Chapter Three
Lisa
I awaken with soreness between my legs that I haven’t felt in a long time and a lightness inside that’s been missing in equal measure. I get up, throw myself together, and head downstairs for breakfast and coffee. Once I’m done with breakfast, I go back to the room and change into my running gear. Then I make my way down to the beach and start my morning run. I took up running a few years ago as a stress reliever and found it almost necessary to function after Matt died.
My long strides eat up the sand as I keep the steady pace I set for myself. I’m five-foot-six and most of that seems like legs. I’m sweating from the extra exertion of running on sand and the added humidity here. Seagulls scream above me as they circle the shoreline and the briny smell of salt water fills my nose. The beauty of the location makes it worth the added effort today.
On my way back, I spot Garrett with his camera further back on the beach by the sea grass. His focus is on a couple of kids playing by the water. I don’t want this to be awkward. I may not be very experienced, but I know what a one night stand is, so I turn my focus back to the sand in front of me, finish my run, and go back to my hotel room without acknowledging him at all.
I shower and change. Then I head to the beach with my iPod, towel, and a book. The smell of suntan lotion and warm sand drifts through the air. It’s something that you only find at the beach. It makes me think of family trips to the Jersey shore when I was a kid and those thoughts make me smile. I spend time wading in the cool blue-green water and gathering shells to take home with me, until I’m ready to lay out.
I’ve been stretched out and relaxed for a couple of hours with my eyes closed, my ear buds in, and my iPod on when my overheated skin is tapped by a cold finger. I jump with shock and open my eyes to find the guy I rented the chair from holding a frozen drink with a little umbrella for me. I raise myself up on my elbows, yank out my ear buds, and tell this guy, “I didn’t order anything.”
He smiles at me and passes me a napkin with a note written on it and says, “This is a gift.”
He shoves the drink in my hand and walks away. I sit myself up and open the napkin to read:
Lisa,
You are even more beautiful in the light than you were in the dark. I hope you are enjoying your day relaxing.
Garrett
I smile and look around, hoping to see him, but I don’t. I take a sip allowing the frozen drink to cool my lips and throat as I swallow the tasty concoction, realizing it’s a piña colada. Then pop my ear buds back in and spend the rest of the day reading a hot romance novel my sister suggested. In the late afternoon I head back to my room for a shower.
Tonight, I’ve decided to eat at the Hammerhead Grill. The fish tank in the restaurant is what brought me to this location, so I feel I need to check it out in person. I order the grilled jerk swordfish and sit back with my glass of white wine, admiring all of the colorful tropical fish swimming carefree in front of me. The tank really is more spectacular in person than it was on television. I take out my cell phone and snap a few pictures, which I attach to a text for my niece.
Garrett
It’s mid-morning when I change out the lens on my camera and bring it back up to my eye expecting to capture the kids digging in the sand near the waterline when a pair of long, sexy legs enters my viewfinder. I lower the camera to get a better look only to realize Lisa is clad in short black spandex shorts and some kind of purple racer back spandex tank top. She is jogging along the shoreline, blonde hair shining in the sun as it swishes from side to side in her ponytail as she goes. I scan that perfect body from head to toe, noting every flex of lean muscle from her ass to her ankles. She’s got a body that doesn’t quit. Fuck.
Knowing what that body is capable of without clothes has me hard in an instant making for an uncomfortable situation since I’ve been sitting here taking pictures of little kids for the past half an hour. Damn.
I shove my camera into my bag and use it to shield myself as I head back to my hotel room. It’s apparent that I need to take care of business myself before I can continue working. I hustle my way through the hotel lobby without drawing too much attention to myself.
A half-hour later I’m strolling back to the beach when I spy her again. This time her long, sexy body is stretched out on a lounge chair. Her eyes are closed so I’m able to rake my eyes over her skin, resting on the swell of her perfect breasts, along her flat stomach, all the way down her super long legs. Perfection. I shake my head to clear it and move in the opposite direction hoping that the out of sight, out of mind theory will work for me today.
A couple of hours later, I’ve gotten a few more shots, but I know they are nothing to write home about so I pack my camera away and move back up the beach to the tiki bar area. Along the way I catch a glimpse of her again and groan out loud. As if I can’t control myself, I pull out my camera and snap a few shots of her stretched out like a sun goddess before I shove it in the bag and trudge up to the tiki bar.
She was only one night, just one night. Leave it at that, Garrett. Keep walking. Don’t be stupid. I keep telling myself over and over. By the time I get to the bar, I’ve decided that I can’t let it go, not all the way, so I order her one of those frozen drinks she seems to like so much and scribble a little message on a napkin. Then I pay the guy in charge of the chairs and umbrellas to deliver it. I go back to my seat at the bar, order a beer, and listen to the live steel drum band they have playing up near the pool. The island sounds keep the mood around the resort jovial and relaxed, however I’m not. She’s got me so spun up I almost can’t sit still.
After a couple of hours I go back to my room and get cleaned up. I’ve stewed over this woman all day long. I haven’t been able to think of anything else except the way her gorgeous body came apart beneath me last night. She let loose like no one I’ve ever been with before and that alone is sexy to me. I’ve decided if she’s at the bar alone tonight I’m going for it again. I just won’t make any pretty promises to her that I know I can’t keep. The first place I plan to look for her is on the beach at sunset. I’ve never seen anyone enjoy it the way she does.
****
As my bare feet step from the wooden walkway into the warm grainy sand my eyes find her. The sun is slipping below the horizon at a snail’s pace and she is once again engrossed in the view. I take those last few moments to admire the soft curves and long lines of her perfect form, realizing that I’d give my weight in gold if I could photograph her naked on this beach. The idea flitting across my mind has my cock stirring in my shorts. I should be snapping pictures with the camera in my hand, but I can’t seem to grab a coherent thought long enough to do so.
With fluid grace she rises to her feet and brushes both hands along her bottom, brushing the sand off. She turns to walk my way and freezes as she sees me, a smile spreading across her face. I smile back and wait for her to reach me.
Damn, I want this woman. I can’t remember wanting someone like this. Not ever. This time though I want her bare for me. No fabric in my way. Nothing but skin on skin. I want to feel every last inch of her and I plan to do just that.
Lisa
After a wonderful meal, I meander back down to the beach and park my butt in the soft sand anticipating another spectacular sunset. Today’s colors are not quite as bold as yesterdays, but it doesn’t detract from the beauty of it. It’s not long before the sun disappears and the colors fade to black so I get up and dust myself off. When I turn to go back to the hotel I notice that Garrett is standing by the walkway with a smile on his face and his camera in his hand. I give him a smile and a small wave. Surprisingly, he waits for me there.
“Want to have a drink with me?” The deep timbre of his voice sends shivers up my spine and memories of him moving inside me last night skate through my mind. I tilt my head, studying him for a moment. Don’t most guys avoid seeing a one-night stand again? Not sure what to make of this, but I’m curious enough to find out, I take his outstretched hand.
“Sure. That sounds good.” I smile and remind myself to relax and enjoy.
I slide my sandals back on and lead the way back to the tiki bar. He pulls a chair out for me at one of the high top tables and sits across from me.
“How was your day?” He asks, with a charming smile.
“Good, very relaxing. Thank you for the drink by the way. It was fantastic.”
“My pleasure.”
“How was your day? Productive?”
“Yes. I got some beautiful shots today and even had some time to swim.”
The server comes over, takes our order, and walks away.
“So, tell me about yourself, Lisa.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Anything, everything.” He flashes me that sexy grin and my panties dampen in response.
“I live in Cincinnati. Born and raised. My family is all still there. I graduated from Ohio State University and I’m currently a social worker. No kids. No cats. One dog, named Barry, after baseball great, Barry Larkin, and a lot of friends. What about you?”
I lift an eyebrow, waiting to see if he will answer. I think my quick no nonsense response surprises him.
“My condo is in Miami, but I travel so much that it’s rare for me to see it. No wife, no kids, no pets. I’d love to have a dog, but I’m not home enough. My parents and my brother live in a little town about two hours north of here called Crystal River. It’s where I grew up. I have a sister who lives with her husband and daughter on a horse farm in Ocala, also about two hours from here. I have friends scattered all over the world and I’m a freelance photographer.”
“That must be fascinating. It would be my dream job if I had any talent behind the lens. I’ve been a social worker with hospice since I graduated college over ten years ago. My family doesn’t know it, but I’m interviewing for a job with United Way in Orlando later this week. I need a change. If I get the job and accept it, my family is going to freak out. No one moves away. They all still live there. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, sister, everyone. They may go away to college, but they all go back to Cincy to set up house.”
I shrug and look at my hands, which are nervously shredding the napkin in my hand. When the server sets my drink in front of me I down half of it in one shot not giving myself the chance to even taste it. I look up to find a half-amused Garrett watching me.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, I just hate to disappoint them, but it’s time for a serious change.”
Garrett chuckles. “Being different is not a bad thing, Lisa. It opens you up to so many new things.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for. I’ve just been through so much and they don’t even know the half of it yet. I’m hoping for supportive, but expecting a freak out.”
The breeze weaves it’s way through the bar area ruffling my hair as we talk a little more about some of the places he’s been, how he got started in his career, and a little about his hometown. In a sweet gesture he tucks the hair that’s flicking in my eyes behind my ear then cups my face with his palm and brushes my cheek with his thumb. My body stills and our eyes lock on one another. This one small touch sends heat snaking through my entire body. He must feel it too because he takes a deep breath and lowers his hand to one of mine sitting on top of the table. He takes it in his and rubs his thumb over the top of it as he continues our conversation.
After an hour or so of talking and little touches, he glances up at me through his lashes and asks, “Would you like to take another walk down the beach with me?” The grin that accompanies the question is devilish causing my nipples to bead and my stomach to dip.
I search his eyes for a moment before I give my response running through the pros and cons of a yes answer. If my instincts are correct, the night will be filled with more than beach walking. Why the hell not?
“Yes.” I flash him a flirty smile and slide off of my stool.
We walk further down the beach tonight. We pass a few other couples and the same jogger from last night. Garrett’s hand is warm around mine again and the butterflies in my stomach accompany me as we stroll. His voice is so deep it seems to rattle and stir all of my inhibitions loose. The farther we go the more I hope that I didn’t misread things, that he wants a repeat of last night. Thank God I’m not thinking out loud. I sound like a hussy, but the things Garrett did to my body last night are more than just memories. Each touch is burned on to my skin, heating my flesh even now.
The anticipation is killing me. I can’t tell if he’s having the same reaction to me or if I’m fabricating all of this in my head, hoping for more than it is. My thoughts come to a screaming halt when he stops walking and pulls me into him. My gaze connects with his for a long quiet moment, the only sound is the waves crashing at our feet. His fingers brush my hair behind my ears and he gives me another tender stroke of his thumb across my cheekbone. I love the feeling this one little action of his gives me. I close my eyes as I savor the touch. His lips are soft against mine at first while his hands are slower, more deliberate. He’s building this again, but it’s much more controlled than last night. He’s a master of seduction. Making me want this all the way down to my core, causing any remaining inhibitions to take a running leap into the ocean.
My hands caress his chest, around his shoulders and back down again across the ridges of his abs and I’m hungry for the feel of his skin against mine any way I can get it. There is no hesitation as I slide my hands under his shirt and with the lightest of touches explore the skin underneath. His body is warm and tight against mine and he lets out a soft groan at my touch.
I’m only a little tipsy tonight, far more aware of everything happening. It’s a strange feeling, exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Instead of just dropping us to the sand he unbuttons my dress down the front at the slowest possible pace. I almost want to just rip it open for him. My patience is waning as my chest expands with each breath. He slips the straps over my shoulders and the fabric pools at my feet. Goose bumps rise all over of my skin in response to the feather light brush of his fingers on my shoulders and back as he unhooks my bra and pulls it off of me with a gentle tug, discarding it into the sand below us. I’m posed in the moonlight with only a small strip of soaked satin thong covering me. Instead of being self-conscious, I’m feeling wanton, reckless, and ready. So very ready.
Warm kisses are spread down along my neck to my breasts. He’s paying special attention to the pebbled peaks with his lips and tongue. The soft lap with the flat of his tongue and light nip with his teeth are bringing me to the brink of orgasm. I can’t control my reaction to him and as good as this feels I don’t want to. He continues working his way down my body, sliding my panties down as he goes. He is making sure to touch every inch of me.
I take a deep breath in through my nose and allow the briny air to flood my nostrils. The memories of my childhood that this smell conjures will forever be replaced with scenes of this moment.
In a quiet, husky voice, he says, “I’d kill to photograph you naked in the moonlight. I’m not sure there is anything more beautiful on this Earth, than you right at this moment.”
I’m glad it’s dark enough so that he can’t see my cheeks heat with happiness and a little embarrassment. I’d like to appear confident to him, not a little insecure, and battered by the knowledge that I was never good enough for the man I pledged my life to.
Matt and I were together so long that some of the passion you start out with when you’re young was gone by the time he passed. Don’t get me wrong. We still had sex. Good sex, but it hadn’t been this steamy since the beginning. I haven’t had a touch this reverent in a long, long time. He lifts one of my legs up and over his shoulder while his lips meet the apex of my thighs. His fingers spread the folds and his tongue makes a slow swipe from top to bottom and back up again teasing my sweet spot. A hum of pure pleasure releases from somewhere deep inside me as he repeats this motion.
“So wet. So ready for me,” he rasps. With each pass, he adds more pressure. My fingers move across the short hair on his head, dragging my fingernails along his scalp while he works his mouth between my legs. I’m close to falling apart and he must notice the shaking in my legs because he stops what he’s doing seeking eye contact and says, “Come down here with me.”
He lays me out on the sand like last night except there are no clothes at my back and the sand cooled by loss of the sun is a sharp contrast to the heat of my skin. He places his mouth on the tender flesh between my thighs tasting me again, twisting his tongue around my sensitive bundle of nerves, licking from top to bottom, and then back again. My thighs are clenched tight and would probably be crushing him if his strong forearms weren’t holding them in place. Ending the anticipation, he takes mercy on me, flicking his tongue in short quick strokes, rocketing me to a show-stopping orgasm that incinerates me. I grip harder, my back arched, my fingernails in his scalp with a cry of completion from my lips.
When I’ve caught my breath he crawls like a powerful jungle cat between my legs again and pushes his throbbing, hot shaft into me. My already sensitive cunt clamps around him and I cry out at the added pleasure his fullness brings.
The fire inside me ignites once more and I roll him to his back, never breaking our connection. I’m eager to move on him. I want to have some control as to where this goes. His hands find my aching breasts, touching and squeezing them with need, while I slide up then down with torturous slowness, until I can’t take it anymore. His fingers pinch and roll my nipples with practiced ease and I grind harder on the down stroke. A hiss between his teeth brings my attention back to his face. The look he’s giving me is one of a man losing control, concentrating to hold on until I make it there again. As my need builds, I’m unable to keep this slower pace. I increase my efforts, riding him hard to his climax. The flexing of his arms and chest drive me higher, as his hands clamp down on my hips helping to set the perfect rhythm. As his climax takes over, he presses his magic thumb to my clit and makes a swirling motion for the three short seconds it takes me to come again, crying out, louder than before.
My body collapses on his like a wet noodle and I take a few minutes to gather myself not wanting to move. The slightest adjustment to our current position could set me off again and I’m not sure I could take it. He pushes the mass of my hair over his shoulder, out of the way, and kisses the top of my head. Warm hands trail along the feverish skin of my back and arms currently being cooled by the ocean breeze. I inhale his musky scent mixed with the smell of our sex and wait for my body tremors to subside all the way. I imagine it’ll take a while with three orgasms under my belt, but that’s only a guess since it has never happened before.
“You are so damn sexy, Lisa. I had no intentions of seeing you again after last night, until I saw you running on the beach this morning. I spent the rest of my day trying to talk myself out of finding you and I’d almost convinced myself until I saw you all laid out under that umbrella. It was then that I knew I’d do anything to be with you again tonight. I’m not sure anyone has ever had that effect on me.”
I stay where I am, sprawled across him, listening to his heartbeat, steady and strong in his chest. It brings me both comfort and excitement. I consider my words before I say them, knowing I shouldn’t over-share.
My voice is quiet when I tell him, “I’ve never done anything like this in my life. I’ve only ever been with my husband, but I knew that what happened last night was a one-night thing so I didn’t expect to see you either. I did notice you when I was running, but kept going, thinking I didn’t want it to be awkward. You don’t have to worry. I don’t expect anything. I’m just enjoying this crazy, amazing fantasy for what it is.”
“I’m glad you understand. I’ve never been in love. Never committed myself to another person. I just don’t think I’m capable of it. I don’t want to hurt you, but for whatever reason I couldn’t stay away from you tonight either. You really are something special.”
Even with his sweet words, I realize that the magic is over for the evening. I’m a little sad, but sated all the same. I stand up and start looking for my clothes while he puts his shorts and t-shirt back on. He lifts my hand, kisses my knuckles, and walks me back to the resort. This time before we part ways he kisses me long and deep, like he’s claiming me, but I know that’s not possible, not what this is about. It makes me a little blue, but there is no way I’ll let him see that. I hold my head high and go back to my room without another word from him.