The ocean breeze carried the salty tang of the sea as it ruffled through your hair, the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore a soothing backdrop to the scene unfolding before you. Jason stood just a few feet away, his back to you as he peeled off his shirt with that effortless grace that never failed to make your pulse stutter.

It wasn’t the first time you’d seen him shirtless—far from it. But here, under the golden glow of the sun, with the heat of the sand beneath your feet and the lazy promise of vacation thrumming in your veins, it felt different. Dangerous. Like every inch of his sun-kissed skin was a temptation you weren’t supposed to indulge in. Yet.

Jason turned, catching you staring, and smirked. "Like what you see?"

You didn’t even bother denying it.

He tossed the sunscreen bottle at you, and you caught it on reflex, your fingers brushing against the warm plastic. "Babe," he said, nodding toward his chest. "I asked if you could put sunscreen on me. I wanna go in the water."

Right. Sunscreen.

You uncapped the bottle, squeezing a generous amount onto your palm before motioning for him to step closer. Jason obliged, his shadow falling over you as you reached up, your hands smoothing over the broad planes of his chest. The lotion was cool against his sun-warmed skin, but the way his muscles tensed under your touch had nothing to do with the temperature.

"You missed a spot," he murmured, his voice lower now, rougher.

You arched a brow, dragging your fingers deliberately lower, tracing the defined ridges of his abdomen. "Did I?"

Jason’s breath hitched, just slightly, before he caught your wrist, his grip firm but not ungentle. "Tease."

You grinned, unrepentant. "You love it."

He leaned down, his lips brushing the shell of your ear. "Yeah," he admitted, his voice a sinful whisper. "I do."

Then, before you could retaliate, he scooped you up—sunscreen bottle and all—and tossed you over his shoulder, striding toward the water as you shrieked with laughter.

"Jason Todd, put me down—!"

"Make me," he challenged, and the promise in his tone sent a thrill down your spine.