Fate

Chapter 14

Skye

I left KB's around midnight. By the time I got back to the apartment, Jason was asleep on the couch. I quietly tiptoed into the bedroom, closing the door behind me. I didn't want to wake him up but was not in a reading mood to sit in the library. I settled for journaling before trying to sleep. That proved to be difficult only being able to see out of one eye. I sent a quick text to KB and Wyatt, thanking them for helping me. I found myself wanting to text Ace who had texted me earlier confirming I had his number. I started to type a message but then deleted it, deciding against it. I put my phone down when a text came in a second later.

ACE: Can't sleep?

ME: Got home a few minutes ago, going to sleep now.

ACE: Good. Get some sleep. I will see you soon.

ME: You seem sure about that.

ACE: I am. Goodnight beauty.

ME: Goodnight.

I turned my phone over and shut my eyes. Willing the darkness to succumb.

When I woke, Jason was not in the room. There was a note on his pillow.

S - Need to blow off steam. Not sure when I will be back. Let's talk. - J

I could only imagine the conversation he wanted to have. I couldn't think about that right now. Decided I wanted to sit by the pool and read, maybe get a swim in. I went into my closet in the library grabbing a dark green bathing suit with black cover pants. The pants had splits on the outer of each leg. My favorite to pair with all my bikinis. I put two books, headphones and a towel in my beach bag. I took a look at myself in the mirror, my eye was no longer swollen shut but was a nasty black with deep purple. I noticed that a blood vessel had popped in my eye creating a blood spot in one corner of my whites. I grabbed a baseball cap, hoping to shield my eye from anyone that might be at the pool house.

I didn't run into anyone on my way down to the pool. The pool house was empty. I buzzed myself in, finding a chair close to the hottub. I loved the burning sting going from the hot tub to the pool. The pool house was massive. The pool itself being slightly smaller than an Olympic sized pool, the water always the perfect temperature as it was heated. There was a smaller pool on the other side that was no more than 1ft deep purposely for small children. Around that pool were pool chairs that were basic. The bigger pool and the spa were separated with luxury lounge chairs, each with a small table. Plants that were taken meticulous care for spaced out evenly. Rules posted on the walls but styled to fit the decor perfectly. There was a station to plug your phone in to connect to the speakers throughout. I took advantage of this being by myself. I plugged my phone in and turned on my favorite Romantasy Playlist. I took my book and a water bottle, courtesy of fully stocked WOW fridge, and sunk into the hot tub. Letting the bubbles and hot water cascade over me.

I must have been lost completely in my book, I nearly jumped when I felt the water shift slightly. I looked up quickly, my eyes meeting his. Ace gave me an easy smile. He was sitting across from me, sculpted arms resting on the brim. His arms were covered in tattoos. One arm with seemingly random tattoos. The other dark swirls of ink, accentuating the ripples of his muscles. the swirls came completely up his arm, cascading over his shoulder and fading into his neck and collarbone. His chest, massive, was also tattoo'd. Red and black lettering spelling out a name, Maddox. His entire presence was overwhelming. Here, in front of me shirtless, was a whole different type of overwhelming. I pushed the thoughts out of my head.

He cleared his throat, my eyes refocused on his face. I gave him a small smile. "Hello beauty" his voice low. "Hi Ace." I said kindly, grabbing my bookmark. His hand flexed up, "Don't stop reading. I don't want to disturb you. You look at peace, lost in words." I felt my cheeks flush, "I don't want to be rude." I said in a small voice. He shook his head slightly. "You enjoy reading. I am perfectly content letting you read. I will be here enjoying your company." I nodded my head, opening my book back up, seeing that he grabbed his phone. He turned the volume off, a gesture to not disturb me.

We sat in company for an hour. I lifted my leg up and saw how red my skin had become from the heat. I climbed out of the hot tub, careful not to disturb Ace, and put my book on my table. I stepped into the pool, sucking in my breath at the cooler water hitting my skin. A burn that I like. I made it a point not to look at Ace. Beauty. How f*****g perfect. The voice, not mine but his, in my head again. I whipped my head toward him. He was looking intently at me, eyes darkened, under his brow. A smirk on his face. I shook my head, walking into the water, diving in as soon as it was deep enough.