "Wow, August. You look… beautiful."

A different kind of heat flushed through me. One less complicated. One I wanted to let in.

I stepped forward, and just like that, Justin was gone from my mind.

 I could feel my body go cold and then instantly hot. Goosebumps traced my entire body once again. He stepped toward the edge, offering his hand as I made it down the steps. The water felt icy against my overheated skin.

For a while, we didn't speak. The sounds of the waves and chirping bugs filled the silence as we floated side by side. Occasionally, I felt his gaze on me.

 We paused for a moment, just silently staring at one another, he got a sly smirk on his face. 

"Did you wear my favorite color on purpose?" 

The blush returned. I wanted to say yes. Instead, I swam a few feet away, guilt creeping in. "Maybe."

He followed closely by. I changed the topic of conversation, "how are you liking Hawaii so far?" I asked him, we were no longer swimming just facing each other. 

"Pictures don't do it justice…it's absolutely breathtaking. Amongst other things here," he moved a little closer to me and I turned my face the other way, feeling my cheeks burn hot. 

"So what are your plans tomorrow?" I asked, hoping to cool my face down. 

"I'm not sure, I heard a few people were going into town. And a few other people wanted to go on the boat. We also have the luau at night." He responded. 

"That boat is not a boat that is a YACHT!" I teased knowing he was the one that rented it out for the trip. 

As we talked, the conversation flowed easily, like the water around us. But then, in a blink, Erik pulled me closer. His hand found my waist, and we glided through the water together. Instinctively, I wrapped my legs around him, and suddenly, I was somewhere else.

Justin.

The shift hit me like a jolt, my body responding before my mind could catch up. I forced a smile, trying to rein myself back in. Erik noticed the change in me.

"Is this okay?" His voice, quiet but concerned, cut through the haze.

I swallowed, my chest tightening. Guilt threaded its way through me, twisting into the smile I barely managed. "Yeah… this is okay," I whispered, though I wasn't sure what I meant anymore.

I wrapped my arms around him, and he pulled me in closer. Our chests now touching, face to face, I could feel his breath on me. His eyes searched mine, waiting, questioning. My pulse quickened, the air heavy with anticipation.

Then, slowly, Erik leaned in, his lips grazing mine softly. A silent invitation. I closed the space, pressing my mouth to his, and the world around us dissipated. The water, the past, the guilt all faded away slowly and then all at once. The kiss was soft, demanding but not desperate, nothing like the hunger I felt with Justin.

It was just… right.

When we pulled apart, we both laughed softly. Our eyes met again, his expression warm and soft.

"I hope that was okay?" he whispered, his voice laced with uncertainty.

"More than okay. It was perfect." I beamed, a rush of excitement sweeping over me.

There was a stark difference between Justin and Erik. With Justin, it had been like an intense, all-consuming pull, while with Erik… it felt more cautious, like he was afraid to move too quickly. He treated me carefully, as though afraid to break something fragile. And I realized that contrast wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

We stared at each other for a few seconds before my curiosity won out. Thinking about our first date, when he hadn't kissed me, I figured there was no better time than now to ask.

"Can I ask you something?"

He tilted his head, his gaze soft. "Anything."

"Why didn't you kiss me on our first date?"

His brows lifted, and he let go of me, treading water as he processed the question.

"August, I…" He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I didn't want to move too fast. I didn't want you to feel like you had to kiss me just because of the date. I wanted to let things happen on your terms, not some timeline."

His sincerity struck me. I'd spent so much time thinking he didn't feel the same way, when really… he'd just been careful with me.

I wanted to tell him I wasn't the same person I'd been even a week ago. That I wasn't afraid anymore—that I could be the one to move forward. But I couldn't bring myself to say it, not yet. Instead, I moved closer to him, slowly wrapping my arms around him and slightly lifting myself to be eye level. I searched his face for hesitation, and when there was none, I moved my lips closer to his, and he read the moment.

We kissed again. This time, it was deeper. Hungrier. But not enough to cross a line he didn't even know I'd already crossed. I felt his hand on the small of my back as he pulled me closer to him, my back arching slightly. This was the moment I had waited for.

We finally pulled away, no laughter this time, just the quiet intensity between us. We stared into each other's eyes. His expression was unreadable, until his smile reached the corners of his eyes.

"For what it's worth, you'll always be worth the wait," he whispered.

I stayed in his arms as we waded in the pool, letting the silence stretch between us. Little things were said here and there, but mostly, I just soaked up every second—his warmth, the way he looked at me as though I was the only thing that mattered.

But eventually, it was time to go.

We stepped out of the pool, and Erik grabbed a towel, wrapping it around my shoulders.

"Can I walk you to your room?" he asked softly.

In an instant, I came crashing down from cloud nine.

Because Justin said he'd be waiting for me in there. And I knew, without a doubt, he wasn't joking when he said it.

I forced a small smile, wrapping my arms around Erik in an embrace, lingering just long enough to keep the moment intact. "Thank you for tonight," I murmured. "But I'm okay going up alone."

Erik studied me for a second, as if sensing the shift in me. But he didn't press. Instead, he nodded, watching as I slipped inside and closed the sliding door behind me. I lifted a hand in a small wave, and he returned it before disappearing into the darkness.

A knot settled in my chest, a quiet war between what my heart wanted and what my body craved.

I took a deep breath, as I made my way up the stairs and down the silent hallway. When I reached my door, I hesitated for just a second before turning the knob as quietly as possible.

The lights were off and for a brief moment, I thought Justin hadn't shown up, and I felt an unexpected wave of relief. 

But then—

A soft snore broke through the silence.

Moonlight filtered through the curtains, just enough for me to make out his sleeping body across my bed. His shirt lay crumpled on the floor, his shoes kicked off at the base.

I exhaled slowly, unsure of what to do next.

One thing was clear though—I needed to get out of these wet clothes.

I sifted through my suitcase, finding something to wear after my shower, but just as I reached for the bathroom door, a groggy voice stopped me.

"Hey, you're back. I came in a while ago, guess I fell asleep."

I turned to see Justin now sitting up, his hair messy, his voice thick with sleep.

"Oh hey, I'm gonna take a bath and then go to sleep," I said, watching him stretch lazily. "You're welcome to stay if Nancy's still in there."

"Last time I checked, she was." He smirked, rubbing a hand over his face. "You sure you don't mind?"

I smiled, nodding. "I don't."

His eyes trailed over me, his smirk widening. "Oh, how was your swim?"

The reminder of Erik's hands on my waist, his lips on mine, made heat rush to my face. My skin, still damp from the pool, pressed against the cool fabric of my swimsuit, sending chills down my spine.

"It was good," I managed to say, though it came out quieter than I meant..

Justin chuckled. "I can tell you're blushing, even though I can barely see you." He leaned back against the pillows, completely amused. "The bikini worked, didn't it?"

I rolled my eyes, but the smile I was trying to suppress finally broke through.

"I knew he would fold," he said smugly, shaking his head. "He's a man of good taste. I mean look at you. You're hot as fuck!"

I let out a quiet laugh, biting my lip. A moment of silence passed between us, the air shifting slightly. I could feel the gravitational pull between us working overtime.

I hesitated for only a second before looking back at him.

"You know…" I started slowly, my voice softer now. "If you're gonna stay, you could always join me?"

Justin's smirk paused for half a second before returning, sharper this time. He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"Is that an invitation?"

I tilted my head. "Only if you're up for it."

His smirk deepened right before he threw the covers back. "You're really out here making offers you know I can't refuse."

I laughed, a little breathless, and turned toward the bathroom, fully aware of the way his steps followed right behind me.

Inside, I leaned over to turn the tub on while Justin opened the cabinet drawers, searching for bubble bath soap.

"I'm exhausted, and my muscles are killing me. I don't even know how I survived that hike," I admitted, adjusting the faucet settings to find the perfect temperature.

"Yeah, my legs are noodles. I was hoping you'd be on top."

I caught his smirk from the corner of my eye and couldn't tell if he was joking or not. He poured in the soap as we both sat at the edge of the tub, waiting for the water to fill with bubbles.

Once it was about halfway and the temperature felt just right, I reached back to unbuckle my bikini top. But before I could fully take it off, Justin suddenly stood up.

"I'll be back," he said, disappearing from the bathroom before I could ask any questions.

Confused, I kept getting undressed, then slipped into the warm bathtub. The jets pulsed against my sore back, the heat dissolving away my exhaustion. I let myself sink deeper into the water, finally relaxing, until Justin reappeared.

Two glasses, two bottles of wine, and a bottle opener in hand. He set the glasses on the thicker edge of the tub and started opening the first bottle.

"We may or may not have been caught by Dani," he said, laughing.

My eyes, once closed, shot open. "What do you mean may or may not?"

A small smirk tugged at his lips. "She was downstairs getting water when I walked through the kitchen. She saw the two glasses and immediately started questioning me. Then she straight-up told me she better not catch me up here in your room."

I groaned, covering my face with my hands as embarrassment crept in. We were never cautious enough.

Justin chuckled, pouring wine into both glasses before handing me one. As he set the bottle down, his fingers brushed against something, my bikini bottoms.He held them up, an eyebrow raised, his smirk deepening with amusement.

"Nothing?" he asked, with amusement in his voice.

A small smile crept onto my lips as I slowly nodded no.

"Okay," he murmured, setting them down. "Just wanted to make sure."

I brought my glass to my lips, taking a small sip as he started undressing. No matter how many times I'd seen him like this, it always made my heart race, sent tingles across my skin. It was like my body never got used to the sight of him.

Justin set his wine glass next to mine and slipped into the water behind me, pulling me against his chest. His warmth pressed into my back, his arms resting lazily around my waist.

His hands began to roam, gliding up my arms, tracing along my shoulders, skimming down my back. Soft, slow, deliberate. A shiver ran through me, as I began reaching for my wine again.

He did the same, taking a slow sip before leaning in, his lips brushing against the back of my neck.

"So," he whispered, his breath hot against my skin, "was the kiss with Erik everything you dreamed it'd be?"

Before I could even register his words, his mouth trailed lower, finding the sensitive spot where my shoulder met my neck. His kisses deepened, slow and purposeful, sending a pulse of heat straight to my core.

It took me a moment to process what he'd actually asked.

"Oh, uh... yeah," I mumbled, barely able to focus with the way he was touching me.

Justin pulled back slightly, his hands moving to my shoulders, massaging slow and steady.

"But I don't want to talk about that," I said softly.

And I didn't. I just wanted to focus on this. On him.

He let out a low chuckle. "Okay then," he murmured, his lips brushing my ear. "Do you want to talk about where my hands are gonna go next?"

He kissed my neck, lingering just enough to make my breath stop. His hands moved again, trailing over my waist, my stomach, lower.

A quiet gasp escaped me as his fingers found their destination, his touch sending jolts of pleasure through me. My moans became a little louder.

"I love making you moan," he whispered, his pace teasingly slow before he pressed just a little harder.

My grip tightened on the edge of the tub as another soft moan slipped out, my body reacting to every calculated movement. He took his time, reading every reaction, his touch shifting between teasing and deliberate until my breathing grew uneven.

The sensation coiled tighter and tighter, each touch sending waves of heat through me until finally, it snapped, releasing in a flood of pleasure that made me melt against him. My body still trembled as he pressed a lingering kiss to my shoulder, his hand gliding slowly over my skin.

"Better?" he murmured, his voice rich with satisfaction.

I let out a breathy laugh, tilting my head back against his shoulder. "Much."

We lingered in the tub, finishing the bottle of wine as I melted into him once more, sleepiness beginning to take over. Finally I gave up and decided to cut the bath short. We both made our way out of the tub and into the shower. As we showered we chatted about nonsensical things, things about our day and our plans for tomorrow or by now, later today. He helped me wash my hair because at that point, the tiredness and the wine were hitting all at once. 

"You are so tired aren't you?" I could hear the sincerity in his voice. 

I closed my eyes slowly and smiled, "I can barely keep my eyes open." 

I started lathering my body with soap and Justin helped lather my back. We finished showering shortly after. Justin got out first and wrapped himself in a towel, I stepped out and he wrapped me up as well. I dried myself and threw my robe over me. I walked over to the sink and started brushing my teeth when I noticed his toothbrush was there and I couldn't help but laugh. 

"Your toothbrush is here?" I asked him, puzzled. He laughed quietly to himself as he grabbed it and started putting toothpaste on it. 

"Yeah…it's my extra one, I brought it just in case, and look it came in handy." he looked pleased with himself as he brushed his teeth. 

"So you just kneeeeew I was gonna let you stay in my room?" I raised an eyebrow and squinted at him as his smile formed through the motion of the toothbrush. 

"It was a shot in the dark, you're always worth the sleep I lose." he shrugged very earnestly and I smiled as I finished brushing my teeth. 

"You think you're gonna lose sleep tonight?" I teased him playfully. 

He finished brushing his teeth and a mischievous smile grew. 

"I think I have just enough energy left in me for one thing," his voice lowered and we stared at each other briefly. In an instant he threw me over his shoulder and carried me straight to the bed.

"Justin! What the–" I shouted as quietly as I could through my laughter. He placed me gently on the edge of my bed and he couldn't contain his laughter. 

"That was it, that was all the energy I had left in me!" He plopped down next to me, no longer laughing. I leaned my head on his shoulder, feeling more somber than before. 

"I am really tired but…" My voice trailed off as I lifted my head off his shoulder. I took my robe off and I crawled into bed, forgetting to get dressed. Justin followed right after me, slipping under the covers and pulling me into him. His body was warm against mine, his arm draped over my waist as I finally began to relax. 

For a moment we just laid there in comfortable silence, our breathing slow and in sync. His fingers traced back and forth along my arm, and I felt my eyelids grow heavier with each passing second. 

"You're warm," I murmured sleepily, shifting slightly so I could tuck myself even closer to him.

He chuckled, pressing his lips gently on the top of my head. "That's because you stole all the blankets."

I let out a soft laugh, already half-asleep. "You're fine, you have me."

He exhaled, tightening his hold on me. "Yeah… I do." 

The last thing I felt before drifting off was the rise and fall of his chest against my back, his heartbeat a quiet, steady rhythm that lulled me into deep sleep.