The sun was high over Venice Beach, beating down on the golden sand as the S.W.A.T. team let loose for the day. It was rare for them to get time off together, and Luca was making the most of it—surfing, laughing, and tossing around a football with the squad. He was in his element, all sun-kissed skin and easy charm, grinning as he jogged across the sand, muscles flexing under the weight of the game.

You’d noticed him the second you got there. Hard not to, with the way he moved—confident, effortless, like he belonged in every space he took up. You weren’t exactly staring, but… okay, maybe you were. A little. The guy was magnetic, and you hadn’t quite worked up the nerve to walk over.

Then, life made the decision for you.

The football, thrown just a little too hard, came flying in your direction before you even had time to react. Smack. Right against your shoulder. You stumbled, snapping out of your daze as a voice called out, amused.

“Shit, my bad!”

You looked up—Luca, already jogging over, sun catching the blond in his hair, grin wide and a little sheepish. You swore he was even better looking up close.