HER AND MIR'S classes ended around 6pm, so they hurried home to freshen up and change. "Welcome, girls," Bims greeted them as they walked in.

She had already packed a bag with their swimsuits.

"Did you pack creams and brushes?" Nora asked, rummaging through the bag.

"Yes. These are the things I bought," Bims said, gesturing toward some clothes laid out on the bed.

Nora picked up one of the items, holding it between her fingers. It was a tangled web of strings. "A bikini?" she asked, raising a brow.

"Yes. I couldn't find regular swimsuits," Bims replied with a casual shrug. Since she didn't have late classes like the others, Bims had taken it upon herself to shop for their swimwear.

"Well, it's late, so no one will see us," Mir reasoned with a shrug.

Nora wasn't so sure. No one will see us? she thought skeptically. What about the three guys we're going with? She glanced at Bims, surprised by how unbothered she seemed. Of the three of them, Bims was usually the most modest and the least comfortable revealing her body.

"Okay, let's get packed up. The guys are already on their way," Mir announced, glancing at her phone.

By the time the boys arrived, it was already past 7 PM, and the sky had gone dark. Nora ended up riding with Nate, Bims with Graig, and Mir with Dave. The drive to the hotel took longer than expected, stretching into what felt like an eternity. Nora watched the city lights blur outside the window, her nerves buzzing slightly.

When Nate finally pulled into a large, gated compound with tall, elegant buildings, she let out a breath.

"Wow, this is beautiful," she whispered, taking in the grandeur of the place.

Nate smiled, his hand brushing lightly against hers. "Just wait till you see the inside."

Nora gaped at the pool, mesmerized by the serene beauty before her. The water glowed with soft, ambient light, casting ripples of illumination along the building walls. Rubber tubes drifted lazily on the surface, beckoning her to jump in. Every part of her itched to dive into the cool water.

The boys had booked three rooms since the drive back would be too long, and it was already late. The girls retreated to one of the rooms to change into their bikinis.

"What do we do?" Nora asked, panic creeping into her voice. The thought of spending the night in the same room as Nate made her uneasy. She wasn't sure she trusted herself to resist temptation.

"Relax." Bims waved off her worry. "The same way we came in here to change, that's how we'll come back after swimming. Then we'll lock the door and sleep here. Easy."

Nora nodded, letting out a sigh of relief. "That's a good idea, Bims." She gave her friend a thumbs-up before glancing over at Mir.

Mir's expression was flat, her lips pressed into a tight line. It was clear she wasn't thrilled about the plan, but she didn't say anything. Nora suspected that Mir didn't want to bail on them and seem disloyal.

Could it be that she and Dave have already slept together? The thought flickered in Nora's mind. Mir hadn't mentioned anything, and Nora hadn't asked. She decided to let it go—if Mir wanted to share, she would do so in her own time. For now, all Nora could do was watch how things played out.

Nora's bikini was a vibrant green, complementing her smooth skin. Mir wore a striking red, and Bims had opted for a classic black. Nora spent a good while in front of the mirror, twisting and turning to inspect herself from every angle.

"You're fine, Nor. Don't blind the poor mirror," Bims teased, rolling her eyes.

Nora responded by flipping her friend off.

"She's right, though," Mir added with a reassuring smile. "You have a great figure—neat and smooth skin too. Now, let's go."

The three girls left the room, with Nora in the middle, shielded by Mir at the front and Bims behind her. Despite their reassurances, Nora still felt self-conscious about her body. But it helped that it was nighttime and there weren't many people around.

When they reached the poolside, the boys were already waiting. Nora silently observed their reactions. Graig's eyes widened in disbelief, Dave let out a low whistle—earning a sharp glare from her—and Nate's expression remained unreadable, his gaze lingering on her just a second too long.

Nora made her way to Nate's side and, without a second thought, grabbed the glass he was holding. She downed the contents in one go, hoping it would steady her nerves. Almost immediately, she grimaced as the liquid burned down her throat.

"What the hell was that?" she coughed, wiping her tongue with the back of her hand as the others burst out laughing.

"That, my dear, is rum," Dave chuckled, clearly amused. "And with the amount you just drank, I give you two minutes before you lose it."

Nate handed her a bottle of water, his brow furrowed with concern. "Here, drink this."

She snatched the bottle gratefully and took several large gulps, trying to rinse away the harsh taste. The water soothed her burning throat, but the warmth of the rum lingered unpleasantly.

The other girls took small sips of their drinks, nothing close to what Nora had consumed. She shot Nate a glance, unsure if the drink had really been a good idea. But he stayed close, his hand brushing against hers, grounding her amid the swirling nervousness and anticipation.

They entered the water, and Nora braced herself for the chill but was pleasantly surprised by the warmth. She recalled Nate mentioning that it was a hot jacuzzi, which made the experience more inviting.

Her eyes lingered on the boys as they stripped down to their briefs, each revealing bodies sculpted by athleticism and youth. Nate's broad shoulders and defined chest were impossible to miss, his muscles flexing with every movement. Dave, though leaner, carried himself with an easy confidence, his toned body reflecting the same energy. Graig, more relaxed in his demeanor, still possessed an athletic build, his muscles subtle but firm beneath his easygoing charm. The warm water glistened on their skin, drawing attention to every curve and cut, making them seem even more irresistible under the soft lights of the pool area.

Nora's gaze naturally drifted to Nate. His body seemed to stand out the most to her, his every movement captivating in a way she didn't fully understand—or maybe just didn't want to admit aloud.

The guys leaped into the water, creating a splash that made the girls shriek in surprise. The water rippled around them, and their carefree laughter filled the air.

"Don't just stand there," Nate's voice came from beside her, low and inviting. "Let me teach you how to swim."

The rum was starting to kick in, her head buzzing lightly, but Nora wasn't about to let him know. She flashed him a smile, her nerves fading just a little in the warmth of his gaze.

"Okay," she said softly, feeling the flutter in her chest grow as he leaned closer.

After several failed attempts at teaching Nora how to swim, Nate finally gave up, exhaling in mock frustration. "You're the worst student in the world," he teased, shaking his head.

Nora swatted his arm playfully. "Carry meee," she demanded, her words slightly slurred from the rum's lingering effect. Without waiting for his permission, she leapt onto his back, sending them both crashing into the water with a loud splash.

Laughing, Nate pulled her out of the water with ease, cradling her as he walked to the edge of the pool. He set her down on the smooth tiles, water dripping from both of them, and stepped between her legs. The alcohol emboldened Nora, and her hands roamed over his chest, through his damp hair, and across the ridges of his back.

A giggle escaped her as Nate's arm wrapped snugly around her waist, pulling her closer. "Kiss me," she whispered, her words more of a command than a request. Nate didn't need to be asked twice. His lips crashed onto hers, hungry and insistent.

A soft moan escaped Nora as she deepened the kiss, her fingers clutching him tighter, completely oblivious to the fact that their friends could be watching. Nate's warm breath ghosted against her neck as he whispered hoarsely, "Damn, Nora, you drive me crazy." His teeth grazed her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

The kiss felt like it stretched into eternity, leaving them both breathless. Nate reluctantly pulled back, though the heat between them lingered like a spark waiting to ignite again. Nora grinned mischievously and dove back into the water, sending a playful splash his way.

Glancing at their friends, she noticed Dave and Mir locked in an intense make-out session in the water, completely lost in each other. Graig and Bims were nowhere to be found, likely having slipped off somewhere more private.

"Oopsie. Look what we caused," Nora teased with a sly grin.

Nate chuckled in response and retaliated with another splash, making her shriek in laughter. Dave and Mir, now thoroughly drenched and distracted, finally climbed out of the pool, leaving Nora and Nate alone.

The plan she had made earlier with the girls—the one about locking themselves safely in their room—suddenly seemed like a distant thought.

"Let's get out of here," Nate said, his voice low and suggestive. He reached for her hand, his fingers wrapping warmly around hers.

Without protest, Nora let him pull her inside.

***

Don't forget to vote!