Chapter 23: Heat and Sun

The day still had plenty of promise, and no one wanted to rush it. Kacie suggested a lazy afternoon by main resort pool. “It’s too nice out not to spend it by the water,” she said. “Plus, I hear the poolside bar is excellent.”

Back at the cabana, they changed into swimwear. Faith, true to form, chose another risqué suit—a high-cut black number with mesh panels and a neckline that dipped nearly to her navel. Kacie slipped into a one-piece that was mostly sheer white mesh, opaque only where it truly needed to be. The moment it got wet, it would leave little to the imagination. She tied a matching sarong around her hips.

Faith coaxed Paul into wearing his tightest swim briefs—form-fitting and flattering in a way that left nothing to the imagination. He pulled on a long button-up shirt over it, blushing under the women’s teasing smiles.

The resort pool area was bustling. Sunlight sparkled off the water, and music played softly over hidden speakers. They found three loungers nestled together in a semi-secluded corner, shaded by palms.

A cute young waitress came by to take their drink orders, her eyes flicking down to Paul’s lap before quickly darting away.

Faith and Kacie both removed their wraps in unison, and the effect was immediate—heads turned, sunglasses tilted, and conversations paused.

“This place is filled with beautiful people,” Faith murmured, reclining with a satisfied smile.

They ordered tropical cocktails, lounged, sipped, and soaked up the sun. The conversation was light and flirty. They chatted with a few people nearby—mostly couples—sharing laughs and light banter.

After a while, Paul stood and unbuttoned his shirt.

“Gonna cool off,” he said, and walked to the pool. He dove in with effortless grace and swam underwater to the far edge before coming up for air. Then he turned and began swimming laps, strong and steady, his body cutting through the water like a blade.

When he finished, he climbed out in one smooth motion, water cascading down his body. His muscles gleamed, and his suit clung to him like a second skin.

All eyes—female and a few male—were on him.

He strode back to the loungers, toweling off. Faith and Kacie were giggling uncontrollably.

“What?” he asked.

Faith wiped a tear from her eye. “We were just wondering if we needed to call an ambulance bus. The way people whipped their heads around when you walked by—at least half of them gave themselves whiplash.”

Kacie nodded, biting her lip to keep from laughing harder.

Paul blushed, dropping onto his lounger. “You two are going to pay for this.”

They only laughed harder.

Eventually, the sun became too tempting, and Faith and Kacie decided to get in the water. Diving in was out of the question—Faith’s top would never survive, and Kacie’s suit would likely vanish entirely—so they sauntered to the shallow end, the water lapping up their legs as they stepped in.

They moved together, side by side, clearly aware of the many eyes on them. The water hit their thighs, then hips, and finally their torsos. As they adjusted to the coolness, they began splashing each other, giggling and brushing arms, leaning in close to whisper and laugh.

More than once, their hands lingered. A few playful kisses turned into a show, their lips barely parting, their fingers slipping over wet skin. Faith grinned wickedly when Kacie’s suit turned nearly transparent, the shape of her body clearly visible beneath the clinging fabric. Faith’s own top was struggling to keep her contained.

They were fully aware of the scene they created—and they loved it.