The night was spent happily in Rachel’s family home where Anna and Rachel had a lot of fun; sitting via the poolside enjoying their drinks with her parents. Her parents were delighted to have her under their roof again and even teased her about the morning meet in the café while she grumpily tried to reprimand them.

All in all; a pleasant, loved stay.

Rachel could feel the warmth, the comfort, the security of home that was surely missing in her own flat but she did not dare to air her views as her parents would have shifted her back home in a heartbeat and Rachel liked the challenges that came by being independent.

As she sat beside her mother enjoying the argument with Anna and her father on the current ideologies guiding politics where she fought tooth and nail against placing the entire concept on the labyrinth of socialism v/s liberalism debate and argued that it warranted a wider berth, her phone beeped.

“Guess what I am doing? Chris”

She smiled, as her mind registered the identity of the sender, she replied, “What?”

As Rachel went to lie on her mother’s lap, her phone indicated another received text.

”Texting the most beautiful girl in the world!”

“Aww. Do I know her? :) “, Rachel shook her head at his pitiful attempts of flirting which she found to be very sweet.

“Hey, stop making fun of me. I am serious!”

“Sure.”

“Alright! I will convince you of it tomorrow. Was texting you to confirm the time? Will nine be fine?”

“Definitely, see you,” she felt excited at the prospect of seeing him again. She loved the way her stomach fluttered, those vibrations almost making her jump out with joy.

“Already counting the seconds, gorgeous,” came his quick reply.

 Rachel snuggled into her mum’s lap as she shut her phone, she thought of Chris and how it would feel to be with him at that very moment. Lying on his lap and enjoying the evening with her family as he would rake his long, warm fingers through her hair.

She realized she was beyond captivated with him. Here, she sat with her parents and still her thoughts loomed on one man. She knew her father would be thrilled to engage in delightful conversation with him because Chris was a man who could hold his fort on his own with subtle humor and valid strong points. Her mother would just fawn over his down to earth nature and would most certainly enjoy in reveling her embarrassing secrets. 

He was charming and his humility and intelligence was finding its way in her heart. She knew he could win her over if he wanted but was she ready for something more serious.

She sat up, was he even her Mr. Right?

After all, a man like him; so fantastic, so charismatic was bound to have endless offers and must not be in a hurry to be shackled up.

She leaned back on her chair and decided to let nature take its course but of course by keeping her heart firmly in her hands and not willfully giving it away.

She vowed to enjoy, till it lasted.

The next morning, her father reluctantly let her leave after she pinky promised her mother that she would visit and stay the night again the coming weekend. She knew they missed her but she would always remain close to them. Rachel thanked God again for giving her such lovable parents.

As it was Saturday and their off day, they decided to drive mid way and parked their car in front of her dad’s office while hopping on the bus to meet Chris and Robert at the pre decided place.

They spotted them standing by their car, the same SUV that Chris drove when they had gone for their date.

Rachel saw Chris, he was looking so casual in Jeans and a simple black tee. She loved the way the t-shirt snuggled his lean body. He looked mouth-watering and she was sure if Anna wasn’t by her side, she would have definitely swooned.

"Well don't you ladies look smashing this evening?" Robert said gallantly, "And you know what truly impresses me, you both are on time. I'm surprised you're not still at home fighting over the bathroom."

Chris agreed with Rob over the smashing part. Oh boy, Cassandra looked ravishing in that little yellow sundress that contrasted surprisingly magnificently with her open red hair. He didn’t know her hair was that long, almost reached her waist. Long hair had always been his weakness. He wanted to reach out and touch those silky strands, caress that beautiful body, kiss those…

"We don't fight over the bathroom," Rachel interrupted his thought process as she addressed them all; "We just share."

She hadn't been thinking about what came out of her mouth, distracted by the way Chris stood so near to her but she was suddenly bought back to reality by Rob's eyes popping out of his head and Anna's snort beside her.

"You…you…together," Rob was rendered speechless. His eyes continued to bug out of his head as they darted between Rachel and Anna. Suddenly, his smooth demeanor was back, if not a little demanding.

"Well ladies, if I had known about the sharing nature, I would have offered to come there. I can just watch you know?"

"Stupid!" Chris smirked, finally drawing equal with his friend.

Robert turned to Chris in delight.

"Rachel and Anna showering together, absolutely naked, can you blame me for being a bit eager" He exclaimed.

"Robert, I never said that!" Rachel protested, blushing profusely.

"Do you wash each other’s hair? And backs, do you wash each other’s backs?" He asked dreamily.

"Robert!' Rachel exclaimed. "Anna and I don't shower together!”

"Stop it, Cassandra, you're ruining my fantasy," Robert complained. "Now I just need to figure out how to get an invite to your home…"

He wandered towards Anna, contemplatively and put his arms around her shoulder as she blatantly shrugged them off.

"I don't think we're ever going to hear the end of that one," Rachel sighed and looked over at an amused Chris. "I think I need a drink…"

Chris simply walked forward and grabbed Rachel’s hands in his, delicately kissed them, “You look like an angel today.”

Rachel smiled and tucked her wayward strand of hair behind her ear and murmured a sweet thanks.

They bundled up in the car with Rachel sitting in the back with Anna. Chris adjusted his rear view mirror so that he could see a certain red-haired lady. His heartbeat quickened seeing that light smile grace her lips, as if she was hiding some secret.

God, she was so adorable.

Rob sat down and just gave Chris a knowing smile while Chris simply rolled his eyes, “I hope you’re ready girls,” he asked.

Rachel and Anna shouted in unison a resounding, “Yes.”

They reached the artificial scuba diving place. There was a huge pool and the amazing aspect of getting in the act of scuba-diving here was- the bottom of the entire pool had been assembled giving it an Atlantis- the lost city look.

Rachel had dived here before and had tremendously enjoyed herself. She obviously preferred diving in the natural arena but this was perfect for a friendly-date purpose without any danger and guaranteed pure entertainment.

After showing their registration cards which had all four of them certified as professional scuba-divers, they went separate ways to change their clothing.

Anna and Rachel returned adorned in wet-suits that amplified their curves to the hilt.

“Oh my Gosh, Look at that,” Anna none too subtly pointed at two hot men walking their way, the material stretching against their firm body.

Everywhere, Rachel looked; it was solid, hard and delicious.

“Wow!” Her conscience seemed to have drooled all over the place.

"He looks absolutely ripe," Anna added conversationally.

Rachel agreed before she actually heard the words and gasped. "Anna! Don't trick me like that! Besides, how do you know that?"

"Just because I can see, am I dead? Can you check my pulse or better pinch me, God even Rob looks incredible."

Rachel sighed, tilting her head to have a better view of the two gorgeous men walking their way.

"What are you doing?" She asked Anna hopelessly as she watched Anna walk daintily towards them.

"Planning to jump their bones? I can die right now and have no regrets," Anna giggled.

"I'm serious Anna, don’t do anything embarrassing."

"With his dreamy eyes, and his strong jaw and his muscles…Oh, those muscles!" Anna teased Rachel mercilessly. "Oh, come on Rachel, relax. Go along with your heart; ask your heart what it wants.”

It wants to devour that one man who was looking oh so yummy.

“You're hot,” Rob exclaimed looking at Anna.

Anna flipped her hair,” Now you notice.”

Chris came and stood near Rachel,” Cassandra, are you trying to give me a heart attack. You look perfect.”

Rachel blushed and looked at him and said,” You look perfect yourself.”

Chris had a hard time controlling himself. The way she tucked her lock of hair behind her right ear to how she was standing; barefoot, her hips swaying, looking all appetizing was all too much for him.

His eyes followed down her open V-neckline, which had been fastened at the waist with two buttons, the rosy tips of her breasts dimpling the fabric.

Ah, so very seductive!

Chris was getting a heady feeling just by taking in the delicate scent of her perfume. He inhaled deeply to absorb the exotic fragrance.

Rob snorted, “Enough of harmless flirting, the sexual tension here is getting pretty unbearable. Now, it’s time for some fun,” he ignored Chris’s frown and rubbed his hands together gleefully.

“Who is going to go first?” Anna asked.

“Chris, he is the champion of scuba diving,” Rob retorted.

Chris smirked, raised his eyebrows in false innocence as he looked towards Rachel, “Cassandra, don’t I get a kiss for good luck?"

Rachel replied, almost too quickly and sauntered towards Anna, “No, I am sure without it you will manage just fine."

"Cassandra!" He gasped, clutching his chest and pretending to be heartbroken. "How could you expect me to be victorious without the blessing of a fair damsel?"

Rachel suppressed the urge to laugh as Chris got himself into his gear.

"You sure, Cassandra? Last chance." He stuck out his cheek in a ridiculous fashion.

Rachel almost felt the urge to kiss him as she found his antics utterly endearing.

“Chris no-o," her sentence ended with a small yelp as she felt hands on her hips, hoisting her up. Before she even had time to turn her head, she felt Chris’s hands on her, and suddenly, the earth vanished from beneath her feet as the world tilted.

With a gasp, she instinctively grabbed Chris's body, clinging to it so she wouldn't fall.

This was all a dream, she tried quite unsuccessfully to convince her body as her hands on their own moved and wound themselves around his neck. Her chest touching his. She suddenly felt very hot and wanted to just throw him in the water and have her way with him.

He made her almost delirious with need.

"Cassandra, I know I'm hard to resist, but in public, really?" Chris laughed; his smug grin plastered across his face as he bundled her down from his shoulders and quickly got her into her gear.

“I did promise to show you amazing colors under water, time to go,” and taking her hand in his, making sure she was alright and ready to go; jumped into the pool as Anna and Rob smirked and buckled up.

They enjoyed themselves tremendously playing hide and seek, getting their pictures clicked. They had a blast.

At one point, Chris pointed an old artifact to Rachel and taking her hand in his, swam to the object to have a good look at it.

Swimming with him, hand in hand felt just right and almost magical.

Rachel was really touched; the entire time they had been under-water Chris never took his eyes off her. Always remained beside her; his caring nature bowled her away.

He was perfect; as a charmer, as a professional, as a man.

Just ideal and so very wonderful.

As they sat later, on the side with packages of food in their hands, Anna and Rob decided to give them some privacy as they sat a little far away.

“Nothing beats a good massage especially after some rigorous exercise, “Rachel remarked pressing her fingers gracefully against her neck.

“Trying to seduce me by offering massages?” Chris winked.

Rachel just laughed and took a bit of her burger.

He loved her laugh.  It was genuine, easy, carefree, just something that was infectious.

“So, you didn’t praise me on my looks- don’t I look all fab,” Chris asked her poofing out his chest playfully.

Amused, Rachel replied, "Oh! Right how could I have forgotten?" She reached out to touch his hair, "Your hair looks like you've been through a tornado."

"Don't lie, my hair looks sexy all wet," he pouted at her and took a sip of his beer.

Who was she kidding; he looked like a Greek God. Darn it! Only if he would come a bit closer to her and she could kiss those pouting lips.

Rachel flattened his hair between her palms so that it stuck up straight," Yeah, okay, Dr. Frankenstein."

"Hey," Chris said, tossing his head back dramatically, "If you were awesome like me, your hair would be a mess as well."

"You can't be serious," Rachel laughed, took his hand in hers and patted his cheek, "Aw, it's cute how clueless you can be sometimes."

At this, Chris wrapped one arm around Rachel's waist and with his other hand thoroughly rumpled Rachel’s hair.

"Chris, stop!"  Rachel shrieked, giggling uncontrollably.

Rachel gave him a light playful shove and Chris merely laughed finding her entire demeanor adorable.

"See," he said in a softer voice than before, "I told you if you were awesome like me your hair would get all messed up," Chris brushed a lock of soft hair out of Rachel's face and let his hand hover around the nape of her neck. Then, as gently as the quickly collapsing darkness around them, he pulled her in a little closer and…..

Rob suddenly pushed Rachel from behind, “Boo! Oh Oh! Wrong timing,” he looked at Chris and raised his hand in surrender at Chris’s deadly ‘you’re going to die’ glare.

But Chris was suddenly distracted as lust, passion, and seduction plagued him with promises of unattainable fulfillment as he watched Cassandra lie on his lap. His fingertips trailed down the back of her smooth neck. Her hot moist breath skimmed over his earlobe making him shiver in delight.

If he thought he didn’t really want to kiss her before, right now that was all he wanted to do.

Who was he kidding; he wanted to do a lot more than just kiss those luscious lips.