Three.

~Olivia~

Lucian’s eyes travelled briskly to my body then my eyes, Part of my breast were exposed peeking out of the bikini.

I wanted to smile.

Wanted him to hold me in his hands and not let go.“I thought you and Mom were out.”

“You should really watch your steps, Olivia.” Lucian strained, putting me on my feet.

“I am so sorry, Daddy silly me.” I feinged an innocent expression. “Good thing you were here to support me.”

There was suddenly an awkward silence.

What was I doing?

And you call that flirting, Liv. Really.

Lucian’s jaw tightened for a bit before loosening. “And maybe put on something more appropriate.” He growled.

Wait.

Why did that.... sound so possessive?

I chuckled nervously, grabbing the scarf from the ground.

Lucian didn’t look away.

Not from my skin.

Not from the shiver that ran through me.

And definitely not from the way I fought to steady my sexual urge.

“I’ll be going now, Diane will be waiting.”

But when I turned, he grabbed my arm.

His grip was too firm to be casual, too steady to be accidental. It felt like he was anchoring me to the ground—whether to keep me safe or keep me still, I didn’t know.

His eyes flickered to the edge of my scarf.“Olivia.”

The way my name sounded, was like a warning wrapped in control.

“You should be more careful,” he said voice so low enough to scrap down my skin,“Wearing that brings attention.”

His tone was sharp at the edge—sharper than it had any right to be.

Possessive.

Territorial.

And almost... angry.

“I am wearing a swimsuit. It’s a pool, Lucian,” I muttered

“That’s nor a swimsuit,” he growled quietly..“It’s a problem.”

The wind tugged at my hair, blowing the scent of chlorine and warm air between us.“A problem for who? You?”

His eyes flickered—just for a second—but I saw it this time.

The loss of control.

The crack in the mask he always wore.

But it was gone the way it also came.

His lips parted to say something—“Dad, Liv” Diane called running to us, curls bouncing as she ran.

“Olivia, I’ve been waiting like forever—uh duh.” Diane said oblivious of the silent tension that had built up.“Dad, you are here I thought you followed Mirabel out.”

Lucian straightened, eyes cooling. “She said I should come home to check on you both.”

“Whatever daddy, am borrowing Liv now.” Diane squealed dragging me away. But eyes never left his, neither did the smile did.

Because now I knew I was not the only one obsessed.

The pool was a massacre of teens, Couples were busy making out at every fucking corner they could get. “I told you this was going to be fun.”

I wasn't listening anymore, I could feel stares coming from each angle and they were looking at me.

That's what I wanted anyways, I want Lucian to see the badass bitch he's trying to push away. I swayed even more, letting my hips do the talking.

I stepped into the water.

The pool lighting around my legs, blue ripples spreading with each movement.

The second my toes touched the cool water, I felt it.

Eyes.

Everywhere.

Stares sliding over my skin like warm hands, lingering too long, following every sway of my hips as I stepped deeper into the pool. Diane was already chatting beside me— something about a guy she thought was staring at her— but her voice faded into a quiet buzz behind the pounding in my chest

Good.

Let them stare.

Let them see what Lucian can't see.

I bent slightly, water lapping at my thighs pretending to adjust the edge of my scarf but really... I was imagining whether Lucian was still watching from the balcony.

Whether his jaw was clenched, his hands were fists, or that he hated that anyone but him was seeing me like this.

I smirked.

And that’s when he appeared.

A guy— tall, bronze skin, dirty-blond hair that looked like it had been kissed by the sun and ruined by his fucking fingers. He swam closer, arms slicing through the water lazily, confidence dripping off him like the droplets sliding down his shoulders.

His eyes found mine instantly.

Bold.

Hungry.

And interested.

I tilted my head, Well... this could be fun.

“Hey,” he said with a voice low enough to vibrate arcoss my skin. “Didn’t think angels swam also.”

Cheesy.

Predictable.

But God, the way he said it... I fucking loved it.

Diane elbowed me with an excited squeal before diving underwater and leaving me alone with him.

I turned fully to face him, letting water glide up to my waist, letting the lights that reflected in the water shimmer across my skin like some kind of invitation.

“Angel?” I echoed, amused.“That’s the best you’ve got?”

He grinned.“Give me five seconds and I can come up with something better. Name?”

“Liv,” I said, letting my voice drop just slightly.

His eyes dipped to my collarbones, then back to my face— but not in the slimy boyish way most guys stared. No... there was control in it. Deliberate. Slow. Like he wanted to memorise me.

“I’m Adrian.”

Of course his new was Adrian, He looked like every problem I didn’t need but wanted anyway.

He moved closer. Slowly. Testing how much space I’d give him.

I didn’t move. Instead I stayed. Waiting.

“You here alone?” he asked.

A laugh slipped out of me— quiet, sharp.

“Hardly.”

As if summoned by my voice alone, I felt it.

A weight.

Him.

My lips curved into a smile.

Lucian was watching.

Adrian noticed it too. His eyes flicked over my shoulder widening slightly.“Uh... is that—?”

“Don’t look too long,” I murmured with a sly smile.“Daddy gets territorial.”

Adrian swallowed, then— to his credit— actually smirked. “About you.”

My pulse fluttered.

“That’s complicated, His my father after all.”

He chuckled.“Complicated’s fun.”

I opened my mouth to say something back—something reckless, something I knew would get under Lucian’s skin— but Adrian suddenly stepped even closer. His body brushing mine beneath the water, warm against cool.

And that did it. I heard it.

A sharp exhale from above.

A crack in... Daddy’s composure.

Good. Watch me. Break for me.

Adrian’s fingers skimmed my waist underwater, barely there.“Your dad seems to have a problem,” he murmured, voice teasing,“he looks like he want to come down here and—”

“You should really keep shut now,” I cut in. “Amd probably stop touching me.”

Adrian raised a brow, leaning in. “Do you want me to stop?”

I didn’t answer.

Not because I didn’t know.

Lucian was no longer at the balcony.

He was at the pool deck.

And he was walking toward us.

His footsteps were slow— too slow — each one a controlled threat dressed in expensive shoes and a stom-dark expression.

Adrian straightened in the water, tension rippling off him. “Is he seriously coming over here?”

“That depends,” I whispered, legs aching, “on whether he’s in a mood to kill or just… warn.”

Adrian blinked. “Warn? About what?”

“Me.”

Lucian reached the edge of the pool. His eyes — cold steel, furious heat — locked directly on mine. Not on the crowd. Not on Adrian.

Just me.

He didn’t say a word.

Didn’t have to.

His jaw flexed once.

His fists curled at his sides

.

His chest rose in a slow, dangerous breath.

And Adrian — poor, clueless Adrian — looked between us like he’d just realized he’d jumped into shark-infested water wearing a steak suit.

Lucian’s voice finally came, low and razor-edged.

“Olivia.”

Oh hell.

He only used my full name when he was beyond irritated.

Or when he was holding himself together by threads.

“Yes?” I asked sweetly, lifting my chin.

His eyes flicked to Adrian’s hand, still grazing my waist underwater.

“Out,” Lucian growled.

Adrian blinked. “Uh… you talking to me?”

Lucian didn’t even look at him. “Out. Of. The. Pool.”

There was no shouting.

No theatrics.

Just raw, controlled dominance that hit like gravity shifting.

Adrian muttered something that sounded like “okay, relax,” then began swimming to the edge — because even idiots knew when they were outmatched.

Lucian didn’t watch him leave.

He only watched me.

“You think this is a game?” he said quietly, dangerously.

I let a slow smile curl my lips. “If it is… looks like I’m winning.”

His nostrils flared. “You’re playing with fire.”

“I like the burn.”

Lucian leaned forward, voice barely more than a whisper — but it sank deep, deeper than the water around me.

“Then you’d better pray,” he murmured, “that I never decide to burn you back.”

A shiver tore through me.

Not fear.

Never fear.

Something far more destructive.

And when a group of guys splashed nearby, breaking the tension, Lucian pulled back — jaw locked, eyes still burning holes through me.

“Get out of the pool,” he ordered eyes blazing.

I tilted my head. “Make me.”