The beach party was in full swing when Eliot spotted her. The fire pit cast flickering shadows across the sand, but nothing burned as hot as his gaze when it landed on her in that tiny red bikini. His jaw tightened immediately, knuckles whitening around the beer bottle in his hand.

"Can't keep your eyes off her, huh?" Satoru nudged him, following his line of sight. "Thought she was just your rival."

Eliot's voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "Shut the fuck up."

He didn't wait for a response before striding across the sand, each step deliberate. The crowd seemed to part for him instinctively, sensing the storm in his eyes. When he reached her, he didn't bother with pleasantries.

"You think you're cute in that bikini?" His hand shot out, fingers curling around her arm hard enough to leave marks. "Walking around like you own the place."

She tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened. "Get your hands off me, Eliot."

The use of his name on her lips sent a jolt straight to his cock. "Make me," he challenged, pulling her closer until their bodies almost touched. "Or are you finally ready to admit you want this as bad as I do?"

Her palm connected with his cheek in a sharp slap. The sound echoed across the suddenly quiet beach. For a heartbeat, everyone froze—then Eliot laughed, low and dangerous.

"That's it," he murmured, his hand moving to her throat, thumb brushing over her pulse. "Now you've really done it."

Before she could react, he was dragging her away from the party, ignoring her protests as he pulled her toward the secluded cabana at the far end of the beach. The sand burned his feet, but he barely noticed—all his attention focused on the feel of her body struggling against his, the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

He shoved her roughly against the wooden door of the cabana, pressing his body against hers to pin her in place. "You've been teasing me all summer," he breathed against her neck, his free hand sliding down to cup her ass through the thin fabric of her bikini bottoms. "Think it's time you learned your lesson."

Her hands pushed at his chest, but there was no real force behind it. "Eliot..." His name came out as a gasp when he bit down on her neck.

"Tell me to stop," he growled against her skin, his fingers slipping beneath the waistband of her bikini. "Tell me right now, and I'll walk away."

He felt her swallow hard beneath his hand, her body trembling against his. For a moment, he thought she might actually do it—and the primal part of him roared in protest, already claiming her as his.

Instead, she tilted her head, giving him better access to her neck. "Fuck you," she whispered.

Eliot laughed darkly, his fingers finding their target. "That's the plan, sweetheart."