I slipped into my bedroom, the door clicking soft behind me, and peeled off the hoodie with a quick shimmy, letting it pool on the cream duvet.
Underneath, a strapless bra hugged my curves snug, smooth black lace whispering against skin. Over it went the brown silk tube top—luxurious cool cascade down to midriff, clinging just right without a single strap to mar the line—paired with fitted jeans that moulded to hips and thighs, frayed at the ankles for casual edge.
"I look good, don't I?"
A touch of makeup in the vanity mirror—smoky liner to sharpen my emerald eyes, rosy gloss on full lips, raven hair finger-combed into loose waves tumbling past shoulders.
"Makeup is done. Now, it's time to go."
The clock glowed near 9 PM, night's hush pressing thick outside the windows. Satisfied, I descended the stairs, tube top shimmering in the light.
"Let's go," I said, landing light at the base, purse slung over one shoulder.
Reyes looked up from her perch by the door—tactical jacket rezipped, cap pulled low—but her eyes lingered a beat too long, tracing the silk's sheen over my curves, the jeans' cling, before snapping away sharp to the darkened windows. A muscle ticked in her scarred jaw, blush remnants ghosting high cheekbones.
Why was she blushing?
"What happened?" I asked, tilting my head, warmth pricking my cheeks at the intensity.
"Nothing. Let's go." Her voice rumbled clipped, boots shifting as she palmed the door handle, gaze fixed ahead like a horizon scan.
I stepped closer, pulse quickening under that averted stare. "Do I look okay?"
She exhaled slow, eyes flicking back reluctantly—taking me in full now. Smiling, I twirled a bit. "You look beautiful."
The word landed husky, unfiltered, warming me deeper than the fire's dying embers. It made me really happy. I mean, who doesn't like to get complimented? I, for one, really like compliments.
"Beautiful? Thank you so much, Reyes." I grinned, defiant spark lighting my eyes, hips swaying subtle as I brushed past.
"Shall we go now?" Reyes cleared her throat, hand on the door, frame filling the threshold.
"Yes," I nodded my head before looking into the sky. "I want to go to the park first."
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Reyes stifled a laugh, the sound rumbling low in her chest like distant thunder as she watched Emily navigate the moonlit sand with comical determination.
The park's secluded beach stretched dark and silver under the sky, waves whispering rhythmic against the shore, distant city lights twinkling like fallen stars across the bay.
Emily's heels—sleek black stilettos chosen for the tube top's elegance—had betrayed her the moment her feet hit the soft, yielding grains; she'd been surreptitiously tugging one leg free for minutes now, pretending nonchalance while sinking deeper, raven waves bouncing with each exaggerated step.
Reyes leaned against a weathered bench, arms crossed over her tactical jacket, ice-gray eyes glinting amusement she rarely indulged.
"Should I help you out now?" Reyes called, smirk tugging her lip.
"Shut up!" Emily shot back, cheeks flushing rose in the dim glow of a nearby lantern, arms flailing for balance as sand claimed her heel another inch.
"Fine, fine." Reyes raised gloved hands in mock surrender, broad shoulders shaking with suppressed mirth. "You come out yourself then. Maybe I'll take a perimeter walk—scout the treeline." It was really fun to tease Emily.
"No, please don't go!" The plea burst desperate, Emily's arms windmilling wild—and then her balance crumbled. She teetered, a yelp escaping full lips as she pitched forward into the sink.
Reyes's eyes sharpened predator-keen, body exploding into motion—six-foot-one of coiled power shooting across the sand in three strides, boots barely sinking.
One arm hooked Emily's waist mid-fall, yanking her flush against her chest with effortless steel; the other braced her thighs, halting fall. Emily's scent flooded close, brown silk tube top brushing Reyes's tee, curves yielding soft against unyielding muscle.
"Ms. Emily Leonhart," Reyes snarled at her, voice filled with dry sarcasm, gaze pinning emerald eyes, "please don't do impulsive things."
"Tone down your sarcasm," Emily huffed, pulse racing against Reyes's hold, jeans dusted pale with sand. "You were enjoying my suffering, weren't you?"
"Am I?"
"Yes, you were."
Reyes shook her head, faint smile ghosting her features, and swept Emily up fully into a bridal carry—effortless, like lifting silk. "Then, what about this?"
Emily yelped sharp, legs kicking air in futile protest, heels flailing one loose. "Hey! Don't lift me up!"
Why did everyone like to lift her up?! Her ego was severely damaged by their actions!
But Reyes ignored the squawk, striding firm back to the bench overlooking the waves, night breeze tugging raven strands across Emily's flushed face. She lowered her gentle onto the weathered wood, steadying hips with one hand before stepping back. Emily's heels lay abandoned in the sand, half-buried like relics. "Stay here. Don't move at all."
"Why? You are not my boss!"
"Be obedient, Emily."
Reyes pivoted, boots crunching purposeful as she retrieved them—long fingers digging the stilettos free, shaking off grains before returning.
She crouched fluid before the bench, one knee sinking into cool sand, massive frame folding humble—bringing her eye-level with Emily's rosy toes peeking dainty from bare feet. Gloved hands cradled one heel, tilting gentle as she slid it onto Emily's arch, thumb brushing ankle bone feather-light.
"Don't!" Emily protested, drawing her foot back, but was caught by Reyes's left hand, cheeks burning hotter. "It's dirty!"
"Dirty?" Reyes's gaze flicked up, lingering on those feet—rosy and pristine, arches curving perfect, toes curling shy in the lantern light, beautiful as sculpted porcelain. Her voice dropped husky, earnest rumble cutting the waves' hush. "It's the cleanest thing I've seen in months."
"You're jesting."
"No, I am not." The heel clicked secure on the other foot, Reyes rising slow, heels held like offerings in scarred hands—dusting them one last time against her cargo pants.
"But this isn't right," Emily murmured, eyes wide, shifting on the bench as warmth coiled low from the intimate service. "You're a human—it's degrading for you."
Reyes straightened to her full height, eyes softening as she looked at Emily. "For me? I don't think so. She offered a gloved hand down, palm upturned steady. "Ready to walk steady ground? Also, this time just walk on the concrete. Don't wander off into the sandy regions."