Page 46 of Chasing Sunsets

The sun is starting to set, casting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The pool glows under the lights strung along the railing, the water still and inviting.

As if on cue, Amiya calls out from inside, “All right, enough baby cuddles. Who’s getting in the pool?”

A round of agreement follows, and within minutes, the girls have all filed outside and are peeling off layers, heading for the water.

I glance over just in time to see Tabby pulling her sundress over her head, revealing the black bikini underneath.

My mouth goes dry.

She catches my look and smirks.

I shake my head, laughing as I stand and tug my shirt off.

She winks, then turns and dives straight into the pool.

Water splashes up, cool and sharp against my skin. By the time she surfaces, I’m already moving, slipping into the water and catching her around the waist before she can swim away.

She gasps, laughing, her hands bracing against my shoulders. “Anson—”

I cut her off with a kiss, slow and deep, my fingers digging into her hips under the water.

Her laughter fades, replaced with a soft moan.

Noticing the rest of the group has gone silent, I look up to see all their eyes on us.

And right then, I know …

I’m in deep.

Tabby

The pool shimmers with the light of the moon and the stars reflecting on the water as I float on my back, allowing the coolness to seep into my skin. The night air is thick with the scent of chlorine and remains heavy with humidity despite the late hour.

Laughter echoes around me, voices overlapping as the others splash and joke. Amiya and Avie are floating near the edge, wineglasses in hand, while Lennon and Wade attempt to dunk each other like overgrown kids.

And Anson …

Anson is chaos in the form of broad shoulders and reckless amusement, his deep laugh carrying over the water as he grabs Leia by the waist and effortlessly tosses her into the deep end. She shrieks, but when she surfaces, she’s grinning.

“Do it again!” she calls, slicking her dark hair back.

Anson smirks, treading water with ease. “Again? You’re going to wear this old man out.”

Leia rolls her eyes, but before she can protest, Lennon comes up behind her, lifts her up, and throws her again.

I watch from where I float, weightless and content, my fingers trailing through the water. I can’t remember the last time I did this—just played. Just existed in the moment without worrying about what comes next.

It’s … nice.

A shadow falls over me, and I open my eyes just in time to see Anson drifting closer, an unmistakable glint in his gaze.

“You look way too relaxed,” he muses.

I arch a brow. “Is that a problem?”

“Maybe.”

He smirks, reaching beneath the water. Before I can react, his hand wraps around my ankle, tugging me gently but firmly toward him. I yelp, twisting in the water to glare at him, but he’s already laughing.

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