CHAPTER 6:
Rick picked me up for dinner Monday night and took me to a little steakhouse downtown. I was surprised, but not at all disappointed, that it was a small, middle-class establishment. I knew quite well that Rick could afford a lot better. It made me wonder if he was trying to pretend like he was a normal, everyday guy, or if he was worried that I'd have thought he was showing off if he took me to a five-star restaurant with meals that were $200 a plate.
I didn't want to ask, though, so I decided to be more subtle. “You come here often?”
“Oh yes,” he said as he held my chair out for me. “Me and the boys come down here every couple of weeks. Nothing beats a good steak.”
I smiled at his response. Maybe, I figured, he simply had good old fashioned down to earth tastes.
I ordered a hearty steak and potatoes myself. Most girls I knew tended to eat more daintily, trying to watch their waistline. I'd been a plus-size girl since I was a teen, but I was more than comfortable with my weight. I knew I had curves in all the right places, and that I could be sexy and seductive without starving myself in the process.
I could also tell that Rick was a man who appreciated the way I looked. While we ate and talked, I kept catching him sneaking a glance here and there. It brought a swell of pride to my chest to know that I could draw a man's eye, especially a man like Rick.
After dinner, Rick ordered a bottle of wine to go, and slipped our server an excessively generous tip to get her to look the other way when he took two wine glasses with us on our way out. We drove down to the waterfront and went for a walk under the moonlight. A paved path wound its way along the shoreline, looking down over the cliffs. The waves crashed against the cliff face down below us, and the lights of some ships shone off in the darkness near the horizon.
Rick poured us each a glass of wine. We sipped the wine as we walked, quiet for a little while, until we were far enough down the walkway to have privacy.
“You know, you're a fascinating woman,” Rick said as we stopped to lean against the railing, looking down over the shadowy waves below.
“Oh?” I asked. “I don't see what's so fascinating about me. I'm just me.”
“You're strong,” he said. “You aren't afraid to stand up for yourself, even when you're up against drunken marines. You've got a good heart. And lovely eyes.”
I smirked. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”
“Only when it's true,” he said, turning towards me. He reached out and caressed my cheek. I nuzzled against his palm and sighed. He had a gentle touch, and it made me feel warm.
He ran the backs of his fingers down my cheek, then slid his fingers back into my hair. “You're very soft,” he whispered. He stepped closer, pressing his body against mine and leaning in to whisper in my ear. “And warm.”
I sighed softly, letting myself melt against him. His fingers felt amazing, and I found myself wanting him to touch me in other places as well.
“I bet you're the kind of woman who takes what she wants,” he whispered, tracing his fingers along the curve of my neck. “And doesn't hesitate.”
“You're right,” I said. I took his face in my hands and pulled him close, tasting his lips. He slipped his arms around me, caressing my curves as we kissed. His touch sent shivers throughout my body. I moaned against his mouth as his hands roamed lower, squeezing my ass. I felt his excitement as he pressed himself against me, and his arousal was contagious. I slipped my hand down and reached for his crotch, giving it a gentle squeeze.
He gasped and shivered. “You really do take what you want,” he said.
“I'm definitely ready to take it.”
He kissed me again, then took my hand. He led me down the path until we found a trail that led down to a small stretch of beach, framed by cliffs. It was dark and private, and when we laid down on the sand together, it was like there was no one else in the world.
We laid together on the sand, taking our time, exploring each other's bodies. Rick's hands moved slowly, caressing my ass, my hips, my breasts. I kicked off my shoes and let my toes curl in the sand as his touch sent tingles through my body. He unbuttoned my blouse and started planting soft kisses along my breasts. I ran my fingers through his hair and pulled his face closer, moaning in pleasure.
When I couldn't wait any longer, I pulled him on top of me and started unbuttoning his pants. I slipped my hand inside and found what I was looking for, stroking it firmly. He moaned and leaned over me, using his knees to push my legs open. I spread my legs eagerly and pulled him closer, guiding his movements until he was inside of me.
We made love in the sand, under the stars, until my body ached with such pleasure that I couldn't contain it any longer. I clung to Rick as he thrust into me, my nails digging into his sides. I didn't try to hold back my screams of ecstasy. I let them out, crying my pleasure into the night, knowing that there was no one else but Rick to hear the sounds of my climax.
Afterwards, we lay there holding each other. I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds of Rick's breathing. Each shift of my body sent grains of sand sliding off my sweaty skin. I reached up and traced a finger along Rick's lips.
“That was something else,” he said.
“Is that a good thing?”
“Mmm, a very good thing.”
He kissed me softly, gently, then laid his head against my chest. I held him for a long time, until the chill of the night air started to cool the sweat that coated my skin. We got up and brushed as much of the sand off of us as we could, then we got dressed. We walked back to the car hand in hand and Rick drove me home.
“Boy, I need a shower,” I said as we pulled up to my place. “I'm sweaty and I've got sand in...places.”
Rick smirked at me and caressed my cheek. “You want some company in that shower?”
I eyed him sidelong and grinned. “You sure you don't need to be back at the base, soldier boy?”
“I've got a forty-eight hour pass,” he said. “I can stay out as long as I like.”
“Well, in that case, I could use someone to scrub my back.”
We had as much fun in the shower as we'd had on the beach. Rick pinned me against the wall and soaped me up, then rubbed me down, taking his time to caress every curve. By the time we finished, I was pleasantly exhausted. We collapsed into my bed together and he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close.
Just before I drifted off to sleep, I whispered into the darkness, “Rick?”
“Yes, babe?”
“Is this something serious for you? I mean, not just a good time?”
“Everything I do is serious to me,” he said. He kissed my neck and squeezed me tight.
I sighed in contentment, then closed my eyes and went to sleep.
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