Pool

I walk into the elevator while looking at Sam; he still has those bruises on his neck and those marks on his face-he looks like a retired boxer.

The white, perfect tiles on the floor look like pieces of mirror placed with great care, and the walls are so spotless that you feel guilty just breathing, afraid of dirtying them.

When Sam opens the door to the room assigned to us, everything is even better: a huge, beautiful bed right in the center and impeccable, tasteful décor.

Sam fixes his gaze on me while I unpack. He's positioned comfortably on the floor, giving me that flirtatious look.

"I'll sleep in the bed! You on the floor," I order firmly.

"We'll see about that," he challenges, devouring me with his eyes.

"The meeting is at three... we have plenty of time to relax."

"What do you mean, relax?"

"There's a pool... in the back... very small... but very private... want to go?"

"No! I don't know how to swim and I don't have a swimsuit."

"You don't need one... it's just a dip... come on." He insists, eyes pleading.

I look at him a bit annoyed; he says nothing about last night, and neither do I. I can't deny I'm anxious to go. Arms crossed, I give in.

"Fine... when are we going?"

"Now."

"What? Now? Why the rush? We just got here."

"So what? Sooner is better... follow me."

I don't argue. I follow him silently.

Near the exit, behind a huge door, a beautiful room with a hidden pool fills the place with calm. I don't know why there's absolutely no one here-just clear, crystalline water that intoxicates you with its beauty.

Sam stops at the edge and slowly takes off his shoes, then his shirt and pants. I thought he'd take off his underwear too, but apparently he's becoming polite.

I can study his back under the mischievous rays of sunlight reflecting on the water and the marble statues. He has tattoos there too. Suddenly he jumps into the water. His hair falls in wet strands over his forehead, and he invites me to join him.

"It's just that... I don't have... I don't know if I should," I mumble, clasping my hands.

"Come on, Estela... nothing's going to happen to you."

I quickly take off my blouse, tie my hair into a perfect bun, slide down my skirt, and watch him while covering my bra with my arms.

I walk slowly and settle onto the purple steps.

Little by little, I feel the warm, calm water sliding around my waist-a delicious, refreshing sensation.

Sam approaches slowly, swims a circle around me, then gets closer.

"Estela... why do you spend time with me?"

His question surprises me. I don't know how to answer. I'm nervous-or maybe I just don't know if I should tell him that our encounters have all been planned by him.

"I... well... I don't know," I stammer, smiling foolishly.

"You're very pretty, and I can't stop looking at you."

Every word from that delicious mouth lights my soul on fire; that inexplicable heat rushes up my spine, and my pulse pounds uncontrollably.

I don't see Sam anymore-my judgment is completely clouded. I don't know what's going to happen, but what I'm feeling right now... I like it.

Suddenly he pulls me out of my wandering thoughts. He grabs my waist and pulls me back against him. The warm water relaxes me a little, and I feel something hard pressing against me.

His long hands wrap around my waist, and he kisses my neck softly, water-soaked kisses that send shivers through me.

Slowly, he slips his hands inside my underwear. A tingling sensation spreads through my stomach as his fingers move near my inner thighs.

He moves higher and massages me gently. A suffocating heat takes over my body, and the more he presses against me, the more insistent his touch becomes. I can't help letting out a small moan, my body tensing.

"Come for me, Estela..." he whispers in my ear.

A wave of shuddering spasms bends my waist, and a feeling of relief and drowsiness rushes through me.

Sam's phone won't stop ringing. He quickly gets out of the water, wipes his fingers on his shirt, and answers.

"Yes... no problem... don't worry," he says before hanging up.

"Estela! Tonight, after the meeting, there'll be an opening party."

Still dazed, I get out of the water and Sam wraps me in his shirt.

"Let's get changed," he murmurs while dressing.

I'm anxious and scared; a terrible panic hammers in my mind-what if he wants to take advantage of me? I think as I dress.

Back in the room, Sam starts working.

"We need to finish this before tonight... you're really smart, Tela," he mutters while pulling out his laptop.

"'Tela'?" I ask, raising a brow.

"It's easier than Estela," he says with a teasing smile.

I don't pay it much mind-there's so much work to do that my brain automatically switches to focus mode.

I sit very close to him and help. It's almost late afternoon when he prints the last report.

"This brand is important. The cherry-red Hyundai is worth millions of dollars... the company's in Korea, but it has a branch here in Ohio, so nothing can go wrong," Sam explains, packing away everything we've done.

"Everything is on this USB, Estela. You keep it... and tonight, don't leave my side. These people can be dangerous."

"Dangerous?"

"Yes... don't go near Mark... their representative. Promise me."

"Yes... of course."

Now I'm even more scared than before. Tonight will be crucial.

"I'm going to shower," Sam says, grabbing a fresh pair of underwear and nothing else.

I don't know what he's planning, but he doesn't say anything serious or hint at anything.

Sam takes so long in the shower that I come up with an idea to get honest answers out of him.

When he finally opens the bathroom door, I have a surprise ready.

"I have a game for you!"

"Hmm... tell me."

"On this table are four slips of paper, each with a question... each one will be placed on my body. You choose where. If you don't want to answer..."

"I'll lick the place where the paper was," he interrupts confidently.

"Oh! I... well, all right," I stammer, wondering what I'm getting myself into.