by Carrie Banks
“So, what should we do? Swim or sunbathe?”
“Neither. Come on chica, I have a plan.”
There’s a mischievous gleam in her eye that makes me nervous.
“What are you thinking?”
“JD 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,” I say, pointing to the spear gun.
Gabby picks it up and slings it over her shoulder.
“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 and next to it, a hole filled with mud and… something else.
“Holy shit.”
There’s a group of older women who are 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.” Gabby 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, we find an empty mud hole.
“Bingo.”
“We’re seriously doing this?”
“Yep.” Dropping the spear gun, she begins stripping.
“Gabby—no, leave your damn suit on.”
“I can’t. It’s the only one I packed, and we still have tomorrow. Come on, 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. It’s warmed from the sun and glides easily over my skin. The mudehole’s only about four feet deep, so I kneel looking out at the pounding surf and cornflower blue sky. “There’s nothing that could top 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.
“Tessa! Gabby!” We hear the panicked shouts from Barron and Ryan, but they haven’t rounded the bend in the beach yet.
I’m not sure what to do; get out and attempt to put my suit on. Or stay here hoping the mud’s covering everything.
“Over here!” Gabby yells, getting out unashamed. The mud covers her from head-to-toe and she steps out with a confidence.
Barron and Ryan come pounding around, fully sprinting. The panic on their faces turns to confusion.
They stop, taking us both in.
Barron bursts out in a wide grin, “Gabby! You scared the shit out of us—disappearing like that.” He smacks her ass hard. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up. I’m not getting mud in my Zodiac.” He takes her hand guiding her into the ocean, rubbing the mud off her naked body with his bare hands.
“That was fast. Did they become a couple overnight?”
Barron’s hands are so familiar on her body, like they’ve been together for years not a day. But Ryan’s not looking at them.
He’s staring at me.
Annoyed.
Pissed.
With eyes full of lust and... rage. He grabs my suit and hands it out to me, “Put it on. And they’ve been dating for weeks.”
“What?”
“She probably didn’t want to tell you because of how we left things.”
“Turn around.” I tell him, snatching my suit in anger.
“No.”
His jaw tics and his eyes are dark fire as he stares down at my body covered in mud.
Fine let him look, but I’m not going to let him touch.
“What’s up?”
“Tessa, this is a public beach. The two of you were alone and naked! Christ, what if a group of drunken frat boys or older men came by? You were easy prey and would have no way to fight them off.”
“I never thought of that,” I sheepishly respond.
“Obviously.”
Grabbing my hand tightly, he pulls me out and smooths back my hair. “I was so worried about you. God, Tessa—the pit in my stomach when you and Gabby were gone,” he shakes his head.
Before I can think, he’s kissing me breathless. He doesn’t even care that my mud-streaked face smears his as 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 minutes before low tide, or my Zodiac will get all torn up. Gabby and I are going to walk back and pack everything up.” Barron hollers from down the beach.
I wade out to 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. But I do need my bathing suit, please.” I call out scrubbing the last bits off.
“No.”
I turn and look at him over my shoulder. His hot eyes are on me. I cross my arms over my chest, but I know he’s seeing side-boob. The water covers me to my hips.
“Fuck. You are a sea goddess…a mermaid with all that golden hair and skin.” He moves forward. “Tell me to stay away.”
“I-I can’t,” I stammer. Because I’m just as awestruck and in lust with him.
He walks through the surf to me with my suit clutched in his hand. He pulls me by my elbow. It’s just the two of us alone in the world as we stand in the breaking waves and kiss like lost lovers finally reunited.
My hands drop from my chest to wrap around his back. He lifts my legs and hooks them behind his waist. I gasp into his mouth as the only thing separating us is his swim shorts.
He presses me closer and I instinctively ride the bulge between his legs.
His lips find my neck, my collarbone, my nipple, and I gasp with the pleasure of being naked in the sea and in his arms.
It’s no wonder everyone I know is sex crazed if it feels this good.
“Where did you come from?” He stares at me as if I’m the only girl whose ever been in his world.
“The poor side of Sea Crest. A place you’d never look,” I tease.
“Baby, I’d find you anywhere.”
“How is it that I feel so much so soon…? I press my hand on his chest as he tried to capture my lips again. “Please tell me I’m not the only one?”
“Tess…I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, not even B and I was with her for two years. Do you feel my heart pounding for you?” He moves my hand a few inches. And I do feel it. As I stare into his eyes, I know he’s the one. I’m going to give him all of me this summer and take my chances come the fall.
***
My gleaming gold hair falls to my back in loose waves. My skin glimmers from a light dusting of bronzing powder. I stare at myself in the large stateroom mirror still in shock.
I still can’t believe he did this.
After our excursion, when we came back on board, there were two large white boxes tied with red, white, and blue ribbons waiting for me and Gabby.
Ryan and Barron radioed into town, ordering cocktail gowns for us to celebrate on the Majesty tonight. They were delivered by boat while we were at the beach.
For me, Ryan chose a dark navy-blue gown. The contrast of the gown and my gold hair is stunning. I finally look like a girl who could belong with a guy like him. I bite my lip as my reflection stares back at me. I know there is only one way tonight is going to end. I’m going to claim him as much as he’s going to take me.
I put on the matching navy pumps an
d walk up to the main deck to where he waits. 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. I shake my head at the lifestyle Barron lives every day.
“You look beautiful in that dress.” Ryan wraps his arms around me from behind kissing the back of my neck.
“Did you do all this?”
“I’d like to take all the credit sweets, but Barron helped. 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 guy come to life.
“Let’s runaway and leave everyone behind. How far can we go in this yacht? Bermuda? Barbados?”
“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 guy like you. I feel like doing crazy things.”
Gabby enters and my mouth drops for the second time. She’s wearing a ruby-red, strapless, floor-length gown with a long split in the side. Her ebony hair is held back over one shoulder with a pearl comb. The rest falls to her shoulders in large curls. On her feet are a pair of nude pumps that give her svelte frame extra height.
“Gabby. You’ve never looked better.”
“Thanks.”
“Where’s Barron?”
“Checking on JD. He’s like a kid with a new toy. Barron’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?”
Gabby 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. Gabby, on the other hand, I can see her placing orders left and right for anything she can think of.
Barron waltzes in.
My mouth falls open again.
He’s wearing a white suit with a baby blue, pinstriped dress shirt underneath. He’s a Nordic god, with his ash blond hair slicked back and his deep tan. But his sapphire blue eyes are striking. He’s possibly the most handsome guy I’ve ever seen.
Ryan catches me staring. He wraps an arm around my waist, “Stop looking Tessa. You are the one girl that I could never share.”
“Gross. Thanks for the reminder,” I shudder.
Unhooking Ryan’s arm, I pick up two glasses of champagne from the tray Jen left and hand one to Barron, “Hey Ken.”
He stares at me puzzled, “Did you get too much sun today?”
“No Ken. I feel great.” Gabby laughs, finally catching on to my joke.
“What am I missing here?” Barron smiles at Gabby and me, not sure what we’re playing at.
“You’re a dead ringer for Ken. The male Barbie, Gabby and I used to play with.”
“In that crisp, white suit—Ken, for sure,” Gabby agrees, kissing him.
“In that case… feel free to play with me later,” he says suggestively.
“Oh, I plan on it babe,” she replies, smacking him on the ass.
“You girls are weird. Fun but weird,” Barron laughs pouring himself a glass of whiskey. “I’ve invited a lot of girls here over the years, but I have to hand it to you both, I’ve never enjoyed their company as much as I like having yours.” He raises his glass.
“Thanks, I’m having the best time onboard. Isn’t it funny how things turned out? When I met you at East Beach, you were just the infamous local legend… the guy my mom obsesses over in the magazines. Now, I consider you a friend, not just the area celebrity.”
“Wait…your mom is obsessed with me?”
“Uh, kind of…yeah, pretty much,” I answer sheepishly. “It’s her birthday next month do you think—”
“Wait. Hold on… no way. There’s no way, Cindy Andrews is ever getting near my man.”
“Tessa, you haven’t asked me to meet your parents and you were about to give Barron the invite? I’m hurt.” Ryan says with mock devastation.
“Are we already at the parent meet and greet stage?”
“Touché, chérie.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, I forgot it was my last girlfriend who spoke French.”
“What? I smack him on the arm.”
“Is JD joining us?” I ask to no one in particular.
Barron picks up his low-ball glass, “No. And that’s why I am having a few tonight. Her Majesty is in good hands with him.”
“That’s moving awfully fast. Didn’t you guys just meet a few weeks ago?”
“I’ve seen him around the yacht club. He has an excellent rep. I was thinking of hiring him at Foster sailing. He’s very knowledgeable and would be a great fit in a sales role.”
“Ask him. It sounds better than being the dockmaster at SYC. Oh, before I forget, can I take a selfie with you? I’ll have it framed and give it to my mom on her birthday. She’ll flip out like a thirteen-year-old meeting Justin Bieber.”
“Sure. I’d love to be your mom’s cougar fantasy.”
“Gross,” I roll my eyes as we pose.
“Here, I’ll take a few more.” Ryan takes my phone and I feel like we’re taking the glamourous prom photos I never took.
Jen comes back and asks us to sit for dinner. We dine on the fresh tuna that Barron and Ryan caught. It’s cooked in a white wine and truffle sauce over risotto. I help myself to plenty of ice water wanting to keep a clear head for later.
“Shall we head up to the sundeck to catch the fireworks?” Barron asks. He reminds us to take off our shoes. Barefoot, I follow him out into the second Block Island night of the weekend.
“This is a great song. I love Collie Budzz.”
“Me too. All his songs are on my summer playlist.” Barron answers as Gabby and I dance our way up to the sundeck to, She gimme love.
Ryan takes my hand and swings me around, carrying me the rest of the way up. He lets me go only because I want to dance.
I turn in a circle taking everything in.
It’s surreal.
The gorgeous men who are our dates stand against the top deck rail. The sea behind them is crammed with sailboats, power boats, even a few canoes.
They all compete for spots to see the show.
And Her Majesty reigns over them all.
I lean back into Ryan, feeling like Kate on the Titanic, invincible and full of conviction that I’ve found something special.
He holds me tight, his arms keeping me warm as the first firework shoots up into the sky. Then he whispers, “Happy Fourth of July, Tessa.”
“Happy Fourth, Ryan,” I answer, placing my arms over his. We watch the display until the last burst of color rains down around us.
“I feel like dancing,” Gabby announces taking the controller from Barron hitting a few buttons. “I love your taste in music, but I’m hijacking your playlist,” she tells him.
“Nice,” I tell her when Dangerous Woman blares out across the deck. The sound system on this yacht would put an entire Best Buy store to shame. The fireworks might be over, but people are still celebrating, launching their own small rockets off into the night.
“Here we go,” I tell Gabby and start dancing to the beat. We sexily sashay across the deck in our fancy gowns singing along with Ariana Grande. It’s only when the
honking air horns blow that I realize we have more than Barron and Ryan as an audience. Raising my hand, I wave to them all, taking a short bow. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Gabby using the deck railings like a stripper pole.
“Don’t fall overboard!” I yell.
Seriously, she has no shame or fear. She’s hoisted herself up on the top rail. Her dress is hiked around her waist and does a split with both legs spread out horizontally.
“Christ,” Barron mutters. His cheeks are flushed from drinking and her display. He looks away, forcefully placing his drink down. He grabs her right off the rail, carrying her fireman-style down the stairs and I’m guessing straight to the master stateroom.
Unlike Barron… Ryan places his drink down slowly. He strolls towards me very deliberately. But he stops to pick up the remote and change the song. His selection surprises me when the slower beat of Pillow Talk comes on.
“This song reminds me of you.”
He softly sings every line against my temple while holding me close. Smoke from the last embers of the fireworks blow across the bow. The wind changes direction and the night air becomes thick with it. He stops dancing, pulls back and stares intensely into my eyes. Before I can blink, he pounces.
One minute we’re swaying in the smoky wind, the next he’s taking what’s his.
He kisses me mindlessly.
Recklessly.
The hoots from bystanders accompanied by air horns all fade into white noise. All I hear is my own low moans and the sound of his kiss against my lips. He picks me up, carrying me below deck. I know where we are going, and I can’t wait to get there.
Cool air hits my skin as he opens the cabin door. I try not to think about how many other girls have been in here with him. The only light in the room comes from the small lamp on the bedside table.
He yanks off his bow tie.
I stand, unable to move.
All my bravado is gone.
He methodically unfastens every button from his shirt, revealing his muscled, tan chest. He tosses it to the floor, holding out a hand to me.
“We don’t have to do anything but kiss.”
I arch an eyebrow, “As if we could stop at just kissing.”
I stare at it his hand for a few more seconds.
This is my point of no return. His eyes burn dark and hot. Acting on pure instinct, I place my hand in his. He jerks me flush against his body, taking one hand to push my hair slowly over my left shoulder.