Page 4 of Under the Lights (The Big Boys of BRU #2)

Four

Dom

We resurfaced, sputtering, and just stared at each other for a moment, grinning like idiots. I blinked the water out of my eyes, and Sierra pushed her hair out of her face.

Her legs had automatically wrapped around my waist, my arm around the small of her back, while I ran my free hand over my face.

“You’re out of your mind.” She licked her lips, beads of water glistening on her eyelashes.

I winked at her. “Heard that one before.”

“Doesn’t surprise me.”

I was a total sucker for her feisty, prickly attitude. There was something unapologetic about her, like a goddess who didn’t trouble herself with the mundane concerns of mere mortals. Well, I would gladly worship at her altar.

She could be my Goddess, my Aphrodite.

The city lights sparkled behind her silhouette as I waded slowly through the water to the edge of the infinity pool. Her skin was warm against mine, soft in a way that made it difficult to focus on much else.

Thank God the water was heated — without it, the night air might’ve been too brisk.

Even after a sunny day, the mountain breeze had a bite to it. It wasn’t sharp, just different. Cleaner than what I was used to near the Georgia coast, where the humidity clung like a second skin and never really let go.

Up here the air moved more freely. It made the moment feel suspended, like we weren’t just a few stories up but somewhere else entirely.

She glanced up at me with wide, curious eyes, and something in my chest shifted.

I hadn’t planned on this. I didn’t even know what this was yet — but the way she fit against me? The way her breath caught when I adjusted my grip?

It was starting to stick.

Not just attraction. Not just interest.

Something deeper. Slower . Something that felt like the beginning of a problem I didn’t want to solve.

I tightened my grip slightly. No way in hell was I letting go yet.

Sierra’s fingers entwined behind my neck, her tits pushed against my chest, and I had to force myself not to pounce on her right then and there. My dick definitely had no qualms in this regard; the motherfucker was already throbbing behind my zipper.

Who was I kidding? I had been half hard from the moment I laid eyes on her in the bar.

She cast a slightly skeptical glance my way. “Now what?”

“Now…” I spun us around so she could enjoy the view, leaning against the pool wall. “We bask in tranquility.”

“Seriously? Bask in tranquility ?”

“Kinda seems like you should probably do this a lot more often.” I covered her lips with mine just as she was about to retort indignantly.

“Shut up,” I said gently, as I pulled away from her again, trying to ignore the perfect angle I had to see down the neckline of her dress. “Just look at it. Just — look .”

Sierra gave a reluctant huff but finally shifted her gaze over my shoulder to take in the twinkling lights behind us.

“It’s not the real ocean, but a sea of lights ain’t half bad, right?”

We both fell silent for a long moment. The expression on her face changed almost imperceptibly, her features softening. Her blue eyes, as deep and as dark as the open sea, sparkled in the dim light.

The breeze skimmed across the surface of the water, cool against our skin. Her damp hair clung to her shoulders, a few strands drifting against my chest. That’s when her scent hit me — soft, floral, and delicate.

Not strong, but unmistakable. Like wildflowers after rain.

It curled in my lungs and took root somewhere low and primal.

It wasn’t just that she smelled good; it was that she smelled like that. Sweet and fresh and untouchable, and yet she was right here in my arms, trusting me to hold her. Her skin against mine. Her breath near my throat.

Mine .

The thought was immediate. Fierce.

I hadn’t earned that yet, but God, I wanted to. Not just for tonight. Not just because of the way she looked in the water or the way her voice curled around a challenge.

Because whatever this was, it had already started to sink its teeth into me.

And I wasn’t sure I wanted it to let go.

“I have to agree with that.”

I gasped, holding up a hand dramatically. “Wait, wait … you’re doing what now?”

She rolled her eyes, and I tucked my tongue into my cheek to hold back my grin.

“You heard me. Maybe I should just sit back and enjoy the view more often,” Sierra admitted.

“You should see my view.”

Her eyebrows furrowed briefly, then she pursed her lips in mock disapproval. “So corny.”

“Doesn’t make it any less true. You ain’t seen nothing yet, I’ll show you corny.”

The corner of Sierra’s mouth twitched. “Fire away. It can’t get much worse.”

“It’s a good thing I have my library card on me because I’m totally checking you out.”

She groaned, but the corner of her mouth twitched again. “That was awful . Really, your library card?”

I jerked my head in the direction of my clothes, which I had left behind. “If you’re good, I’ll show it to you later.”

“Naughty.” She wagged her eyebrows, and a chuckle escaped her, one that surprised even her — it was hook, line, and sinker.

I would do anything to hear that sound again, over and over. Addicted didn’t quite do it justice. I craved more, my brain instantly working overtime to figure out all the ways I could make her laugh again.

“You have no idea.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off her, staring at her intently, and watched the heat flare up in her dark blue eyes. The flames dancing in her eyes seemed to spray sparks that leapt onto my skin.

Her thumbs began to play with the hair at the nape of my neck, seemingly involuntarily, and our breathing became more rapid.

The tension ignited, exploding like a powder keg. Our lips collided, her tongue flicking out, tangling with mine in a passionate dance.

My hand slid down, sliding under her dress. I palmed her ass cheek, my fingers sinking into the luscious flesh.

Goddamn, that ass was plump like a peach.

A groan escaped my lips, swallowed by our wild kiss as she bit my lip. Her hands moved to my jaw, cupping my face, stirring a flutter in my chest. Sierra didn’t just kiss me; she rewired my entire fucking being.

I felt lightheaded; all the blood seemed to have rushed south, my dick throbbing almost painfully. We broke apart for a moment, panting, both of us breaking into a small chuckle before I lowered my head and attacked her throat.

She let out a wild moan, and I couldn’t help but grin against her skin. “Look at you, Darlin’, letting go and all.”

“Shut up.”

“Aw, Darlin’, you’re still so tense. That won’t do. I think you’re gonna need to relax. Let me give you a hand.“

“Shut. Up.” She growled adorably. I traced a hot, wet path up her neck with my mouth, sucking and nipping along the way, hoping to leave a mark.

“Always had trouble with that,” I murmured between open-mouthed kisses. Sierra arched into me, rocking her pussy against my cock.

“Doesn’t surprise me.” She sounded breathless.

I coaxed a whimper out of her when I bucked up my hips, giving her the friction she obviously needed but was probably too proud to ask for.

I licked along the side of her neck. ”Does that mean I get to keep you?”

“What?” Confusion resonated in her voice.

“I licked you,” I said, grinning against her skin. “Doesn’t that mean you’re mine now?”

She started to pull back, but I wasn’t done. “In kindergarten, I used to lick my cookies so no one else would take them. Claimed them. So…” I glanced up at her, a mischievous glint in my eye. “Can I keep you?”

“You’re terrible.” Her hand went into my hair, gripping to pull my mouth away from her neck with just enough pressure to feel like a tease.

“There you go, Darlin’. Just makes me even harder for you.”

I expected her to let go or hurl another cutting quip at me. But she surprised me. Tightening her grip, she actually created a painful tug on my scalp and managed to pry me away from her.

I raised my eyebrows, knowing that a feral smile graced my lips. The expression on her face was indecipherable for a moment, then she pulled my head back a little further.

“Your room. Now.”

I gripped her face, my fingers digging slightly into her cheeks, causing her eyes to widen and snap up to meet mine. “Ask nicely.”

Sierra’s breath hitched, her pulse jumped in her throat, and she swallowed thickly. “Please take me to your room.”

“Whatever you desire, Darlin’.”

With steps far too slow, I waded to the other end of the pool and climbed out, water dripping noisily from us. My feet slapped wetly on the tiles as we walked over to our scattered belongings.

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed behind us, followed by a deep voice shouting, “Hey, you! You’re not allowed here! Didn’t you read the sign?”

Sierra and I exchanged a quick glance before I hurriedly put her on her feet.

“Stay where you are!” The voice boomed, much closer.

“Fuck this.” I hissed under my breath before quickly gathering our things, grabbing her hand, and pulling her with me towards the door through which we had come.

Now was not the time to cause a scandal — my future coach would certainly hold this against me.

Our wet feet slapped against the tiles as we ran hand-in-hand back through the heavy door into the hallway, her long legs nearly able to match my pace.

“613!” I whispered-shouted to her as we dashed down the long hallway.

A breathless giggle sounded behind me, and, looking over my shoulder, I almost tripped over my own feet. Joy filled her entire face — unbridled, sincere, mesmerizing joy. She was radiant.

Her golden-blonde hair hung damp around her impossibly striking face. High cheekbones, dusted with a faint flush, framed sharp, bright eyes beneath thick lashes. Her lips curved just enough to hold a hint of mischief, even in that moment of pure happiness.

God help me.