Ok, whoever chose this Island as a paradise escape for couples in love, was having a laugh.
First, we endured a reckless speed boat dash across the bay where I feared for my life. Then, we were abandoned on an uninhabited Island with nothing but a box - and I mean cardboard box- of food and drink.
There are no sun loungers to recline on, no pool to take refreshing dips in and no bar to swim up to for a thirst quenching cocktail.
They haven’t even raked the sand like they do on the hotel’s private beach. There are also twigs and leaves mixed in with the odd bit of sea fodder, littering the beach area.
Luke looks around him and whistles as we watch the retreating boat speed off back to civilisation.
“Well, this is unexpected.”
I shake my head, looking around me with dismay.
“Do you think they brought us to the right beach? I mean, call me mad if you like, but I’m sure if this had been in the brochure it wouldn’t have sold the experience. It’s a mess.”
Luke looks worried.
“I’m sorry, Becca. I thought we would have a lovely day in a place not dissimilar to the one they use on Love Island. This is more like a survival programme.”
Laughing, I roll my eyes.
“Lead on, Tarzan. We may have to fashion a shelter out of a few palm trees and build a fire using our sunglasses to catch the sun’s rays.”
Luke grins and dumps the picnic box on the floor.
“It may not be so bad. I expect what we’re really here for is just around that corner, like an oasis in the desert. I’ll race you to the beach front bar.”
He sets off and I chase him in hot pursuit. Of course, he’s right. There must be five-star excellence just around the headland.
Ok, we have now run around this Island in ten minutes and every bit of it is the same as the first. This place is seriously in need of development. There isn’t even a hammock to erect between the twin palm trees that are swaying in the gentle breeze. Luke looks worried.
“I’m sorry, Becca. This isn’t what I hoped it would be.”
I shrug. “It’s fine. I’m sure we just need to place our towels on the sand and sunbathe while pretending we are in luxury. The time will pass by in a flash.”
Shaking out my towel, I lay it neatly on the sand and then grab my suntan lotion. I try not to ogle Luke as he rips off his t-shirt and flops down beside me. That body will melt all of my principles by the end of the day if he continues to wave it in front of my face.
Carefully, I strip down to my bikini and start applying the lotion. Luke watches, his head propped up by his hand as he lies beside me.
“Do you want me to do your back?”
I shrug nonchalantly while trying to stem the raging lust within me as I imagine his handling of my near naked body.
“Sure, thanks.”
He jumps up and grabs the bottle from my hand with rather a lot of enthusiasm and says gently.
“Lie down so I get good coverage.”
Trembling inside, I do as he says and allow myself to enjoy the administrations of my fantasy love god. Gosh if Marcus could see me now he would be insanely jealous. How I wish I could take a selfie and send it to him.
Focusing hard on not groaning, I try to start planning my Christmas list in my mind to offset the pleasure my body is receiving. After quite a while Luke finishes and immediately I feel the loss of his touch. Sitting up, I almost drool as I say matter-of-factly.
“Here, let me return the favour.”
He chucks me the lotion and I allow my hands to roam freely all over his body. I take my time to enjoy the sight of those muscles rippling under my shaking fingers as I fantasise about what could happen if I allowed it. Luke groans and I feel a small victory. Huh, now we are even in the groaning stakes. He can no longer tease me about my lack of control. Leaning down, I whisper,
“Did you just groan, Luke?”
He laughs softly.
“Sorry, Becca. You’ve got to remember I live at sea. I don’t get to feel a woman’s hands on my body very much so I apologise for my lack of self-control.”
I feel the fire burning in my face at his words. Either that or the sun is out of control and inflicting sunburn on me as we speak.
I say softly as I rub.
“It must be hard being at sea all the time. You must get quite close to your fellow submarinist members.”
Luke chuckles.
“Another professional term. Do you write for the Thesaurus in your spare time?”
I giggle and carry on rubbing as he laughs.
“I try not to get close to any other members on board. It’s not really my thing.”
Pushing him, I roll over onto my towel and prop myself up in a similar pose to his so we are facing each other.
“What’s it like living under the sea like Neptune? Do you see treasure and fallen galleons? Are there mermaids and ferocious sea creatures to contend with? Is Atlantis real and have you been there? Have you ever seen another submarine and visited?”
Luke leans over and silences me with a kiss. Suddenly, I couldn’t care a fig for life under the sea. Life on a dirty Island is becoming just that as I kiss Luke back with everything I’ve got.
As Luke and I make out on dirty Island all of my fantasies are coming true. I’m almost hoping that the boat never comes back because then we would have to live here forever like they did in that film, The Blue Lagoon. As Luke’s hands start their wandering my anxiety makes another unwelcome appearance. I must stiffen because he pulls back and whispers.
“Is everything ok, Becca?”
I look at him with troubled eyes.
“I’m sorry Luke but what if there is somebody around? What if they have cameras here to check we’re ok and not in danger from fearsome sea turtles and poisonous spiders? I’m sure I saw a flash of light in the distance which could be from someone’s binoculars as they watch our every move. I’m sorry, but even on a desert Island, all I can think of is the sand in my knickers and how long it will take to get it all out. Not to mention the fact that my suntan lotion has acted like a sand magnet and I’m now covered in grit. I suppose I could wash it off in the sea but what if there are jellyfish and conga eels? I’m just one anxiety filled mess and you are probably regretting ever inviting me.”
Luke sits up and laughs loudly.
“No problem, Becca. I’ll admit it’s not very comfortable. How about we brave the sea and I’ll protect you? I mean, I was trained by a merman once in the art of sea survival so you will be perfectly safe.”
I giggle as he pulls me up from the sand.
“Come on, I’ll race you.”
We race towards the sea, leaving my anxieties behind on the sand. Who cares if I die at sea? At least I will have lived a little first.
Frolicking in the sea with Luke is every bit as amazing as rolling around with him on the sand. My inhibitions desert me and we play fight, kiss, swim and talk while being bathed in the crystal-clear water. Luke is such good company and the conversation never dries up. We talk about everything and by the time my skin resembles a prune I feel as if I have known him all my life.
We retreat back to the beach for our picnic.
As we share out the rations, I look around with interest.
“I wonder how many other couples have visited this beach. I wonder what they did to pass the time?”
Luke grins and I giggle nervously.
“Do you really think they… you know… um…” I lower my voice to a whisper, “Do IT on here?”
Luke smiles sexily.
“Most definitely. They are on honeymoon after all. My bet is they’re at it all the time at every presented opportunity.”
I blush and look interested in my papaya. Luke pours me some of the champagne that was provided with the picnic and passes me a handful of strawberries.
“We may as well enjoy the rest of what they’ve provided though.”
As I take the glass from his hand, I feel like such a fool. Opportunities don’t ever come around like this and here I am letting my insecurities getting in the way of what could be the most romantic experience of my life. Luke must think I’m a weirdo. Then he says softly.
“Look at me, Becca.”
I raise my eyes to his and see the soft sexy look he is shooting me and my heart starts pounding in my chest. He says softly.
“You must know that I like you a lot. You are everything I never thought I would meet one day and everything I hoped to. When I took this holiday, it wasn’t to meet and fall in love. I was just here for the break and a bit of luxury before I return to my metal home. When I met you, things changed. I watched you on the plane and couldn’t get you out of my mind. When I knew you were staying at the same hotel, I emailed them from the transit bus to ask for you to be put in the room next to me. Even then, there was something compelling me to get to know you and find out if the woman who captivated me was what I thought.”
I look at him in astonishment.
“You really did that?”
He nods and looks at me with a soft expression.
“I don’t have long before I leave and didn’t want to waste any time. I don’t want this to be the end but the beginning of something special. When we return home, I want to see you again and keep in touch. I can wait for you to be comfortable with me before we take it further, because if I have to, I will wait a lifetime. I think you’re worth the wait because I have been waiting for you all my life.”
Ignoring the warning siren going off in my head that he is a typical sailor spinning a line, I smile and say softly.
“I like you too, Luke. I’m probably just afraid that this will all end and am protecting my heart from the inevitable shattering it’s about to receive. More than anything, I want to let go and be the sort of person I have been encouraging Jenny to be, but I can’t. I don’t want you to think that I’m the sort of woman who does this with any willing sailor that passes her door. It matters what you think of me.”
Luke pulls me close and touches his lips to mine, then says softly.
“Trust me, Becca. I’m not the rogue you think I am. Contrary to public opinion, I don’t have a girl in every port and there is nobody else on the horizon. You are everything I want and I will wait as long as it takes.”
Then he kisses me so sweetly and the little doubtful voice in my mind is replaced by my braver self, shouting, “For god’s sake, idiot. Grab him and never let go. Do whatever it takes because this is the best opportunity of your life.”
So, I give into my desires and push the doubt away. Who cares if it all goes wrong? The memory of this will keep me warm as I reminisce with my potted plant about the day I lived on the edge.