Velvet Love Ch. 02

"I'm sorry, where are my manners?" Placing a palm against her chest, she gave a sheepish look. "My name is Poppy, and yes, I'm a friend of Kitty and Naohito. My husband and I are heading to the squash court with them, so we thought we'd track you down and see if you wanted to tag along."

"We meant to catch up to them," Claudia informed. "Just stopped to have a moment to ourselves."

"Understandable." Her pink lips tugged upwards.

"Well I'll be happy to escort you, if you'd like."

"Thanks, that'd be nice." Tugging lightly on Dane's hand, she encouraged him to stand with her, and palm to palm, they followed right beside Poppy.

* * * *

Following a game of squash with Kitty and Naohito, Dane and Jeneda headed for the lockers, where they showered and changed into swim suits. Yet unlike the locker area at gym's and other common establishments, the changing room facilities at the Olympic Club were stylish.

Rather than plain metal lockers that had no aesthetic appeal, they were fashioned from mahogany wood that was not only elegant, but solid and rich-looking.

Having never been skilled at using combination locks, Jeneda was glad there were keypads on the lockers instead. And if that wasn't enough to impress her, the textured sandstone floors, decorative mirrors, and granite countertops surely were. After placing her hair into a high, elegant bun, Jeneda checked her swim-suited reflection in the mirror, then headed for the hall outside which led to the indoor pool.

Already waiting for her, Dane's eyes lit up as she approached, gaze slowly appraising her slim, tall form as she came closer to where he stood. Neither had gotten a chance to check out the other in their new swim gear, so now was the chance that they indulged.

While Jeneda was clad in a sporty two-piece with a sleek bandeau top, Dane was wearing a pair of speedos, which didn't just fit, but literally molded themselves to his strikingly tight ass. Completely drool-worthy, he had broad shoulders and a long, lean V-shape body that reminded Jeneda of a swimmer's.

"Well hello there." Lifting a brow, she checked out his chiseled abs and narrow waist, which had that coveted masculine-shaped cut.

"Hello there yourself, beautiful," Dane said with a grin, then took her hand in his and led her into the cardio solarium.

Just as upscale as the rest of the social club, the area consisted of an Olympic sized pool, which was flanked by grand columns and regal arches.

Along with being two-stories high, the ceiling was dome-shaped, with ornately cut stained glass which allowed the rays of sun to shine through. Unable to resist, Jeneda simply oogled, admiring the precision and absolute skill which went into creating the gorgeous room.

So taken with the interior design, she nearly failed to see Poppy, who was merrily walking towards she and Dane with a cute little bounce in her step. With her classically beautiful face and sunny disposition, she exuded a peppy energy.

"Oh look, It's Poppy." Jeneda waved, then offered a smile.

"Hi, Jeneda!" Waving back, Poppy walked a little quicker, until finally coming to a stop right before them. "Fancy seeing you two again. We were just hanging out on the squash courts."

"Well Dane loves to swim, so I decided to accompany him here."

"This is a wonderful pool," Poppy remarked. "They fill it with salt water from the Pacific Ocean. No chlorine whatsoever, Isn't that great?"

"That does sound nice," Jeneda replied. "And I've got sensitive skin, so I think I'd really enjoy it."

"Oh, you will." She enthusiastically nodded.

"Where's your husband?" Dane asked.

"Oh, he's chatting with one of his friends. Which by the way, he wanted to speak with you about forming some sort of guy's night out."

"Really..."

"Yes." Poppy nodded, then turned her gaze on Jeneda. "And I was hoping that you and I could have a ladies night to rival them. You know, they have their fun and we have ours."

"Oh..." Not wanting to be rude, Jeneda offered a polite smile. "Girl's night out, huh? Those can be fun."

"You've had one before?"

"Yes, of course. My friends Enrique and Luna do girl's night out with me every month."

"Enrique, what a fun name. I'm guessing he's Spanish?"

"Puerto Rican."

"And he hangs out with you two girls?"

"Yes," Jeneda replied.

"Not that it matters, but is he gay?"

Jeneda nodded.

"Gay guys are so fun," she remarked. "Think I could tag along on the next girl's night out?"

"Um, sure. I don't see why not."

"Wonderful." Her eyes were gleaming now. "I already can't wait."

"We're planning on one this Saturday evening, so let's exchange contact info, okay?"

"Yeah, great. It's going to be fun. Thank you, Jeneda."

"No problem."

"They don't allow phones here on the property, so I can't plug your number in that way. But let me go ask the pool attendant if he has a pen and paper, alright?"

"Sure thing."

With a turn on her heel, Poppy was off, walking her distinctive little bouncy steps as she headed for the pool attendant's office. No sooner was she out of earshot, did Dane make a remark.

"I think Poppy's in love with you."

Jeneda chuckled. "She's very nice."

"She is quite sweet," he agreed.

"She's also very groomed and very fresh. It's like she stepped right out of one of those expensive catalogs your mom likes to read."

"She does seem like a J Crew or Land's End type of woman, doesn't she?"

"Yeah, I've never met anyone like her before."

"I'm sure she hasn't met anyone like you before either," Dane said. "Just take a look around, and you'll see what I mean."

Heeding his suggestion, she did just that, which led her to realize that besides her and Dane, there wasn't much color in the room.

"Oh, right..." Jeneda slowly nodded. "There is a lack of melanin in this room..."

"Yep." Dane grinned. "So my point of that was, I think Poppy is so drawn to you because you're completely different from everyone else. Things get a little boring when you always see the same type of people."

"I could understand that."

Now walking alongside Dane towards the Olympic sized pool, Jeneda watched as he approached the edge. Coming to a halt at the perimeter of the water, Dane began stretching out the various muscles of his sexy body. While she was certain he wasn't trying to make a sexual thing out of it, Jeneda couldn't help but be reminded of sex.

She guessed it was the way he pulled and bent, arching his back and pushing out his groin before flexing the muscles of his upper arms.

She knew the solid strength in those nice, broad shoulders, and was all too familiar of the way his biceps flexed whenever he was on top of her.

Watching him get nice and loose for a good swim workout was literally making her hot, and with eyes that sparkled brilliantly, she allowed her gaze to soak him in.

Once his lean swimmer's body was fully prepared to hit the water, Dane turned his gaze to Jeneda. Then with a mere gesture of his hand, beckoned her forth.

"You getting in too?" He asked.

"Maybe in a bit," she responded. "But to be honest, I'm feeling kinda nervous."

"You do know how to swim though, right?"

"Yes, but this pool is huge." Eyeing it warily, she guessed it was 25-yards long. "Kinda intimidating, considering It's built for professionals."

"I'll do a few laps first, then have you get in the water with me," he said. "Then we can go over some basics and build your skill."

"Okay, honey. Sounds good."

The kiss they shared was brief but tender, and on pulling back, she lightly smirked.

"All of the women are checking you out."

Shifting his gaze to the surrounding area where people were lounging and chatting with friends, Dane noticed that Jeneda was right. But then his gaze landed on a particular individual, one who wasn't female, but rather a well-preserved, forty-something man. Allowing her gaze to follow her husband's, Jeneda was startled to see just how intently they were being watched.

"Okay, so it Isn't just women." Noticing the man was openly eyeballing Dane's speedo covered groin, Jeneda rose a brow. "Damn, he's not even being undercover about it."

"Yeah, I know that guy." Dane shook his head, then pushed out a gentle huff. "He's hit on me a couple of times, but most just stares. Hopefully now that you'll be accompanying me to the club, he'll finally get that I don't roll that way."

"Doesn't he know who you are?"

Dane lifted a brow questioningly.

"Your family lineage," Jeneda elaborated. "He doesn't know that your mother owns this place?"

"Oh he knows," Dane replied. "Which is probably why he doesn't get out of line with the compliments. Like I said, he mostly just stares at me, so I guess he's just after some eye candy."

"Wow." Now staring hard at Dane's admirer, Jeneda waited to see if he would look away.

He didn't.

"Don't worry, he's harmless," Dane informed her.

"A little creepy, but harmless."

"It's disrespectful," Jeneda stated. "I'm standing right here with you."

"I know, babe. I'm sorry." Pulling her up against him, he bracketed his hands to her hips. "If It's any consolation, I saw quite a few guys check you out as well, and it did bother me. But then I just reminded myself that you're with me and not them, so what exactly do I have to be insecure about?"

"That's true."

"So you see, they can look, but not touch." With gentleness, he dusted a kiss to her forehead.

"Only one with keys to the goods is you."

"Damn right," Jeneda replied. "You're all mine."

"Mmm...I do love when you get possessive."

"Ditto on that."

"Word's probably spreading that you're my wife," he said. "But if anyone gives you any dirty stares, just flash that ring and they'll get the message."

She smirked.

"Seriously." His eye contact was strong. "I bought it big for a reason, so that everyone would know that you're taken."

"It is incredibly beautiful." Lifting her hand, she cast an admiring glance at the twists of white gold that flowed into a stunning round diamond.

"*You're* beautiful." His hooded eyes gazed deep into her own. "And you're the love of my life, Jeneda. Nothing in the world will ever change that."

Beaming at his words, Jeneda felt her pulse quicken. And as his lips came down to hers, she lost all awareness of her surroundings. Soft, sweet, and tender, it was not only done for them to express emotion and connect, but to send the message to looky loos that they were committed and in love.

Even after he pulled back she was left feeling breathless, knees weak and heart beating with adoration. And as he stepped to the very edge of the pool, she watched him prepare to enter the water.

Rather than dive he seemed to glide right in, creating barely a splash as he was submerged in the cool, crisp water.