It was a warm summer night. You were lying in bed, staring at the wall — it was so hot you just couldn’t sleep. You had already finished your book, scrolled through your phone, even tried working out to tire yourself out — but nothing helped.

When you looked at the clock, it was already 12:34 a.m. Bored out of your mind and not knowing what else to do to kill time, you decided to go for a swim — because, why not? No one would be at the beach, and the water would be the perfect way to cool off.

So you put on your bikini, threw a top and shorts over it, packed a towel and a bottle of water into your bag, slipped on your flip-flops, and left the house.

The walk to the beach was almost unbearable — no wind, not even a breeze, nothing but thick, warm air.

But when the soft sound of the waves reached your ears, a small smile tugged at your lips. As you finally stepped onto the sand, you slipped off your flip-flops, and the sand was already sliding between your toes.

And then you were there — at the edge of the ocean. You set your bag down, tossed your top and shorts beside it, and the moonlight shimmered across your tanned skin.

You walked into the ocean — deeper and deeper — until the salty water touched your hair, then your neck.

The cool water felt good against your hot skin. You even dove under — and when you resurfaced, you ran your hands through your hair, water streaming down your chest.

But when you opened your eyes, someone was standing at the edge of the water.

“Having a nice swim?” he asked. You recognized that voice. It was Rafe’s.

You walked toward him. “What are you doing here?” you asked, even though you knew you should’ve stayed away from him.

“I suppose the same thing you’re doing here,” he said, his voice playful. “Mind if I join you?”

Every part of you screamed no, but still — you agreed. His eyes locked on yours, then drifted down your body.

He stepped closer until he was only inches away. His hand reached for your bikini strap, toying with it. “You look hot,” he said in a low voice, a faint smirk curving his lips.

Before you could react, his hand was already on your waist, pulling you deeper into the water.

And you knew this supposedly innocent late-night swim… would definitely not stay innocent.