Palm trees overshadowed the edges of the pool. Foliage hung from the tops.

It all looked so real.

A bar was at the far end, with stools to sit on in the water.

“It’s useable too.” I could smell the chlorine in the air, feel the humidity from the room, and a second later Mason switched the lights on.

He came up behind me and kissed my cheek. “They’ve been using it for office pool parties and some other events. I think they’ve rented it out a couple times. This is the next big deal in Cain. I thought my dad was going to sell it again, but he got approached by some guys, and changed his mind. It’s smart, if you think about all the sports the university has. That’s a lot of cash flow. James is going to capitalize on that.”

I turned back to him, feeling one of his hands fall to my hip. “And does James know we’re using it?”

Mason shrugged. “I know it’s empty tonight. That’s all that matters.” Then his grin darkened, and before I could register what was going on, I was in the air. I shrieked, and the sounds echoed off the walls. Then I was in the water.

It felt warm and refreshing all at once, and just like that, my inner kid surged out. I kicked off the bottom and broke the surface just in time to see Mason pull his shirt off. His sweatpants were on the floor too, along with his shoes and socks. Then he launched himself over me, sinking into a cannonball so I was splashed all over again.

I waited, my heart picking up pace, but he didn’t come back up. Instead, two hands grabbed my waist and pulled me down.

“Ah!” I yelled when I popped back up, but by then he was at the far end of the pool.

His eyes danced. “Come and get me, Strattan.”

The challenge was on.

I climbed up, pulled off soaking clothes until I was in my bra and underwear, then dove in and was at his side within moments. He dropped below the surface, watching me under the water. I tried to grab him, but he caught my hands and found my waist. He lifted me in the air again, tossing me once more.

I got in a few good dunks when I surprised him, but Mason was strong and quick. I was dunked more often than he was until we’d been swimming for an hour, and our touches started to linger. The grins and laughter turned more serious, more lust-filled, and it wasn’t long before I was pressed against the edge of the pool.

Mason trapped me, his arms on either side and his legs underneath me. I wasn’t even going to attempt to get away. This was exactly where I wanted to be, and I sat down, straddling him instead. I had my hands on the pool’s edge behind me, but I pushed myself forward so my breasts touched him.

He groaned, his eyes almost black with desire. “You’re killing me, Sam.” He nuzzled my neck, just under my jaw and murmured, “They could have cameras.”

“Then turn the lights off,” I whispered, searching for his mouth.

I found it. His lips claimed mine, and a tingle went through me.

I was beginning to ache for him, feeling throbbing between my legs, and I just wanted to feel him. Only him. The rational side of me was turning off quickly. I let go of the edge and wound my arms around him.

“Mason.” I kissed him, feeling his tongue sweep inside.

He groaned, pulling back. “You sure?”

“God, yes.”

He pulled himself up and went over to the panel. A second later, the pool was plunged into darkness, and not long after that I felt his hands on me again. He pulled me into a darker corner of the pool, underneath the butterfly statue, and then his lips found mine.

I raked my hands through his hair, still kissing. I couldn’t get enough of him.

“Sam,” he breathed.

His hand slid down my back, caught my leg, and pulled me tighter against him.

I moaned. The ache was building, and I moved against him, needing to feel more friction. God, he was right there. A quick shift of his boxer briefs, he could tug my underwear to the side, and he’d be in. But he waited. I waited. I was breathing hard, grinding on him.

He kissed down my throat.

His other hand rested at my waist, and he turned me so I was against the edge of the butterfly. I was almost immobile as he continued kissing. Then he tugged my bra, unclipping the back and pulling it completely off. His mouth found my breast, sucking on my nipple.

I gasped, then arched into him.

I clamped my legs more tightly around him.

He kept kissing. He kept caressing. His hand swept between us, and his finger slid inside.

A guttural groan left me. I just wanted him. Like always.

“Mason.” I was damn near begging. I panted.

He kissed me again. Home. That’s how he tasted. My arms went around his neck, and I moved my hips in rhythm with his finger. He slid two more inside, and I was soon riding him.

“I love you.” His words were a teasing caress against my lips, and then he sunk his fingers inside me again.

I kept going, kept feeling him thrust inside of me until I was damn near falling apart in his arms.

“Mason!”

He continued, holding off on his own pleasure until I had mine. I held on. I loved this Mason. His will was iron strong. He always made sure I came first, and when I was a puddle and my bones weren’t firm anymore, he’d slide inside and take me on a whole other ride.

That seemed to be his plan this evening too.

I cried out, feeling my climax rip through me, and then Mason removed the rest of our clothing and sheathed himself inside of me. He pushed in, holding me as his muscles trembled and rippled. He waited, but he didn’t have to wait long. He gave me time to adjust to him. But I didn’t need any of that. I grabbed his ass and began.

I was moving before he was ready.

“Sam!” My name ripped from him.

“Let’s go.” I pushed my hips at him, starting the ride.

“Fuck, yes.” Then he was going with me.

He thrust out, and I went with him. He went deep inside.

Anywhere he went, I was there too. How fast, how slow, it didn’t matter. My heart was a fucking stampede inside of me. Pleasure, desire, lust—it all swirled in me, building into a frenzy until all I could do was beg, plead, and answer any command he made of my body.

I felt he was near, but he held off. He kept thrusting in and out. He was giving me time to match him, to be right with him as he came.

A primal need clambered inside of me. I grabbed his shoulders and urged him to go harder. I wanted it rougher.

“Sam.”

“I want it.” I gritted my teeth, needing something deeper, darker in me.

And then he gave it. He began pounding into me. He grabbed my shoulder. Half of his hand was on my throat, and he held me in place as he pounded into me.

I came undone in his arms and nearly wept as a second climax ripped through me. I felt like I was torn in half, and then Mason came. His body surged one last time, almost crushing me, before he pressed a tender kiss to my shoulder and swept his hand down my arm and side lovingly.

“You okay?”

I nodded. I was more than okay. I touched the side of his face. “I love you.”

His eyes were clouded. I knew he didn’t like to think he hurt me, and this had been rough, but I wanted it. His eyebrows dipped together.

I kissed his lips. “I wanted that.”

He frowned, slightly. “I might’ve hurt you.”

I shook my head. I felt alive. So much alive. I kissed him again and wrapped my entire body around his. He slipped out of me and held me for a moment. We stayed like that, our heartbeats next to each other, until I began shivering. He moved through the pool, carrying me the whole way, and set me on the edge.

“Stay here.”

I wasn’t sure what he was doing. I heard some splashing before he pulled himself up and out behind me. He padded somewhere, then a small light was turned on. It was in the corner of the room, enough for us to see, but not to be seen. I could make him out as he came over, handing me my clothes and some towels.

“I’ll start the Escalade and make sure the heat is on.”

I left my clothes off. They were still wet anyway. Instead I wrapped myself in two large towels. Mason came back in, barefoot in his sweatpants and shirt. He took one look at me and whipped off his shirt. He handed it over.

“Here. It’s something.”

I grinned, pulling it over me. I was more than okay with him driving home shirtless. “You’re going to attract attention from other drivers.”