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After checking on Libby to make sure she was still asleep, I grabbed a towel out of the bathroom and headed outside.
The hum of fireflies was in the air. The melody mixed with the singing of the crickets, and I was struck with how peaceful it was. There was a quiet to it that reminded me of being back home, but a tropical side of things that also reminded me of the latest adventure I was on.
I was grateful for the pool, and I tossed my towel on a chair close to the gate entrance as I walked in. It was then that I stopped short, stifling a cry when I noticed the dark figure sitting in one of the chairs next to the pool.
“It’s okay,” a familiar voice said. “It’s just me.”
“Damn it Neils,” I said, relief flooding through me. “You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing out here anyway?”
“I come out here to think sometimes,” he said. “I like watching the water. I don’t know, I’ve always been attracted to the water.”
“Couldn’t sleep I take it?” I asked.
“It happens,” he said. “Clearly you couldn’t, either?”
“Insomnia is a bitch,” I told him. “I checked to make sure Libby was asleep, then figured I would do a few laps in the pool and see if that could get me to relax enough to fall asleep. It’s so hot down here. Even with the air conditioning, I don’t know. I figured I would be used to it within a week or two, but now I’m seeing that’s not the case. But I didn’t know you were out here. I’ll leave you alone so you can think in peace.”
“You’re not bothering me,” he said. “I don’t mind if you stay. If you want me to leave, I can. I’m sure you came out here for the chance to be alone.”
“No, you’re fine to stay,” I told him. “I just came out here to get a dip in this pool.”
I kicked off my shoes and walked over to the edge, clearly reading theNo Divingsign that was painted across the bottom. I was a little disappointed with that, but I wasn’t going to risk it. At least, not with Neils sitting right there to watch me ignore the rules.
“Is it the heat that’s keeping you up?”
“I think so.”
“I can bring you another fan.”
“I have two already,” I said with a laugh. “I don’t know at this point if another one would make that much of a difference. I mean, it’s already got air conditioning in there, and if you just keep putting more and more fans inside, I might as well be trying to sleep in a hurricane.”
“Except for the water aspect,” he said. “I could hook up a sprinkler right outside your window, too, so you can be sprayed with water periodically. That will give you the full experience.”
I laughed but covered my mouth to stifle it. I didn’t want to wake Libby, or any of the neighbors, either.
“I think I’ll pass. Thank you though,” I said. “It’s a really sweet offer.”
“Hey, I’m known for my good ideas. If you hate that one, then just give me a minute and I’ll come up with something else. I’m sure of it,” he said with a chuckle.
It was too dark for me to be able to see his face, but I was glad to hear his amusement. It wasn’t often that he and I were left alone together, and this rare opportunity felt like a gift in my book. Normally, Libby was around. Or, the two of us were in public so there were other people who would be able to see what we were doing. But right now, it was just the two of us with no one else at all.
I refused to let my brain think about Krissy or any of the things she would say about this situation. She would be full of bad ideas; I was sure of that. Bad ideas that would feel really good, no doubt.
I hated my brain for coming up with the response she’d give.
I jumped off the edge of the pool, dropping into the water. I was surprised they didn’t allow diving with how deep it was. I sank several feet under the surface before making the effort to swim back up to the top. I did like the fact there were lights at the bottom of the pool illuminating the water from the bottom.
It felt a lot safer that way, and I was able to see right where I was heading.
I broke back up through the surface, and I was surprised to see Neils was watching me. I was glad it was too dark for him to see me blushing. I felt like my whole body was blushing. I was wearing a two piece, after all. It was athletically cut rather than a bikini, but it was a two piece just the same.
I treaded water for a moment, looking over at him.
“Doesn’t the heat ever get to you?” I asked.
In response, he took off his shirt and kicked off his own shoes.
I was immediately floored with his chiseled body. I knew he was in shape. That was obvious from the tight T-shirts he was always wearing. They didn’t leave much to the imagination. But they also didn’t let me see all the tattoos that were covering his torso, either.
