Skinny Dipping (Skinny Sagas)

by Alicia M Kaye

  She didn’t need Matthew. She would be fine to get back on board. She’d be fine without him.

  Chapter 26

  The three water adventurers were rescued and safely on board the wrap party vessel, warmed by emergency blankets. Each of them dealt with the Thames swimming experience quite differently. Kelly, couldn’t stop talking, thanking both Matthew and Sophie for saving her. Matthew nodded, smiled. Sophie sat in angry silence.

  She refused to look at him. The party had only just started, and would continue for several hours, but Sophie was leaving the vessel. She needed to go home, return to the safety of the shore and escape from Matthew.

  Sophie sipped the champagne as the boat turned around, suddenly wanting to get ridiculously drunk.

  “Soph, congratulations on being the heroine tonight.” Bradley rushed over to her. “You certainly know how to live your work, don’t you?” How many drinks had he had?

  “I’ve always had a passion for….” She paused, she was going to say the water, but who was she kidding. “For adventure.”

  He slid onto the bench next to her, draping his arm around her shoulders. “Look, Soph, I’m really sorry about all the pressure this year. I made a hasty decision making you redundant. You’ll forgive me won’t you? I want you back. I should have trusted you to get on with your job, with Barney’s Chocolate Bars and with the Silver account.” She could smell the alcohol on his breath.

  “It’s fine. Honestly, it’s fine.”

  “Shall we talk about you being reinstated on Monday?”

  “Sure,” she nodded.

  Kelly approached, and Sophie’s stomach lurched with thoughts of Matthew floating through her mind.

  “Soph,” Kelly started. Her lips were more normal in colour, though still slightly tinged with blue from the chilly water. “I wanted to thank you for jumping overboard and saving me. I was scared out there.” Bradley looked on in approval, and then took his leave, wandering over to a bunch of women at the other side of the boat.

  Sophie nodded. “No problem. You’d have done it, too, if you were in the same position.”

  “You are quite a girl.”

  Sophie shrugged and looked down at the ground.

  “I know this might be a little too late, but I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

  “What for?” Sophie’s chest tightened. “Sorry, for Matthew liking you? You go girl. Don’t worry about me.” She shot a glance in Matthew’s direction, met his gaze and turned immediately away.

  Kelly frowned. “I don’t know what you think happened. Matthew’s a client. He gave me a brilliant idea for my next campaign and... Well he’s pretty cute, so I thought I’d make a move. Story over. I didn’t realise you two had a thing going. So, you go, girl.”

  Sophie smiled tightly, realising she’d already given away far too much to Kelly, the girl who’d use anything to sabotage her. She shot another glance in Matthew’s direction. His gaze was still on them. No, on her.

  “Look,” Kelly continued. “What I’m trying to say is... no one in advertising is ever nice. People are ruthless, step on people’s throats if someone gets in the way, that’s the motto I got taught. I guess you’re not like that, and besides we’re on the same side. So, I’m sorry.”

  Sophie swallowed. “It’s all good. Advertising is hard. Don’t worry about it.”

  “I overheard Bradley giving you your job back. You will come back, right? So we’ll be working together possibly for quite a long time. Maybe we could start again and... maybe you could forgive me and give me a chance?”

  Sophie looked at Kelly, and nodded. “Truce?” She extended her hand. What did she have to lose? Kelly was already an enemy. But she was also extremely talented. And if the truce held and they became allies, they’d win loads of work.

  “Truce,” Kelly replied and they shook hands firmly.

  The boat arrived at the dock and Sophie disembarked. Matthew followed her onto shore but she walked quickly, trying to outpace him.

  “Soph,” he called. “Wait.”

  She wouldn’t, she couldn’t. She didn’t feel ready to face him. But his legs were longer and he caught up. He stepped in front of her. He blocked her path, taking her hand like he’d done so many times in the pool.

  “Soph, I care a lot about you. Really. And I don’t think you’re a charity case. I just liked you and wanted to spend some time with you.” He stared deep into her eyes. “I’m sorry if it came out as blackmail. I want to be with you. I don’t love anyone else.”

  Sophie’s heart thumped in her chest.

  “Soph, say something, please.”

  “I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions.” Her mouth felt dry and her tongue felt fat. Had he just said he loved her in an indirect way? She watched him run a hand through his blond hair, the hair she desperately loved.

  His gaze fell to the ground. “When you were in the water, swimming away from the boat, swimming to save Kelly – swimming really well mind you – I knew you didn’t need me to rescue you.”

  Sophie swallowed. “I probably did; I was just too angry to admit it. But I did mean what I said out there. I will forever be thankful for your teaching me. Your lessons saved my life.”

  “When I saw you out there, I couldn’t, not go after you. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you because... well it’s quite simple really… I love you.”

  He’d said it again. He loved her.

  Emotions soared through her body and she flung her arms around his neck. Her pulse raced and she buried her face in his chest. She knew the right words to say. “I love you, too,” she breathed words of truth.

  He tilted her face toward him and his lips were immediately on hers. He kissed her, gently at first, but a surge of electricity charged through them. With a swift move he pulled her hard against his body. She felt tingly and didn’t want him to stop.

  Sophie heard laughter in the background and pulled away from Matthew. “Shall we get out of here?” she panted, hearing a wolf whistle. Matthew looked over his shoulder and a crowd huddled over the boat railing. Of course her whole office had watched the scene, Jessica and Carol both grinned like crazy. Sophie felt her ears burn but she was also somewhat lucky – for at least there was no public groping.

  “Let’s go now,” Matthew said, putting his arm around her shoulders and directing her toward the pavement.

  “We can’t leave soon enough.”

  “Miss Mermaid Sophie Smart, I’m coming home with you. Or you’re coming home with me.”

  Sophie smiled. There was absolutely no doubt about it.

  “I don’t have to call you a mermaid,” he said, “if you would like me to call you something else, a lioness or something?”

  Sophie laughed. “Mermaid is just fine thank you, Mr. Matthew Dolphin Silver, and here I was thinking you only liked me in the water.”

  “Did you know dolphins, like humans, can participate in lengthy foreplay?”

  “To think if I’d known that before, I would have started swimming earlier.”

  ***

  Sophie found she liked learning further dolphin facts, first-hand. She was especially delighted to discover that her incredible Mr. Matthew Dolphin Silver was friendly, attentive and extremely good in bed. There was no choice, when he asked her, nuzzling into her neck. No feasible option, but to simply agree – of course she would move in with him. The sooner, the better.

  ***

  Sophie looked round the flat, walking through the rooms, saying goodbye to each one. Her bedroom floor was lined with packed cardboard boxes, just like when she first moved in. A triple tower of tea cartons contained books and the suitcases were filled with shoes. The boxes all waited to be carried into her little red Volkswagen Beetle.

  Her breathing quickened, she hoped she was doing the right thing, leaving Carol whilst her friend was riding the wave of stardom. Sophie traced her steps back to the kitchen, taking the recent postcard she’d received from her parents in the Mediterranean. Placing the postcard in he
r cluttered handbag, she knew it was only a matter of time. They would come out of the recession just fine.

  The doorbell rang. She took one last look around the house, feeling incredible warmth. She ran to the front door and pulled it open.

  “I can’t wait to move out...,” she began, and then stopped talking, seeing the same portly policeman she had met once before, although in very different circumstances. Her back stiffened, and she held her breath, wondering what he would say.

  “Miss Sophie Smart?”

  Oh no, she closed her eyes. “Yes. That’s me.” She opened her eyes, supporting herself on the doorframe, wondering what his news was this time; hoping it wouldn’t be something chaotic.

  “I thought it was you. You look a lot different from the last time I saw you. You’re blonde now.”

  She ran a hand through her hair and then quickly flattened the front of her dress. The fabric flowed down beneath her breasts, so much so she could have a Marilyn Monroe moment if a gust of wind blew by. She gave the policeman a sidelong glance, wondering why he stood on her doorstep.

  “I thought I would drop by as soon as I heard. I saw some excellent news pass my desk.”

  Her hands gripped the doorframe. “What’s the news?”

  “I heard your dad got a job. I saw the official paperwork. He got the sign off. I came to tell you, just in case, you know, he was holding out on the truth.”

  A smile lit up her face, and she leapt from the step and hugged the policeman. “Yes, I know. Thank you, I thought you were going to tell me something bad like last time.” She stepped back, realising she’d overstepped a boundary, again.

  The policeman’s cheeks reddened, then, tipping his hat and waving slightly, he stepped backwards toward the street. “Well, good luck with the move Miss Smart.”

  “Thanks again,” she said, watching the policeman walk to his car. “Good day to you.”

  Standing on the street, she knew she would miss this house in Highbury.

  A figure approached from the very end of the street. Matthew. She wondered how long it would take to get her boxes packed and then unpacked in their new house. His car was probably parked a mile up the street.

  She ran to meet him, waving to get his attention, and then saw she already had it. His gaze was fixed on her and his brilliant blue eyes shone. She threw her arms around his neck. She’d miss the house, but she’d miss Matthew more if she didn’t go.

  Hugging him, she kissed his face, knowing they’d already shared one adventure together, learning to swim. Holding his hand, she was ready to start something new, together, and wondered whether she could possibly teach him something? She furrowed her brow, contemplating the possibilities. Anything was possible with Matthew. She’d even learned that trusting a man was possible.

  “Ever been trekking in the jungle, Soph?” he asked.

  She gazed into his face, seeing a mischievous glint in his eyes.

  No. She’d never been trekking in the jungle and her chest constricted as she thought of tarantulas falling off fronds, and spiders’ webs caught in her hair. God. She also had arachnophobia - a fear of spiders. And she’d just faced her fear of drowning. When did a girl get a break?

  Was it possible that she was one of those scaredy cat type of girls? Scared of life and living? But Matthew didn’t seem scared of anything at all. And she trusted him. And she’d take him up on his challenge because she was safe with him. And her heart was safe with him.

  With trust they’d do something she would never have dreamed of, something exciting, something memorable, or something unimaginable. They’d do something. Together. Daring and non-prudish. Something like skinny dipping.

  ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

  There have been many special people who have helped and shown enthusiasm when writing this book. If I have forgotten anyone, I am sincerely sorry and please accept my gratitude.

  Thank you to Lyn Worthen from Camden Park Press for your words of encouragement and your support.

  Thank you to Peach and Julie, for sticking with me and reading iterations and more iterations of this book. It has been a journey. Thanks for listening to my concerns and continually providing support, enthusiasm, and friendship.

  Thanks to Margaret for your advice and words of wisdom when writing this novel.

  Thanks to Victoria for helping me make this novel as polished as possible.

  Thanks to Nelly at Black Cat Design for creating such a wonderful book cover.

  Thanks to wonderful Dana. You’re a true star! I am appreciative of all your help. You are one of my oldest friends and supporters (since high school). You are always absolutely encouraging. Your honest, reliable feedback has helped me make this the best book possible.

  Thanks to Mum for being a true cheerleader. I feel incredibly lucky to have a Mum like you. Thank you a million times for your encouragement, support and lending me a hand in whatever way you can. Thank you for your patience and for being so gentle with your feedback. You have provided invaluable suggestions, and comments throughout the iterations of this book.

  Thanks to Ginny Harrison at Swimming for Life.Com for your invaluable help. You generously gave me your time and knowledge explaining the intricate details about adults learning how to swim. I wish you all the best in setting up a foundation to provide swimming assistance for the underprivileged, including swimming scholarships for both adults and children, teaching them water safety and of course, how to swim. Your commitment to helping people is so inspirational.

  Thanks to the most wonderful man in the world, James, to whom this book is dedicated. You have been there all the way through, from the conceptualization to publication. Thank you for being there with me on the journey; and it truly has been a rollercoaster. I couldn’t have done it without your support. Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me and seeing the positive in every situation. I am thrilled to have found you, my greatest companion. I’m so blessed to be on the seat right next to you, and how lucky to be on such an amazing adventure together with you. I love how we roll.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Alicia M Kaye is a writer of romantic fiction. She grew up in Australia, in sunny Queensland on a canal side property with her family. She also lived walking distance from Surfers Paradise, and the nearby beautiful beaches of the Gold Coast. Although Alicia is most probably and most certainly biased, she makes no secret in her belief that the Gold Coast is one the most breathtaking places in the world.

  When she was twenty-four, Alicia realised she was curious about the world, so she jumped on a plane and relocated to London. The move was only supposed to be for two years, but seven and a half years later, she still lived there with her husband. Together they explored England, Europe and the world as much as possible.

  Although writing has always been a passion for Alicia, it was in London where she began to write furiously. Writing is indeed a lonely occupation but luckily, Alicia is not just a writer, she is also an animal lover. She desperately would love a pet but her nomad life will not permit one.

  Alicia wrote this book with the company of a fostered cat (from the RSPCA) named Buttons (who is now called Clarence by his new adopted owners). When Buttons found his new parents, she tried to encourage and attempt the stray cats of Highbury to take his place – to no avail. They would not join the party.

  Over the last two years, Alicia and her husband have started on their journey back home to Australia. They have side-tracked with both the beach and the snow beckoning from different parts of the world. Together they have explored and lived in amazing countries including Thailand, Mexico, Austria and Malta.

  For more about the author please visit www.aliciamkaye.com and look out for her new books.

  Next in the Skinny companion adventures is a story about Michelle Vermont (her nickname Mickey), in the novel Skinny Cappuccino. Please email Alicia or look out for its release in the Kindle store.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

&nbs
p; Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  ACKNOWLEGEMENTS