Camp Paramore

by Wendy Lea Thomas

  Avery secured it to the side then scanned the deck. He unsnapped his belt and I followed suit, as he grabbed our towels, his shirt, and my shorts, and threw them into the raft.

  We had to fight to stay standing upright now. The boat was listing and going down as water was up past our knees. Avery stood on the bench.

  “Hurry up, Kitten. It’s time to abandon ship,” Avery urged.

  I climbed up on the seat, threw my legs over the rail, and stepped down the ladder. I dangled a bit then let go and landed in the life raft.

  “Take these,” Avery said. I steadied myself, reached out, and took the oars. Avery quickly climbed over the rail and followed suit. The Nemo continued sinking as Avery released the line and pushed us away. But the rope caught on something and I heard the tear of rubber latex causing an awful teakettle hiss, like when water begins to boil.

  Avery crawled awkwardly to the side and found the source of the hissing. The large hook from his fishing pole was still in the water and had ripped into the boat’s outer wall. Avery had never finished reeling in his line.

  “Fuck, we’ve been snagged!” Avery seethed. “Hold your hand right here,” he ordered.

  I crawled to him. My hand was so small compared to his. I pressed hard over the hole but it wasn’t doing any good. He looked over to Gaines’ beach and began rowing at an Olympic pace. My eyes were fixed on Avery as I watched his hard muscles in action. The raft began to soften around us and I was relieved that the shore was in sight with the intensifying breeze pushing us towards it. But just as I was gaining hope, the area that I was holding went limp.

  “It’s not stopping,” my voice wavered. The bottom of the boat began to cave in with the loss of air.

  “We’re going to have to swim to shore, Princess,” Avery called out harshly. Avery rolled over into the choppy ocean and I followed. When I surfaced, he was glaring at me.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Swim, Princess. Swim!” he barked, and then we rapidly swam towards shore.

  Avery kept pace with me as we angled closer to the beach swimming parallel with the current until we could move inward. I could tell he was making sure I didn’t tire. To make matters worse, we weren’t as close to land as I first thought.

  My body trembled when my feet finally touched the ground. I had to crawl the rest of the way out of the ocean. I couldn’t stand. Not yet. So I just rolled over onto my back as the waves lapped at my feet.

  “I can’t believe you shot my boat. I only had it for two days,” Avery said, sagging against the sand gasping to catch his breath.

  “Who brings a gun on a fishing trip?” I replied.

  “Who the fuck shoots at a fish while you’re still in the boat?” Avery asked.

  We both locked eyes and narrowed them at the same time, and then Avery threw his head back as our laughter rang out over the beach.

  I clenched my stomach and wiped away my tears from laughing so hard.

  Avery finally crawled over me and draped his body over mine. “I love the sound of your laugh.” His eyes danced over me.

  My fading laugh was replaced by Avery’s hot mouth and I felt his hard length press against my clit through our soaked bathing suits. I ground my hips into his shaft as his kiss deepened and became ravenous.

  I gasped for air when he pulled my bathing suit bottoms off and plunged two fingers into me making sure I was ready. Then he slid his shorts down and glided into me while he wrapped his arms around my body bringing me closer to him. Avery’s tongue skimmed over my neck, I tilted my head back, and he pulled away my top.

  “You are so beautiful,” Avery said, his eyes drifted down over my naked breasts then back up to my eyes.

  I arched my back and rolled my nipples between my fingers for him.

  Avery moaned, as his hands replaced mine, then his mouth lowered and he licked the top of my breasts, one, and then the other.

  I thrust my hips into him as he delved further into my wetness. My insides clenched around him.

  The wind swept upon us as the darkened sky unleashed a balmy torrent. The tropical downpour glistened over us and moistened our bodies.

  Avery reached down between us and rubbed at my clit. I threw my head back again and felt the tepid droplets sting my face. I enjoyed the buildup of what I knew was to come.

  His stamina was relentless as it thundered overhead. He continued to slide his hard length in and out of me, and each time, I accepted every inch of him. Getting lost in Avery’s passion became my new utopia.

  My orgasm erupted through me and I convulsed around his thick manhood. My insides spasmed around his hardness, as he groaned and pulsed inside of me in time with the pounding of thunder overhead, and the waves of the ocean beside us.

  The storm peaked and so did Avery. After only a few more thrusts, he let himself go. His body fell over me gently and I wrapped my legs around him to bring him closer.

  We both lay gasping for air, riding out our bliss in the storm. Soon the thunder eased and the downpour lightened into a charming tropical mist.

  After a few moments, Avery leaned down and kissed my forehead. His phone rang. He reached down inside his shorts pocket and pulled it out, unsnapping its waterproof case. His eyes were held on me.

  “This is Avery,” he said.

  I could hear Pierce’s voice. Avery listened like I wasn’t lying naked beneath him on a private beach with him half hard inside of me.

  “Change of plans. We’re going out to eat tonight.” He paused. “Sounds good, can you give us a ride? We’re on Gaines’ beach.”

  I heard Pierce ask what happened.

  “Aria decided she didn’t like the boat that much, so she made me leave it…on the bottom of the ocean,” he said in a low shallow voice.

  “What?” I heard Pierce reply then his laughter pushed through the phone and he mumbled something as Avery hung up.

  “Pierce said we should rename the boat Finding Nemo.”

  “I’m never going to live this down, am I?” I asked. He shook his head and chuckled. God, I love his laugh.

  “I do know a restaurant that serves great seafood, probably better than I could have made anyhow,” he said.

  “I think I’m more of a cheeseburger girl. Not that there’s anything wrong with fish. I’m just not really in the mood for it,” I said flatly.

  “So you want a cheeseburger in paradise? Nice,” he said grinning. “Thank you,” he added happily.

  “For what?” my brow wrinkled.

  “For showing me how to love again. It’s been a long time,” he replied. He stood up and slipped himself back into his shorts.

  I eyed him curiously as I slipped on my bikini, but I knew he wouldn’t answer my question even if I asked it.

  “I’m a little hesitant to show you my yacht tonight,” he said as he swooped me up and cradled me to his chest. “I can’t handle any more accidents. You’re like a hurricane,” he teased.

  I sighed dramatically. But I couldn’t be happier. I was in Avery’s arms.

  “So, can I drive your yacht later?” I asked sheepishly.

  “No, and it’s called piloting the yacht.”

  “Pleeeaaase?” I grinned wide showing all my teeth.

  “Hell no,” he said through an asymmetric smile.

  ∞

  CHAPTER 2

  WHISKEY GIRL

  Tuesday Afternoon, Aug 14 - Day Two Continued

  Pierce picked us up in Avery’s black Jeep, and drove us back to Orchid Estate. The long winding drive led up to Avery’s 6,000 square foot vacation home that featured four bedrooms, three baths, and a dual marble staircase in the atrium.

  Tall marble pillars lined the front of the porch and a slate grey tile roof accented it all. The luscious green lawn led to a small lemon tree orchid on the side, where exquisite lighting lit up its silhouette at night. It was freaking awesome.

  It was now mid-afternoon as we entered through the large mahogany doorway where Sara and Colt greeted us grinning like
hyenas. Pierce had filled them in on my sinking the Nemo and they couldn’t wait to bust my chops about it.

  I smiled at them and walked across the atrium toward the vast kitchen where I poured a chilled glass of wine.

  “So, how was your fishing trip?” Sara asked, trying hard to maintain a straight face.

  “It was fine,” I said, not indulging her attempt to bait me.

  “I can’t believe you sank the boat!” she shouted as she doubled over laughing. “No wait, yes I can.”

  Colt and Pierce joined in with her boisterous howling.

  “Yea, yea. Go ahead. You know you want to join them,” I said looking over at Avery.

  He was trying hard not to, but finally he gave in and joined their raucous laughter.

  I stood there slightly red-faced and sipped on my wine until I thought they were done. Yep, I am hurricane Aria and I leave a trail of destruction everywhere I go.

  “So, you really thought it was a good idea to shoot the fish?” Sara asked. They all laughed hysterically again.

  “Whatever, go ahead and get it out of your system,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  “Please tell us how you could have ever thought that was a good idea,” Colt asked.

  When their laughter inexorably subsided, I related, in detail, how Avery and I wrestled with the fish, got it on board, how I panicked, grabbed the revolver…and shot the fish…sinking the boat.

  Avery then politely relayed his version of events to Colt and Pierce as Sara moved over to hug me before she started in on me again, with her merciless teasing. She was relentless.

  Surprisingly, Avery wasn’t upset with me for sinking his new boat. He was just happy we made it to shore in one piece. Plus, he enjoyed the after-sinking-the-boat sex.

  But finally, Avery ended their ribbing. “Alright…alright, that’s enough for now guys. We’d better stop before she shoots one of us,” he chuckled. “Let’s all get showered and meet back down here in an hour and then I’ll take you guys to my favorite little restaurant,” Avery said.

  We headed back up to Avery’s room, showered, and then I did a quick blow dry, and threw on a small dab of makeup.

  Avery showered and pulled on a pair of khaki cargo shorts and a button up black short-sleeved fitted shirt that hugged his muscles.

  I slid on my red sundress and then we met Sara and Colt downstairs. Pierce had already gone outside to pull the SUV around.

  “I was looking forward to Avery cooking tonight,” Sara said, winking at me as we made our way out to the car.

  Then Pierce chimed in as he opened the door for me. “Aria, you should try the Mahi-Mahi at the restaurant. They have a special way they make it, where they soak it in saltwater for ten hours. I think it’s called Finding Nemo.” But before Pierce could laugh at my reaction, I punched him in his arm.

  “Oww! Hey now, no need to get violent,” he said, rubbing his upper arm.

  “Too bad, so sad. I was ready for your wise ass comments,” I said.

  Everyone laughed as Avery and I got in the front, and Pierce and Colt got in the back, with Sara in the middle.

  We took the thirty-minute ride to the marina. Avery held my hand the entire way as he drove.

  When we arrived, he led me down a wide brick pathway lined with bushes, hibiscus, palm trees, and accent lighting, then to a long wide dock.

  I was mesmerized by the sleek design of his yacht. It was grand, white, and gleaming on the water. Her name was ‘Whiskey Girl’. Holy hell.

  “Surprise!” Avery clasped my hand and squeezed gently.

  My wide eyes shifted to his and I took in his devilish smile. He gave my hand a light tug and I followed him down the remainder of the dock to the port side. I couldn’t believe Avery named his boat after me.

  Avery stepped beside the man who looked very Captain Stubing-esque in his neatly white pressed and perfectly creased uniform, holding a bottle of champagne. Avery took the bottle in his hand and turned towards me.

  “Aria, would you do me the honor of christening Whiskey Girl?” he asked with excitement in his voice.

  “Are you sure? I’ve already sunk one of your boats today,” I said with hesitated excitement.

  “Kitten, I’m fairly sure even you can’t fuck this up,” he snickered.

  I heard the others behind me trying to smother their laughter.

  “Don’t worry, I had the bottle scored so it will break cleanly. I’ll help you up on the step so you don’t fall.” I nodded.

  We climbed the steps toward the bow of the boat and Avery held the bottle out for me to take.

  “Just say the words: I Christen Thee - Whiskey Girl, then swing the bottle into the hull.”

  “I Christen Thee Whiskey Girl,” I uttered the words but they were caught under a blanket of modesty and were barely as audible as a nervous whisper in a funeral parlor.

  “What?” Sara asked.

  “What did she say?” Colt added. “I couldn’t hear her.”

  “Is she even speaking?” Pierce chimed.

  “I Christen Thee Whiskey Girl…God dammit!” This time I shouted it loud enough for the whole Marina to hear. Everyone burst into laughter.

  “Now, smash it on the side,” Avery winked while trying not to laugh too hard.

  I took the bottle and turned toward Avery’s shiny new yacht. Avery held my hips and I leaned over the side rail. Avery leaned away and I swung the bottle back and smashed it against the yacht.

  The loud shattering of glass rang out over the dock and clapping followed.

  Avery spun me towards him and pressed a kiss to my lips. I could feel his excitement but then he pulled away, lifted me in his arms, and carried me down the walkway then he set me down.

  A server waited for us as we came onboard and handed us glasses filled with champagne and we all toasted Avery’s new toy.

  Soon afterwards, Avery put on his professor’s cap again and gave us the ten-cent tour.

  “The Whiskey Girl is a 160 foot Trideck Aluminum hulled yacht that can accommodate up to twelve guests in five cabins. She’s equipped with Quantum Zero Speed stabilizers and tops out at 19 knots.” Pierce and Colt were gleaming with a little too much fervor.

  Sara wiped the edge of Colt’s mouth but he didn’t take his eyes off the big boat. “You got a little drool there, baby,” Sara teased. She rolled her eyes and looked to me. “Boys and their toys.”

  I nodded. I swear they were both about to orgasm.

  Avery led us into the spacious entertainment area and continued. “In addition to her cabin sizes, which are amazing, the amount of space Whiskey Girl offers guests for activities and dining is unbeatable. It has a panoramic sky lounge, a sundeck, Jacuzzi and a bar and grill,” he said leading us through the glass doorway to the outer deck.

  “A large covered exterior deck also offers shaded and cool dining for my guests. She also has a large swimming platform at the stern with two staircases leading to the main deck.”

  We made our way down the stairs to the main deck.

  “The Master suite is located on the main deck and features twin bathrooms with a cast iron hot tub, twin walk-in-closets and a private office/study.”

  “I can’t wait to see it,” Pierce said. “Did you get the heated floors we were looking at?”

  “Oh yea.”

  “And the large glass shower stall?”

  “Of course,” Avery replied.

  “Fucking awesome,” Pierce said, pushing through to the master suite. He did a quick walk through and whistled through his teeth. “Which one is my room? I can’t wait to break it in.”

  Avery pointed toward the back of the yacht. “The VIP stateroom is located starboard aft. All four of the guest staterooms are the same size.”

  “I think I’ll try door number one,” Pierce said. He twisted the brass door handle and hurried in like a little kid that couldn’t wait to see the whole chocolate factory. We all followed in behind him and took in the décor.

  The deep colored wood and li
ght plush carpet was a brilliant combination. The recessed lighting and lamps at the bedside made it feel warm and intimate. Sara and Colt’s eyes danced as they took it all in. I loved that my best friends were here to share this with me.

  We all took our time looking through all the bedrooms in their elegance and then we trickled out one at a time and met on deck.

  “Ready to take her out on the water?” Avery’s voice asked in pride. Everyone nodded, and then Avery continued.

  “The crew’s quarters include a Captain’s cabin on the pilothouse deck, an engineer’s cabin, and three crew cabins are below the main deck.”

  “This is so beautiful,” I said as I kept my arms around Avery. This thing was huge and nicer than most hotels. I’m not sure why he even had a house on the island. I would’ve just stayed here on the boat.

  Even Colt and Sara were shocked by the splendor of the Whiskey Girl.

  “I’m going to leave you guys here on the main deck for a little bit. There’s no point in buying a boat if you can’t drive it once in awhile, so make yourselves at home,” Avery said as he steeped away and climbed the steps up to the pilothouse. Within a few minutes, the sound of the engines roared beneath us.

  I walked up beside Sara and she took my hand. I stood with her overlooking the rail trying to take it all in.

  The boat started out on the waters, lumbering slowly at first, until we were making our way around the coastline. The humid air brushed my light brown hair as it moved over me. I took a deep breath and kept telling myself that it wasn’t a dream.

  Sara took my empty glass of champagne, handed me a tall glass of red wine, and clinked glasses with me. Her short blonde curly hair was glistening in the waning sunlight as she smiled over at me. She was wearing a blue tropical sundress that brought out her blue eyes. Excitement was bubbling out from within me. I busted out laughing and soon all eyes were on me.