Page 66 of Luna

The path ends at what looks like a large, steaming swimming pool. The water’s surface ripples gently, sending tendrils of mist curling into the night air.

Lucien sets me down gently at the top of the pool steps. “Get in,” he says.

I hesitate, wrapping my arms around myself. “I don’t have a swimsuit.”

A small smile plays at the corners of his mouth. “You don’t need one. Just get in.”

Part of me wants to refuse. But I can feel the residual panic still thrumming through my veins and the thought of being in the water, being lighter and cocooned by something smooth and warm and beautiful, draws me in.

Taking a deep breath, I step into the pool. The water is deliciously warm. I wade in deeper, my underwear and my t-shirt soaking up the water.

When I’m waist deep, I turn back to look at Lucien. He’s standing at the edge of the pool, watching me intently. In the moonlight, the red flecks in his eyes are more visible. Yet, in this moment, I’ve never felt safer.

I wade out further until the water reaches my shoulders, then lean back, letting myself float. The water cradles me effortlessly. Above me, the stars shine brilliantly in the vast expanse of sky.

For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel like I can breathe freely. The nightmare, the memories, the pain - they’re still there, but they feel less immediate, less overwhelming.

I close my eyes, focusing on the sensations around me. The gentle lapping of water against my skin. The cool breeze on my face. The distant rustle of leaves in the garden.

When I open my eyes again, Lucien is sitting at the edge of the pool, shoes beside him, bare feet dangling in the water. He’s watching me with an expression I can’t quite decipher — part concern, part fascination.

“Thank you,” I say softly, moving toward him.

“You’re welcome, Luna.”

“Come and join me?”

“I don’t swim.”

“Lucien. Come and join me.” I address him more forcefully now.

He raises an eyebrow at me. Something inside him both resents me and adores me when I talk to him like this; I can see it in his eyes.

Slowly, he stands up and slips off his shirt.

“Pants, too,” I tell him.

He rolls his tongue over his fangs and smirks at me.

“Boxers.” I bite my lower lip as he rolls them over his hips, exposing his cock. In return, I peel off my wet t-shirt then reach beneath the water and take off my panties, too.

Lucien flexes his shoulders, then stands at the edge of the pool and dives in. He disappears underwater, moving like an Olympic swimmer, and appears again at the other end of the pool. He flicks his wet hair from his eyes then swims toward me.

“I thought you said you don’t swim?”

“I should have said I don’t like to swim.”

I loop my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. I can feel his cock at my entrance. Without any lead up, I slide down onto him and gasp as he fills me. He groans loudly and his eyes flash with pleasure.

But then he brushes my damp hair from my face. “Are you all right?”

I continue staring into his eyes. “It was a nightmare.”

“Your parents?”

I nuzzle into his neck and focus on moving up and down on his shaft, pleasure slowly building. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“What do you want to talk about?” His breath hitches as I tilt my hips. He kisses my throat. His teeth graze my skin but do not break it, and I realize that a part of me wants him to.