Never My Intention

finders keepers.

Although I should've been happy to be heading off to the pool for a number of reasons, like finally getting that tan I've been craving since we've been in Nevada or maybe get a drink or two at the bar and unwind a little, last night continued to flow back to my mind; the hypothetical "what if's" that clouded my brain made it hard to enjoy.

The pool was located in the center of the large complex along with a long bar and lounge area that was privately gated. I had passed by the area multiple times during our stay here, but was never able to indulge myself due to priorities for the Drais performance; I should've been excited to finally be able to have some fun but after last night, I was full of mixed emotions.

Thinking back to last night caused a shiver to run down my spine, every single time a flashback crossed my mind. The way his hands had pinned me down to the bed excited me and the way his blue eyes had bore into mine made me think there was an actual connection between us; everything about the kiss caused my head to spin. But then it hit me - there was a lot that I was risking in that moment, and I never really liked change.

Even though I didn't want to leave, I still did. I was overprotective like that.

After Ashleigh and I had lunch at a nearby restaurant that Abbie had recommended to us, we headed back to the apartment to change into something a bit more appropriate for lounging by the pool. I knew I had packed a couple different swimsuits - especially since I knew each apartment had their own jacuzzi here - the only issue was trying to find them.

Ashleigh was first to be ready, for once. After finally finding my favorite strapless bikini, I parted my hair so half was in a ponytail, the other half down cascading past my shoulders. Ashleigh dressed in a white bikini and pulled her blonde locks up into a messy bun, a few strands falling around the frame of her face. Before we walked out of the apartment door, I made sure Ashleigh had the tanning oil, along with a few towels because I was sure that towels were the last thing on the guys' mind.

When we finally got to the pool area, I noticed a smaller pool off to the side designated for children; toddlers in cute swimwear waddled around as parents and older siblings chased after them. It made me smile.

The one thing Ashleigh had asked the boys to do was to save two lounge chairs for her and me; it was their only given task. I was hoping for their sake, they remembered.

Once we got in, because we were over 21, we were given iridescent stamps on our hands that grew brighter the longer you were in the sun; it was actually the coolest shit in the world and I didn't need to worry about a tan line from a drink band, which was the best part.

After a couple of moments of scoping out the area, I was first to locate the two tall boys I had known for years; they had beers in their hands as they squinted in the sunlight, conversing with a couple of girls off to the side close to the bar.

I felt my body get hot, warmer than it should've been, even in the Nevada heat. Ashleigh finally spotted them out, bluntly pointing in their location for me to lock eyes with yet again.

Slim was laughing as a pretty brunette touched his arm as she spoke to him. Her dark hair flowed past her elbows in loose curls and her caramel skin blended in almost perfectly with the gold bikini she was wearing. Past them, standing by a large umbrella was Kells sporting his black swim trunks; he was drinking his beer, studying the other brunette with much shorter hair. Her red strapless one-piece accentuated her curves and it was honestly the first thing that caught my eye, so I wouldn't put it past him for it being his first too.

We made our way over to them, walking by hoards of people; some lounging in chairs soaking up the sun, others playing games in the pool, but most were at the bar, drinking and laughing with strangers. I avoided the gaze of a few males that made it drunkenly apparent they found me and Ashleigh attractive; entertaining those already inebriated was never a good idea.