Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
ELENA
Harper is still talking about some guy from her building. She’s saying something about him being “emotionally constipated but with really good shoulders,” but I’m barely listening.
I’m floating on my back in the warm pool, letting the ceiling lights blur into soft halos overhead.
This was supposed to be a relaxing night.
A normal girls’ night at a nice pool, inside. A pre-cabo thing.
Not…whatever this has become.
I glance toward the lounge chairs where I left my towel.
My phone sits there, screen glowing up at me like an omen.
I blame Harper entirely, but the thing is, I don’t post thirst traps.
I don’t do bikini photos. That’s just never been me.
But Harper had insisted.
“Show off that bod your trainer chiseled for you.”
“And if your ex sees it? Let him choke. Come on. Nothing wrong with showing off your progress.”
So, after contemplating for a few minutes, I finally posted it.
Whatever. It’s just one stupid little picture, after all.
And now?
Random men who ghosted me a year ago are suddenly “Hey stranger”-ing their way into my DMs like cicadas crawling out of the dirt. It’s a bit much for me right now.
I swim to the edge, roll out, and grab my towel.
As I dry my hair with one hand, I check my phone with the other.
That’s when I see it.
There’s a text from Colt.
Not a meme.
Not a joke.
Not a casual “hey.”
No. It’s much more demanding.
Colt: I need to see you. Come tonight. Wear that bikini. 11:30 is good.
I freeze.
Every inch of my skin prickles—like someone has slid warm fingers along my spine.
My mouth goes dry, and my pulse leaps.
Oh God.
He’s never texted me quite like that before.
A slow, dark thrill unfurls low in my stomach.
Because the truth—the one I won’t even say out loud to Harper—is that I like when Colt takes control.
I really like it.
Images spark behind my eyes:
His hands on my waist in the shower.
His mouth at my neck.
His voice against my ear, low and certain, like every word is a command he already knows I’ll obey.
I swallow.
Harper floats by on her back, eyes closed.
“You okay? You look like you just got drafted into the NFL,” she mumbles.
“I—uh—yeah. I’m fine. I just… remember I have something to do tonight.”
She peeks at me through one eye, smirking. “You’re acting weird. Is this about your trainer?”
“No,” I lie instantly, too fast. “So weird that you just asked that.”
She laughs.
“Have fun with your errand, babe.”
Harper knows me too well.
“Okay, fine. He texted me.”
“And you’re going to go, just like that?”
I wrap the towel around my waist and stand. “I mean…one more time before Cabo, right?”
“Hey. I would if I were you.”
My heart is thudding, a reckless percussion.
Because I know exactly what’s happening right now.
I’m going.
I’m absolutely going.
I head to the locker room, replaying his message over and over.
Wear that bikini.
My imagination runs wild.
Heat, lips, the hard press of his body, the way he makes me forget every rule I’ve ever lived by.
I can feel myself getting warm just thinking about it.
By the time I’m dressed, my decision is already made. I type up a response.
Elena: On my way.
I bite my lip. What else is there to say, really?
I’ve never been so curious—or so turned on—in my life.
I want to find out exactly what Colt Evans had in mind. Not to mention figure out what’s been going on with this distance that feels like it has been building up between us.
I step out into the dimly lit hallway, the cool air sending a shiver through me, contrasting sharply with the heat building inside.
My heart races as I make my way toward the exit, anticipation thrumming through my veins.
I can’t shake the feeling that tonight is going to be different—electric, intoxicating.
As I walk, I replay his message again. I need to see you.
Come tonight. Wear that bikini. The words linger in my mind, each syllable igniting a fire within me.
I can’t help but smile at the thought of him waiting for me, the confident glint in his eyes, the way he knows exactly how to push my buttons.
Outside, the night is warm, and a light breeze brushes against my skin as I make my way to my car.
The drive to his place feels like it takes an eternity, my mind racing with possibilities.
What does he want? What’s he planning? A part of me is buzzing with nervous energy, while another part is thrilled at the idea of surrendering to whatever he has in store for me.
When I finally arrive at his building, I take a moment to catch my breath, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety flutter in my stomach.
I grab my bag and make my way up to his apartment, the familiar feeling of stepping into this space washing over me.
It feels like a sanctuary—a place where the world outside fades away, leaving just the two of us.
I knock on the door, my heart pounding in my chest. Moments later, it swings open, revealing Colt, his hair slightly tousled, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
He’s wearing a fitted t-shirt that clings to his body just right, and I can’t help but let my eyes roam over him, taking in the way his muscles ripple beneath the fabric.
“Hey,” he says, his voice low and inviting.
“Hey,” I reply, trying to sound casual, but I can hear the note of breathlessness in my own voice.
Colt’s eyes darken as he takes a step closer, his presence commanding and intense. “Take off your dress,” he orders, his voice low and authoritative.
I blink, taken aback by the sudden shift, but a thrill courses through me. I do as he says, slipping the dress off my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor, revealing the bikini underneath. His gaze roams over me, approving and hungry.
“On your knees,” he commands, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I hesitate for a moment, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, but I comply, sinking to my knees in front of him. The vulnerability of the position sends a rush of heat through me.
He steps closer, his hand reaching down to cup my chin, tilting my head up so I’m looking directly into his eyes. “You look so fucking hot like this,” he growls, his thumb brushing over my lips.
Before I can respond, he unbuckles his belt, the sound of the metal clanking sending a shiver down my spine. He pushes his pants down, revealing his hard length, and I can’t help but gasp at the sight of him.
“Open your mouth,” he orders, his voice thick with desire. “I want you with just the bikini on. Something so…casual about that.”
I do as he says, parting my lips, and he guides himself into my mouth, his fingers tangling in my hair.
The sensation of him filling me, the taste of him, sends waves of pleasure coursing through me.
I take him deeper, my hands gripping his thighs for support as he begins to move, thrusting into my mouth with a commanding rhythm.
“God, you feel so good,” he murmurs, his voice ragged. “You look so fucking sexy like this.”
I moan around him, the sound vibrating through my body, intensifying the sensation. He continues to thrust, his grip on my hair tightening, controlling every movement. I can feel the tension building, the heat between us growing more intense with each passing second.
Suddenly, he pulls back, his breath ragged as he looks down at me, his eyes filled with raw desire. “Stand up,” he commands, and I quickly comply, my body trembling with anticipation.
He reaches out, his fingers tracing the edge of my bikini top before pulling it down, revealing my breasts. His eyes darken with lust as he takes a moment to admire me, his hands cupping my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my nipples.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Elena,” he growls, his voice thick with need.
With a swift motion, he rips the bikini bottoms off, the sound of the fabric tearing sending a thrill through me. Before I can react, he grabs my wrists, pulling them above my head as he leads me to the bed. He chains my wrists to the headboard, the cold metal sending a shiver down my spine.
“Spread your legs,” he orders, his voice low and commanding.
I comply, my heart racing as I feel the vulnerability of the position, the excitement of being completely at his mercy. He steps back, his eyes roaming over me, appreciative and hungry.
“You have no idea how much I’ve wanted this,” he murmurs, his voice thick with desire. “How much I’ve wanted to fuck you like this.”
With that, he climbs onto the bed, positioning himself between my legs. He enters me with one swift, powerful thrust, filling me completely. I gasp, the sensation overwhelming, as he begins to move, his hips driving into me with a fierce, commanding rhythm.
“God, you feel so good,” he growls, his voice ragged. “So fucking tight.”
I moan, the sound escaping my lips as he continues to thrust, each movement sending waves of pleasure coursing through me. The chains above my head rattle with the force of his movements, the sound of our bodies coming together filling the room.
“You’re mine,” he growls, his voice thick with possession. “All mine.”
The intensity of his words, the raw need in his voice, sends me spiraling closer to the edge. I can feel the tension building, the heat between us growing more intense with each passing second.
“Come for me,” he commands, his voice low and urgent. “I want to feel you come around me.”
And with those words, I shatter, waves of pleasure crashing over me as I cry out his name, his lips on my breasts. He continues to thrust, his movements becoming more urgent, more demanding, until he finds his own release, filling me completely.
As we come down from the high, our breaths ragged, our bodies slick with sweat, he leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “You’re incredible,” he murmurs, his voice thick with satisfaction.
As the world around us begins to settle, I feel the warmth of Colt’s body beneath me, his heartbeat steady against my ear. I let out a contented sigh, a wave of bliss washing over me as I nestle deeper into his chest, my body still humming from the intensity of our encounter.
His fingers gently stroke my hair, the soft caress lulling me into a sense of peace.
I can’t help but smile, the memory of what just happened replaying in my mind like a captivating movie.
The thrill of surrendering to him, the heat of his touch, and the way he completely consumed me—it’s all a heady mix that makes my heart race even now.
With a soft yawn, I let my eyes flutter closed, feeling the exhaustion of the night creeping in. I’ve never felt so utterly spent yet completely satisfied. Safe.
“Hey,” Colt whispers, his voice low and soothing. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I mumble, my voice muffled against his skin. “Just tired.”
“Sleep,” he murmurs, his fingers continuing to thread through my hair. “I’ve got you.”
The sound of his voice, combined with the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, is like a lullaby. I feel myself succumbing to the warmth and comfort, drifting off into a peaceful slumber. It’s a new sensation for me—being so vulnerable yet feeling so secure at the same time.
As I drift into sleep, I can hear him chuckling softly, the sound reverberating through his chest. “You’re going to be the death of me, you know that?”
I smile in my sleep, my subconscious registering his words. I don’t know what tomorrow holds or how this will change everything between us, but for now, in this moment, I’m exactly where I want to be—wrapped in his arms, lost in the warmth of his embrace.
And as the darkness envelops me, I know that whatever comes next, I’m ready to face it. With this man by my side.