Poolside Views

Poppy H stands at the edge of a turquoise pool with twin fountain jets arcing on either side of her, a white butterfly-print crop top knotted above her midriff and neon magenta leggings stretched from waist to bare feet on the warm tile. Golden limestone walls rise behind her, a terracotta pot overflows with red roses, and white wooden shutters frame a window that nobody inside would bother looking through. Her platinum bob is tucked behind one ear, her ice-blue eyes lock onto the lens without flinching, and the ornamental tattoo between her collarbones gives her the look of a warrior queen on holiday. Poolside Views promises scenery, but Poppy is the only landscape that matters.

The butterfly top lifts off and Poppy plants her feet wide on the pool ledge, the magenta lycra riding high on her waist as her breasts sit proud, the moon-phase tattoo inked beneath the left one catching the fading sun. Water crashes from the stone spouts on either side, and the spray catches the light in a way that turns the air around her to glitter. She sits down at the pool's edge, the discarded top pooled in her lap, one shoulder dropped toward the camera, the pink leggings disappearing into the blue ripple at her ankles. The combination of hot pink, cool water, golden stone, and Poppy's unwavering stare is arresting. This poolside has seen better weather, perhaps, but never a better view.