Chapter 9: Bare Under the Lights

Cody POV

I’m still jumpy from last night at the bar when my phone buzzes. I’m sprawled on my couch, picking at a bag of chips. The screen lights up. Ryan. “My place. Pool. Now.” My heart skips. I sit up fast, crumbs falling off my shirt. My hands shake a little as I text back, “On my way.” I grab my keys, slip on my sneakers, and head out. The night’s warm, sticky. I hop on a bus, leg bouncing the whole ride. That guy at the bar, the smashed bottle, Ryan’s arm around me—it’s all stuck in my head. I need to see him. Bad.

His mansion looms big when I get there. White walls glow under floodlights. I ring the bell, stomach flipping. The door swings open. Ryan’s there, grinning, already shirtless. Black briefs hug his hips, showing off every line of his toned, tanned body. My mouth goes dry. He steps back, peeling them off slow. They hit the deck with a soft thud. He’s naked now, all of him right there. My eyes can’t move. “Your turn,” he says, smirking, then dives into the glowing pool. Water splashes loud, blue light dancing on his skin.

I kick off my shoes, heart pounding. My shirt comes off quick. Jeans next. Boxers last. They pile up messy on the ground. I’m skinny, pale next to him, blond hair sticking to my forehead already. I jump in after him. The water’s warm, wrapping around me. He swims up fast, laughing, and grabs me. We wrestle, splashing wild. His hands slip on my arms, slick and strong. Our skin slides together, wet and hot. I push back, giggling, but he’s bigger. He wins, pinning me against the pool edge. My back hits the tiles. I’m panting, water dripping down my face.

He’s close now. Real close. I feel him, hard, brushing against me underwater. My breath catches. I’m hard too. He presses in, chest on mine. His hands grip my waist, firm and warm. His lips find mine, slow this time. Not like the bar. Soft. His tongue traces my lips, teasing gentle. I open up, kissing back. It’s deep, quiet. My hands land on his shoulders, holding tight. Water laps around us, soft waves from our moving.

He pulls back a little. “Scared of this?” he asks, voice soft. His eyes lock on mine, dark and serious. Water beads on his lashes.

I nod, swallowing hard. “Of you breaking me.” It slips out, shaky and true. My chest feels tight, like it’s cracking open.

His fingers move, trailing up my chest. Slow. They find my nipple, thumb brushing it light. I shiver, gasping soft. “I’d never,” he says, quiet but sure. His hand stays there, warm on my skin. I believe him. I want to.

We shift closer. His leg slides between mine. Our hips rock together, needy. I feel him, hard and hot, rubbing against me through the water. I whimper, can’t help it. My hands grab his back, nails digging in a little. He groans, low and rough. We grind slow, wet and desperate. The water makes it slick, easy. My head tips back, mouth open. He kisses my neck, sucking light. Heat pools in my belly. I want more, but this is enough. Almost too much.

We slow down, breathing hard. He pulls me off the edge. We float together, arms around each other. My legs tangle with his. Water holds us up, gentle. I rest my head on his chest, ear to his heartbeat. It’s fast, like mine. His fingers play with my hair, wet and messy. I close my eyes, feeling him. Bare. Real. “You’re good,” he whispers, lips brushing my forehead.

“You too,” I say back, voice small. My hand rests on his stomach, feeling the muscle there. He’s solid, safe. We drift quiet for a bit. The pool glows soft, blue light on our skin. My heart’s full, heavy. I’m scared still, but it’s okay. He’s here.

He shifts, pulling me tighter. “Wish we could stay like this,” he says. His voice is low, sleepy.

“Me too,” I say, smiling against him. My fingers trace his side, slow and light. He shivers, laughing soft. It’s perfect. Us. Naked and close. Nothing between us.

We climb out slow, water dripping off us. I’m shivering now, air cool on my wet skin. He grabs towels from a chair, tossing me one. I wrap it around my waist, watching him dry off. His body’s all lines and shadows, too good to be real. He catches me staring, grins big. “Like what you see?” he teases.

“Yeah,” I say, blushing hard. He steps close, towel low on his hips. His hand brushes my arm, warm again. My breath hitches. He leans in, kissing me quick. Sweet. I melt a little, leaning back into him. “You’re gonna kill me,” I mumble.

“Good way to go,” he says, chuckling. We stand there, dripping, grinning like idiots. My legs feel weak. My whole body’s buzzing. He’s so close I feel his heat through the towel. I want to pull him back in the pool. Or inside. Anywhere.

Then lights flash. Bright. Fast. Through the window by the pool. Headlights. Ryan’s towel slips, falling to his feet. He freezes, eyes wide. My stomach drops hard. Someone’s here.