I'm in Barcelona for a few days as a layover heading to a major conference. I love Barcelona - it's a city with an amazing energy. You can just feel it, touch it, smell it.
I'm staying at a boutique hotel this time, the Sir Victor, as a welcome change to the usual Ibis or other business hotels.
I enter the check-in desk. "Passaporte, por favor," asks the attendant on the other side. Credentials please.
On my left strolls in a dirty blonde, about to do the same.
I carefully eye her up and down. A tall, slender girl, a brunette with streaks of blonde, very leggy, full ass, and toned body. She's wearing a tight fitting work suit, which highlights the fact that she works out.
Our eyes lock, her beautiful hazel irises looking into mine.
I withdraw, slowly, to linger, but not to be too hasty.
"Russian, German?" I think to myself. I hope to see more of her.
I head upstairs to my sparse, but modern room.
I take a shower to settle down. I can't sleep, perhaps a bit too wired from the travel, perhaps I'm channeling the energy of the city. I've already eaten on the plane so no more tapas and cava for me now.
"Maybe I go swimming at the pool," I think, trying to find ways to come off the traveling high.
I change into my Vilebrequins, the quick drying, travel friendly brand.
I wear my slippers. I go upstairs. Into the fresh air.
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It's quiet up here, 10 PM according to my Tudor. I didn't manage to bring my Rolex, nor do I want to bring it, as it's a bit too flashy for European travel.
Quiet - except for the dirty blonde doing laps.
She's now adorned with a sharp dark one piece swimsuit. Her body is sleek, slim, toned, her strokes immaculate, her wake sleek and gentle. She glides over the water, her fingertips caressing the water as they enter, cupping it gently.
By the looks of it, she's a serious swimmer.
Well, I'm serious too.
I dive into the pool. It's been a while since my triathlon training, but I vaguely recall how to swim fast. The key is gliding, to spread yourself into the water, immersing into and becoming one.
I catch up to the dirty blonde, she to my left. I stretch myself, gasping for air, and front crawl. I inch ahead of her.
"Here comes the turn," I remind myself as I look slightly ahead, thinking to tuck in, roll, and push off the block. As I said, it's been a while.
I lose whatever advantage I had. I clumsily accelerate off the block, she already executing it, clearly knowing what to do.
She's back on top. As if she knows I'm trying to beat here.
I go all out, pumping my back muscles and lungs, reminding myself to glide, but wanting to pump my strokes.
My lungs burn. My legs kick. My thighs tight.
I stretch towards the last 10 meters. Glide. Out. Now!
I see the blonde touching the wall just after me.
She surfaces for air, her mouth open, gasping, passionate. She lost, and she yearns to know who has beaten her.
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"Good swim," I say to the dirty blonde smugly, hinting my dominance.
She asks me my name. I tell her a fake one.
"I'm Leena," she offers.
"Perhaps it's a fake one too," I think.