We’re close enough that if I leaned in a fraction more, our lips would connect. My breathing quickens as she doesn’t back away this time. Her chest rapidly rises and falls as we continue to gaze at each other, drifting closer and closer. The energy between us is scorching as I decide to go for it, so I move forward.
“Miss Ria, a package arrived for you,” Marianna announces from the doorway. Ria’s eyes widen as she turns, and we bothinstinctively lean back. I pull away so quickly that I lose my balance, slipping off the sun lounge and tumbling onto the pavers, then rolling straight into the pool. The warm water feels like frigid ice, completely ruining the moment.
As I resurface, gasping, I hear Ria’s laughter ringing out. Wiping the water from my eyes, I look up to see her rushing over, her laughter infectious, spreading a grin across my face until I can’t help but laugh along with her. She leans down at the pool’s edge, still giggling, and for a moment, her joy makes me feel alive.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” she asks through another giggle.
Still chuckling, I nod and hoist myself up onto the edge of the pool. My clothes stick to me like a drowned rat, and the laughter that had started to die off starts again. Only this time, her giggling borders on hysteria as we both get to our feet. I look down at my wet clothes and shake my head.
“Shit! It’s gonna suck getting into my car like this.”
Ria’s still laughing as she grabs my hand. “Don’t worry, my stepdad has some clothes here. You can borrow some of his. Follow me.”
I reach down and pull my shirt up and over my head, wringing it out into the pool. Ria looks at my abs and chews on her bottom lip, then turns abruptly, heading for the pool house.
Grinning, I follow her lead.
The pool house is like a house in itself, or at least a large unit. It’s huge, being mainly open space with everything you need in one place. There’s a living area, a giant bed, a little kitchenette, and I’m sure the back area has a bathroom.
Ria heads to the sliding cupboard and pulls out a giant fluffy towel, handing it to me. With a smile, I grab it from her and throw it around my neck. I’m not shy about my body, so I grab my shorts and pull them down, leaving me in my briefs.
Ria gasps as she gawks, then pulls her lips tight while I grab the towel and dry myself. She finally turns—after having a good look—back to the wardrobe and pulls out some clothing, laying it on the bed. My gaze never leaves her as she turns to look at me again.
“Well, I’ll let you get changed.”
Smiling, I nod with a shrug of my shoulders. “Sure… thanks.”
She looks me up and down once more, shaking her head slightly, then walks out. I smirk as I step over to the pair of white shorts and a polo shirt.
Very golf-esque.
Not very rock 'n' roll.
But I guess I can’t be picky right now.
I pull off my wet briefs, dry off, and get changed. Once dressed, I head outside, and the moment Ria spots me, a giant smirk spreads across her face.
I shake my head, unable to hide my own grin, and say, “I’m not much of a golfer.”
Her hand flies to her mouth, barely muffling a laugh as she winces. “I’m sorry, but it’s all I’ve got.”
“No, it’s fine,” I reply with a shrug. “A change is as good as a holiday.”
Ria sits back down on the sun lounge. “Can you draw me something?”
“What would you like?” I ask as I, too, sit down.
“An underwater theme.”
Grabbing the pad and colored pencils, I get to work while she sits back and watches silently. She takes it all in as I draw the scene using various techniques. The entire time, her eyes never stray from the page.Having someone watch would usually make me uncomfortable and distract me from relaxing in the moment, but because it’s her and she’s into my art, I’m finding a new connection.
I finish the last stroke of color and lean back, taking a deep breath as I admire my work. The page is alive with vibrant shades of blue, green, and bursts of coral, capturing the magic of the underwater world. Schools of fish dart across the scene in shimmering oranges and yellows, weaving through the seaweed that dances in gentle waves.
Satisfied, I rip the page from the notepad and hand it to her. The colors seem to ripple as though the ocean is trapped in the paper.
Her eyes sparkle, catching the colors on the page, and her lips curve into the brightest smile as she gazes at it. “It’s perfect,” she whispers, her voice soft but filled with awe like she’s glimpsing into a hidden world.
“For what?”
