In Another Life

46

I became very aware at that time that he was shirtless, sitting very close to me, saying something deep that he shouldn't know about me. "Oh...okay," I breathed out slowly, and tried to run a hand through my damp hair, forgetting that it was in a bun. "Fuck," I muttered, practically getting my hand stuck in the wet strands. Nope, scratch that. My ring was stuck. Great. "Damn it," I said, pulling my hand, trying to get it free. "Are you stuck?" Colby asked, laughter in his voice. I turned my head to face him, knowing that I looked like a damn fool, with my hand just stuck on top of my head. "It's not funny. Help please," I whined, tilting my head towards him. He laughed again, but raised his hands to my hair. The second I felt his skin touch mine, I closed my eyes, relishing it. The tension had been broken by my idiocy, but I would never just be comfortable or get used to his touch. I don't think it's possible. "Ouch!" I gasped, as he accidentally pulled my hair sharply, while trying to untangle it from around my ring. "Oh I'm sorry! Hold on, I almost have it." I tried to stay still and ignore the chills that were sent up my spine every time his bare skin brushed against mine. His chest was directly in front of my face, when I opened my eyes, after another slight pull of  my hair. I sucked in a breath from how close he was. "Did I pull again? You got it stuck good somehow," he replied, thinking that he had hurt me again. "Noo," I breathed out slowly, staring at the tattoo on his chest. "Almooost, got it!" He took my previously tangled hand in his and brought it down, backing up just a little to look in my eyes. There was a proud smile on his face, that beautiful one, stealing what little bit of breath I still consciously had from my lungs, but as soon as he connected his gaze with mine, it faltered. His blue eyes blazed, darkening a little, that intense gaze holding mine. Everything else disappeared. My friends, his, the others that were in the guarded area, the music, everything. It was gone. It was just him and I, locked gazes, him still holding my hand in front of me in the dark night. He leaned closer to me, slightly pulling me me to him. I felt the warm water rise gently against my chilled skin with the movement. Then there was a loud peal of laughter, breaking the moment, causing us both to look over to the sound. Jake and Tara were walking towards the hot tub, only Tara was trying to get away from him, while he kept grabbing her sides and picking her up, making her laugh. "What's up guys?" Tara said, standing at the edge of the hot tub, looking around at all of us. Jake came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him. They were so in love, it made my heart hurt. I hadn't realized just how much I craved something like that. I noticed Colby glance at me quickly, before releasing my hand, and clearing his throat. "Nothing, where the fuck have you guys been?" he asked. "Playing Chicken Brother," Jake said, grinning so that his cute little dimple popped out. Sam rolled his eyes and laughed. "Of course you were. Did you win?" Tara scoffed at Sam and raised her eyebrow. "Who do you think we are? Of course we did." Brennen turned and hoisted himself out of the water, turning to hold his hand out of Sarah. "Well, it's been fun, but I think we're about to go hang out in the room. See you guys...eventually," he replied, winking at Colby. Sarah blushed a little, and waved to us, then followed him out of the gate. "Seriously? How does he just do that?" Colby murmured, almost too quietly for me to hear. "Do what?" I asked. He glanced at me, and shook his head. "Nothing. Talking to myself." He looked away towards Sam. "Hey Sam, when is Kat supposed to be here. She's just coming to the hotel?" Sam nodded. "Yeah, I told her I would meet her at the airport but she said not too. I gave her the room number and everything, but I have to go up and meet her so she's gonna text me." "You wanna just take this upstairs then? Grab some drinks and chill in the room?" "Party in Sam's room, Sam's room," Jake started singing. I couldn't help but laugh as Kenzie and Denise chimed in. Jake nodded his head at them. "Love that," he replied. "Besides, Tara can't drink down here anyways. You know, cuz she's a kid." She elbowed him in his side, pursing her lips. "That, coming from you?" She replied, while he grinned and rubbed his side. "Let's get the drinks and go then," Colby said. He turned and placed his palms on the concrete pushing himself up out of the water. I couldn't help but admire the way the muscles in his arms flexed, the droplets of water sliding down over his tanned skin, his back flexing as he pulled himself up. Oh Jesus, it just got hot. Was it hot? I need to get out of this water. It was suddenly way too hot. Colby turned back towards me, and crouched down, holding his hand out to me. "Your turn Princess," he said, smiling at me softly. If he didn't already own my heart, he did now. I placed my palm in his and let him help me from the water. The others climbed out, as Colby handed me a towel. "This isn't mine," I said, giving it back to him. He smirked a little. "I know. It's mine. It was just easier to let you use it than have you digging through that bag to find yours," he replied, motioning towards my puffed out bag. I rolled my eyes. "It's right on top. It wouldn't be that hard," I said, but I took his towel and dried off the best I could.