Page 99 of Cloud Storm

Being careful not to wake him, I kiss him on the shoulder. Don’t blame me, I couldn’t resist. He mutters something about five more minutes and determined to let him rest, I get out of bed slowly.

In the bathroom, I take care of my basic needs and get dressed up just a little. I put on one of the two fluffy robes that I find hanging, and I go to explore what this place has for us.

More than a hotel room, this looks like a tiny house, it has a lounge that serves as a living and dining room, and even its own kitchen.

I go to the French doors, which overlook what I suppose will be the patio and when I open them my mouth gapes in surprise.

“Oh my, we have our own private pool out there,” I exclaim, marveling like a little girl.

“Sure, because you and I have a pending issue to solve,” says a voice behind me.

Lancelot wraps me with his arms from behind and I let myself go. His hands look for the knot of my robe to open it, while my head falls back on his shoulder, giving him access to my neck.

“Come on,” he invites me. “Let’s go swimming.”

“Lancelot, I haven’t put on my swimsuit,” I protest, turning around. “And you’re naked.”

Gloriously naked, I must add.

“You don’t need to dress, Ariel.”

“God, Lancelot, what if someone comes?”

“No one will come here but us.”

“I’m being serious.”

“Easy, babe,” he laughs. “The pool is private, nobody will come to bother us.”

But we still have another problem.

“I don’t know how to swim,” I admit, my face reddening.

“I know.” He smiles tenderly. “That’s why I chose this particular room. The time has come for you to learn.”

Holy shit.

“How deep is it?” I ask, terrified of his answer.

“It’ll probably go up to your chin. Don’t tell me that after all that you’ve overcome a small puddle of water scares you.”

“The last one in is a rotten egg,” I shout playfully, dodging him.

We both run away, and Lancelot throws himself headlong into the water with a master’s experience. As for me, courage leaves me right on the edge.

Lancelot rises up out of the water, and comes to the edge of the pool as he looks around for me.

“Jump, baby, I’m here waiting for you.”

No, no, no, he’s too far from the edge.

“I can’t.”

“Ariel, look at me,” he orders and I obey him. “Look at my chest, see where the water reaches. Come in, nothing bad will happen to you.”

I grab my robe tightly, as if it were my lifejacket.

Lancelot stretches out his arms towards me, inviting me to join him.

---