By the time we arrived back at my hotel the dark clouds that had hovered over the city had become increasingly darker. Nicole stood in the parking lot, the wind whipping her hair back and forth, and frowned.
"Hey dad, I'm thinking swimming might be a no go. It's looking pretty rough."
I opened my mouth to reply and stopped. The way she stood, with one hand planted on her hip, looking up at the sky, was breathtaking. It would be fair to say I had never seen a more beautiful woman in my entire life.
"Dad?"
I broke out of my reverie and shrugged. "There's an indoor pool."
She smiled and snapped her fingers. "That's right! Let's do that. Do we change in your room or is there a place to change in the pool area?"
I honestly couldn't remember so I told her we could use the room. I also remembered seeing large towels there.
I don't know what it is about being young, but Nicole's energy seemed to have increased. There's a lot to be said about 'second wind'. As we rode the elevator up she joked about some of her friends in school, and the theater group she'd considered joining, but quickly found out she couldn't act if her life depended on it. I hung on her every word. She was captivating. Why couldn't I find someone like her? Someone I enjoyed talking to, and who was obviously my superior when it came to charm. Her mother had been like that at first, but had soon developed an "edge" that had driven a wedge in our relationship. Nicole was a lot like her, but I couldn't see any signs of that "edge", nor did I think it would happen with her.
At the room, Nicole excused herself to use the bathroom and change while I quickly shed my shorts in exchange for a bathing suit. When she stepped out of the bathroom moments later (after knocking to make sure I was decent), I had to avert my eyes. Her bikini left very little to the imagination, and my imagination had already been running wild.
"Sorry, dad," she laughed. "I know it's a little skimpier than you're used to."
