The night had softened, but the backyard still hummed with leftover laughter and faint music. Most of the guests had drifted inside, leaving only a few scattered around the glowing pool. The air smelled of wet grass and chlorine, and the occasional breeze carried a hint of something warmer — her own racing heartbeat.
Ava sat at the edge of the pool, her legs dipping into the water, trying to steady herself. She couldn't stop thinking about the kiss in the pool, the way Nicholas's lips had pressed against hers, the way his presence made her feel like the world had shrunk down to just the two of them.
He had disappeared for a few minutes after that, leaving her with only her thoughts. Now, standing at the top of the deck, she saw him leaning against the railing, arms crossed, watching the water. His damp hair clung to his forehead, his shirt sticking to his shoulders. The kind of view that shouldn't make her heart race, and yet it did.
She tried to look away, to pretend she wasn't paying attention, but Nicholas's eyes found hers instantly. That same unreadable expression she'd seen a thousand times before — half amusement, half something darker.
"You're still here," he said softly, his voice low and careful, as if speaking too loudly would shatter the fragile tension between them.
"I could say the same for you," she replied, heart pounding.
Nicholas took a slow step toward her, closing the distance until the warmth from his body reached her, and the faint scent of him — chlorine, soap, something sharp and magnetic — made her chest tighten.
"You know," he murmured, leaning slightly closer, "you make it impossible to forget you."
Ava's breath caught. "I'm not trying to—"
"Stop?" he interrupted, voice rougher than before. "Don't bother. You don't get to stop anything. Not me, not this."
The air between them grew heavier, charged with something neither wanted to name. For a heartbeat, Ava thought about stepping back, about retreating to safety. But she didn't. Her legs froze, her hands pressed lightly against the cool pool deck, and she realized she didn't want to move away — not from him.
Then, from somewhere behind her, a soft thump echoed — someone returning from the house, a faint laugh carrying across the deck. Nicholas noticed too. He glanced briefly over his shoulder, then back at her, eyes darkening.
"Come on," he said, voice low. "We shouldn't be here."
He started to guide her along the narrow side of the deck toward the house, walking close enough for her to feel every movement of his body. The music and laughter faded as they slipped into the quieter hallway, away from the remaining guests. The walls were close, the space tight, and Ava realized with a jolt that there was nowhere to step aside.
Nicholas stopped, the world narrowing to just the two of them. He leaned against the wall on one side, she pressed gently against the other. The dim overhead light traced the curve of his face, the tension in his shoulders.
Her pulse pounded so hard she was sure he could hear it.
"You know," he murmured, voice barely audible, "I can't stop thinking about that kiss."
Ava's throat went dry. "Nicholas…"
He didn't wait for her to finish. His hand brushed against hers — tentative at first, but his fingers lingered, guiding her closer. Her breath caught in her chest as their bodies aligned, hearts hammering in unison.
"I shouldn't—" she began.
"I know," he whispered, cutting her off. "But neither of us can pretend anymore."
And then his lips were on hers. Slow. Intentional. The world melted around her, the hallway shrinking until all that existed was the heat between them, the press of his chest against hers, the undeniable pull that made her knees weak.
Ava's hands found his shoulders, gripping lightly as if to anchor herself. Nicholas deepened