Bitcoin Billionaire: I Regressed to Invest in the First Bitcoin!-Chapter 302: Wet Muscles

The afternoon sun beat down on a scene of surreal perfection.

Darren, a king on his shaded lounger, watched his court unfold around the glimmering azure pool. It was a living tapestry of feminine energy, each thread distinct, each color vibrant.

There was something unexplainably wonderful about having your plan executed to perfection. Not just by you, but by other parties who were involved, even without their own realization.

The scene was just too beautiful.

Kara was the epicenter of noise and splashing, challenging a bemused Sandy to a race she was inevitably losing, her neon pink bikini a blur of motion.

Sandy smiling again was a pleasant scene for Darren. She had apologized earlier, but despite that, seeing her happy was what he wanted the most and he was glad that it was happening.

Ileana and Penelope had formed a small, supportive pod in the shallow end, their conversation a quiet hum.

Because of Penelope, Ileana was gaining some confidence. She was older and knew more things concerning everyone there so she had to be the confident one

At that moment, she was showing Penelope a clumsy handstand, both of them dissolving into giggles when she toppled over.

Miranda and Daisy had given up on keeping their legs dry and were now floating on inflatable loungers, still somehow managing to look like they were in a business meeting, discussing market saturation in the luxury resort sector.

Cheyenne was quiet and queenly on the edge of the pool, observing the chaos through her sunglasses as if it were a mildly interesting nature documentary.

She motioned at a worker who offered her champagne. She took a slow sip of it and placed the glass on the edge beside her, her composure absolute.

Olivia was still cutting through the water. She was the only one that appeared to actually enjoy swimming, at least as a sport or hobby.

She occasionally cast a glance his way, a silent question in her eyes.

Then, Rachel finally got to her feet, walked to the edge, and dived.

Darren sat up. The way her ass had bounced on the air before they soaked into the pool had captured his attention more than anything.

For a while, he watched her swim gracefully, and as if she knew, she turned and emerged from the water, pushing her wet hair back from her face.

"You know," she said, making sure her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear, "you own the pool, but you’re not actually part of the décor. Are you just going to watch all day?"

Darren smirked, eyeing the other women as he realized Rachel’s play. "I’m enjoying the view. It’s a strategic assessment."

"Bullshit," Kara yelled, overhearing as she treaded water. "Get in here, Boss! You look lonely!"

"Yeah, Darren, come on!" Olivia called out, splashing her legs as she swam backwards.

Even Penny and Ileana nodded shyly in agreement.

Cheyenne didn’t add her voice to the chorus, but she tilted her head, a silent, challenging smirk on her lips that said, Well?

The invitation became a wave, a collective pull from the women he’d gathered. The reluctance he feigned was just part of the dance. With a put-upon sigh that fooled no one, he stood up.

Suddenly, everyone fell silent.

Eleven pairs of eyes, hidden behind sunglasses or wide with open appreciation, plastered on him.

They were staring. Staring at his body.

Lying on the lounger, it was easier to be hidden from the women’s hungry gazes, but now... standing, bared, there was no hiding of those greek-like muscles.

The sun illuminated every defined muscle of his torso, the powerful cut of his shoulders, the impossible leanness of his waist.

Jaws began to drop, and minds began to race to sultry imaginations unapproving of anything moral

Darren could feel them staring. He could feel the hunger, the admiration, the sheer awe in their eyes. He could feel some of them realizing certain emotions that they never knew they had. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

It was exciting. A thrill of power coursed through him because of it.

He walked to the deep end, pausing for a dramatic moment at the edge. Then he dove. It wasn’t a showy cannonball like Kara’s; it was a clean, powerful arc that took him deep under the water, cutting through it with barely a ripple.

He swam underwater for a surprising distance, the cool silence a welcome respite, before surfacing near the center of the pool.

And the women began clearing their throats and peeling their gazes away.

It seemed there was more to the CEO of Steele Investments other than just papers and business.

Time trickled by and the pool party was at its fullest now.

Darren was drinking from a tall glass of fresh watermelon juice, leaned against the edge, watching them all.

It was Olivia who swam over. She took a juice for herself, resting her arms on the edge beside him, her body floating weightlessly behind her.

"You’re a hard man to get ahold of, Darren," she began, smiling at his muscles. "The hottest commodity in this very resort."

Darren looked at her briefly and scoffed. "Don’t objectify me, Liv," he joked.

She laughed playfully. "Are you going to tell me how you’ve been?"

He eyed her. "You’re curious?"

"Of course, I mean... The last time we were this close, we were in your limousine, returning from an intimidating meeting with Archibald Mooney himself."

Darren remembered. The rain-smeared windows of the limo, the heat of her, the kiss. "I remember something else happening inside that limo."

"And I remember you rejecting me right after that ’something else’," she added, then looked down at the fingers.

She grew quiet for a moment.

"I’m... sorry about that, by the way," Darren said.

"Oh, you don’t have to be. I understand." She took a sip, her face still looking slightly sad. "It’s just that you vanished right after. It was radio silence from you ever since. You even ignored my calls."

Darren looked out at the other women— Kara laughing, Penelope smiling, Rachel chatting with Miranda. "I didn’t vanish. I was... managing. This," he gestured around them, "was the only solution I could find that didn’t involve breaking someone’s heart. Mine included."

Olivia followed his gaze, a thoughtful frown on her face. She took a sip of her juice. "It’s insane. It’s egotistical. It’s probably the most arrogant thing any man has ever proposed."

She paused, meeting his eyes. "But I think I get it. And... maybe it’s not so bad. It’s certainly better than you just ignoring my calls. That was just cruel."

"I know," Darren said, his voice softening with genuine regret. "I’m sorry for that, Liv. Truly. It was a coward’s move. This was the only way I could see to stop being a coward."

Ding!

┏This person feels extremely attached to you┛

┏Romance Radar┛

┏Olivia: 80%┛

"I just..." she hesitated. "I just really like you, Darren. And I guess I’m fine with this as long as you have enough space in your heart for me too."

Darren was just about to respond when he was interrupted by a stronger, feminine voice.

"Am I interrupting a strategy session? Or is this something more... liquid?"

Tamara glided through the water, a sleek smile on her face. She positioned herself on Darren’s other side, deliberately inserting herself between him and Olivia, her body brushing against his arm in the water.

"By the way, the water is magnificent, Darren. You have exquisite taste."

Darren, ever the diplomat, turned slightly to include her. "Tamara. Glad you’re enjoying it."

"Of course I am." Tamara held him by the shoulder, fully stealing his attention from Olivia.

"By the way, I wanted to pick your brain about the merger, the one I want to do with Emerson Tech? I had a thought about the equity split."

"Oh," Darren shrugged. "Do tell."

As he turned to give Tamara his full attention, she glanced over his shoulder at Olivia.

It was a fleeting look, but its message was crystal clear.

These girls had barely changed since high school. Even when they had been friends, fighting over a guy was what they were good at.