The moment the Uber pulls up to the apartment, all hope of talking myself out of this vanishes. Noah's building towers above me like a flashing danger sign, warning me to take my tenuous self-preservation and go home, but like a fool, I ignore it.

I step out of the Uber and onto the cold, quiet street. A thick fog hangs low in the air, typical for San Francisco at this time but not exactly conducive to outdoor swimming. I pull my jacket around me and dash into the lobby.

"Good evening," the concierge says.

I smile at him en route to the staircase. "Good evening."

The lobby is empty, no sign of Natalia or Addy, which means they must already be in the apartment. I open the door to the staircase, about to run up the steps when a lack of common sense compels me to take the elevator instead.

It's a risky move – one that could end in disaster if I'm seen – but if I'm honest, part of me hopes that catching them together will snap me out of this spell he put me under. I'll see he was lying, that it wasn't so different with me after all, and I can finally focus on the only thing that matters: swimming.

The elevator indicator runs through the floors, inching ever close to Noah's. My heart pounds harder, a thumping fist against the walls of my chest. Now that I'm here, potentially seconds from detection, it hits me how much seeing them together would hurt. I hold my breath as the number reaches eight, stuttering momentarily as if the doors might slide open before continuing upward. 

By the time I reach the rooftop, it's almost eight. I step onto the patio and head to the gazebo, stripping to my swimsuit. It's chilly tonight, far colder than it's been all week, so every inch of clothing removed feels like torture.

Shivering, I fold my clothes and rest them on a lounger before turning around, surprised to find Noah in the hot tub. His eyes are closed, and he's reclining in the bubbling water, his muscular arms stretched out along the tub as the steam casts an ethereal haze around him.

As though he senses my presence, his eyes flick open and settle on mine. The cynic in me half expects Natalia's head to emerge from the water, caught in some lewd act, but as far as I can tell, he's alone.

I step closer, and Noah's gaze deepens, taking in my swimsuit. It's the tattered blue one I'd worn on the yacht – my others are in the laundry – and it's barely holding together, but you wouldn't know it to look at him; something about this swimsuit excites him.

I feel a blush creep up my neck when he reaches my thighs, resisting the urge to cover myself. Only on this rooftop, away from the world, will I admit that his gaze exhilarates me.

The thought elicits a strong desire to punish him. Not just for being stupid enough to follow this curse but for making me feel this way. For making me powerless. I was fine before I met him, happy to keep to myself, and now I'm a mess.

Ignoring him, I walk toward the shallow end, feeling his gaze follow me. The frigid water sends a chill through my body as I dip my toe in, followed by the rest of my body.

Despite the cold, it's a beautiful night. To my left, the city skyline stretches before me, the bright lights of the skyscrapers glimmering in the distance. I tilt my back my head, taking in the thousands of flickering stars, which somehow remind me of Noah.

Knowing he's watching, I turn to the deep end and start my first lap. It's strange – I've done this in front of him hundreds of times, but tonight feels different. Sexual.

I catch glimpses of him through stolen breaths, noting the rigidness of his jawline. His gaze is transfixed, trained on my body like I'm performing a strip tease, and what's worse is I'm enjoying it. Swimming faster, I feel my muscles tense and flex with each stroke. I make it to the deep end without a hint of panic, catching the glimmer of pride in his eye as I return to the shallow end.

Refusing to be ignored any longer, Noah rises to his feet, emerging from the hot tub like a dripping Greek God before lowering himself into the pool. He wades toward me until he's almost waist-deep, close enough now that I can feel his desire like a tangible entity. What's worse, mine too.

In one quick step, he closes the remaining distance between us, his breath a light whisper on my skin. "You're sexy as hell, Blue," he says. "You know that?"

Heat lashes my cheeks until I'm forced to look away, determined to hide his effect on me. "It's the night before a meet – shouldn't you be busy with Natalia?"

When I look back, his eyes have darkened, which is how I know what Natalia said is true. Not that it should matter – I'd known Noah a week by the time of his first meet – but hearing about his escapades only reminds me how different we are and how badly I'm liable to get hurt.

"I haven't hooked up with Nat in weeks," he says. "Or anyone, for that matter." He leans closer, making my heart flutter. "You're the only one I'm interested in, Blue."

I back away slowly until my back hits the ledge, leaving me with nowhere to hide. "You shouldn't be. We're friends."

He moves until he's right in front of me, careful not to touch me. "If that's the case, why do you care who I sleep with?"

I mean to say I don't but I end up saying, "Because."

His palms grab the concrete either side of my shoulders, trapping me under his weight. With a tilt of his head, he lowers his gaze, his blue eyes darker than ever. "Because what?"

I close my eyes and think of what to say. What can I say? That I'm jealous? That I don't want his attention on Natalia because I want it on me? That would be stupid. Reckless.

Insane.

Lowering his head, Noah lets his mouth brush the curve of my ear, his breath hard and rough. "I need you to tell me what you want from me," he mutters, "because you're driving me insane, Blue."

My lungs burn, and for the briefest of moments, I think of my dream earlier, of the way I'd been desperate to know how he felt, if only for a moment. That's what I want.

To kiss him.

I press my hands on his chest and look him in the eye. I tell myself it's to push him away, to put some much-needed distance between us, but really, it's because I want to touch him.

His hand covers mine before I can chicken out. Eyes dark, he guides my palm down the length of his torso, over every hard muscle. His skin is hot, dampened with a sheen of water that allows my fingers to glide over him like silk. With my pulse racing, I press a little harder, trailing my fingertips over his skin until I reach the waistband of his trunks.

His eyes shutter closed. "You're torturing me, Blue."

"Good."

They open again, and he grabs my hips, seconds from losing control. For a moment, I stare back at him, imagining all the things that I shouldn't, like maybe kissing doesn't have to mean letting him in; maybe, for now, it's enough to let go.

I don't think about anything else now, not the fear of what this means or what happens tomorrow, not even his fingers as they tighten on my waist. With my breath held tight, I reach up and wrap my arms around his shoulders, surrendering.

The last of Noah's resolve snaps. In one swift move, he lifts me up and places me on the ledge, forcing me to look at him. He cups my face, allowing his thumb to brush across my lips as he presses his mouth to my ear. "Open your legs for me, Blue."

Somewhere through the haze, I hear his command and part them the tiniest inch. Clearly unsatisfied, he takes my thighs, prying them apart until he's able to slot between them. I wrap them around him, my fingers imprinting on his lean, solid back as I use him to keep me steady.

Warm.

The wind picks up, and I feel its effect almost instantly. So does Noah, who lightly runs his thumb across my breast, grazing my hardened nipple. With his mouth to my ear, he lets out his own ragged breath. "The things I want to do to you, Blue."

I let out a breath, succumbing to the urge to feel his mouth against mine, and reach up to kiss him. He shifts his head, grazing his lips along my jaw. "Not yet," he murmurs, intoxicated. "Let me savor you."

Eyes closed, everything else seems to fade to oblivion, leaving only his touch: his hand gently runs down the length of my throat, slipping between the concave of my breasts and down to my hips. His lips press against the hollow of my collarbone, so light, it's almost torture. He was right; he's savoring me.

I tilt back my head, trembling beneath his tongue. He kisses my jaw, his hands instinctively grabbing my waist, and I don't know whether it's the heat of his mouth or his fast-roaming fingers, but all of a sudden, I can't think straight. Maybe that's a good thing – maybe when you think too much, obsess too much, Noah Atterwood unravels you completely.

"Come here, Blue." His voice is low and raspy, his eyes filled with unadulterated filth. He pulls me toward him, locking me safely in his arms. "I need more of you," he murmurs, and without wasting a second, he lowers his head to kiss me.

A/N

Hey guys! It's my birthday today, so I thought I'd gift you with a surprise update! 🎁 Next chapter should still hopefully be out tomorrow.

Comment a heart if you enjoyed! ❤️