A Toast to Life

Sara was glad that Zane led them away from Jen and Ethan. She was completely embarrassed by what she just witnessed. It almost felt like they were voyeurs in some private sex scene. But she suddenly grew concerned and thought, 'Oh no! This man is leading me to the grotto, which is out of sight! What if he thinks he's going to get the same display from me?!'

It was almost as if Zane read her mind when he said, "Sara, I just realized you might be uncomfortable following me to a tucked away cave when we don't know each other! I just wanted to get away and out of sight from those two, and I hope you don't think I will try anything more than just talk to you to get to know you."

With those words, she let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you Zane, I appreciate your reassurance. I'd like that...to talk I mean!" Sara stammered.

Zane chuckled, "I know what you meant, Sara."

Sara removed her skirt and was standing in her simple bathing suit. Zane had also just taken off his shirt and was standing in his swim trunks.

She had to admit that Ethan's muscles and chiseled features were unreal when she had witnessed him remove his shirt. Just a moment earlier, she didn't think she could ever see anyone else surpass his god-like features. But minutes later, Zane's figure rendered her utterly speechless. His shoulders were squared and were muscular. His arms had bulging biceps. It looked like he was flexing because of the size of his arms, but she noticed he was standing still and casually. She had seen her share of six-pack abs, but Zane had a twelve-pack! She didn't even know that was possible. She looked up and noticed that the sun was hitting his eyes, and she was close enough to see that his eyes were a unique hazel-green. He had a masculine but straight nose and a square jaw. He had flawless dark brown hair, and he ran his hands through them at that moment. When he smiled earlier, she had also admired his perfect, straight white teeth. She had seen many men come in to The Seductress, but she honestly had never remembered seeing a man with more perfect features. Even though he had devilishly good looks, she was more concerned about his character. She didn't know anything about this man and had been hurt plenty enough in her life.

Zane discreetly glanced over at Sara as she removed her skirt and was standing in a simple, light pink swim suit. The color of her bathing suit was almost a close match to her skin color. He was so used to seeing women wearing barely anything, always trying to flaunt their bodies to generate sexual desire and attention. Many women would have jeweled, sequined or flashy bathing suits. He realized this was the simplest swimsuit he had seen, yet he was still admiring her curves and flawless figure. Her long hair was flowing down her back, and he watched her effortlessly pull her hair up in a messy knitted bun. Her effortless beauty and actions made him smile.

They stepped in to the grotto and immersed in the water. They sat down on one of the submersed stools when Zane said, "Sara, what would you like another drink?" He realized that she had finished the glass she had enjoyed when he first arrived at the house.

"Oh, thank you Zane, that's very kind of you to offer. I would love a Bellini." said Sara.

Zane couldn't remember the last time he personally picked up a drink for anyone, let alone for himself. He was actually surprised with himself to be attentive to her needs in that moment. He had hundreds of people always waiting on him hand and foot, but something about Sara's simplicity made him want to behave simplistically and like a gentleman in that moment.

He walked out of the grotto towards the bar in the pool and picked up a Johnny, Blue Label on the rocks for himself and a Bellini for Sara. He looked up at the bartender and thanked him. The bartender had a large scar running down the side of his arm, which was revealed by the bartender's sleeves being rolled up to his elbow. Zane thought it was strange that Ethan picked a male bartender today. In all the years of events at Ethan's house, all of the waiters and staff serving at the parties were always scantily clad women. He chuckled under his breath and realized Ethan probably didn't want Sara and Jen to be uncomfortable today.

This was Sara's second drink, and she usually didn't drink any alcohol. She already felt herself get a bit light headed after finishing her first drink, but she was feeling a bit daring today.

He walked back through the grotto, smiled at Sara and handed her the sparkling drink. He took a seat on a stool across from her. Their eyes met, and he felt inclined to make a toast before they took their first sip. He really had nothing to cheers to, but he thought of one of the cliche toasts people made and said, "cheers, to life!"

He looked up at Sara and caught a glimmer of a frown on her face. He was curious as to why that toast would make her sad. Did he say something wrong? Sara realized that Zane was now looking confused and studying her expression. She straightened her emotions out and managed to curve her lips up ever so slightly. Although she had nothing to live for, she softly chimed in, "to life Zane, cheers. And thank you for getting my drink." Before she took a sip of the drink, she actually did feel a glimmer of gratitude to Zane in that moment. She had countless people shower her with every material thing, but his actions today were a bit different. Although he did something for her, she realized that his actions for her were based on his attentiveness to her circumstances. Her heart skipped a beat in that moment, and her feeling of hopelessness was paused for that instance.