“Hmm.”
They walked up the slope to the entrance to the outside pool, draughts of the chill night air seeping through the plastic curtains separating the inside and outside.
“Christ.” Henry shivered again, and Dom agreed with him this time.
“I know, but it’s worth it.”
He led the way to the steps and sighed in pleasure as soon as his feet hit the warm water.
“Ooh. That’s nice.”
“Told you.”
They swam through the plastic partitions and out into the warm water of the outside pool. Steam rose from the surface, the underwater lighting giving it a magical feel, and fairy lights covered Christmas trees decorating the grass surrounding it.
So pretty.
“I see what you mean.” Henry ducked under the water until only his head remained above it and glanced around them.
Warmth filled him and Dom beamed, thrilled that Henry seemed to like it as much as he did. Not that he would’ve said anything if Henry hadn’t been impressed, but he’d have been disappointed for sure.
They weren’t alone out there, but it wasn’t overly busy either. A couple cuddled in the corner of the pool, and the pang of jealousy took Dom by surprise. Even if he would’ve been here with Sam, they wouldn’t have been doing that. And not that he wished he and Sam were back together, but he did miss the closeness of having a partner who knew the real you. The parts that friends and family sometimes didn’t get to see.
Yeah, he missed that. Especially at this time of year.
“Hey, you all right?” Henry’s bright smile pulled him back to the present, and Dom returned it easily.
They might not know each other well, but they were here together, and getting to know someone new was equally as special.
I need to focus on that. Make the most of this week and not dwell on what I don’t have.
“Yeah, sorry. Just zoned out for a sec.”
“Oh? Thinking about anything in particular?” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, and Dom huffed out a laugh, gaze darting below the water.
“Well, I wasn’t, but I am now. Thanks for that.” Dom needed a distraction fast. “You fancy a go down the river rapids?”
Henry glanced over to the mini waterfall to their right. “Over there?”
“Yeah. Come on, it’s fun.” Dom waited a beat. “I’ll race you.” He set off at speed, but Henry was ready for him this time, and they reached the start of the river rapids at the same time.
Dom hauled himself up and over the low barrier separating the rapids from the pool, the cold air hitting his skin and making him gasp, the cool spray of the mini waterfalls adding to it. Jeez, he’d forgotten how fucking freezing the start bit was.
Henry tumbled over after him, landing half on top of him, laughing, and Dom wiggled away, pulling himself along, heading towards the first slide.
The water here was about a foot deep and the current carried him round the corner and headfirst into the first gentle whirlpool. He hurried to half swim, half pull himself along to one of the two long slides that were the main attraction.
He got to the top fractionally ahead of Henry and disappeared over the edge, feet first and lying down on his back for extra speed. Hitting the water hard, it whooshed over his head and the current whipped him round past the exit point and Dom found himself going around again. He watched helpless as Henry whizzed round the corner and out of sight, his loud laughter ringing out into the night.
Bastard.Dom gritted his teeth, then grinned as he caught the edge of the whirlpool and lunged after Henry.
They both got caught in the next one. Dom landed practically in Henry’s lap, both of them disappearing under the water for a second before spluttering to the surface amid raucous laughter.
“Oh my god, get off me,” Henry sputtered, face splitting with a huge smile. They managed to untangle themselves but ended up going round one more time before finally getting free.
When they spilled out into the pool at the end, they were both out of breath and grinning like idiots. Henry pulled himself up the metal ladder, water cascading over his back and shoulders, shorts clinging to his slim hips like a second skin.
Dom swallowed, averting his eyes and forcing away all the inappropriate thoughts threatening to surface.
