Chapter 10

Sweat poured from every pore of her body. Sheets tangled around her body. She threw off the tangled mess. Breathing heavy already she raced to the door and slung it open. Her heart ready to burst but she made it to the stairs that led to the deck. What caught her eye made her stop breathing all together. She blinked her eyes a few times.

The sight that met her eyes took her breath away, and made her heart lurch.

He stood on the stairs to the pool he no longer wore the shorts she'd seen earlier. He had discarded them and was now completely naked, the moonlight silhouetting his body. Her gaze took in his broad back, his narrow waist, his long muscular legs, and then some. Holding her breath, she slowly stepped out onto the deck grateful for the darkness. She could watch him without him noticing.

He slid he's hands down his hair letting the water drip down his body. Oh how I would like to be that water drop, to slide down his body. She always assumed that if or when she finally found love, it would all be clear to her. But it wasn't at all. Love was confusing and exhilarating, fighting and comforting it stood before her like a wonderful dream. She was afraid it would dissolve in the blink of an eye as soon as she reached out for it. Why couldn't she just grab that dream? She deserved to be happy didn't she? She thought he noticed her cause he started walking towards her!

CC slowly backs up, right into Daisy.

"Sorry didn't see you there CC." The lady apologized.

"I didn't know anyone else was up." CC stated.

"I see we aren't the only ones." She pointed to Niles. "Go over there."

"I couldn't." she shook her head. "Then I will." CC grabbed her by the arm.

"Don't." she glared at the woman.

"Aha. You want to check him out huh?" Daisy started to walk towards him.

"No!" CC silently shouted. Niles faced the voices and she hid back in the darkness. Niles sat on the plastic lounge chair. Daisy walked right passed him. Not a word was said. CC let out a sigh of relieve that he didn't notice them out there.

CC watched him for a few minutes while she let her heart rate and breathing go back to normal. Lately she kept finding herself attracted to him at very odd moments. For some reason, he had been looking sexier and sexier to her, had to be her hormones she decided. She was usually better at keeping a tight rein on her thoughts but not lately something or someone was taking control. And she didn't like that. She was determined to keep her emotions under tight wraps. That wasn't going so well on this trip. She was hoping she could end this trip before some really took a spin like her life.

She walked to the bedroom with the thought of him and his body on her mind. She could have sworn that he whispered, "Sweet dreams." his voice coming out of the darkness. But once again there was nothing. She felt a delicious warmth disappearing until she was left cold and alone in the bed.

She always backed away after he kissed her. Now, she lied awake wanting the more, more of them. She drew a shaky breath and tired to banish the tingling warmth that raced through her limbs and pooled at her core. There was no doubt in her mind that he'd be a wonderful lover- strong and assured – safe…masterful. She had had lovers in the past, but sex always frightened her. She'd never known a man who could make her blood run hot enough to melt her cold heart, to make her body tremble in anticipation just at the mere thought of what might be.

"That's what it should be," she mumbled to herself. "Heat and the overwhelming passion all of it, a fanatic climb towards a shattering climax and complete satisfaction." She ignored the current of attraction that sparked to life at the sight of him, the sound of his voice.

The truth was, there had been so few men in her life. She hadn't had the luxury of developing friendships with any of them, and she hadn't really enjoyed going to bed with any of them, either. They were only after her money. She would do anything to get a deal for her and Max, it had all been nerve racking and clumsy and a lot disappointing.

She was a woman with hormones, with normal needs, with passion and desires that could become inflamed by such close proximity with a man one she admired and respected. Whether it was love or not, she wasn't sure but she was beginning to feel something.

Something deep in her heart, something that stirred her soul and magically drew them closer. They were both adults, both capable making they own dictions. Why not let events lead where they might.

She made her way where they usually had meals, she found coffee and a plate of pastries. As she munched on a pastry she stared out across the azure water. What a perfect day, she thought, the water so crystal clear. Not a cloud in the blue sky.

The image of his necked, aroused body flashed back into her mind, along with the other memories the feel of him large and hard against her hand the first night. How it felt when she held it. oh…she moaned. I…she saw how the water glided down him. oh…no more. No more. Her heart skidded with warning, and her defenses rose in reaction like they always did when she was around Niles.

This time it was her vision of him. She didn't want to let him see the softer side of her. Till she knew he rally cared for her. Even then she warned herself she would stay cautious when it came to love. She was open with Max cause she knew he could never lover anyone like he loved Sarah.

She only shut down when she knew she could possibly fall in love with someone. She craved that flood of desire that raced through her when their mouths touched. She shook the thoughts right out of her head. I got to think of something else.

Her gaze landed on something in the water. A body! Floating face down in the water. Just below her. "Hello, hello." She yelled as she glanced around then leaned over the railing to get a better look. She wanted to make sure that her eyes were not playing trick on her after she just woken up. She recognized that hair and that body anywhere. It wasn't just any body floating in that water it was…it was Niles' and he wasn't moving.

"Niles! Niles!" she screamed.