Free Heat Waves by Carrie Anne Ward

as they
walked behind her. Tina had always been the loudest and most
outgoing of the three. Rachel laughed, and threw her towel onto a
chair in the shade. Her two friends took the chairs next to hers.
The three ladies quickly got into the pool. They laughed and joked
and had a great time. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining,
and Rachel could feel the warmth on her skin. Summer was her
favorite season. She loved the hot Vegas weather.
    Tina went up to the bar to get them each a
drink. Rachel looked up at the bar, and noticed a man with a laptop
sitting on a chair, looking over at them. He had sunglasses on, so
she could not tell exactly where he was looking. He couldn't have
been looking at her, could he? She did not move her eyes away from
him, as she tried to figure out if he was looking at her and her
friends. Finally, after a couple of minutes, he smiled. She laughed
and looked away. Rachel felt the nerves flutter in her belly. She
was usually pretty quiet and shy. Tina grabbed the drinks from the
bar and walked back toward the pool. The man got up from his chair,
walked to the bar, talked to the bartender, and then sat back down.
Rachel noticed the very nice looking man glance over again, and she
laughed. The three girls laughed and played around in the water,
while they drank their drinks. When they were done with the drinks,
they got out and relaxed back in their chairs.
    “Rachel, it's your turn. Go up to the bar and
get us some drinks,” Tina said. “Make sure you pass by Mr. Hottie
up there. He has been checking you out the whole time.”
    “Shut up,” Rachel scolded. “You don't have to
talk so loud.”
    Tina laughed, and jokingly smacked Rachel on
the ass as she walked past her to the bar, where she ordered the
three drinks.
    “The gentleman over there has paid for your
drinks,” the bartender said, as he pointed to the man that had
smiled at Rachel.
    Rachel laughed. She picked up the drinks and
walked over to her friends. She told them that Mr. Hottie had
bought them each a drink. Tina turned and looked at the guy.
    “Thanks,” Tina shouted, with a smile.
    He nodded and waved.
    The three girls laughed as they finished
drinking.
    “Do you want to go to the spa with us,
Rachel?” Tina asked. “We are going to get massages, and enjoy the
hot tub and sauna.”
    “I would rather just stay at the pool. You
know I don't want a stranger rubbing me,” Rachel said. “I will meet
you back at the room. If I'm not there, text me, and I will let you
know where to find me.”
    “Are you sure?” Jen asked. “We don't want to
leave you alone at your own divorce party.”
    “I am fine right here. I'm having a great
time,” Rachel replied.
    Tina and Jen wrapped their towels around them
and grabbed their things. They laughed, saying, “see ya later,” to
Rachel, and were on their way. Rachel was actually happy to have
some time to herself. She loved her friends, but relaxing in the
pool alone sounded really good.
    Rachel got into the pool and sat down on the
ledge at the side. She leaned back and put her head down on the
cement. It was such a beautiful summer day. It felt so nice to have
the warmth of the sun on her skin. A few minutes later, she felt
the water move against her. She opened her eyes just a little, and
saw the man that had been sitting with the laptop walking toward
her in the water. She hurried to close her eyes, before he saw her
looking over at him. Damn, he was hotter than she’d thought. She
had gotten a quick look at his shirtless chest. Rachel felt a smile
form on her lips, as she thought about him. Was he really looking
at her earlier?
    “What are you smiling about?” the man asked,
as he got closer to her.
    She sat up, opened her eyes, and looked at
him.
    “What?” she asked, as she pretended not to
know what he was talking about.
    “Where did your friends go?” he asked.
    “They went to check out the spa and get
massages,” she replied, as she checked out his sexy