He stood taller and straighter than Jack. He exuded a relaxed confidence and a friendly demeanor. His body appeared strong and lean as his legs came closer, obstructing her view of the island.
“Here you go,” he said, handing her the bottle of water. He carefully balanced his drink on the lounge and proceeded to peel off his t-shirt, pulling it over his head, exposing his fit upper torso and taut stomach. “I can’t believe I had forgotten how hot the sand can be. I have to do a little shuffle now and again to save my toes.”
Jenna appreciated the graying at his temples and his piercing steel-blue eyes. His broad face and distinctive features inspired her to take notice. She expected him to be a hairy man because of the hair on his forearms, but it turned out that his chest was smooth, hairless, and tanned. Realizing she was staring, she quickly looked away. “Thanks for the water.” She took a long drink, placed the bottle in the holder on the armrest and asked, “So what are you drinking?”
“Iced water for me, but no splash in it this time. I don’t really like drinking alcohol when I’m lying in the sun,” he said, filling the palm of his hand with sunscreen.
“Same here.”
“So if you don’t mind me asking, why don’t you want to go over to the island?”
“I don’t like the idea of a whole bunch of people looking at my body.”
“I see. I think you have an attractive body.”
“Well, it doesn’t look like it did when I was in my twenties, but thank you for the compliment. Jack hasn’t said that to me in a while.” She turned on her side to face Marc.
“Well, it’s unfortunate, but people tend to get complacent in their relationships,” he said. “They sometimes forget the importance of making the other person feel wanted and special.”
“That doesn’t seem to be a problem for you and Summer,” Jenna said, sitting up and pulling her hair into a ponytail. She lay back against the lounge and felt the heat of the sun.
“That’s true, but I’m older than Jack and I’ve learned a thing or two along the way. By the way, Summer tells me this was supposed to be like a second honeymoon and she gave me the impression that you’re upset with Jack for inviting us along.”
“I wish she wouldn’t have said anything. It’s not like I have anything against you guys, it’s that—”
“I didn’t think you did,” he said. “Summer and I talk about everything, so if you say something to one of us it’s like saying it to both of us.” He slid off his sunglasses. “It’s completely understandable that you would be upset with Jack for inviting us without discussing it with you.”
“I feel so embarrassed,” she said. “I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable and I don’t want to feel uncomfortable either.” Jenna paused for a moment. “Besides, I’m now thinking it’ll be more fun this way.”
“Excellent. I think so, too. Don’t worry about Summer and me; we have no problem entertaining ourselves. If you need some space, just tell us.”
“You’re being very nice about all this. Thank you for that.”
“I hope you give the island a try before you leave,” he said. “It can be a very liberating experience. After a few minutes, you forget all about being naked.” He looked at Jenna over the top of his sunglasses with a toothy smile. “No, seriously.”
“Yeah, right. I find that hard to believe. I’ve never felt comfortable with the idea of just flaunting around. I could model nude when I was younger, but not now.”
“Why is that, do you think?”
“I’m not sure. My parents were fairly conservative when I was growing up. I can only recall seeing them fully clothed. Nude modeling was more avant-garde for me, but acceptable,” she said, turning over and sitting up. “Would you like to go in the water? I’m getting hot.”
“Sure. Did you put on sunscreen? Because you’re going to need it here.”
“I put some on my face but I don’t usually burn.”
“We’re a lot closer to the equator here,” he warned. “Why don’t you let me put some sunscreen on your shoulders and back? How does that sound?” He held up the sunscreen.
“Umm … well …okay,” she said as she flipped onto her stomach and anxiously awaited the first touch of his hands.
“It’s okay, I’m a doctor,” he said with a lilt of laughter in his voice. He placed his large, strong hands on her shoulders and applied the sunscreen using a gentle massage that left her tingly.
“I’m unfastening your top, if that’s okay?” he said.
Jenna felt the straps drop next to her sides.
“Now that’s a lovely back. You have a beautiful ‘V’ shape that I find very sexy.”
“I think I need to lose some weight,” she said, leaning her head on her crossed arms.
“Not at all. If anything, you need to put on some weight, in my opinion. Summer needs to put on some weight as well. I like wholesome women.”
Needing desperately to interrupt the moment, she asked, “Are you ready to go into the water?”
“Are you going topless?” he said, teasing her.
“No. Don’t even go there.” She looked around at the half dozen or so women sunbathing topless. “Maybe a little later when I get up the courage,” she said as she hooked the clasp of her bathing suit top. “Let’s go.” She jumped up from the lounge and ran toward the ocean.
“I’m right behind you,” he called out.
The hot sand inspired a quick jaunt toward certain relief in the tepid, azure Caribbean waters. Marc caught up with Jenna, taking her hand firmly in his as they ran together, romping into the clear water. They dove into the ocean, gliding smoothly and arching to the surface meeting face to face. Jenna dropped back into the water to make her hair lay uniformly against her head. She wiped the salty sea from her eyes and face, pausing to gain her bearings.
“You’re eyes are amazing,” Marc said, pulling her gently toward him.
“Hey,” she said as she pushed him away. She splashed water toward him in an attempt to gloss over the awkward moment. She peeked up at him and their eyes locked as a surge of energy passed between them. She quickly faced Tower Island and blurted out, “I wonder what they’re doing over there.”
“We can go see for ourselves or wait for them to come back and get the low down.”
“I think I’ll wait … but, maybe Wednesday.”
*****
Jack and Summer coasted in the small dinghy over the shallow water toward the island. The silver metal bottom of the boat scraped the rocky shore and slid to an abrupt halt. As the ferryman stepped out, he steadied the boat and reached for Summer.
“Watch your step, my lady,” he said, holding her hand unwaveringly.
Jack climbed out of the boat without assistance and awkwardly stood waiting on the small platform.
“Thank you,” Summer said as she stepped out. “How do we get back?”
“All you need to do is step out here—with your clothes on—and I’ll come pick you up,” he said as he pushed the boat away from shore.
“This is a bit weird. Where do you drop your clothes?” Jack asked in a whisper.
“You’re killing me here, Jack,” Summer said, laughing. “Why are you whispering, can you tell me that? You would think that nudity wouldn’t bother you at all.”
“It feels illegal,” he said, dropping his head feigning shame. “Alas, other people’s nudity, I should say women’s, doesn’t bother me at all, but my own, now that’s a different story.”
The duo traversed the path from the island beachhead up through the palms. They arrived at the pool area, which was already populated by several hotel guests.
“She’s so cute,” Summer said, as they laid claim to two open lounge chairs.
“Are you allowed to say that sort of stuff?” Jack asked in a hushed tone, stepping close to her side, watching a sexy woman sit down on the pool edge.
“You need to loosen up.” Summer turned to Jack and said, “Prepare thyself, I’m going to disrobe.” She casu
ally dropped her Hawaiian print cover-up onto the lounge, and then untied her bright yellow top, letting it drop onto her wrap. She slid her matching string bikini bottoms over her sandals and added them to the clothes haphazardly thrown in a pile.
“Maybe I should go wait for the boat,” Jack said as he awkwardly averted his gaze from her. His attention panned across to the resort hotel and traveled around to the swim-up bar, and back to Summer who stood naked in front of him. She was even more stunning than Jack had imagined and he couldn’t pull away his gaze. Her well-proportioned lean body and wild hair caused his artist’s hands to twitch, wanting to see her in marble. “Oh man. Wow,” he said, stammering.
She slipped out of her sandals. “Sit down, Jack, and pull in your tongue,” she said with a sexy grin. She strolled over to the pool, hopped in and swam up to the bar. “Hi there. I’m Summer.”
“Cornelius, my lady. What can I get you?” he said, as he wiped the counter in front of her.
“I would like a rumrunner and a Red Stripe for my friend,” she said, coyly smiling and pivoting to check on Jack’s progress.
Jack waved, frozen in the same position, still wearing his clothes.
“Tell him, my lady, he has about thirty more seconds to remove his clothing or he must leave the island.”
“Jack,” she called out. “The naked police are on their way here to arrest you for not disrobing. Get out of your clothes, now.”
People within earshot at the bar laughed and started shouting encouragement.
“What’s the bloke’s name?” asked a red-faced, light-skinned man with an English accent.
“Jack,” she said.
“Is he sensitive?” he asked, displaying a mischievous grin.
“Depends,” she remarked. “I can’t vouch for anything.”
The Englishman, along with five others, climbed out of the pool, strutted over to Jack and bellowed, “We’re not leaving until you’re naked.” They started singing in chorus the stripper’s anthem, “Ta duntduntdunn … ta duntduntdunn.”
Jack recoiled into a standing fetal position on one leg, but then acquiesced. He pulled off his shirt and swung it around a few times, letting it sail down to the lounge chair next to him. He was more reticent taking off his shorts and quickly jumped into the pool, once fully disrobed. He swam over to Summer and his new friends at the bar.
“Man, it takes a lot to get you out of your clothes, doesn’t it? It must be hell getting you to take a shower,” Summer said, shaking her head.
“Depends on who’s showering with me,” Jack said, raising his eyebrows and holding her gaze.
*****
Jenna approached Jack who sat at the table just inside the French doors, drinking a Red Stripe. “I can’t believe you went to the nude island and let Marc join me at the beach,” Jenna said, flinging her hands out in front of her in anger.
“He offered and seemed fine with me going. Did he do something that made you feel uncomfortable?”
“That’s totally not the point.” She marched over to the table and sat down.
“What is the point?”
“Jack, I swear, do you listen to anything I say to you? Do you recall saying to me that you wanted to take this trip to rekindle the romance in our relationship—to work on letting go of the past? I think that’s a direct quote. What it looks like to me, is that this trip is about you having fun. I’m not against fun, but I thought it was supposed to be us having fun together.” She lumbered over to the bed and sat. “I’m not sure it’s worth it anymore. I’m so tired of fighting.”
“So let’s not fight.”
“Right. You know what?” she asked, peering around him out the French doors. “Do what you’re going to do and leave me alone.”
“I was the one who wanted to have sex when we first got here.”
“That’s just it. It’s always what you want. What about what I need? When does that take a priority for you? You brought me here under false pretenses. You thought if we went somewhere fun and exotic, all our problems would miraculously vanish. It doesn’t work like that.”
“And why not?”
“Oh grow up,” she said, slapping the bed. “This is not about a skinned knee, or the messes left in the kitchen after your artist friends leave. It’s about the fact that you don’t hear me. If my concerns or needs don’t seem rational or important to you, you dismiss them. I’m tired of living my life accommodating your artist whimsicalities. Being talented doesn’t give you the right to put yourself above everyone else.”
“I don’t know what to say,” he said, walking over and sitting next to her on the bed. “I didn’t realize the situation sucked so badly for you. I’m not sure what you want from me. We used to have such great fun together. Why can’t we get back there?”
“I’m tired, Jack. I’m tired of wrapping my life around yours and putting your needs first. I won’t do it anymore. I want equal standing in this relationship or I want out. That’s it.”
“You do have equal standing in this relationship.”
“I know I’m as much to blame as you. I’ve let you live like a kid all these years. What are your responsibilities? Sculpting and playing. I do everything else. I’m ready to have someone take care of me for a change.”
“Honey, I love you. If there are changes that have to be made, I’m willing to make them. You’re the most important person in my life and I don’t want to fuck this up. Come here,” he said, opening his arms to embrace her.
“No. I’m very angry with you right now.”
Jack stood and continued to hold open his arms toward Jenna. “I swear, you will begin to see a new Jack starting right now.” He reached and took her by the hand, pulling her to a standing position. He held out his arms again and she finally acquiesced. “What do you want to do about tonight?” he asked, holding her and swaying back and forth.
“Can we have dinner alone, without Marc and Summer?”
“Sure, let me call them,” he said. Jack picked up the phone and dialed their room.
“Hey there,” Summer said, lazily. “What’s up?”
“We’re going to beg off for dinner tonight, but we’re still on for the falls tomorrow.”
“That’s fine. We may hang out in bed for the rest of the night anyway. You guys have fun, ciao.”
“Bye,” Jack said, and hung up. “So where would you like to eat?”
“Let’s see if we can get into Bayside. They have Italian food.”
“Sounds excellent to me.”
“Let me change into a dress. I’ll be ready in a minute.”
“You know, I like the feel of this,” Jack called out toward the bathroom. “It feels like we’re dating.”
“I know you may not believe this, but I really want this, our relationship, to work out,” Jenna called back.
“Oh man, me too. I really don’t think I could live without you, Jenna.” Fuck, maybe that’s the problem.
“Ready?” Jenna said. She then pranced back into the room in a formfitting, purple and blue flower, ankle-length dress. Strung around her neck was a handsome wood bead necklace that accentuated her décolletage.
“One of yours?” he asked, thumbing the necklace.
“Yep, I made it for the trip. What do you think?”
“I bet these would sell like hot cakes around here.”
“Hmmm. Maybe.” She shrugged.
“Shall we?” Jack pushed their hotel room door securely closed and took Jenna by the hand. They began weaving their way through the hotel maze to the far side of the resort. The darkness of the night softened as they approached the pin-lighted elevated dock meandering along the edge of the shoreline to where the Bayside restaurant seemed to hover above the golden shimmering water.
The maître d’ touched his black Panama hat as they approached and informed them that there would be a short wait.
Jack turned back to Jenna, wrapping his arms around her and said, “It’s an awesome night, isn’t it?”
“
Yes, and thank you for having dinner with me alone,” Jenna said, nudging her way under his arm. “It means a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome,” he said.
They hugged as they watched the brightly lit fishing boats pass offshore, brimming with tomorrow’s delicacies. The subtle combination of the ocean breeze, the waves lapping against the pilings and Jack’s warm, affectionate embrace left Jenna feeling more at ease than she had in a long time.
“Your table is ready, sir.”
Jack and Jenna followed the maître d’ to a small, round, wrought iron table with a glass top and rustic matching chairs that sat near the water’s edge. He handed them large menus covered in Leonardo Da Vinci drawings.
“Jenna, how would you feel if I pulled my chair around next to you?”
“Sure. That would be nice. Might be a little crowded after I order,” she laughed. “But yes, scoot on over here.”
Jack dragged his chair around and sat. “Listen, I’ve been thinking about what we’re going through. I don’t know where we got off track and I don’t know if we can get it back together, but I do want—” he took her hand and said, “—to ask you to marry me again.”
“You can be so sweet sometimes,” she said to him. She sat up straight. “I’m not as anxious to marry you this time as I was the first. We’ve got to work on our relationship so that I don’t feel so angry all of the time. You’ve got to show me more respect. It was funny in the beginning when you would piss me off and then come skulking back, but not anymore. I want some stability, Jack.”
“With an artist? I don’t know. We’re a pretty crazy lot.”
“But I don’t think you have to be. Can’t you sculpt without having to be a Pablo Picasso?”
“I wish I was Pablo, minus the abuse, of course, and the philandering of women, but most of the rest.”
The Demarcation of Jack Page 5