Chapter 24

TWENTY-FOUR

SALEM

T he past few days had been a whirlwind of activity. Cohen, Fallon, and all the guys were doing their best to keep me occupied, and I couldn't deny that I'd been having fun. But despite their efforts, I still felt like I was trapped in a cage, suffocating in confinement. I needed to break free, if only for a moment, to reclaim some semblance of control over my own life.

As I sat in my room, the walls closing in around me, I couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness gnawing at my insides. Tonight, if this feeling persisted, I told myself I'd make a break for it, even if only for a little while. But for now, I needed a distraction, something to take my mind off the suffocating confinement.

With a sigh, I slipped into my swimsuit and made my way to the pool area. The sun beat down on me as I stepped outside, warming my skin and easing the tension in my muscles. The pool area was an oasis of tranquility, with lush greenery and comfortable loungers surrounding the sparkling water. Large umbrellas provided patches of shade, perfect for those seeking respite from the sun.

Deciding against a swim, I opted instead to settle into one of the plush sun loungers. The gentle breeze rustled through the leaves of the surrounding trees, creating a soothing melody that lulled me into a state of relaxation.

As I reclined, I let my mind wander, drifting aimlessly through memories and fantasies. I thought about all the places I longed to visit and all the experiences I'd yet to have. I imagined what it would be like to climb towering mountains, hike through tropical jungles, and sprint across sandy beaches, the pulse of life thrumming deep within me.

But then, reality came crashing back, reminding me of the constraints that bound me to this place. I wasn't free to come and go as I pleased, not yet anyway. But maybe, just maybe , if I was patient and bided my time, I'd find a way to break free from the chains that shackled me.

For now, though, I'd take solace in the simple pleasure of sunbathing, of feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin and the gentle breeze in my hair. It may not be the adventure I craved, but it was a temporary escape, a moment of respite in an otherwise chaotic world.

As I lay there, the worries and fears that had been weighing me down began to fade away, replaced by temporary peace. For now, at this moment, it was all I needed.

I could feel every caress of the wind over my body with just my two-piece black bikini set on, and I let out a content sigh.

I was debating turning over to lie on my stomach when I heard someone approaching.

″Is the queen of the mansion accepting her worship from the sun?″ Cohen called out as he walked toward me.

″Queen of the mansion? Please,″ I chuckled.

I rolled my eyes, looking over my shoulder as Cohen came up from the house. His warm, hazel eyes shimmered with mischief, and his usually meticulously styled hair was in a tousled mess from the breeze.

My eyes slowly drifted over his well-toned physique, on perfect display in a pair of designer swim trunks. Sometimes, I forgot that he was a Triad enforcer in his own right and not just a computer nerd. There was nothing nerdy about that body.

He dropped himself onto the bottom edge of the lounge bed, plopping his head down onto my thighs as he sighed loudly and closed his eyes.

″This is the life.″

″Really, there are two other daybeds. Do you have to hog mine?″ I mused, swatting him lightly on the forehead. Cohen grabbed my wrist with nothing short of skilled precision, laying a chaste kiss on my palm.

I was glad to see he seemed to be enjoying himself.

″What can I say? It's the best place to cushion my head,″ he quipped. He reached up and swept a lock of my hair away from my face. My brows bumped together in confusion at his comment.

″Why is that?″

″Let's just say it's the best view in this entire place,″ he replied, opening one eye with a wolfish grin.

I was confused for a moment until I realized that from where his head was situated, he was staring directly at the underside of my breasts. I smacked him on the shoulder as he rolled to the side, doubling over and laughing.

″Glad to see you're as lively as ever,″ I grumbled, kicking him with my foot.

″Can you blame me?″ he grinned, hopping off the bed and standing above me. I eyed him suspiciously as he started to give me his best pretty-boy smile. ″Now, let's do something fun, Salem.″

″Fun?″ I repeated, arching a questionable brow.

″Yeah, let's go for a swim,″ he replied as if it was a no-brainer. I shook my head.

″No, thanks,″ I concurred. ″I'm good here.″

I didn't trust myself not to pounce on Cohen and his incredible body if he was dripping wet, but he didn't need to know that.

Cohen frowned, tilting his head to the side. ″What, are you a chicken?″

I lay back down and tried not to play into his little ruse. ″First of all, I don't see how not wanting to go for a swim makes me a chicken. Second of all, I'm enjoying my worship from the sun, not the water.″

″Come on, don't be such a stick in the mud,″ he mock pouted.

″Nope, I'll be on lifeguard duty,″ I deadpanned, closing my eyes and getting back into the mood of relaxation.

I should have learned by now that Cohen took what he wanted. Letting out a loud sigh, he stepped closer before leaning down and placing a hand on either side of my hips. ″I guess you're leaving me with no other choice. I really didn't want to do this, but you asked for it.″

″What do you—″ I didn't get to finish my question. The next thing I knew, I was airborne. I gasped, thrashing about in his arms. When I realized not only did the motherfucker pick me up, but he was walking straight toward the end of the pool, I tried smacking my balled fist at him. He only grinned at me as if this was all a damn game. ″Cohen! Oh my God, I'm going to skin you.″

″That's the spirit!″

″Cohen, listen to me. If you drop me, I'm going to actually be pissed,″ I scowled, hoping that the threat would get him to stop. He dangled me right over the edge, grinning like the Cheshire Cat from ear to ear.

″That's the plan. I like you when you're feisty,″ he countered.

″Co—″

I only managed to get the first fucking syllable of his name out before he dropped me. I yelped, the cold water penetrating every inch of my skin as I was completely submerged. My heart raced as the freezing water enveloped me, the shock of the sudden plunge taking my breath away.

The coldness seeped into my bones, and my limbs felt weightless. I struggled to find my bearings. All I could hear was my heartbeat thumping in my ears. By the time I managed to resurface, I had already plotted nine ways to kill the man.

I gave him an icy glare while he doubled over, laughing. I flipped him off, which he had the audacity to laugh even harder at. ″Salem, you don't look even one bit threatening right now.″

″Help me back out so I can kick your ass,″ I snarled as I paddled to the pool's edge.

Once he collected himself, he held out his hand for me to take. But two could play at this game. I clasped his hand in mine and used my feet to brace myself against the corner of the pool. With a surge of strength, I kicked back. It was enough force not only to catch him off guard but to take him with me.

″Sweet—″

He never got the chance to finish his sentence before gravity took hold, plunging him headfirst into the pool with a resounding splash that echoed through the air. The sound of his body hitting the water was like a thunderous smack, and I burst out laughing. It was a moment of pure karma, served up when least expected.

Cohen quickly regained his composure, maneuvering his body in the water until he was able to stand upright with a gasp of air. I watched from the edge of the pool, occasionally having to stand on my tiptoes to keep my head above the water. The sight of him standing there, dripping wet with a sheepish grin on his face, only made me laugh harder.

″Glad to see you're still so gullible,″ I giggled, sticking out my tongue as he splashed me in retaliation.

″You're going to pay for that,″ he growled.

″What? Me ?″ I uttered, puzzled. ″You were the one who wanted to go for a swim!″

″Yeah, after I put my fucking phone down,″ he snapped, fishing out his phone, and sure enough, it was entirely dead. I tilted my head at him while raising an eyebrow.

″Oops,″ I said, slowly making my way to the middle of the pool, where I was able to stand. ″Now we're even.″

″What? Not in the slightest,″ he huffed, throwing his phone out toward one of the sun loungers. ″Like I said, I'm making you pay.″

″Is that right?″ I hummed, my breath shuddering in anticipation at the ravenous look in his eyes. "How so?″

″Let's not play stupid now, Salem.″

Cohen's grin widened. He grabbed me around the back of my neck and pulled me in close before I could say another snarky comment. I let out a gasp as he hauled me toward the side of the pool, his other hand settling onto my hips before slamming his mouth onto mine.

I obliged, eagerly matching his hard, forceful, intense kiss.

His tongue quickly teased the tip of my tongue, and a zap of electricity shot down my chest, making my nipples bead painfully as it traveled down to my sex. I practically liquefied and sagged into his embrace as he wasted no time pulling my bikini top's flimsy string.

He dragged me against him, and I shuddered when I felt his already hard cock digging into my stomach just before he positioned his leg between mine—rubbing right at my core. He manipulated my body with ease, dragging me back and forth with the help of the water's buoyancy, rubbing me at the perfect angle until?—

I broke away from the kiss, body spasming as I buried my head into his glorious chest and screeched out my shocked release, barely stifling the noise against his dripping wet skin. My toes curled, my heart thumping so quickly inside my rib cage that I thought it might burst.

Holy fucking shit.

I didn't even think it was possible for me to come in less than two minutes flat, much less with barely any effort. I should have known this pretty boy would wreck me the first moment we collided.

″You're… not playing fair,″ I gasped.

″Who said anything about playing fair?″ he chuckled, clutching harder onto the back of my nape to keep me in place. His other hand moved to undo the strings at the side of my thighs slowly, and I shuddered when he ran two fingers up my swollen folds.

″Fuck, what a needy girl you are,″ he grunted as he tightened his hold at the back of my neck and drew me into another deep kiss. I mewled, savoring the feeling of his tongue against mine until I couldn't handle the ache anymore.

″ Cohen ,″ I begged into our kiss, water cascading down our faces.

Taking matters into my own hands, I used his shoulder to lift myself upward before slipping a hand down his swimming shorts. I shuddered at the feel of his veiny, thick cock as I slowly pumped his length. Fuck, I couldn't wait to feel that inside me. As I continued to stroke, Cohen inserted two fingers into me slowly.

Leisurely.

It didn't take long for me to grow impatient, one hand pawing at his shorts, which were surprisingly hard to remove underwater. I was still struggling to shove them down his hips when he recaptured my lips again.

One hand slowly pumped in and out of my pussy as his thumb rubbed circular motions around my clit.

The other he used to tweak and pluck my nipples, which wound me higher and higher.

I pumped his cock earnestly now, my hand rotating between fondling his balls and running my fingers up to the cockhead slit that I knew would be sensitive.

My head spun as he hauled me to the shallows of the pool, where only my lower half was submerged.

He turned me around in a heartbeat, my tender breasts pressing against the pool's edge. Instantly, I found myself clinging onto the side, my feet braced on the bottom as I held on for dear life. I felt Cohen's hands on my hips as I arched my back, my nipples hardening and rubbing onto the side of the pool, desperate for relief.

Cohen must have been on the verge of insanity, too, as I felt him pulling away for a brief moment before his bulbous cock found my entrance. I slowly turned, staring right into those hazel eyes, and I savored every inch and vein as I pushed myself back, bearing down on him—spearing him inside me.

″Such a dirty girl,″ he rumbled, spanking my backside. The crackling sound and water splashing made me whimper. ″You look so damn good taking me, baby. Look at you impaling yourself on my cock like such a greedy girl.″

″Y… Yes,″ I moaned, not even paying attention to what he was saying.

My hips moved of their own volition, begging for more.

The water caressed over us and made me feel hypersensitive to his touch.

″Fucking hell, Salem, look at your tight pussy practically strangling my cock,″ he growled, his nails digging into my hips. I found myself keening. ″It's like you don't ever want me to pull out. What a demanding girl you are.″

″ Cohen , hurry,″ I commanded, looking back and hoping to entice him to give me what I wanted. I was caged between the pool edge and his massive body out in the open where anyone could see us, and I fucking loved it. ″Make me come.″

″As you wish,″ he chuckled darkly, bending to lick across the back of my neck. ″Just don't regret it.″

With that, he pulled all the way out until just the tip was at my entrance before punching right back in.

Cohen let loose. He kneaded and spread my ass while pistoning harshly into me—filling me to capacity and knocking the breath out of me.

I was delirious as he pounded into me, the pool water splashing with each harsh thrust. ″Ah, oh… fuck, hm, fuck .″

″Oh, fuck… fuck, Salem. This pussy was made for me. Such a perfect tight pussy,″ he grunted out before pushing himself roughly inside me again. My hips continued to move of their own accord, desperate to give as good as I got. ″That's my good girl. So good, so fucking perfect for me.″

Fuck, what those words did to my very existence.

″Please,″ I begged, working on grinding backward to meet his thrust with every piston, wiggling my hips while on my tiptoes.

My fingers and toes were already pruning from being in the water too long—I was confident I'd have a sunburn too. Yet there I was with that as the least of my concerns, my cunt clenching him in agreement as I climbed toward release.

I thought of how anyone looking outside could catch us.

I thought of how Cohen would be dripping out of me for days.

I thought of the way I was being used, like I was nothing more than his personal fuck toy.

″Shit, what are you thinking about to tighten up this much, Salem?″ he gritted out as he continued to rail into my pussy like a man possessed.

I bit my swollen lip, staring back at his rather intoxicated-looking expression while wiggling my hips.

″Just… t-thinking… about ah… fuck, fuck… coming, coming ,″ I whined.

Cohen snapped his hips rapidly, pounding into me. I wondered if this had been his goal when he stepped out, coming to bother me by the pool. To fuck the absolute life out of me. Not that I was complaining. He tugged on my hips and pulled me backward to meet every thrust, the depth he was able to reach enough to make me sob.

″Come, baby,″ he snarled, punching deeper and faster into me. ″Come now, Salem. Be a good girl, and let me use you.″

″Yes, yes, yes.″ I babbled.

″ Salem, ″ he growled, our bodies slapping wetly, sweat dripping beneath us. ″So damn tight .″

Rolling his hips roughly, Cohen slammed his cock inside me even faster, and I was reduced to nothing but pathetic whimpers, wails, and drastic cries. I needed more; I needed him to monopolize me; I needed him to be hooked on me like I was hooked on him.

Maybe I should let him—them—knock me up.

The unhinged, unpredictable thought was enough to completely throw me over the edge.

″I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming ,″ I wailed, eyes fluttering shut in the face of such fierce pleasure as my nails dug into the pool's edge. As I exploded, a deep-throated groan escaped from Cohen.

″Fucking be a good girl and take it,″ he snarled. ″Take it all, baby.″

Oh.

Oh my God, what was this feeling ?

I felt my core tightening again as my pussy spasmed and twitched—gripping him even harder.

Hissing, he slammed deep into me one last time, his hand tugging my hair back hard as he came inside me.

″Cohen,″ I breathlessly moaned over and over like a broken record as he held himself still inside me.

When he finally pulled away from my battered raw pussy, I practically collapsed onto the side of the pool.

″Now that's what I call payback,″ he rumbled, and I didn't even have the strength to quip back at him. All I could manage was a content smile. If this was what swimming with Cohen looked like? Sign me up any day.