12

The sun blazed overhead, heat shimmering off the sand. Waves crashed along the shore, kids laughed in the distance, and Y/N?

She was in a bikini that absolutely no one was prepared for.

Tiny black triangles. Barely-there bottoms. The kind of suit that made heads turn — and jaws drop.

Including Rodrick’s.

He nearly tripped over his own towel when she walked toward their group, sunglasses on, hips swaying like she knew what she was doing.

Rodrick stared, blinking hard. “You’re seriously wearing that?”

Y/N grinned. “You jealous?”

Felix looked up from his book and immediately threw a shirt at her. “Put that on.”

She laughed and tossed it aside. “Calm down, Dad.”

Rodrick’s eyes didn’t leave her for a second. When she sat beside him, he leaned in, voice low.

“You’re evil.”

Y/N smiled sweetly. “You love it.”

The group played beach volleyball, passed around drinks, and swam until the sun started dipping. Rodrick stayed close to Y/N, eyes sharp every time some random guy even glanced her way.

But then came the guys.

Three of them — college-looking dudes with fake surfer accents and red Solo cups.

“Damn,” one of them said, eyeing Y/N. “You a model or something?”

Y/N rolled her eyes. “Nope. Just trying to enjoy the beach.”

“Let us help,” another smirked. “We’ve got a boat. Wanna ride?”

Rodrick stood up.

Y/N reached for his hand. “It’s fine—”

But the third guy stepped closer, cocky and bold.

“Come on, sweetheart. Don’t waste that body on guys who wear eyeliner.”

Rodrick’s fist connected before anyone could blink.

The guy hit the sand hard, nose bleeding.

“What the hell, man?!”

Rodrick stood over him, jaw clenched. “Say another word about her. Go ahead.”

Felix ran over, dragging Rodrick back. Sam screamed, “WORLDSTAR!”

Y/N was stunned. Speechless. And weirdly turned on.

Later That Night...

Back in their room, Rodrick was pacing.

“I shouldn't have hit him,” he muttered. “Felix is gonna kill me.”

Y/N shut the door and leaned back against it, staring at him.

“You punched someone for me.”

He looked up. “Yeah, well, he was a dick.”

She walked toward him slowly, expression unreadable. “You know, I never had anyone do that before.”

Rodrick ran a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t thinking.”

Y/N stopped in front of him, biting her lip. “Maybe you don’t have to think.”

“What?”

She smiled.

“I owe you a thank you. Or, I dunno… a reward.”

His eyes darkened. “Y/N…”

“Anything you want,” she whispered, tugging on the hem of his shirt.

Rodrick’s breath caught. “You’re gonna kill me.”

She leaned in, lips brushing his jaw.

“Then die happy.”

Clothes hit the floor in seconds.

Her bikini top slid down, and his mouth was on her before she could speak. His hands gripped her thighs, lifting her effortlessly as he backed her against the wall.

“Still wanna thank me?” he murmured.

Y/N gasped, nails digging into his back. “You have no idea.”

They barely made it to the bed.

Rodrick moved like a storm — desperate, hungry, focused. But when he paused, looking down at her, there was a flicker of something softer in his eyes.

“You sure?”

Y/N pulled him closer. “I’m so sure.”

And then thinking stopped.

It was heat. Tongues. Teeth. Fingers tangled in hair. The kind of night that left you bruised, breathless, and wrecked in the best possible way.

~After~

Lying tangled in sheets, Rodrick kissed her shoulder and muttered:

“You’re gonna be the death of me.”

Y/N smiled sleepily. “Worth it.”