Amber liquid filled the glass. The powerful fumes of fine bourbon wafted up to me, a warm greeting. I plugged my music player into the stereo, turned on the back patio speakers and raised the volume. The heady tones of a saxophone lazed in through the open sliding glass door. My drink in hand, I stepped through onto the patio. The concrete, still hot from the blazing sun, felt soothing and solid on the bare soles of my feet. Ella Fitzgerald's sultry voice met me. The balmy summer evening air swirled around my ankles to lift the edge of the sarong tied around me and teased my hair, lifting it off my shoulders.
An evening of self indulgence was long overdue. I felt a smug smile touch my lips thinking of my night ahead of doing nothing but spoiling myself. Humming softly along with the soothing music, I walked towards the bubbling hot tub and untied the fabric confining me. It slid to the ground allowing the breeze to caress the rest of me. The shadows and light cast from the pool water played in ripples over my body as I stepped into the hot, roiling water. I stood there for a moment, took a long swig of bourbon and let Ella serenade my woes away.
I set my drink to the side and pulled my loose brown hair back from my face, plaited it and let the braid swing free to hang midway down my spine. I slid the rest of me down into the blissful heat. Closing my eyes and letting the heat and force of the jets work on the knots along my spine, I relaxed into the moment.
I was alone until morning, when Mr. Andersen would arrive, take his keys back and I would head home. My small side business as a caretaker continued to grow. The town was fairly large and situated between two major metropolitan areas, so families escaping the city moved here. The valley contained a sea of tract homes cleaved by the interstate freeway and peppered with shopping centers and big box stores. All those homes made for a sprawling suburban labyrinth that generated plenty of needs for me to fulfill. I ran errands, shopped, and saw to my clients' pets and property while they traveled or vacationed. This particular home sitting job was my favorite.
The house and yard were easy to keep, there were no pets to manage, and there was a pool and hot tub that I was encouraged to use. The client insisted on overnight care which wasn't an unusual requirement. I had a few clients that wanted their house sitter to stay nights, for fear of burglary or because of pets with special needs. This client had a great many acquaintances that might come by at anytime. I had been given short list of those who were allowed inside to use the pool, take a shower, or just sleep a couple hours. It seemed weird to me, but none of my business. The place was a pleasure to watch and I was always well compensated for my time.
The client wasn't bad looking, either. Mr. Andersen had intrigued me from the start. My face heated in a blush as I remembered almost a year ago when I'd knocked on the door for my initial interview. I had been looking down to put my keys in my purse when he'd opened the door. I saw dark slacks and a dark blue button up shirt, tan throat, and eyes so intense and blue that I'd fumbled and dropped my keys. I'd stammered out a greeting and introduced myself while trying to pick my keys up off the welcome mat. That was my clumsy start to the interview that got me this lush job.
Despite the awkward introduction, my references and experience had secured Thomas Andersen's account. This was my third time here and I had the simple job well in hand. There were few plants that required attention; the house was easy to keep clean, even when he had a couple visits from his friends on the list. He seemed an easy going man, insisting that I make use of the place while I watched it. I did as far as his pool and hot tub were concerned. My little apartment complex didn't have a pool and I loved to swim. The hot tub was simply a hedonistic delight.
I took another sip from my drink. The alcohol burned a line of fire down my throat and bloomed into smooth warmth that seeped back up to make my scalp prickle. Yep, this was sweet self-indulgence and I was ready for an evening of it. I could barely hear Louis Armstrong join Ella, crooning about summertime above the jet of the hot tub. There are few perfect moments in life and I decided this was one of them. I relished the languorous feeling of the hot water unwinding the kinks in my muscles and the pleasant burning of the liquor unfurling inside me. Closing my eyes and sighing aloud, I let the music wash over me and sank into the blissful moment.
My mind wandered. Earlier this week I'd met two of the five on the allowed list, Mel and Dmitri. They arrived together, but Dmitri barely acknowledged me before heading to the couch. Within a few moments he had his cap pulled down over his face and had begun snoring loudly. Mel had laughed and told me to ignore him, if I could, and proceeded to introduce herself. With dark hair the color of glossy coffee beans and warm, almond shaped brown eyes, she had a friendly manner and an easy smile. I couldn't help liking her. She had come for the pool, she told me, used it for a workout a few times a week.
I recalled glancing out the kitchen window as I made my lunch and saw her strip out of her tee shirt and sweats and dive into the sparkling water. My jaw had dropped a little at her boldness and nonchalance. I also admired it. And I couldn't help but admire her. Just the brief glimpse had shown me a stunning female form. I finished making my sandwich while she swam, and remained near the window to eat. I watched when she emerged from the pool, her sleight, slender body moved with feline grace and strength. The sun had glinted off the water on her body as it sheeted from her skin to pool at her feet. Her pert breasts stood high and proud and her taut muscles flowed over delicate bones as she moved to get the towel from the rack near the pool steps.
She saw me at the window and smiled and waved. I ducked my head and blushed to be caught watching. She came in, toweling off and still nude and helped herself to water from the fridge, continuing our chat from earlier. There was a peculiar glint in her eyes that I hadn't been able to define, but it made me feel special, included in something fun. It seemed Tom Andersen had some interesting friends.
Feeling quite buzzed now, my muscles loosened, I decided to swim a couple laps and then get back into the hot tub. Stepping out of the tub, the air felt cool and pebbled my wet skin. I did a shallow dive into the pool; the water was shockingly cold after the heat of the tub. I surfaced and gasped, treading water in place until I adjusted to the temperature contrast before starting to swim. Pulling my body through the water felt divine, my muscles stretching and working as I pulled myself through the water. I ducked beneath the surface into a silent underwater world. I swam a lap before I had to come up, sucking in the late evening air. I flipped onto my back to float, surrendering completely to the buoyant water. Billie Holliday sang now. Her butterscotch voice chided, yet almost begged, "All of me, why not just take all of me". I listened to the whole song while floating blissfully. Billie's song muted and clarified as water lapped over my ears with the gentle waves my swim had stirred.
As the last strains of the song finished, I dove back beneath the water and swam towards the pool steps. Reaching the lowest step, I pulled myself up each one until I surfaced and luxuriated in a stretch. I stepped up out of the pool to find the owner of the house and dark eyed Mel standing on the back patio watching me. I stood startled and dripping in my bikini.
"Um, oh gosh..." I felt awkward and embarrassed even though I had full permission to be doing what I was doing. I still felt like the kid caught with her fingers in the cookie jar.
"We didn't mean to startle you. I called out, but you didn't hear." Tom gestured in the vague direction of the outdoor speakers, the music still lazing into the summer evening. "My trip ended sooner than expected and Mel here was kind enough to give me a ride. By the way, this is Mel."
"We've met; she was just over earlier this week."
I greeted Mel. This time in jean shorts and a pink tank top, I noticed again how striking she was. Shorter than I, with shoulder length dark hair and brown eyes that glinted with something I couldn't name. She gave me a quick hug and kiss on my cheek which threw me off guard. I was always startled by people who greeted anyone with hugs, friend or stranger. Mel's friendly attitude made it feel genuine.
"Sorry I didn't hear you. Here, let me get my stuff." I walked over to my discarded cover. "It'll only take me a few minutes and I'll be out of your hair."
"No, please." He moved to intercept me. "Continue to enjoy your evening. I told Mel she could come swim. Please. Get on back in, you're starting to shiver. I insist." The last words were firm. His look said he had little patience with polite refusals. The inviting smile that accompanied it devastated me. Oh boy.
"Um, well, okay. Thanks." I gave a shy smile and struggled to get my galloping pulse under control. He shouldn't be permitted to do that, whatever that was, exactly. Tom and Mel shared a look. Then she smiled encouragement at me.
"I'm getting changed, then." Mel moved back into the house as I climbed back into the swirling hot tub. The heat stung my skin after the chilling pool and standing in the cooling air.
"What're you having?" He picked up my nearly empty glass.
"Oh, bourbon. There's more on the counter, can I make you a glass?"
"No, I'll make myself a glass, and freshen yours up." He turned to the house and then directed a look back at me. It definitely should be illegal for a man to ooze that much charisma with seemingly so little effort. "Please, feel welcome. I'm home early, my trip went well. I am in the mood to celebrate and would be delighted if you'd join us."
"Yes, stay." Mel had come back out with a towel wrapped around her. Tom passed her, walking into his house with my glass in his hand. I looked at them, a bit confused. Surely he wants to enjoy his evening alone with his girlfriend. My thoughts must have registered on my face because Mel leaned down close and said, "We're not together. You're not interrupting any plans."
I laughed nervously. "Thanks. Okay, well, okay sure." Smooth talker, as always, I thought at myself with a wry twist to my mouth.
"I want whatever you guys are having." Mel called to him.
I heard the music turn down until it was easier to talk. Mel stepped up to the edge of the pool and drew off her towel. Of course, she wore nothing. She executed a graceful dive into the water. Well, it was none of my business what she preferred to swim in. Still, I politely averted my eyes as she climbed from the pool. Not before I sneaked another quick peek. She was small and lean, her petite breasts stood firm with dark aureoles and nipples. Her slender waist flared subtly into slim hips. With her dark hair slicked to her head, those large, tilted eyes black in the lack of light and rivulets of water tracing the angles of her body, she looked like some sort of selkie come to enchant whoever dared happen upon her.
