6

The coolness of the water was always soothing. April slowly finished her lap, exhausted from her hard swim. She’d had so much energy, she hadn’t known what else to do with herself. The pool had always been her refuge from the world, even when she was little and lived with her aunt. It was a form of liquid sanity.
She reached for the side and hung there for a moment, allowing herself to think again, to let the flood of emotions take over. Images of Percy and Feb filled her mind. Haunted by both, she splashed her face impatiently.
The flopping sound of sandals got her attention and she bobbed upwards, looking towards the spa. Feb nodded her head at her as she stopped at the hot tub.
“Do you mind?” she asked, her hand at the neckline of her robe. “I don’t want to disturb you.”
“It’s fine. Really.” April rubbed the water out of her eyes. “I’m just going to swim a little more.”
“You always come here when you’re upset.” Feb walked towards April, her step hesitant. “I- I don’t want to make you more upset. I really don’t want us to fight anymore.”
“I don’t think we can help it, can we?” April said tiredly.
“I’m sorry.” Feb choked out, looking like she was going to cry. “I’m sorry that I hurt you, April.” She turned and went over to the hot tub, dropped off her robe and stepped naked into the water.
April swallowed hard and pushed off the pool wall again, in desperate need of another lap.
She lost herself in the rhythm of breathing and methodical strokes, coming to rest at the other end of the pool.
Because we don’t know what else to do with each other. Feb’s voice softly floated through her mind. She looked down at the far end of the pool, staring at the dark head plopped over the side of the hot tub. She squinted her eyes. It looked like Feb was watching her swim. Out of curiosity, she held up her hand and waved. Feb waved back, then stood up in the tub, the water dripping down her body. Her nipples were dark brown against the tan of her breasts. April let her gaze wander downward and saw the black triangle of hair. A warm flush overcame her. She shouldn’t stare, yet she couldn’t stop. Her eyes went back to Feb’s face. It was as if Feb wanted her to look at her, her eyes as intense as the scrutiny her body had just undergone.
She watched as Feb got out of the hot tub and came over to the pool steps. Feb never used the pool- she claimed she couldn’t swim. April watched in amazement as Feb cautiously descended one step at a time into the pool, holding onto the railing with both hands. Feb reached the last step and stopped. Looking at April, she held out her hand.
Something snapped in April’s mind, and she pushed off from the wall, swimming rapidly, long strokes taking her toward her goal. For the first time in her life, the impediment of the water frustrated her as she punched through the surface with her hands, making her way to Feb. She saw a blur of dark skin ahead and let her momentum carry her forward, her arms outstretched, reaching for Feb. Feb grabbed her hair, pulling her roughly forward into her body. Her lips crushed into Feb’s skin. Her hands grabbed Feb’s hips even as Feb pulled her upward by her hair, her smooth skin gliding quickly by April’s open mouth, dragging her upward into an intense kiss that seemed to suck the very air out of her body. She yanked Feb downward into the pool with her, but was stopped by Feb’s hand still on the railing.
“Let go.” her voice was hoarse.
“I can’t.” Feb gasped out. “I’ll drown.”
April groaned with frustration and desire even as Feb pulled her back up the step into another kiss. Her hand ran back down Feb’s thigh, splashing into the pool as she pulled Feb’s leg up, pulling her in to touch her-
“Naked and kissing!” Mayo’s alarmed shriek echoed over the pool. They broke apart quickly as April silently cursed the child. Her chest still heaving from excitement, April glared at the small intruder.
“Is there something you need, Mayo?” Feb panted gently, showing far more control than April. Mayo, eyes still wide, turned and ran.
“Holy shit. I sent her to tell you that we’ve got a delivery on those guns.” Jani’s irritated voice filled the room. “And just what are you doing in here?” she shook her head as she walked toward them. “Scaring the kid like that. For shame.”
“Sorry. We got carried away.” Feb apologized, but April glared back at Jani. Jani ignored her, looking down at her watch.
“We’ve got 45 minutes to get those guns delivered. So that means some people around here have to put their clothes on and get to the hovercraft.” She stared pointedly at Feb.
“I’m going now.” Feb said contritely, and pulled herself back up the steps, using the railing.
“I’ll go with you.” April splashed up the steps, but was blocked at the top by Jani.
“Uh-uh. You chase that ass on your time, not ours. You have your clothes right here. Now go get them.” Jani stared her down and April knew she meant business.
“Fine. You heartless creature.” she snapped as she went past Jani.
“Not my problem that it took you two years to figure it out.” Jani retorted with a snort of laughter. “I can’t even feel sorry for you.”
“Yea well, I’m going to make up for that as soon as we get back.” April growled.