ONE TO WATCH

CHARLIE: SPA TREATMENT

The atmosphere inside the spa was just as Charlie hoped: soft lighting, gentle orchestral music, and candles. A middle-aged woman greeted them, handing each a white robe and slippers before directing them to the changing rooms. She also gave them a card explaining the booking process and a menu of experiences available via QR code on the spa's website.

Delyan passed Charlie his credit card and told her to choose whatever she wanted—his treat. He retreated into the men's changing room, leaving her wondering if he was for real. Sure enough, in the bag was a new Armani green string bikini tucked, just as he'd said. Finally, her nerves began to settle. He must really like her. He'd gone to a lot of effort to choose the right kind of date. This was exactly where she wanted to be after a long day at work. It was almost as if he'd gotten into her psyche. She felt special.

Contemplating the menu, Charlie decided to add a couples massage to the cart on the app. He'd said to order whatever she wanted, and it all looked so inviting. Craving romance, she selected the cinema pool experience, which came with champagne and a dessert of chocolate mousse and strawberries. Worried they might get cold, she also added an Aufguss, which she thought might be a sauna.

When they met outside in their robes, she handed his card back and showed him what she'd ordered. He squeezed her fingers.

"C'mon. This'll be fun," he said.

The massage lulled her into such a state of relaxation she almost fell asleep. To her surprise, when they were done Delyan told her he'd never had a massage before.

"Did you like it?" she asked.

"Not really," he laughed.

"Why?' she chuckled. "What's not to like?"

"Let's see..." he said. "You are right over there. Dressed in a string bikini. Two feet away from me. And me? Well, I'm over here with a middle-aged man rubbing oil on my butt. The experience is...discombobulating."

"I like that word," she grinned. "Discombobulating. It sounds as it is."

"It's one of my favorites," he said taking her hand. In comfortable silence, they made their way to the cinema pool. On the edge of the water, there was a small picnic basket. He sat dangling his feet in the pool and poured her a glass of champagne.

"You're not going to have any?" she said, when he didn't take the second glass out of the basket.

"I don't drink," he said.

"Oh...sorry," Charlie blushed.

"It's okay, you couldn't have known. Besides, I'm here for the chocolate."

"Thank you for tonight," she said. "I didn't realize how much I needed this. You've been so thoughtful. I really appreciate it."

He turned away and busied himself with the picnic basket. "More champagne?" he offered.

Charlie made a mental note that Delyan didn't handle compliments well. He sat beside her at the edge of the pool, offering her strawberries. She longed for him to kiss her. As the cinema show began, they both shed their robes and floated on their backs in the middle of the pool, watching the lights above. He intertwined his fingers with hers, making her heart race. Her thoughts drifted from the show to his lean bronzed body. She wondered why he hadn't tried to kiss her yet; they were so close in the pool, but she was determined not to make the first move.

When the show ended, he helped her out of the pool and wrapped her robe around her shoulders. She shivered and said, "Let's get in that sauna!" Before she knew it, they were sprinting through the corridors. He quickly entered the access code, and they stepped inside, alone. As the door closed, he pulled her close. The room was filled with warm, aromatic steam. He gently removed her robe and guided her to the wooden bench. He spread her robe on the bench, and she lay down. He lay in the opposite direction on the stepped bench above her and they closed their eyes, letting the steam seep into their chilled bones in silence. After ten minutes, he broke the silence, saying, "You have beautiful skin."

She thanked him and he ran a finger across her back, stroking the nook between her shoulder blades where the sweat formed. Her body leaped with desire for him.

"Should we go home?" she said.

He smiled. "I promised to get you tucked in nice and early."

She hoped he wasn't serious.

Am I even going to get a kiss tonight?

They gathered their things and left the spa. The air was crisp and as they walked home together, she thanked him again for the evening.

"I had fun," he said.

"Me too."

She could feel the warmth creeping up the back of her neck and knew she was blushing again.