Page 68 of Missing Pieces (Men of Manhattan 3)

We came to a stop alongside the biggest pool I had ever seen. The biggest, emptiest pool. There was caution tape around the pool, but it still looked like it was functioning. A fountain in the center of it was lit up majestically. It was beautiful.

She lifted up the caution tape and ducked beneath it.

"Hails, I don't think we're supposed to go under that."

"I'm sure we're not." She kicked off her shoes and smiled at me.

I laughed. "I don't think this is a good idea."

"What? Are you chicken?" She stepped toward the edge of the pool. "What's the worst that could happen? You're already on the run from the cops."

I laughed as I ducked under the caution tape. "So we're in the heart of Vegas and all you want to do is go for a swim?"

She nodded. She looked so pretty in the glow emanating off the pool lights. It almost felt like I was dreaming. The most beautiful girl I had ever laid my eyes on wanted me. This had to be a dream.

"What are you so scared of?" she asked with a seductive smile.

Falling for you. But in my head I knew it was too late. I didn't want to say goodbye to this girl tomorrow. I couldn't even imagine it. No one would ever make me feel this whole again. I'm pretty sure I had already fallen. I swallowed down the lump in my throat. Fuck.

"I dare you," she said with smile.

"Oh, well in that case." I walked over to the edge of the pool beside her. "And since you lied during truth or dare..." I grabbed her hand and jumped into the water, pulling her in with me.

Her laughter was drowned out by the sound of us splashing into the water. I had never swam in shoes before and definitely not a suit and bowtie. When I emerged from the water, I was greeted by her smiling face.

"I was actually going to say we should skinny dip," she said as she wrapped her arms around the back of my neck and hitched her legs around my hips. "But this is way better."

"Especially since your dress is virtually see-through when it's wet."

"What?" she said with a laugh as she looked down at the front of her dress. "Oh my God."

I hadn't been lying. You could clearly see her nipples through the tight red fabric.

She pressed herself more firmly against my torso to help hide herself. "I have a confession to make."

I slid my hands to her ass. "And what is that?"

"I don't think Vegas is really for me. I like wearing jeans and tank tops. And watching a movie or reading a book at night. This place is insane. And I really just wanted to come out here because it's way too bright inside."

God this girl was perfect for me. "I agree with all of that. Except I'd probably be wearing sweatpants and no shirt."

She smiled. "I think I could get used to that."

And her words broke my heart a little. Because I could get used to it too. I wanted to come home to her every day.

"Tyler?" she said, batting her wet eyelashes.

"Hailey?"

She smiled. "You do realize that whenever we both get wet we end up in each other's arms?"

"I've noticed."

"I don't want tonight to end." She pressed her forehead against mine. "I just want to stay in this moment forever. I want to stop time."

I took a deep breath. "Me too." God, me too.

"Then let me change your mind." She pulled her face away from mine. Her eyes had suddenly grown teary. And it killed me. Because I wanted her to be able to. I wanted to be able to hold on to her. But I couldn't be that selfish. I would never do that to her.

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