Chapter 15 - Steamy baths and awkward silences

REBECCA'S POV

We couldn't just miss out the chance to have the pool all to ourselves, could we? Al's parents were at a friends' anniversary, so ... well, the house was all for us.

Yesterday I left the barbeque earlier because I was upset, with the whole Will thing, Al soon came to fetch me, but I really didn't feel like going back, so I had him invent an excuse with his family that I wasn't feeling well.

I had to fake a headache when, after everything was over, his mother came into the room to make sure I was okay, and she was really so adorable ... she has no idea, but even though my sickness was only fake, she had me try for the very first time what does having a real loving mother feel like.

A mother that will take care of you when you're sick, not cause you to be ill and then not even care. Helena offered me everything and beyond, asked if I knew what caused the headache, and what could she do to make it pass, she even massaged my temples, brought me some soup, checked my temperature ... everything. To the point that I felt guilty for lying to her.

She was even about to cancel the dinner with the family to take care of me, I swear. I forced Al to back me up as I convinced her it was just a headache, I'd be fine. She was persuaded, but peremptorily ordered to her son to see to my wellbeing, to help me with anything I needed, and – this made be blush a little – even if that headache was a symptom of PMS, Al ought to be at my service till I felt better.

This family is incredible, really. I've felt so welcome ever since I set foot in here, and the Barrows are the nicest people I've ever met, not to mention such a cute couple. Only this morning Helena told me they would be renewing their vows for their 25th anniversary, which will be in a month, and, obviously, she already invited me and booked me as her bridesmaid. I couldn't refuse, could I?1

Anyways, I was talking about pools, right? This morning, I woke up with Al practically hogging me, barely leaving me an inch to turn around – he justified it as taking his mother literally when she said he ought to take care of me while sick, I think he just wanted to land his hands on me, not that I mind –, and when his mom came to wake us, she obviously awed at the sight.

I think she's firmly convinced we're a perfect couple, and I guess it's fair that she set her hopes up, because, as I've been told, I'm the first girl Al brings to meet his family. His parents never had the fortune of meeting the girls he sneaked into his room regularly after school, of course.

Now, Helena is as much Catholic as her husband, and while she knows her son is kind of an atheist, she dragged us both to church this morning either way. I'll admit it felt refreshing. I hadn't been at mass since years. 1

Tom used to take me there. He actually taught me the value of faith. Said that it was what helped him push through life with such a horrible father, and it saved him when his mother passed away, leaving him alone with said horrible father.1

When Tom passed away, I was tempted to seek comfort in church, but it just wouldn't have been the same if he wasn't there with me, therefore I kinda abandoned all of that. It was refreshing to be in a church, listen to God's word again after so many years.

It made me laugh a little that I'm not exactly living a chaste life as Catholicism would want, but I think it's not everything black and white, and that is the smallest sin one should really care about.

I mean, the priest of the church Tom and I went to also told us off when he found out we were actually a couple: said it was a horrible sin, practically incest, because we were supposed to be brother and sister, and it didn't count that we didn't share blood, we were still part of the same family, therefore it was incest.

Useless to say we quit going to that church. We found another one, where the priest was more understanding, and he actually blessed us, saying it didn't matter where we came from or how was it, Tom and I were the embodiment of true love, and there was nothing purer and more right. Love is always right, it can never be wrong.1

Anyways, this morning we were dragged to church, then the Barrows left us alone for the lunch at their friends', saying they'd be back by six, namely a couple of hours before we left for New York. Al and I decided we'd have lunch by the pool.

We didn't cook, his mom did for us before leaving, something light luckily, and now there we were, enjoying her delicious meals.

"So you really can't swim?" Al asked me as he dropped his fork, once done eating.

I smirked, mimicking him. "I've got no bathing suit." I reminded him.

He snorted. "Undergarments are a natural bikini. I don't see why you girls make a difference."3

I chuckled, actually agreeing with him, but mentioned that we'd just eaten, we should wait to digest before bathing, otherwise we might have troubles. He agreed.

We wound up laying down, watching a movie on his I-Pad. Once it was over, I stood up and stretched, contemplating the crystal water for a few moments.

Three hours had passed already – Al picked The Hobbit, it was sooo long! – so it was safe to bathe. I glanced over at Al, who'd just sat up, and smirked. We had two hours before his parents came back. We could exploit them in the best way, couldn't we?

Hence, I giddily got rid of my denim shorts and top, remaining only in embroidered lacy green underwear, giggling when I heard Al groan in appreciation. I kinda took advantage of needing to stretch to provoke him a little, and every groan he emitted was one more point of arousal for me.

Once my muscles were ready, I took a deep breath and dived in, rejoicing of the cool water, which actually made me feel weird, considering how hot my body was, both because of the arousal and because I'd been laying against Al those three hours while watching the movie, and boy,is that body of his smoking hot...both literally and figuratively.

I took a very relaxing bath, and had actually been afloat, eyes closed, enjoying the moment, when I felt the water around me shifting, obvious sign that Al was coming closer, and because I'd already sensed it, I was able to prevent him as he came to startle me, therefore I swam away before he could catch me, giggling and teasing him for being too slow.

We kinda chased each other around the pool for a while, till I got tired of playing and decided I wanted a piece of my kinky Ally.

Hence, I quit swimming, and stood in the middle of the pool, laughing when Al came rushing, nearly crashing into me as he came to a stop and pulled me into him, giving me a deep, watery kiss that kinda had me lose balance for a moment.

I regained it soon, though, and giddily wrapped my arms around his neck as I kissed him back, his hands roaming my body feverishly, as if he couldn't get enough, and actually his kisses were more intense than ever.

The contrast between the cool water and the hotness of our bodies mingled together was only more arousing. His lips soon moved to my neck, while my hands eagerly moved to his trunks, and I pulled the string, pulling him closer to me, making him groan inside my mouth. His hands cupped my ass cheeks, massaging them, taking advantage of me wearing a thong, but he swiftly moved up to take off my bra as his lips turned to mine.

I kinda giggled into his mouth when he wasn't able to unclip my bra, and I moved back slightly, naughtily staring into his lustful green eyes as I unclasped the undergarment from the front, then discarded it, throwing it into the water, only to then wrap my arms around Al's neck and pull him into me, to attack his lips once more, having him growl when my chest pressed against his.

I let him play as his lips travelled down my neck, trailing kisses to my breasts while his hands pressed my crotch against his, and while his slower and more amorous pace kinda surprised me, I really didn't mind. Actually, I loved it.

When I got eager, I pulled at his trunks and pushed them down, so that Al, even while never ceasing to kiss me, got rid of them, remaining naked in the water. He then spun me around and pressed me flat against him, making me gasp as I clearly felt his erection, but other than speed up, he kept his slow and sultry pace, gripping my hips as he kissed every inch of my skin that he could find, my hand dipped into his hair as I enjoyed the feeling of his warm lips on my skin, as much as his superhot body against mine.

Slowly, Al slid off my thong as well, leaving me as much nude as he was, and he lightly had me spread my legs, enough for his fingers to slip between my thighs and find my triangle of happiness. One hand played with my clit, rubbing it sensually, slowly, making me quiver already in anticipation, while the other was busy kneading my breasts as his lips relentlessly kissed neck, earlobe, shoulder ... everything he could find.

I pushed my butt against him when his fingers slipped inside my needy hole and he started pumping slowly. Maybe it was the mix of his sultry kisses and sensual kneading with the gentle strokes of his fingers, then add the feeling of the water, but the pressure in my stomach raised faster, I felt weaker than usual, and when I came, I came unusually silent but desperate for much more.

Al spun me around once more and attacked my lips, his hands actually leaving my intimate zones to cup my cheeks, and while I was taken off guard by this different attitude, I also loved every bit of it, don't even know why. 1

It was something new, I guess. I expected him to exploit water for his kinky purposes, but instead Al decided to go for regular but doubly sensual and sultry. Breathtaking, to say the least.

I gladly kissed him back, grasping something weirdly deeper in those kisses, and I didn't exactly know what it was, but I loved it, it made me all tingly inside. It lasted longer than I expected, and it felt new, because I never knew Al was able to pour such sultriness into his kisses, making them so melt-worthy.3

I half broke that amorous exchange by making him growl as I gripped his manhood underwater and started stroking it, slowly, keeping the same pace of his kisses, which is why that was soon integrated in that weird but passionate moment we were sharing.

When he couldn't take it anymore, Al broke the kiss and spun me around once more, making me gasp as he pressed himself against me, and moan as he stroked my labia with his hard shaft, teasing me, till I got needy and came to even beg him: "Hmm ... Alan, please ..."

Normally he would smirk and have a cocky comeback, but he said nothing, just gripped my hips and came back to kissing every single spot he could find, so softly and amorously that I was too distracted to notice he'd actually slipped inside me ... I only noticed for real when he gripped my hips, bent me over slightly, and started pumping, slowly and gently, passionately, sultrily ... a completely different Al from the one I'd had till now. And I fucking loved it.4

I loved every single stroke he gave me, I loved how he accompanied each and every single one of them with a deep kiss to my mouth, only to then trail his lips to my jaw, neck and earlobe, nibbling sensually, while his hands kneaded my breasts.

It was probably the water to help, but somehow we wound up against the staircase underwater, which was great, because this way I could lean against it and bend over some more, and that's where Al finally picked up a faster pace, ceasing his sultry game for a few minutes as he focused only on thrusting deeper and harder into me, watching my every reaction, which I could notice with the corner of my eyes.

Yeah, he actually watched me be overwhelmed by ecstasy, and he slowed down progressively as I got closer to my peak, but not to prevent me from it, no, if anything, to make it last longer. I was too taken by the moment to actually care, but, my eyes being only half closed, I could see Al's ecstatic glance as he watched every step I took towards oblivion while I came. It seemed as if he couldn't take his eyes off me.

When I finally did come, Al stilled inside me and, pulling me up, he captured my lips in his, once again taking me off guard with his sultriness, yet I gladly let myself go to it, dipping my hand into his hair as we kissed as intensely as ever before this particular session.

When we broke it off, Al moved to go sit onto the upper step of the stairs, and I smirked when he pulled me onto his lap, knowing what he wanted.

This time, because it was me to set the pace, I went faster. I know he likes being ridden, therefore that I gave him, bouncing onto him faster and harder as he watched me, seemingly mesmerized. Oddly enough, he let me keep that pace only for little, then he switched back to slow and sultry, gripping my hips as he pushed me onto him.

I gripped his hands and tried to gain control back, which he let me have, but only on condition that I kept his same pace, which I did, not seeing why not. He wasn't late to come back to my lips, as if he truly couldn't stay away from them, and when he started rubbing my clit as well, I was lost. From there, it was easy for him to trigger one more violent orgasm that had me quiver like a leaf against the wind.

Al cracked a small smile, not a cocky smirk, which was what I expected, but a smile, one of his that make him look so cute other than painfully hot, and moved me, pulling out of me, only to bring me towards the edge of the pool and sit me there, him between my thighs, but other than restart from where he'd left, he once more took the time to kiss me senseless, seemingly unable to get enough of my lips today. I didn't mind, his kisses are always mind-blowing.

Slowly, he pushed himself inside me once more, this time giving me a different sensation, because there was no water, but we were both soaked, and that added to my natural fluids, of course. Al embraced me, keeping me close as he kissed every single sensitive spot of mine, while I pressed his head against those spots, needing more, especially as he sped up, going slightly faster, but also deeper and deeper, and it didn't take long before I actually lost everything I had to keep my senses, and nearly fell while reaching my unusually intense peak.

I was so sensitive that he had to still inside me, but he only took advantage of that to kiss me more and more and more, never enough apparently.

I broke then kiss to lean back and place my leg over his shoulder, so that he could go deeper, which he did, but what had me held my breaths was the way he stared straight into my eyes while pumping inside me, not looking away one single time, until I fell back, mostly because I was too overwhelmed by emotions to keep my balance.

Al followed me, though, after having pillowed my fall with his arm, he embraced me, moving faster, moaning in my ear as he never had, actually gripping me so tightly that it felt like he didn't want to let me go in any way, more than just physically. Weird, I know.

The kisses restarted, and there was always something deeper in them, they weren't the usual kisses he usually gave me when we had sex, they seemed to convey a deeper meaning I couldn't quite pinpoint, but I was too busy losing myself in ecstasy to care.2

When he slowed down, his moans getting more raspy, clear sign he was close, I recalled that, for the first time, we hadn't used a condom, and even though I'm on the pill, it kinda worried me, but Al seemed to beat me to it, because, just as his moans got more frantic, he pulled up and gripped my legs, keeping them apart.

The way he stared straight into my eyes as he thrust into me kinda took my breaths away, can't deny it, I could see the full concentration on his face, how his forehead crinkled, how he savored each thrust, so differently from the usual,so... lovingly,instead of sexily.

I was a bit relieved when he finally grunted his way to the bliss, releasing his orgasm onto my stomach, every single drop, thankfully.

What took me off guard was the way he kept staring at me with a weird look in his green eyes, even while wheezing, and when I smiled, he bent down and, without pulling out, he cupped my cheeks and kissed me intensely, deeply, as much as only in this peculiar session I learnt he could do.1

When he hid his face behind my neck, the words he whispered into my ear had my heart skip a beat, though: "This was my first time. The first time I actually made love to a woman, instead of simply having sex with her. And I'm glad it was you, Rebecca."5

Al pulled back, and looked straight into my eyes as he caressed my cheek, giving me a weird smile that I'd never seen on him, something between ecstasy and resignation. "I'm glad I met you, Rebecca. I'm just ... awfully glad you entered my life, babe."

Then he kissed me, slowly, gently, with nothing but tenderness. Why?

***

I did my best not to be awkward around him, but after that long kiss, those words, that ... making love, as he called it, I actually found it hard to behave normally around Al. I did my best, he was his usual self all throughout the rest of the day and during the flight, but I still felt weird.

We made love. He made love to me. He said that. I don't know why, but this makes me feel weird. It's like...he implicitly told me something I'm not sure I'm supposed nor want to know.

I forgot everything when, once stepped out of the gate, I spotted a familiar tall, dark skinned, muscled man waiting for us. I practically threw my suitcase into Al's hands, and ran straight to my friend, jumping in his arms as if I hadn't seen him in ages.

I didn't know Byron was coming to pick us up, I thought they'd be waiting at home, after all it's not like we were gone for long, but I was happy nevertheless.

"Gosh, I've missed you so much, Bye!" I nearly yelled as I squeezed him as tightly as possible, making him chuckle.

"I've missed you too, Rebbie."

I feel like he's my best friend amongst all of them, and I'm so used to hanging out with him practically every night, except for this week, that even only a weekend far from him felt too long. I had very much fun with Al and his family – despite the awkward moment we had a few hours ago – but I still missed my favorite roommate, useless to deny it.

Still hugging me, Bye looked up and smiled behind me, I guess at Al, but what startled me most was another voice reaching my ears: "Guys, we need to get a move or we'll have to pay more for parking."

I practically tore myself off Byron when I spotted Will behind him. I don't know why I was so happy to see him, after all our fights and all the nasty comments he's thrown my way, but I guess that that one call last night did it, because, after we decided to start over, we actually spent a good half hour having a small talk, something we've never actually had before, and I loved it, really.

Especially because we talked about books, and he mentioned I could borrow some from his library, he told me about some shows I should start watching, and movies and ... I don't know, it felt like he'd welcomed me into his little world, even if only for half an hour.

Now I remained staring at him, kinda unsure whether what we told each other would be real or he just said it to make me feel better or maybe it was just the distance.

The small smile and wave he gave me did it. I forgot about all of our misunderstandings, our fights, his mean comments, every ounce of bitter hatred we've showed each other till now, and quite simply I tackled him into a tight hug, which he didn't expect at all, in fact he remained interdicted for a few moments, as much as, I bet, the other guys, whose eyes I could feel on us. 3

Slowly, Will did wrap his arms around me, though, even if awkwardly and not very tightly, and I giggled against his neck, not sure why. "We're still starting over, right?" I murmured in his ear, enough for him only to hear.

I could feel Will half smiling and hugging me closer, his lips making my stomach churn as they brushed my earlobe while he spoke: "Yeah. Friends with benefits, right?"

I giggled, pulling back to playfully slap his shoulder at his comment, but he only laughed. There was a moment when our eyes met, and it felt weird. It already felt weird to be in his arms with all my clothes on, sharing a simple hug other than being engaged in one of our steamy sessions, but weirder felt the smiles that tugged at our lips as we stared into each other's eyes.

As if something had indeed changed overnight, and now we were truly up to a new beginning. I can't deny it felt nice and refreshing.

***

I retired into my room that I was pretty exhausted. We got home that it was eight, but the guys wanted to go out to eat, and while I argued that I should freshen up first, they waved me off, saying I was perfectly fine like that. For the place we went to, of course.

I mean, they brought me to a not very popular deli they said they went to a lot when they were all in college and needed something fast to eat. It was nice, there was virtually no one, just the four of us and three other people plus a couple, so yeah, my attire, consisting of white shorts and chambray shirt, was perfectly fine.

Though I was so tired that by half of the dinner I kinda collapsed onto Byron, leaning on his shoulder, and I think I dozed off at some point, because one moment there were tortillas in front of me, the other Al and Will were sharing tortillas. Suspicious, huh?

Then again, I think I kept my eyes open for only a few moments, because I don't even remember exiting the deli, I just found myself in the car first, then in front of our building.

In my defense, I have been active part of the dinner till I collapsed out of tiredness. I actually enjoyed the night, and while it was weird seeing a carefree Will for once, it felt nice. I'd never seen him smile and laugh for real, without being mean or nasty, just ... laughing and smiling truthfully.

It was a great sight, can't deny it. I guess the guys are right, he was a whole different man before his ex messed with his mind. Although I wonder if they know what he mentioned to me ... about his brothers and father ... I guess yeah, considering the guys share practically everything. I wouldn't be surprised if they knew each other's boxers' size.

That's one thing that's always amazed me actually. They're like a real family, brothers, Al always says, and they stick to each other, always, no matter what. They're kinda like the Three Musketeers, and I happen to be D'Artagnan, the fourth that's been added to the group.

That's not my definition. Will said that. Al was telling me that they've always been called the Three Musketeers, because they've always been together, no matter what, and I didn't know what that meant exactly because I didn't know the book, so the literary expert, Will, butted in, telling me about the plot of the novel, in particular the part where D'Artagnan joins the three, the guys grinned at me, and Will was like "they welcomed him into their group and never regretted, he was one of them, no matter what ... kinda like you, I guess".

This will mean nothing to you, but for me, said by the guy that only a week ago yelled that he'd have rather I hadn't even entered the apartment, it means a lot. It's like Will actually, officially, finally, welcomed me into their group, and, by extension, into his life. That's a huge step, isn't it?8

Anyways, when we got home I automatically found myself into the elevator with the guys, thanks to Will that had carried me all the way up, and I was just in time to step off the elevator, but I didn't. I pretended to be asleep till we got to our door, just to hear what the guys were saying.

It only got interesting when Will apparently answered to a question I missed: "She's more than I thought."

"So you're finally admitting it?" That was Byron.

Will seemingly snorted, because I also felt his chest moving underneath me – I was all clung to him like a koala to its tree – and then he spoke again: "I've got nothing to admit, guys." The others snorted. Then nothing. I wonder what is it that Will should admit.

Once we were inside, I would have waited till Will brought me to my room, as he was seemingly about to do, but, honestly, I had to pee, therefore I got off, startling him and the others, and scurried away. When I came back, they were all retiring, therefore I only grabbed my purse and said goodnight.

After a relaxing shower, I came back to my room, and had just put on my shorts and tank top that there was a knock on my door. I was startled to find none other than William Foster, wearing a small smile. "Hey."

"Hey, Willy." I greeted teasingly.

He rolled his eyes, leaning against the doorframe, one hand hidden behind his back, the other against the doorframe itself.

"To what do I owe the honor?" I asked, smirking, as I crossed my arms over my chest. His eyes moved to my cleavage for a moment, then snapped back to mine, and he half smiled.

"I thought you'd want to read this." He mentioned, handing me the book he'd been hiding behind his back. I took it eagerly and read the title: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. I grinned as I looked up, thanking him. 2

Will shook his head, mentioning I could keep it how long I wanted – as long as I gave it back someday, of course – and he renewed his offer about me borrowing his books when I wanted, so I thanked him again, truthfully, because I love books but I've never really had the chance to read as many as I wanted, and his library is so well furnished! I remember the first day here I was mesmerized. I think I forgot all about it because he then was so nasty with me and all.

We smiled at each other for a few moments, for no reason, until Will cleared his throat and pulled slightly back, scratching the back of his neck, looking a whole different guy from the one I met a couple of months ago and that I've come to loathe despite sex.

"Uh ... about ... last night, I wanted to tell you, if ... you feel like talking, you ... know where to find me, alright?"

I'll admit it took me off guard, but once I recovered I smiled, thankful and kinda touched, then nodded. "Thanks."

"I mean it. I mean, yeah, I know it's tough and all, but ... I'll listen, okay?"

I rolled my eyes, though half amused. "Will, I don't need pity. Don't behave differently with me just because of what you know now."

He shook his head, looking quite cute actually. "I'll be behaving differently because we said we'd start over. That's all."

"That's all?" I repeated, a little disbelieving but also surprised.

Will cracked a small smile, coming closer, and I don't know why, but my stomach flipped as he caressed my cheek, his face closer to mine, his voice lower and yet tender other than sensual. "I've been a complete and utter asshole with you, Rebecca, and I'm sorry, okay? I wanna fix that. When I say let's start over, I mean it. I mean we can be friends. As much as you are with the guys. They're right, you're one of us. I was just too stupid to see it."

I gave him a half smile, pressing my face against his palm. "It's fine. Well, now it is. From what I gather, you've had your share of disappointments and pain."

His face molded into anger and grief at the same time, clear sign that, despite everything, his ex still owns at least part of his heart, and even if she doesn't, she's still left an undeletable mark on it. "I came from a bad period when you arrived here." He mentioned, his jaw clenching.

I nodded, understanding, but didn't say anything, not really knowing whether it was the case to talk about his ex. We're still in the beginning of this friendship, I wouldn't want to ruin everything because I don't think before talking.

Hence, I inhaled a big breath and, giving him a small smile, I mentioned: "I guess we should call it a night. The trip was pretty tiring."

Will agreed, but didn't quite move. He stroked my cheek with his thumb, gazing at me as if lost in his own world for a few moments, and I didn't really mind, because I was able to gape into his icy blue eyes and see that they were losing coldness, and all that remained was a sapphire blue ocean that was kinda mesmerizing, I'll admit.

I don't know how it happened, but one moment we were gazing into each other's eyes, the other he was leaning in and I was closing my browns, preparing to what was to come ... but a noise from Al's room woke us and we both stepped back, confused.

Will cleared his throat, and hastily wished me good night, dashing away as if running from me. I wonder why. Even if it had happened, it would have been just a kiss, so why bother? Oh, well.