Post by Danielle Basch on May 22, 2017 23:21:34 GMT -5
A Beachside Restort
Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Sunday night, May 21, 2017
On a private patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Danni LeBlanc steps into a shimmering pool lined with iridescent blue tiles, wearing a jaw-dropping purple bikini. Her hair dances lightly in the gentle nighttime breeze as she lowers her body into the water, letting it flow around every curve. Once she makes her way to the far side of the pool, she sits down on the ledge that serves as a built-in bench, draping her arms against the side of the pool, gazing back toward the sliding glass door in anticipation.
I hope he doesn’t take too long to get out here....
The towering figure of her boyfriend Donovan steps through the door, a pair of champagne flutes held in one colossal hand, with the other hand gripping the neck of a bottle of Dom Perignon. The patio lights reflect softly against his chiseled bare chest as he walks barefoot toward the water, wearing a simple pair of black board shorts. Danni’s eyes scan him from the feet on up, taking in every inch of his well-defined frame, biting her lip as he steps into the pool, carefully setting the bottle and glasses just outside the edge of the pool as Danni glides across the water to join him. As she sits on the ledge beside him, she rests her head against his chest and stares out at the ocean as he drapes his arm around her.
Danni: It’s so beautiful out here...
Donovan: Even more so because YOU’RE here.
Danni: Oh, you! There you go again with your shameless flattery. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you were trying to butter me up so I’ll go easy on you when we face off for the South Bay Championship, but I know you’d never stoop that low.
Donovan: Of course I wouldn’t; you know me better than that! I’m just sitting here, relaxing with the most beautiful woman in the world, about to pop a bottle of champagne...
He reaches back, grabbing the bottle and the corner of one of the towels that was already sitting poolside, carefully placing a corner of the towel over the cork. He looks at Danni and flashes his wolf-like smile as he grips the cork and starts to pull.
Donovan: This way, it doesn’t get launched into the sky, and we won’t have to hear about some poor schmuck getting nailed in the head later.
Danni: Oh, Spidey... you’re so thoughtful!
Another pull of the cork, and it’s free from the mouth of the bottle. He carefully sets it down to grab the glasses, handing one of them to Danni as a small cluster of bubbles rises to the mouth of the bottle, only to subside just as quickly as they appear. He first pours the champagne into Danni’s glass, then his own, before he settles back against the edge of the pool, looking up at the stars.
Donovan: So... about this Zane guy... do you have any idea what his problem is?
Really? Gonna bring this up while we’re on vacation?
Danni shrugs, shaking her head.
Danni: Honestly, I’ve never seen him before in my life. So why he’s constantly going out of his way to harass me... well, I don’t know.
Donovan: One thing’s for sure... he’s already crossed the line. If I ever catch that little runt, I’ll end him myself.
Danni: Spidey, please... we’re supposed to be relaxing and enjoying ourselves, not wasting energy on some punk with a Napoleon complex.
Donovan: You’re right. From here on out, Zane Story doesn’t exist to us.
Danni: Sounds like a plan to me....
The pair tap glasses, then each take a sip of champagne. For a moment, they simply stare at the stars as the water gently laps around their bodies. Suddenly, a quiet chuckle forces its way out of Donovan’s throat.
Donovan: It’s funny...
Danni: What?
Donovan: Oh, it’s just that my father’s been crowing about you to everyone who will listen. Apparently, the fact that you’ve been enough of a fixture in my life these last couple of months...
Danni: But we’ve only been dating for a month...
Donovan: I know, but he’d heard about you long before that.
Danni tilts her head away from him, a playful grin on her face.
Donovan: Truth be known, you’re the first woman that’s ever actually taken the time to get to know me.
Danni: Well, I guess their loss is my gain.
Donovan: Two months... isn’t that the rule regarding how much of your salary you’re supposed to spend on an engagement ring?
Wait, what did he just say? Are we seriously having this conversation after only a month?
Oops… maybe that could be considered jumping the gun… just a little.
Danni: Now hold on just a minute, mister! If you were to do that, I don’t think I’d be able to lift my hand, let alone go swimming. You could very well send me straight to the bottom!
Donovan: That may be a... mild exaggeration, I suppose. But I’d definitely want everyone to take notice.
Danni lets out a giggle, casually glancing at her left hand as she takes a sip from her champagne.
Okay… time to change the subject. He knows I’m not quite ready… yet.
Danni: As if my friends aren’t already sick of me bragging about what a wonderful man I have. They think I’m spoiled….
Donovan: What do you think?
Danni: Well, maybe they’re right. You DO spoil me. You know damn well that you don’t have to do half of the things you’ve done for me since we’ve been together…
Donovan: Yet I do it anyway, because I love you.
Awww...
Danni: I love you, too… because you’ve gone out of your way to make me happy, even though there are times I wish you didn’t try so hard. Sometimes, just being with you is enough. Just like right now...
She quickly finishes her champagne, as does Donovan. After she sets her glass down, she pushes away from the edge of the pool, giggling as she makes a “come here” gesture with her finger. Donovan flashes a wicked grin as he swims after her. He catches her in the middle of the pool, wrapping his arms around her well-toned waist. He draws her close to him, but she puts her hands on his chest, putting up just enough resistance to get him to pull back a little.
Donovan: What is it? Did I do something wrong?
Danni bites her lip, backing away slightly as she gives him a playful expression, then giggles once again.
Donovan: You know, maybe I’d feel a little better if I could understand just what it is you find so funny…
Danni: Nothing… save for the fact that right now, you’re wearing more clothing now than you do when you wrestle.
Donovan: Would you rather I started wrestling in a tuxedo?
Danni bursts into laughter, falling forward so that her head lands on Donovan’s chest.
Danni: No, you big silly! But it does create an interesting visual. Actually, I was thinking….
A seductive spark lights up Danni’s eyes, prompting a broad smile from Donovan.
Donovan: Ahhh, something wicked this way comes…
Danni dives underwater, swimming circles around Donovan. As he tries to keep track of her with his eyes, she suddenly changes direction, moving behind him.
Donovan: What the…
Danni comes up from underwater, standing in front of him… holding his board shorts in her hand. When he realizes what has happened, Donovan lightly shakes his head.
Donovan: Seems I can’t take you anywhere…
Danni: f you want your shorts back… you’re gonna have to catch me.
Donovan: You’re on!
Once again, Danni dives underwater, swimming around the pool with Donovan close behind her. She picks up speed, putting some distance between them. She pops up from beneath the surface, waving the shorts over her head, but all of a sudden, she loses her grip on the garment. Donovan’s shorts end up airborne, sailing across the patio… and over the railing.
Oh…
My…
Voice: ¿Que demonio es esto?
Both Donovan and Danni TRY to keep their composure, but the humor of the situation is just too much for them. They spend a few seconds in raucous laughter before eventually slowing down to catch their breath.
Donovan: I’m not quite sure what he said… my Spanish is a little rusty.
Danni: I think he said “What the hell is this?”
As they continue to get a laugh out of what just transpired, Danni could barely make out someone down below, speaking Spanish so rapidly, she couldn’t really understand.
Danni: Nope… talking too fast. Can’t even catch every other word…
She turns to Donovan, shrugs her shoulders, and then gets a wicked gleam in her eye.
Danni: On the other hand, this presents an… interesting opportunity….
Donovan: Danni… what are you doing?
Uh… I should think it’s fairly obvious!
Danni pushes off from the side of the pool, launching herself like a torpedo toward an unsuspecting Donovan. As she tackles him, the force sends both of them beneath the surface for a moment, only to emerge with Donovan on his back, and Danni straddling him like a pool float. Donovan finally catches on, and as the pair continue to make use of the pool, the sound of the man down below is eventually drowned out with their laughter.