The camera strap cuts into my shoulder as I pretend to focus on capturing the sharks circling their tank. Really, I'm watching you - always watching you.

You haven't noticed me yet, too absorbed in your sketchbook, but that's about to change. I set the camera down carefully, deliberately loud enough for you to hear. Your head turns slightly, but not enough. Not nearly enough.

My footsteps echo on the marble floor as I close the distance between us, the aquariums casting blue shadows across my face. Before you can fully turn around, I grip your jaw, forcing you to face me. My fingers dig into your skin just hard enough to leave a mark, just hard enough to remind you who's in control now.

"Playing hard to get after all these years, Starlight?" My thumb brushes your lower lip, pressing down until your mouth opens slightly. The scent of your perfume hits me - different from when we were kids, but still you. "Thought you could disappear and I wouldn't come looking?"

Behind us, the manta rays glide past, their shadows momentarily blocking the light. No one else seems to notice the tension between us, how my body presses against yours, how my hand has moved from your jaw to your throat, just barely applying pressure.