Harlow
I grin to myself as I walk towards the bathroom to change. I was surprised when I realized that I actually missed Pierce over the last few days. I wasn't really sure why he pulled back from me so hard, if he was trying to let me adjust to living here or if he was just busy, but I found myself wishing he would spend more time with me. At first I thought I was just lonely but, truth be told, I'm not much of a people person. I do well alone. That's why I haven't worked hard to have friendships or relationships since my mom died. I enjoy the quiet of living alone, not having to answer to anyone, not having people rely on me.
I enter the small bathroom and open a door on the other side. My mouth drops at the wide variety of bathing suits that Pierce bought for me. I'm happy to see a few more modest options, as well as some that show more skin. I go for a full coverage black option that still looks flattering when I slide it on. I grab a couple of towels and head back out to the pool. Just as I finish arranging them on the towel warmer, I hear the door open and turn to see Pierce enter the room. He smiles warmly at me and I feel my heart flutter a little in my chest. I watch him as he walks towards one of the loungers. He slips off his shirt and throws it down before turning and starting towards me.
I try not to stare at his body, biting my lip as I turn towards the pool and wait for him, but I can't help but notice his large shoulders, strong chest and the way his waist tapers into his swim trunks. My fingers itch to reach out and touch him, but I shut those feelings down as I walk to the shallow end of the pool, wading in. There's a slight wave to it from the waterfall, but the water is warm against my skin.
I let out a pleased sound and close my eyes as I enjoy the feeling of the water enveloping me. I hear Pierce walk into the water behind me, his body moving closer to mine as I spin in the water. His low chuckle rings through the room and my eyes slip open to see him watching me from the other side of the pool, a wide grin on his face.
"What?" I ask, a smile on my own face as well.
"You're adorable." he murmurs. I laugh a little, rolling my eyes as I wander away from him.
"This is amazing." I say quietly as I push off from the pool floor, doing a lazy doggy paddle towards the waterfall.
"I thought we were going to race?" Pierce asks, still watching me from the other end of the pool.
"Just enjoy the tranquility of the moment." I shoot back, trying to float on my back. He chuckles again.
"You challenged me. And I'm highly competitive." he answers. I stand up to look at him, throwing my now wet hair up on top of my head.
"Really?" I ask, genuinely surprised by his admission.
"Yes. It's the way I was raised." he admits. I wander towards him in the pool, getting to a shallow enough spot that I can sit on the ground and be covered to my shoulders in water. I rest my arm on the edge of the pool, laying my head on it as I look up at him.
"That's interesting. You've never told me much about your family." I say.
"You haven't asked." he responds, moving closer to sit next to me, his back against the pool side as he looks out the window.
"You're right. I haven't. What's your family like?" I inquire. He heaves out a heavy sigh and I wonder if it's maybe not his favorite topic.
"I'm the middle child. I have an older brother and a younger sister. My brother was the popular one. Did every sport he could think of. Some most people haven't even heard of. You know what pickleball is?" he asks me. I giggle a little and shake my head.
"Nope." I respond. Pierce nods and goes back to looking out the window.
"Well, Shane was proficient in it. Dead sure he was going pro." Pierce says, smiling slightly.
"Did he?" I ask.
"No." Pierce answers. "Turns out there's not much money in being a pro pickleball player." Pierce says and I can't help but laugh.
"What does he do?" I ask.
"Marketing for our company. My sister, Etta, she handles all of our non profits, charitable giving, even runs a homeless shelter, all of those kinds of things." he says. I nod and reach out to splash the water a little.
"And you?" I ask.
"Hmmm?" he murmurs, looking over at me like he was lost in thought.
"What do you do?" I ask.
"Oh. I develop new technology, run experiments, manage our teams of scientists and engineers." he responds.
"Sounds complicated." I murmur.
"Not really. I've been doing it long enough. And I like that I can work from home. I don't really like people." he says back and the absurdity of his statement causes me to bark out a laugh. "What?" he asks.
"But you like me?" I tease. He grins and nods fervently.
"Only you." he answers and my heart does a traitorous flutter again.
"Let's race." I say, pushing up and heading towards the deeper end of the pool.
"Are you sure? I'm not going to take it easy on you just because you're a girl." Pierce jokes, but I just narrow my eyes at him.
"Bring it on." I say before splashing a huge wave in his face.
I hear him sputter as I push off from the wall, kicking my feet and pumping my arms as hard as I can to get to the other end. When I get there, I stand and wipe the water from my face just as Pierce comes to a stop next to me. When he stands he looks at me with a shocked expression.
"You cheated!" he accuses.
"You didn't say there were rules." I tease. He tilts his head back to laugh, the warm sound reverberating off of the glass walls of the pool room. He shakes his head slightly as he looks at me, his eyes full of a warmth that I've only ever seen in my mom. It makes dangerous emotions bubble up in my chest from where I've locked them away tight. I want to distract myself, so I point towards the grotto.
"What's that?" I ask, a gaping hole visible behind the waterfall.
"Come see." Pierce says, motioning for me to follow him.
I do, the water getting deeper as we go through the waterfall. Pierce pushes a button hidden amongst the rock face and the lights of the pool room turn off, only a low blue glow being emitted from under the edge of the pool, making it look like the water is glowing. More lights begin to flicker, a small opening becoming visible under the grotto. A moment later, multiple lights spring to life, illuminating another small pool. Pierce pushes another button and the whirring of jets start up, sloshing the water around.
"It's a hot tub." Pierce explains. I gasp and do a little cheer as I look at the beautiful space. The sun has nearly set, so the low lights and splashing of water creates a calming atmosphere all around us.
"How do we get up there?" I ask.
"There's stairs right here." Pierce says, pointing to where there are lights under the water, illuminating stairs that go up to the level of the hot tub.
"This is incredible." I murmur.
"Go ahead." Pierce says, letting me walk up the stairs first.
I get so excited that I go too fast. Once I hit the top step, I slip and go hurdling backwards. I squawk out an unladylike shriek, flailing my arms around to find something to hold on to so I don't hurt myself. I brace myself to land in the water, but instead Pierce's arms wrap around me firmly. I collide with his chest, but one arm goes around my back while the other cradles my legs. He pulls me into his chest and my arms go around his neck, clinging to him so I don't fall. I take a few breaths, my heart pounding hard in my chest. Once I'm safe, he puts my legs down, but I don't let go of his neck. Instead, I push myself into him and both of his arms go around my waist to pull me closer to him.
"Are you alright?" he asks, looking down at me with concern. I nod, looking up at him.
My mouth seems unable to form words, the feel of him pressed against me so intoxicating I never want to let go. So I don't. Instead I shuffle closer to him, tucking my face into his neck and resting my head against him. I can hear the pounding of his heart in his chest and it does something to me. Almost making me relax in his hold. For the first time since he brought me here I truly believe what he's been telling me. That he won't hurt me.
That he wants me to be happy.
His body goes very still against mine, only his arms moving as they get a little tighter around me. He takes a deep breath and presses a gentle kiss to my head before he releases me carefully.
"I'll have a railing put in. To hold onto. So you don't fall." he murmurs, the low timber of his voice making me shiver.
"You won't catch me again?" I ask, grinning up at him. His smile returns and he reaches up to run the pad of his thumb down my face. My heart stutters at the tender movement.
"I'll always catch you, sweetheart. Always."