Back at the Pool Part Three

Luke POV

I walk out to the pool area and look around and after a couple of glances around the area I spot the girls in a huge cabana. Ah, there they are. Now to find a place to sit that's out of their sight but where I can see them clearly. Being a former Navy Seal, I'm able to blend in enough to almost be invisible. It comes in handy as a CPO and is just a perk in situations like this. I find a place to sit where I can see her without anything blocking my view, which isn't really that hard. I've selected a chair that's set back deeper in the shadows, the foliage acting as additional camouflage.

As I watch them get settled and ready to start their pool time, I keep my eyes trained on Rhiann. Holy fuck she's hot in that white bikini. I don't know if I would let her out of the house in that, definitely not out of my sight. It would drive me crazy knowing everyone would be looking at what's mine. God I sound like Grey with Ana, thinking everyone wants in her panties, except in Rhiann's case, I bet they do. I know I do. She's not even mine, yet, but I'm going to do my best to change that. I just know we'd be perfect together.

If she ends up with that stripper I don't know what I'll do. I don't know anything about what kind of relationship they're having but it's obvious there's something going on because they've gotten awfully cozy the past 24 hours. I've seen them together, at the bar, dancing on the street, holding hands and kissing in the hallway. Maybe she's just having that 'fling' in Vegas and won't talk to or see him after she leaves here. I hope so because I can't imagine an actual relationship forming and considering he's a stripper I doubt she'd be that trusting. I know I wouldn't be. I bet he has women everywhere and wouldn't think twice about cheating on her. There's too much temptation, especially in Vegas. Besides, he's here and she's in Seattle. How well can that work and for how long?

My mind drifts off to a future with her. Living in the same city we'd be able to see each other all the time. It's easier to have a real relationship with someone you live near. Long distance relationships don't work very well. There has to be a lot of trust between the two people and it takes time to build that trust up and commit to someone completely.

I know if I was dating someone who lived in a different city I'd get tired of not seeing her every day or commuting for hours just to see her. I certainly wouldn't want her to do the traveling, for safety reasons. I'd either break it off or try to convince her to move to be closer to me. I couldn't move because of my job but that wouldn't be an issues. I could easily take care of her to the point that she wouldn't have to work. I may not be a billionaire like Grey but I've got an amazing salary with excellent perks and a huge nest egg. I highly doubt she has a job that supports her enough like mine does. Hell, for all I know she could be living paycheck to paycheck. I can't believe I'm thinking of being with just one person in an actual relationship, and a long term one at that. She's done something to me and I've never even talked to her.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts by movement in their cabana. Why do they have one so big? It's just the three of them. Are they expecting company? Fuck, please let it not be the strippers. After a few moments of what looks like they are getting settled I watch as she picks up her phone briefly then tosses it onto the table. When she turns back to the water, her face is blank and it reminds me of what Ana looks like when she rolls her eyes at Grey. Hmm, I wonder what that's all about?

I watch as she starts to walk towards the pool and dips a toe in. She turns and says something to Kate and Ana and continues to walk toward the deeper end of the pool. She's following alongside the edge of the pool, holding on when she needs to. Slowly, she makes her way to the deep end, which is around a curve and surrounded by lush greenery, perfect for an intimate conversation. Like I said earlier, being an ex-Navy Seal, I have the ability to disappear into the background, we all do. With this thought, I stand up and make my way over to the lagoon and stand there for a few minutes, watching as she makes herself comfortable. She has her sunglasses on so I can't see her eyes and I can't tell if she's got them open or not but she acts like she doesn't see me. The sun is to my back and I'm sure the shade is blocking my face. I stand there quietly watching her and decide now is the time to start a conversation.

"Good morning. How's the water?" I ask, keeping my voice low, hoping I don't frighten her.

She turns her head toward the sound of my voice and replies, her voice an audible sigh, "It's nice and refreshing. Perfect for this time of day, and it's nice and quiet, with no one to bother you while you're relaxing. That's what I'm doing. Relaxing, I'm not here to talk. Thank you, but please don't bother me." I can sense her irritation and can't help but feel like a child scorned for speaking out.

Wow, she's got an attitude already, and so early! She's full of spunk, I like that. Playful attitude is a great way to start the day, followed by good sex, I'd love to wake up to her attitude, subdue her, then fuck her senseless. Really make her want to never leave me for anyone else. Since she's not mine yet, I don't push my luck and honor her wishes.

I respond, my embarrassment audible in my tone. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you. Have a good day."

For some reason, I can't walk away. I can't look away from her. I don't want to leave her presence. I just stand there, watching her, silently. Suddenly, she sits up and starts to swim toward the shallow end quickly. I feel a tug in my chest the further she gets from me. When she gains her footing she starts to run away from me, looking back occasionally, I see her face and she looks terrified. Fuck! I didn't mean to scare her, that was not my intention. I only wanted to talk to her. This was the first opportunity for me to talk to her since I've been here, the first time she's been completely alone, without Kate, Ana or that bearded guy. As I'm watching her get out of the water when she's back to where the girls are I decide I need to get back and sit down. Slowly I blend into the background and disappear and make my way back to my seat.

When I get back I see that Ryan and Reynolds have arrived and are waiting for my return. I can't tell by their expressions but I wonder how long they've been watching. When Ryan points out the obvious, that she's frightened and I am the cause of it, it's obvious that they've seen everything. Just great.

He tells me I'm not acting like a professional, like a CPO who's on assignment, that I've become a creepy stalker. Ha, that's actually funny to me because that's the farthest thing from my mind. I just want to talk to her and get to know her. There's nothing wrong with that. He tells me to leave her alone, go back to Seattle and find some other girl. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone is aware of how impossible that would be. I don't want anyone else. I just want her.

"Uh oh, here come Kate and Ana and they look pissed." I hear Ryan say. Whatever. I did nothing wrong; I just asked a question. Kate and Ana start berating us about approaching her and Grey sending us to watch them and Ana realizes that we were the ones that grabbed them yesterday and have been watching them since. Needless to say, she's a little pissed.

At this point I've pretty much tuned them out, paying enough attention to nod and respond when necessary because I've not done anything to hurt her. Then she says something that catches my attention quickly. She says that Rhiann is terrified and they may not be able to fix things again and that I've destroyed her. What the fuck does that mean? Welch hasn't been able to get any information on her except driver's license details, which is odd, but certainly if something major happened we'd be able to find it. Right? There's something they're hiding and I want to find out so I can help her with whatever is going on.

"Look, I'm sorry your friend was scared. I didn't mean to. I was just asking how the water was and she freaked. Yes, we were the ones who grabbed you, but it was only because your safety was in danger. You almost got hit by a car because you were drinking unsafely. We just happened to be there. Sorry. We were trying to figure out how to come over an apologize, but…." I let my voice trail off, hoping they accept that explanation and apology.

Kate's really pissed. Ryan says we're leaving, and he glares at me indicating to get up and get moving. As we're walking away, I look back at Rhiann. I feel terrible about scaring her and I want to apologize, but Ryan, Reynolds, Kate and Ana won't let me, they're blocking my way. Fuck, can things get any worse?