by S. C. York
“I feel like a mimosa. Maybe I’ll use the wave phone to ring the galley.” I look over at Eva lying on the sun deck lounger next to me and shake my head, “Look at us, two townie girls living the dream,” I say jokingly, rifling through my bag for my oversized sunglasses. The sun broke through the clouds and it’s turned into a beautiful Fourth of July day. “Do you think TJ’s going to feel like a third wheel for the rest of the weekend?”
“I’m sure he’ll be alright. Blake promised to let him captain, under his supervision, of course.”
“They’ve become fast friends,” I tell her as I lie back down.
“It makes sense. They both are yachting freaks and Blake does know him from MYC.”
“Isn’t this crazy? Me and Ryan, you and Blake—even TJ fits in. It couldn’t be more perfect.”
“There you go again. It’s just a weekend. Keep your guard up and have fun but don’t plan any weddings! Christo, this is what I’ve been trying to tell you.”
“Okay, okay—but I did have your bridesmaid dress already picked out in my head. A gorgeous soft peach, you would look amazing in it with your dark hair and caramel skin. It’s strapless, of course.”
“Stop already! Wait, what do you mean, bridesmaid? I expect to be matron of honor, Chica!”
I grin, half-sitting up and slide my sunglasses up with my left hand, “I didn’t get much sleep last night; wake me up when we get to Bluffs Beach.” I wink at her, grin and pull my shades down.
“I didn’t sleep much either,” I turn my head to stare at her and we both burst into a fit of giggles.
“So, Blake’s hot tub was fun, eh?”
“I’m pleading the Fifth to Congress.”
“What?”
“I don’t know I heard it on CNN once. Does it make me sound smart?”
“Definitely.”
“Nice,” she says picking up the phone and calling the stewardess for another drink.
I feel a shadow over me blocking the sun that was keeping me just warm enough that the ocean breeze wasn’t making me cold. Groggily I open my eyes seeing his gorgeous face staring down at my bikini-clad body. He bends down and kisses my lips softly, “Wake up, sleepyhead, we’re here.”
I thread my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer for a deeper kiss. I force his lips apart, with my tongue, invading his mouth. His hands braced on either side of my chair, he nudges my knees apart with his leg and starts to lie down on top of me.
“Hello? Did you forget I’m right here?” Eva pipes up.
“Yep,” I let go of Ryan and trace my finger across my lips missing the feel of his mouth already.
“Vanessa didn’t tell you?”
Eva looks at him puzzled.
“She pretends to be all sweet, but she’s really into exhibitionism. I had to drag her away last night after I busted her trying to spy on you and Blake in the hot tub.”
“What?” I smack him on the arm as he lets me up.
“Yeah, right, I know my Nessa.”
“Come on, ladies. Your picnic at Bluffs Beach waits. Grab your gear and meet us on the aft deck. Blake’s already dropped anchor and is getting the tender ready.”
Eva and I grab our cover-ups and walk inside to use the bathroom before making our way down to where our men wait for us.
“TJ, what’s up? Aren’t you coming?” I ask. He’s standing at the rail with a somber look in his eyes.
“I think I’ll stay aboard; you go ahead. I’d be out of place.” He looks wistfully at the beach in the distance but shakes his head.
“TJ, you know it’s not like that,” I say, gently tugging his hand
“Nah, it’s cool. I was kind of hoping Blake would let me man the ship, maybe sit in the captain’s chair for a few hours. It’s more my thing, anyway.”
“Definitely, TJ, just don’t take off and leave us stranded!” Blake jokes as he runs up the stairs from the lower deck to see what the holdup is.
“How did you know I was planning on making a run with your beauty to the Florida Keys?”
“I’d hunt you down, TJ. You wouldn’t get far.”
“I don’t know about that. I could drive her engines hard all night long, Blake. I’m a seasoned captain myself.”
“Okay, boys, we get it! Come on, I’m hungry,” Eva says grabbing Blake’s arm and leading him down to the lower deck.
“Alright, I’m sorry, TJ. I wasn’t expecting any of this—” I tell him gesturing around to the yacht.
“I know. Just be smart, Nessa.”
“Okay,” I tell him kissing his cheek. I watch him climb the deck stairs making his way up to the top deck until he disappears.
My body jostles again at every wave the outboard hits as we make our way to shore, cutting across the rough surf. I’ve never been to this side of Block before and it’s truly breathtaking. Massive rugged bluffs jut out along the coastline. The rock varies from a deep brown to clay red and the waves are wild as they break over the reef that shoots up from the ocean floor. Blake expertly maneuvers and forcefully lands us onto the beach cutting off the engines. I’m thrown forward by the impact but Ryan’s arms wind tightly around me, keeping me safe. He gets out first and the two men pull the Zodiac farther ashore.
“Wow, this is amazing. I’ve never been out this far on the island before,” I tell Blake.
“This is the best spot for spearfishing. The surfs a little rough right now, but it should calm down in the next hour or so.”
The beach is strewn with rocks and broken shells. But there is a small patch of smooth sand at the base of a massive bluff.
“Ladies, may I present you with an al fresco dining experience at one of the most private and ruggedly beautiful places on the Blake Foster summer tour, Mohegan Bluffs.” Blake finishes with a bow and pops open a bottle of champagne. He hands us each cut crystal glasses.
I guess this is a first-class picnic.
Eva and I whip out our phones, capturing the rugged beauty of the bluffs and beach. I hug her tight as we pose together taking selfies until Blake offers to snap a few for us.
“Take a few of us,” Ryan calls out, pulling me away from Eva and dipping me in his arms.
“Happy Birthday, America,” he toasts, raising his glass.
“I’ve never tasted such delicious champagne before, Blake, this is phenomenal,” I say, raising my glass and tipping his.
“Babe, is this the Rosé Champagne?”
“Yep, I wanted something special for you, Eva. It’s the Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé 2007, the very one you admired in my wine fridge.”
“That’s a five-hundred-dollar bottle, are you insane?” Eva asks him, completely shocked that he would do this for her.
“Eva, baby, I was just saving it for a special girl like you.”
“Yeah, right, Foster.”
“I would never waste this bottle on anyone, babe.”
I can tell Eva is touched when she rubs her body against his pulling him down with one hand for a long kiss, leaving Ryan and me to be the voyeurs this time.
Ryan unpacks the large wicker basket that was secured in the tender and I help him spread out a large blanket. Taking out the containers, I gasp at the assorted sushi rolls Blake’s chef made aboard. They are fresh and perfectly rolled. I lie back against Ryan’s chest and finish my last drop of pink champagne.
As the four of us dine, I smile as Blake and Eva take turns feeding each other rolls with chopsticks. I love seeing the softer side of her that comes out when she dates.
“Bro, you ready to catch some fish?”
“I’m cuddling with my girl here,” Ryan answers, holding me tighter.
“Come on, Ryan, it’s tradition,” Blake says, throwing a wetsuit and dive mask our way.
“Sweets, will you be alright here if I go with him?”
“Sure, I guess he can have you for an hour,” I reply playfully. Ryan reluctantly puts the black wetsuit on and it clings to every tight muscle on his athletic body. He grabs fins and mask, adjustin
g the straps. Blake comes over, handing him a long spear.
“Holy crap, you’re going out in the water with that?”
Ryan’s holding a three-foot-long spear gun with a trigger and pointed blade.
“Vanessa, we’re experts. We’ll catch dinner in no time,” Blake tells me.
“Oh, my God, I’d rather you just let your man in the galley do his thing, please.”
“Relax, Nessa, I’ll take good care of your boy. I always do,” Blake answers handing Eva a wave phone and a bag of supplies.
“We’ll be back in one hour. If you need to reach us call; I’ll come up to the boat every few catches and check my phone.”
“Wait, what? You’re leaving us here?” I’m shocked.
“Yes, we’re going to take the Zodiac around that cove. I’ve got a small anchor we’ll use to moor. It’s the best spot on the island to catch bluefin tuna.”
Blake’s clueless. He probably doesn’t bring girls here often. I’m uncomfortable being left alone on a rocky beach, on the isolated part of Block Island wearing nothing but a bikini. Ryan senses my discomfort and jogs back.
“Here, sweets,” he hands me a spare spear gun.
“What’s this for?”
“I’d feel better if you have this, you know in case your ex has psychic voodoo skills. You could at least fend him off until I can rescue you.”
“Gee, thanks, but I’d probably accidentally stab myself.”
“I’ll take it,” Eva grabs the spear gun and holds it high up above her head. In her bikini, she looks like a pin-up girl gone bad.
“Wow, that’s hot, babe, maybe we’ll just stay here after all,” Blake tells her, dropping his gear.
“Maybe you can take me next time? I love trying new things,” she answers with a wink and a wiggle of her hips.
“I’d love to teach you. I’ll pick you up some gear at Aqua Sports when we get back.” He saunters to give her a kiss then grabs her full butt in the palms of his hands, kneading each cheek. I can’t look away. They are so hot together. Jesus, maybe I am a creepy voyeur. Blake with his pale blond hair and Eva, the Latin seductress, are en fuego.
“Bro, let’s go,” Ryan taps Blake’s leg with the sheathed gun. As the boys finally head out, I catch Eva doing the same thing I am—drooling.
“So, what should we do? Swim or sunbathe?” I ask Eva.
“Neither, come on, Chica, I have a plan.” There’s a mischievous gleam in her eye and it’s making me nervous.
“What are you thinking?”
“Lisa was telling me this morning that this beach is full of natural clay mud baths. Let’s go find one.”
We pack up the picnic basket and gather our things in a small pile.
“We can’t leave that here; we better bring it with us,” I say, pointing to the spear gun. Eva picks it up and slings it over her shoulder. “Eva, you look so bad ass. Seriously, you could be a character on The Walking Dead. She grins as we walk up the beach, rounding the base of the massive bluff. Sheltered by rocks is a small cove, next to it a hole filled with mud.
“Holy shit.”
There’s a group of older women naked, pasting globs of mud on one another. Empty wine cooler bottles litter the sand around them.
“You girls here to join the party?”
“Umm—” I stammer, trying to look anywhere but at her saggy, mud-splattered breasts.
“Nope. We’re just passing through.” Eva waves, pulling me forward.
“Don’t worry, Chica—I might be adventurous, but even that is a stretch for me. Come on, there are more.”
We walk another quarter mile down the beach and find a secluded spot that has a ton of rocks, but smack in the middle of sand almost where the tide’s coming in is an empty mud hole.
“Bingo.”
‘We’re seriously doing this?”
“Yep,” she answers, dropping the spear gun she begins stripping.
“Eva—no, leave your damn suit on.”
“I can’t. It’s the only one I packed and we still have tomorrow. Come on, Vanessa, live a little.”
“Okay,” I shrug and take mine off, “But I’m not spreading mud on your boobs.”
“Spoilsport,” she laughs.
Giggling, I get in. The mud feels surprisingly good, warmed from the sun it glides easily over my skin. The hole’s only about four feet deep, and I kneel looking out at the pounding surf and cornflower blue sky. “Can’t beat this. It’s free and has the most amazing view. I’m never going to a spa again.”
“This is heaven,” she responds.
I lose track of time, the mud’s baking on my skin and my muscles feel languid.
“Vanessa! Eva!” We hear the panicked shouts from Blake and Ryan, but they haven’t rounded the bend in the beach yet.
Shit.
I’m not sure what to do, get out and attempt to put my suit on or stay here hoping the mud’s covered everything.
“Over here!” Eva yells, getting out unashamed. The mud covers her from head to toe. She steps out with a grin.
Blake and Ryan come pounding around, in full sprints the panic on their faces turn to confusion as they stop, taking us both in. Blake bursts out in a wide grin, “Eva! You scared the shit out of us—disappearing like that.” He smacks her ass, “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up. I’m not getting mud in my Zodiac.” He takes her hand and guides her into the ocean rubbing the mud off her naked body with his bare hands.
“Wow, that was fast. Did they become a couple overnight?” I ask Ryan. But he’s not looking at them. He’s staring at me. Annoyed. Pissed. Eyes full of lust and...rage? He grabs my suit and hands it out to me, “Put it on. They’ve been dating for weeks.”
“What?”
“She probably didn’t want to tell you because of what happened with me.”
“Turn around,” I tell him, snatching the suit. He complies but seems pissed.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“Vanessa, this is a public beach, you two were alone and naked! Christ, what if a group of drunken frat boys or worse—older men—came by? You were easy prey.”
“I never thought of that,” I respond sheepishly.
“Obviously,” he answers. Grabbing my hand tightly, he pulls me out and smooths my hair back, “I was so worried about you. God, Vanessa—the pit in my stomach when you and Eva were gone,” he shakes his head then forcefully kisses me breathless. Uncaring, that my mud-streaked face smears him, the kiss goes on and on. Finally, we break away and he leads me to the water to get cleaned up.
“We need to leave in five, before low tide, or my Zodiac will get all torn up. Eva and I are going to walk back and pack everything up.”
“Alright,” Ryan answers.
I wade out where the waves break and kneel in the water. It’s cold. Scooping up sand from the ocean floor I use it as an exfoliant and scrub the dried mud from my skin.
“Need some help with that?” Ryan stands on the shore guarding me like a watch dog.
“I’m good, almost done,” I tell him scrubbing the last bit off. I walk out and he puts an arm around my shoulder. I lean into his warm body, my teeth already chattering. Looking over my shoulder I watch as the waves erase our footprints from the sand.
In the large stateroom mirror, my gleaming gold hair falls to my back in loose waves. My skin glimmers from a light dusting of bronzing powder.
I still can’t believe he did this.
After our excursion, we came back on board, where two huge white boxes tied with red, white, and blue ribbons were waiting for me and Eva. Ryan and Blake radioed town ordering cocktail gowns for us to celebrate on the Majesty tonight. They had them tendered out here while we were at the beach. Ryan chose a dark navy blue gown for me. My hair and skin sparks off the contrast and I look stunning. If tonight’s a romantic dream, I won’t want it to end. I want to live in the moment with no regrets. Tonight, will end one way and I feel resolute in my decision. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I know how I fee
l and tonight is going to end with Ryan and I together. I just know it.
I put on the matching navy pumps and head up to the main deck where he awaits. The table is set up with elegant china and stemware and soft music fills the room, piped in from speakers in the ceiling. A huge bouquet of pink roses sits in the center of the table that has already been set with china and silver stemware. I pick up a heavy knife feeling the weight of it in my palm, yep, this must be real silver. I shake my head at the lifestyle Blake lives every day.
“You look beautiful in that dress.” Ryan comes up behind me and nuzzles my hair.
“Did you do all this?”
“I’d like to take credit, sweets, but it was all Blake’s idea. He had his stewardess set everything up.”
I turn in his arms and freeze. My eyes soak up every inch of him. In a fitted black tux, he’s my dream come to life.
“Blake’s a licensed captain, and we are technically out to sea, so if I get you stupid drunk, do I have a shot at getting him to marry us?”
“Vanessa, you couldn’t even finish the one date we went on. Isn’t this a little fast?”
“Just warn me next time you’ll be wearing a tux, alright? It’s my kryptonite, especially, on a man like you.”
Eva enters and my mouth drops for the second time. She’s wearing a ruby-red, strapless, floor-length gown with a long side split. Her ebony hair is held back on one side with a pearl comb, and the rest falls to her shoulders in large curls. Nude peep toe pumps make her svelte frame appear taller.
“Eva, you’ve never looked better.”
“Thanks, Chica.”
“Where’s Blake?”
“Checking on TJ, he’s like a kid with a new toy. Blake’s going to let him drive us back to the other side of the island for the fireworks.”
“Really? That’s a lot of trust. Isn’t there going to be a ton of traffic on the water for tonight’s show?”
Eva shrugs, helping herself to a glass of champagne from a tray being held by a woman in uniform who looks slightly older than us.
“Are you the one I should be thanking for the delicious latte I had this morning?” I ask her.
“I’m glad you liked it, I’m Jen. I’ll be your stewardess this weekend, please let me know if you need anything. Dinner will be served shortly.” She turns to leave, and I’m stunned at how formal everything is. I’m not used to being catered to. I know how hard it is to work for demanding guests and I know I’ll give Jen no trouble while I’m here. Eva, on the other hand, I can see her placing orders left and right for anything she can think of.