Below the Barrel (Saltwater Springs #2)

14. Maliah | Tavarua, Fiji

FOURTEEN

MALIAH | TAVARUA, FIJI

The days since our big win at Cloudbreak have been filled with a quiet kind of tension—more so on Koa’s part. I, on the other hand, have been enjoying bugging him every chance I get. Subtle, small touches here and there, just enough to get under his skin. And I love watching him try to control himself each time.

We walk side by side from the beach back to our villa, the warm Fijian air thick with the scent of frangipani. I purposely let my hand drift just slightly, grazing Koa’s as we walk. I watch from the corner of my eye as he stiffens beside me, his fingers twitching, but he doesn’t pull away. A smirk tugs at my lips as I glance up at him, his face unreadable—at least to anyone who doesn’t know him as well as I do.

“You okay?” I ask innocently.

His grey eyes flicker down to mine, a mixture of amusement and something darker hidden behind them. “Just fine, Mal,” he says, voice strained but steady.

I chuckle softly and look away, knowing I’m driving him crazy, but not quite ready to let up yet.

When we reach the villa, I collapse onto the couch, stretching out with a groan. My damp hair clings to my neck, and I push it aside lazily, trying to cool off. My shirt rides up a little, exposing my stomach, but I don’t care. I’m too drained from our practice to worry about modesty right now. Plus, it isn’t anything Koa hasn’t already seen.

“Finally,” I breathe, sinking deeper into the cushions. This couch feels like a cloud after being out in the sun all day.

Koa stands a few feet away, dropping his board by the door and kicking off his sandals. I can feel his gaze on me before he speaks.

“You look comfortable,” he says casually, though there’s a teasing edge in his voice. It’s the same playful tone he always uses when he’s trying to stir something in me.

I give him a sly smile. “You should try it sometime.”

His lips quirk into a small smirk, and I see the challenge flicker in his eyes. “I’m perfectly relaxed.”

“Really?” I arch an eyebrow at him, trying to sound casual, but there’s a twinge of daring in my voice. “Because you seem pretty tense for someone who claims to be relaxed.”

He doesn’t answer me right away, instead stepping closer and taking a seat beside me—closer than necessary, if I’m being honest. I catch a whiff of saltwater and the faint smell of his skin, making it harder to ignore the heat simmering between us. He’s not touching me, but the air between us feels electric, and I can’t stop my pulse from racing.

“Maybe you’re the one who’s tense,” Koa says in a low voice, leaning in just enough for me to feel the heat of his breath against my cheek.

I stiffen for a split second, but quickly narrow my eyes at him, trying to hold my ground. “I’m perfectly relaxed, thank you,” I shoot back, hoping my voice sounds steady, though my heart is now in overdrive.

His smirk grows, and I know he’s enjoying every second of this, but I won’t let him turn the tables on me.

“Really? Because you look a little…flustered,” he says, his eyes flickering down to my lips briefly before meeting my gaze again. He leans in a bit more, his arm casually draping along the back of the couch, so close that the edge of his fingers brush against my shoulder. It’s almost imperceptible, but I feel it like a spark.

I roll my eyes, refusing to let him get the upper hand. “Don’t flatter yourself, Koa,” I say, though my voice is a little breathier than I intended.

He chuckles under his breath, his eyes glinting with mischief. “I don’t have to. You’re doing a pretty good job of that yourself.”

I open my mouth to throw a snarky comeback at him, but it gets caught in my throat when his hand moves. He reaches out, his fingers brushing lightly against my arm, trailing down slowly until they reach the edge of my shirt. My skin burns under his touch, and I suck in a quiet breath, determined not to show how much he’s getting to me.

“You sure you’re relaxed?” he murmurs, his fingers playing with the hem of my shirt, barely lifting it. His voice is low, teasing, but there’s something else in it too—something that makes my stomach flip.

I shove at his chest lightly, forcing a laugh. “You’re such a tease,” I mutter, trying to sound exasperated, but it’s hard to ignore how fast my heart is racing.

Koa grins, his eyes locking on mine with that infuriatingly confident look. “Maybe. But I’m pretty sure you like it.”

I snort, crossing my arms over my chest in defiance. “In your dreams.”

“In my dreams?” he echoes, pretending to be offended. His fingers brush my side again, and I feel a jolt of electricity shoot up my spine. He leans in, close enough that I can feel his breath against my neck. “I’m positive you like it, princess, and I’m wide awake.”

My breath catches in my throat, and I find myself leaning ever so slightly towards him before I realize what I’m doing. I force myself to pull back, shaking my head. “Keep telling yourself that,” I say, standing up abruptly, needing space before this playful teasing becomes something I can’t handle.

He laughs behind me as I start walking towards the bedroom to shower and change into clothes for the evening excursion.

“Running away already?” he calls after me, and I can hear the smirk in his voice.

I pause in the doorway, glancing over my shoulder. “Just preparing for the next round of this little game we’re playing, Koa. Don’t get too comfortable.”

His eyes linger on me, that slow smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I’m ready whenever you are, Maliah.”

Tonight’s group excursion is more laid back than the recent ones we’ve been on, and I couldn’t be more grateful. After piling into a van, we’re taken to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. It’s stunning, lush greenery surrounding us, orchids of every colour peeking out from the trees, and the sun setting just behind the mountains, casting a soft glow over everything.

“So we’re just supposed to wander through this place? That sounds boring,” one of the girls complains as we wander through the garden.

“Let’s make it fun then,” Reese chips in, turning to face everyone. “Have you ever played Murder in the Dark?”

For the next five minutes he explains the rules of the game, but I notice he’s put a twist on how it’s traditionally played. If the murderer can kill everyone before the time’s up, they win. But if anyone is left standing, the murderer has to come forward as the loser.

“So, it’s basically like Hide and Seek?” Koa asks, coming to stand next to me, his arm brushing against mine subtly. I feel the hairs on my arms stand.

“Yeah, something like that,” Reese agrees.

The group loves the idea, so we all agree to play, and soon enough, we’re all scattering into the dark forest, each of us searching for a hiding spot to start the game. I run deeper into the trees, the sounds of laughter and footsteps fading behind me. The sun has almost fully set now, leaving just enough light to make out shapes in the distance, but shadows creep between the trees, making it difficult to see much else. Perfect for a game like this.

The night deepens as I weave through the trees, branches scraping against my arms, the ground soft beneath my feet. I pause, leaning against a thick tree trunk to catch my breath. Charles—the one I’m certain is the murderer—is fast, but I’m faster. I can spare a few moments here.

That is until I hear it—footsteps, faint but steady, coming from behind me. I glance over my shoulder, thinking it’s Charles, but my heart skips a beat when I catch sight of a figure moving through the trees. Koa .

He’s walking slowly, purposefully, like a predator stalking his prey, his tall frame moving effortlessly through the underbrush. His eyes lock on mine, a devilish smile stretching across his lips. My stomach flips, and I instinctively take a step back, even though I know it’s useless. He’s caught me.

“Are you going to try and outrun me?” Koa’s voice is low, teasing, and it sends a shiver down my spine. His footsteps quicken, and in a rush of panic, I turn and sprint, trying to get away, even though a part of me knows I don’t really want to.

I dart between the trees, my breath coming faster as I hear him closing in behind me. My heart pounds as I push myself harder, my legs burning with the effort. But it’s no use. Koa is faster and I feel his hand wrap around my arm, pulling me back towards him.

“Gotcha,” he growls playfully, spinning me around to face him.

I gasp, but not from fear. There’s something dark and heated in his gaze as he towers over me, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths. He presses me back against a tree, his body close—too close. The rough bark digs into my skin, but all I can focus on is the way Koa’s eyes are practically smouldering as they roam over me.

“You’ve been teasing me all week,” he murmurs, his voice husky as his hands slide to either side of me, pinning me in place. “What are you going to do about it?”

My breath hitches. The space between us feels electric, every inch of my body hyper-aware of his closeness, of the heat radiating off him. I try to speak, but the words catch in my throat.

“Koa—” I manage, my voice barely a whisper.

He leans in, his mouth hovering near my ear, his breath warm against my skin. “What do you want, Maliah?” His voice is low, intimate, making my stomach tighten.

For a second, I can’t think straight. My heart is racing, my skin tingling everywhere he’s touched me. I should push him away, but instead I find myself wanting to close the gap, wanting to feel him pressed even closer.

“I…”

Before I can say anything else, he pulls back slightly, just enough to look me in the eyes, and the intensity of his gaze nearly melts me on the spot. “Tell me,” he demands softly, his thumb brushing over my jaw. “What do you want?”

I swallow hard, my pulse thudding in my ears. My resolve crumbles under the weight of his gaze. The truth is, I don’t even know what I want anymore—except him.

I bite my lip, my voice trembling as I finally whisper, “You.”

A satisfied grin spreads across his face as he leans in again, his lips brushing just below my ear. “That’s all you had to say,” he murmurs before his mouth captures mine in a kiss that’s deep and consuming. His hands slide down to my waist, gripping me firmly as his body presses me back against the tree.

Every thought, every ounce of tension from the day melts away as I give in to the moment. It’s just us, lost in the darkness, wrapped up in each other. Koa’s kiss isn’t gentle. It’s hungry, demanding, like he’s been waiting for this as long as I have.

Although my mind is spinning, my body knows exactly what it wants. I melt into him, my hands sliding up his chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath his shirt, my fingers curling into the fabric as I pull him closer. His grip tightens on my waist, strong and possessive, and the way he holds me makes my heart ricochet around my chest. His body is so warm, so solid against mine, and every inch of him is pressing into me, making it impossible to think about anything other than how much I want him.

His tongue teases mine, and the low, rumbling sound he makes in the back of his throat sends shivers down my spine. The rough bark of the tree digs into my back, but the slight discomfort only makes the heat between us more intense. Koa’s hands move lower, slipping under the hem of my shirt, his fingers grazing the bare skin of my waist, and a gasp escapes me. It’s like every nerve in my body is suddenly on fire, my skin tingling everywhere he touches me.

I can feel his heart pounding just as fast as mine, his breathing uneven, and it turns me on even more knowing I’m affecting him just as much. I arch into him, feeling the heat pooling low in my stomach, the ache between my thighs becoming impossible to ignore.

He pulls back slightly, just enough for me to catch my breath, but he doesn’t give me any space. His forehead rests against mine, our noses brushing as his breath fans across my lips. His eyes, dark and full of desire, lock onto mine, and my heart stutters in my chest.

“You feel that?” His voice low, rough with need as he presses his hardness against me. “That’s what you do to me, Princess.”

I can’t respond, not with the way my body is trembling from the intensity of it all. My chest is heaving, and all I can do is nod because the truth is, I’m feeling it too. It’s like every inch of me is attuned to him, to the way his body fits against mine, the way his touch sends sparks through my veins.

He doesn’t wait for an answer. His lips crash into mine again, harder this time, more desperate, and I lose myself in him. His hand slips up my side, fingers brushing the curve of my breast, and my breath hitches. I can’t help the soft moan that escapes me as my body reacts instinctively, pressing closer to him, needing more.

His other hand tangles in my hair, pulling just enough to tip my head back, giving him full access to my neck. His mouth moves from my lips, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down the column of my throat, and I swear my knees almost give out. Every touch, every kiss, is like gasoline being poured on a fire that’s already raging inside me.

“Koa…” I whisper, my voice trembling, but I’m not sure if it’s a plea for him to stop or a plea for him to never stop. His teeth graze my skin, and another shiver runs down my spine.

I can feel him against me, hard and unyielding, his body pressed so tightly to mine that it’s impossible not to notice how much this is affecting him too. It makes the heat between us even more unbearable, the want twisting into something raw and desperate.

He pulls back again, just enough to look at me, his breath coming in ragged bursts. His eyes are dark, intense, and the way he looks at me sends another rush of heat straight through me. His hand starts to move with an intentional slowness, trailing down my waist. Anticipation rushes through me as his fingers deftly navigate the soft fabric of my pants, sliding beneath the waistband, teasingly brushing against my skin.

He lowers his hand further, sending a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins, until he’s cupping me. His fingers glide along my slick entrance and he gently pushes two inside of me, claiming me, and I can’t help but arch into him, as he works them in and out of me.

“You drive me crazy, you know that?” he murmurs, his thumb circling over my clit as he continues to work his fingers in and out, bringing me closer and closer to release.

I can barely speak, my body buzzing from his touch, but I manage a breathless, “I know.”

He smirks before bringing his lips back to my neck, finding my sensitive spot and slowly licking in a circular motion as he edges me along with his fingers. I can feel my pussy starting to flutter, as my eyes close on their own and breathy moans escape from my lips.

“Are you about to come, Maliah?” he asks, his lips brushing along my neck.

I whimper in response as his words tip me over the edge and I feel myself getting lost in the insatiable feeling. He pulls back so that he can watch me orgasm, a devilish smirk playing on his lips.

“I can feel your pussy trying to cut off circulation in my fingers,” he says with a satisfied smirk. “That’s it, baby, keep coming for me.”

My body begins to shake, my legs starting to feel like jelly, as he continues to work his fingers in me. Black dots start to fill my vision so he slows his movements until he can gently pull his fingers free.

He slides his wet fingers into my mouth, surprising me. “Taste how much you want me,” he says in a low voice, his eyes dark as he watches me close my mouth around his fingers and clean up my mess.

“Fuck,” he whispers, his gaze intense.

We both hear the final whistle echo in the distance, signalling the end of the game. Koa smirks before leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

“Right on time,” he says, retreating backwards towards the others, until he disappears in the darkness.

I’m rooted in place, trying to wrap my head around the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. What just happened? I replay the moment in my mind, his lips brushing against my skin, his fingers working me to an orgasm, leaving me both exhilarated and confused. Warmth floods my cheeks as I start to walk towards the meetup spot, the moment on replay in my mind the whole time. How am I supposed to sleep next to him after what just happened?