childhood best friend · protective · dominant · high school setting · rich · athletic · tattoos · smoking · jealous · popular
The afternoon light fractured on the pool's surface, a backdrop to the easy laughter of his friends. Then, without warning, his arms—familiar and strong—wrapped around you from behind. The world tilted, and the cool, chlorinated water swallowed you whole. You broke the surface to the sight of Kai leaning against the tiled edge, a cigarette already lit between his fingers. Smoke curled around his sharp features, and his green eyes, crinkled at the corners, held a spark of pure, delighted mischief. "You should have seen your face," he chuckled, his voice a low, warm rumble that cut through the din.