Haley was a quintessential American teen, molded by life in a small town. By fifteen, she had already started working jobs to support herself—nothing too big or fancy, just anything legitimate that allowed her to earn a wage. Despite her charming looks and ordinary family background, many assumed she was an easy target. But they were mistaken—Haley was anything but easy to mess with.

Before college, she kept her hair short—not out of a dislike for long locks, but because it was harder for opponents to grab in a scuffle. With a bit of money coming in, she finally began to adopt a more ethereal, gentle look.

In the bustling wave pool, collisions were bound to happen as the waves rolled in. Initially, when someone accidentally brushed against her, Haley shrugged it off, continuing her chat with Scott. But she soon felt a hand inappropriately graze her behind, and her patience snapped.

Haley's attempt to hurl her phone at the offender missed. Just as she was about to try again, a large hand appeared, gripping the neck of the lewd man and shoving him under the water. He flailed like an overturned turtle, drawing the attention of those nearby, who discreetly stepped back from the unfolding scene.

With a stern expression, Scott turned to Haley. "Where did this punk touch you?"

Taken aback, Haley replied, "My... behind."

She hadn't expected such an intense reaction from Scott, his face flushed with anger. Hearing her words, the veins on his arm bulged as he pulled the man up from the water.

"You bastard—"

Before the scoundrel could utter a curse, Scott shoved him under again.

"Wait, Scott, stop!" Haley interjected, worried that things were getting out of hand. A scuffle was enough; she didn’t want any serious trouble that might involve her down the line.

Seething, Scott was on the brink of exploding. How dare a lowlife attempt to harass Haley, someone he didn't dare touch without clear consent? His urge to inflict harm on the creep was powerful.

The lifeguard at the poolside noticed the commotion and hurried over, blowing their whistle. 

“Scott, let go!” Haley pleaded, hugging his arm to halt his rage-induced actions.

Feeling the softness against his arm, Scott was momentarily paralyzed by the sensation. Her earnest attempt to restrain him made his rage simmer down. Scott released the man, watching coldly as the lifeguard and the man's companions scrambled to pull him quivering from the water.

While first aid was underway, Scott, already dialing his phone, remained unfazed. "I'm at XX Water Park, someone harassed my friend. Send someone over to handle it."

He handled the call with such precision that Haley realized he must have done this sort of thing before. Hanging up, Scott found his composure, shifting his attention to Haley. “It’s over now.”

Just like that, Scott solved the issue. Haley stood there, spellbound. Previously, she had always relied on handling such incidents herself, leading frequently to police involvement. Sometimes she got lucky with officers who helped gather surveillance evidence, but the worst was dealing with apathetic ones. Once, she got into a row with such an officer, leading to her boss having to bail her out.

“This hotel is partially owned by my uncle.” Scott's words weren’t too keen on dwelling on what just happened. He furrowed his eyebrows at her, “Feel like continuing?”

“Absolutely!” With the issue resolved, Haley wasn’t about to let a bunch of riffraff spoil her fun. Happily, she faced the next set of waves, with Scott standing guard behind her like a faithful knight.

The waves grew bolder, and as Haley embraced the thrill, turning her back to the incoming surge, one powerful wave knocked her backward into Scott’s arms.

Scott held her firmly, and as Haley looked up, she met his serious gaze. His dark eyes held a spark, igniting something within her that quickened her pulse. Instinctively, she avoided prolonged eye contact, nervous about what she might see or feel.

Each attempt to fend off his embrace only saw the waves shoving her back, making her slide helplessly against him. Haley's ears burned as she became keenly aware of something solid and warm press against her backside.

Scott circled his arm around her shoulders, his voice a deep rasp in her ear, “Don’t move.”

Haley froze in discomfort but hoped her mind was wrong.

“I couldn’t help it,” Scott admitted with a whisper of raw honesty.

Once again, her cheeks blazed bright red. How could he just openly admit that?

“You—”

Her face lacked the same boldness as Scott’s words, leaving her unable to argue or retort.

“It’s your fault for swaying around me,” he said, bending closer and securing her with care as he deliberately distanced their lower bodies. “Stay put and help cover me.”

Haley’s skin tingled with embarrassment; even the back of her neck felt flushed. "You’re... why here...?"

"I'm a guy," Scott said softly, his voice steady, buried against her shoulder as he inhaled deeply, fighting to regain control over his spontaneous response.

He never intended to be caught off-guard in public like this. They were simply too close…

Every accidental brush reignited the desires he’d tried to stifle before they left for the park. Haley recalled an old saying—high school boys’ hormones were hard as diamonds.

Haley steeled her thoughts, grappling with how best to handle this awkward predicament.

“I’ll carry you out,” Scott finally decided; he couldn’t linger longer, not here.

With swift calculation, he said, “Rest area nearby has restrooms. You just cover me till I get to the door.”

Without warning, he scooped Haley up.

Her arms instinctively wrapped around Scott's neck as he moved determinedly. The skin visible on Scott’s face flushed faintly—a silent cry of want riddled with restraint.

Haley bit her lip against the heat that threatened to consume her; she felt as if she might ignite any moment, not knowing where to rest her hands.

“Hold tight,” Scott directed, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder as he navigated toward their destination.

Haley’s swimsuit had a skirt, perfectly positioned to mask his noticeable predicament as he carried her.

But despite the cover, she could feel his presence pressing against her, leaving no room for doubt—a persistent reminder with every step.

Haley’s cheeks turned a scarlet hue, her body likely followed suit. She seemed rooted to the spot, wishing she could melt away into nothing.

Unwelcome eyes lingered as they passed, but Haley dared not meet them. The noise from the water park seemed distant, as if drowned by a heartbeat; hers, and... his.

More frantic, more warrior-like, beating in an arcane rhythm that echoed within his chest.

Haley wished for silence, to shield herself from the persistent drumming, yet moving under his firm embrace felt risky.

Their collective awkwardness stifled language. Yet, in the charged rhythm of their hearts, the unspoken truth was undeniably clear.

Once outside the restroom, Scott gently set her down, slipping inside without a word.

Haley stumbled to the sink, her reflection revealing flushed cheeks and slightly misted eyes, much to her own shock. Her face glowed like the evening sun’s last light, blending vibrant red with heated dusk.

She splashed her face with water, hoping to steady her pulse.

But the temperature wouldn’t relent.

“Too much,” she murmured, realizing the depths of what had transpired—a storm of sensations unlocked by an accidental encounter at a wave pool.