My eyes drift closed from lack of sleep. Images of my family playing at the beach enters my dream-like state. My mum and dad always taking us to the beach on the weekends. Dad teaching me and my brother how to catch a wave on our body boards. Laughing and smiling when we were dumped by a wave only to be saved by the strong arms of Dad. Mum would be on the edge dancing around the water as it weaved up the sand, daring to close around her ankles before she was ready to take the plunge. Her graceful laugh contrasted so dramatically with my father’s loud, abrupt voice and roar of laughter. They were the complete opposites. Her poise and charm, his rough edge and overbearing nature, her small statue, his broad tall body, her attention to all things beautiful and expensive, his upbringing was from the wrong side of town but nothing could keep them apart, mum telling me this frequently. I often asked my mother what drew her to him. Her instant reply was always variations of the same, “Tingles surrounded my body the first time I saw your father. It was love at first sight, Isla. I knew from the moment he stole me away from my friends up to the dance floor, I would be with him forever.” And forever it had been.
Sweaty from lying on the silky sand, my visions fade and I stand up and walk down to the water’s edge. Fuck, the water’s certainly invigorating. Needing to sort my brain out and cool my overheated body off, I submerge my body into the water. I’m instantly refreshed. Letting the pulsating water guide my body up and down in a calming way, my muscles release as I clasp my hands together and dive under the water only to surface for a breath of air before I dive under again. Exiting, I run my hand over my hair, smoothing it against my scalp as I gaze out to the horizon.
During the past tumultuous years, the ocean has given me peace and sovereignty, sedating me, becoming a constant friend of mine. Delving into it when my body needed cleansing, releasing me from the dirty world I was permitted to inhabit courtesy of my father. The ocean is my personal counsellor, where I shout my thoughts underwater, cursing my abusive father over the years and the pervert I work for now, purging my sins, exorcising the demons from my inner self. Albeit only for a short time. Each week new villains consume me. But at least my mother and brother are safe.
Sun beaming down on my cooled body, my mind empties. I bob up and down, weightless, my arms limp while my feet brush the grainy sand, ensuring I’m still at a safe depth. The crystal sunlight bounces off the small waves where people next to me are body surfing. Their faint laughter background to my thoughts. Numbing my scattered reverie, my eyes lift to the sun where I shut them momentarily, absorbing the Vitamin D.
What the fuck is that…
Opening my mouth to scream as I stare wide-eyed into the water, I begin to yank my leg out of the way to start running away from seaweed, a fish or, hell, even a shark. Although, before I can do anything, a muscular back covered in tattoos bursts through the water and a pair of piercing blue eyes sparkling like sapphires directly hit mine. His mouth smiles at me.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I shout before my mind comes to realize it is the man from last night. He is standing and staring back at me with nothing but trunks on. Oh… how I want to touch his broad, olive-toned chest…
“I’m so sorry,” he says with a light tone to his voice, raising his eyebrows in an apologetic way. “I accidentally swam into your leg, please accept my apologies.” He then eyes me up and down and gazes back into my eyes. Did I just hear him catch a slight hitch of his breath?
“Umm, oh, no, umm, please don’t apologize. The water relaxes me completely, so I must have gotten into your way,” I breathe out in a semi-collected way. This man was affecting me all over again and I can’t grasp why. Sure, his body would feel scrumptious wrapped around mine, his lips melting all over my body, and every square inch of it, his strength and solidness could protect me. Although, this is a man I just met. Women must fall at his feet. I bet he could hit a button on his phone and the models would come running in, throwing themselves at him. It wasn’t wise for me to ponder my reactions and end up devastating my mind over him.
“Isn’t it a lovely morning? A swim always clears my head and gets me ready for the day ahead,” he says with a smile while wading next to me.
“Yes. Yes, it is. The water always calms me,” I whisper, “and it gives me a chance to find perspective when needed.” Hell, how I need a perspective now.
Trying hard not to look directly at this specimen in front of me, I dive under a wave to give me a bit more distance from his body to regain composure. Pushing my hair back from my face and wiping my eyes with my hand, I hear, “Do you make a habit out of kneeling on floors in nightclubs? Typically, people go there to dance.”
My eyes flash to his and I see the corners of his mouth smirking at me.
Crap, that look isn’t helping my libido any.
Laughter escapes me.
“Very funny,” I say as I roll my eyes. “No, I don’t habitually kneel on floors at nightclubs. But that settee captured me from the moment I saw it. And I had to find out what type it was.”
Much like you.
My eyes land on his and they are boring into mine. They are so lovely, yet so very dangerous. He is making it very hard for me to not stare at him. His eyes are speaking to me, just as they had been in my dreams last night.
A nervous, soft laugh escapes my mouth as his eyes intimately explore my face. His smirk widens into a genuine, sparkling smile. The water surges, moving my body forward, closer to his. I reach out grasping his arm before I am out of my depth. Steadying myself, I begin to release my hold when he covers my hand with his, pulling my back into his front, hooking his arm under my armpits so I am supported by his strength.
“Relax. Lay your head back on my shoulder and let me drift with you.” I close my eyes all too easily and on his command, trying to let my brain stop thinking. Beating strongly against me is his heart. Turning our bodies so they are facing the water expanse toward the horizon away from everyone’s eyes, the droplets of water running down my face from my wet hair send shivers through me, over-sensitizing my skin, making me alert to every minuscule touch. He desires me? “Alex,” escapes as a murmur under my breath, slipping through my lips, unconscious to any coherent thought.
“Yes, I’m here,” he assures me. “Lie still and let me take care of you.” How could he know I just wanted to be cared for?
Water laps around us and the seagulls squawk above us, swerving up high in the air, the voices of people nearby infiltrate my ears, but it does not stop me from enjoying the moment. With his back still facing the beach, protecting me somewhat from the people going about their everyday lives, Alex’s fingers, in a steady motion, run up and over my collarbone to my cheek. Next, they are gliding down under the water to my breast where he stops and squeezes my already pebbled nipple. I moan softly, hoping no one is watching our display. But honestly, I don’t care if they are. I’m too far gone to stop.
“Just feel, my Sweetness,” he continues as he rolls my sensitive nubs between his fingers. As though I’m hypnotized, I comply to his words, thinking how I could beg him to remove my bikini top and touch my electrified skin. Mmm…
I can’t believe I am actually doing this. This man is unknown to me. But I’m so shocked at how incredibly good it feels. I’m relaxed, safe, and possessed. His…
I stop musing as he continues drifting his fingertips down to my stomach and the top of my thighs, slowly pulling me further away from reality. Torturing me with his slow kindness, a steady burn running up my body. My channel is imploring to be filled, my tits throbbing with need, heaving up and down with my ragged breath. His firmness underneath me is growing. And his heartbeat speeds up. He is affected as I am and he doesn’t even know my name.
I reach one of my arms back behind his head, pulling him closer against me, and rolling my head to the side. His head comes down, blowing a long breath along the side of my neck, sending shivers across my entire body. The tender caress of his lips on my collarbone get firmer and more purposeful. I’m helpless as I arch into his grasp that’s now pulling me into him. Alex is enveloping me in his powerfully built body, igniting something deep within me, something I have never felt before…
“Shhh, Sweetness,” he hushes. “Let me take care of you. Will you let me do that?”
Still refusing to open my eyes and hoping to God that no one else was watching… I surprise myself by surrendering and whispering in a needy voice, “Hell yes.”
My legs are still floating out in front of my body as my bikini bottoms are being pulled to one side. Hot warm fingers swirl around my clit, begging to be flicked. The cool water below is heating around me. His calming breath in my ear is silently arousing the hell out of my body. Fuck, Alex… Don’t…stop…
His fingers begin to perform magic as I try to rub my ass on his cock.
“Naughty girl,” seeps out of his mouth. We are both losing control. Teeth bite firmly into my neck, his expert fingers dance below making my lower half thrust and move to propel my approaching orgasm faster. From my toes dangling in the cool sea water to the ends of my ears, heat trickles rapidly from one end to the other. I’m surprised the water isn’t boiling with the heat we are creating together. My body begins to fracture into a million lovely pieces… Alex…my mind screams with ecstasy…
His mouth is on mine before I scream aloud. My stomach clenches, my toes actually curl as my eyes squeeze as tight as they can. My arms pull on Alex’s neck unrelentingly. My body tightening in delight as the waves pulse, thrumming around our bodies carrying us to our own small bubble of paradise. Opening my eyes with caution as my limbs go limp, I am met with hazy but sincere sky blue eyes. I want to savor it again. Finding my feet pointing down, and still being held up in his beautiful arms, I turn wrapping both of my limbs around his neck and unashamedly push my lips to his with so much force. I desperately take what I need, tongue invading his mouth and surprisingly, he lets me. He tastes of spearmint and I can smell his same cologne as the previous encounter. I let go of his face, laughing aloud.
This is crazy!
Orgasm of a lifetime runs through my brain as I continue staring at this male sex god—and it was in the ocean. Looking after the most precious needs any woman could ever want and he doesn’t even know my name.
With caution, he watches me, maybe scared I’m going to run to shore screaming, ‘rape,’ but I search his eyes and his face for any answers. This is a one-time thing… even if I wanted it to be more, it can’t…
I don’t stop my eyes at his face. And all so suddenly, I’m touching his beautiful square jaw as I’m sliding my fingertips and eyes painstakingly slow down his smooth wet chest. Floating around his torso, resting my hand on his skin without ever breaking contact, I explore the tattoos on his back. Hell, I would love to know the man behind the pictures. Resuming my rounds, I spy the single tattoo on display near his glorious sculptured lower front ‘v’ area. It must have an important meaning but I don’t know him well enough to ask, just well enough for him to render me into a quivering mess in public! I’m going crazy… Next, I trace my fingers over his ripped abdomen. Daring to go below the water, my hand finds his enlarged cock. Stroking and cupping his balls, I look into his eyes and see tenderness and questioning. I gently put my lips on his right nipple and suck. A growl escapes his chest. Craving affection and a real sense of being wanted, I continue. Shutting my eyes exploring his taut skin some more with my lips, visions filter in my head. Me under Alex grinning from ear to ear, gentle strokes of his body on mine, thrusting together. My mouth searching for the places that arouse him. His lips sucking my nipples, taking every ounce of pleasure from me that he can extract… My body goes completely rigid as dark hair and fierce eyes steal their way into my current pleasure. No… No… An older man’s faceless body enters my thoughts, taking what he wants from my body.
I never allow my lips to touch another man’s skin beyond his dick, as that is always expected of me. That’s what my boss is paid for me to do. Controlling where else my lips go comforts me. Exception being when he takes me. I have to do what he says.
Constricting in my chest and short gasps take over my upper body. My eyes fly open relieving me of the pictures. I’m not allowed to do this! Fuck…
Releasing my hold on Alex, I whisper in his ear, “Stay away.” Inhaling his scent one last time, I turn around straight away, in case I change my mind. I swim fast towards the beach, my arms aching. I sprint up the sand near Jules.
I hear through the breeze “I will find you, Isla.” My hands hit the sand as my legs stumble.
Holy Crap… He knows my name?
“We have to go, NOW!” I yell at a sun-baking Jules. Reading her novel, oblivious to the disaster unfolding in the water, she snaps her body toward me and the water. Concern resonating in her eyes. I fumble with my sarong, bag, and shoes. I won’t allow myself to look back toward him or I know I will do something stupid and dangerous.
“Jules!” I yell once more as if she is on the other side of the waterfront. “We have to go.”
With her mouth gaping and sand flying everywhere, she gathers up her belongings, mumbling to herself. Understanding how I must look to her: erratic and even insane, but this can’t wait. My tough exterior is about to collapse and I can’t be anywhere near Alex or I will be lunging at his lips within milliseconds.
My heart is thumping and my body is about to crumble from heaving my not-so-fit legs through the sand in a hurry, when a gentle hand rests on my shoulder.
“Isla, slow down. Take a minute to catch your breath,” Jules simply says in a caring and non-threatening voice. I start walking at a slower pace and close my eyes for a fleeting second since Jules is guiding me now with her arm linked in mine.
One foot at a time.
Left, right, left. Left, right, left.
Opening my eyes, I regain control of the Isla I need to be. We continue walking in silence as we head back to my apartment.
“How long was I in the water?” I ask without looking at her as I wring my hands together.
“About twenty minutes. Why?”
Was that it? Twenty minutes of out of this world bliss? That’s all the time the connection lasted with Alex? Without entering my body, he’s treated me to the most mind-altering orgasm and tenderness, more than ever experienced in my short life. And I only met him a day ago.
Continuing to pace arm-in-arm, I take a quick wayward glance at Jules. A small smile ghosts my lips when she suddenly sweeps her hand across my cheek to wipe the lone tear that escapes without me noticing. Every few minutes that passes by, I look back over my shoulder to make sure we aren’t being followed.
Alex can follow me anywhere… But there will be dire consequences if he chooses to…
I poke around in my beach bag to find the keys to the door. The brown outer brick is old and brittle, but inside, my own personal touches create a tranquil space, which is all mine. Furnished with my favorite color of red with almost everything else being shades of white, this is my sanctuary when things seem hopeless.
“Isla, when we get inside, I’m going to make you a cuppa of that French Earl Grey tea you like. I want to know what happened at the beach just then, because fuck, my friend, you’re scaring me.” Worry laces Jules voice as I turn the key in the lock, dropping my bag on the floor. I walk gingerly across to the kitchen and switch the kettle on. Jules reaches for the mugs and the tea bags while I escape to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, my cheeks flush red remembering how his touch had me arching in his arms, toes tightening, and me yelling as he covered my mouth completely with his. Splashing my face with cold water five times doesn’t release the agony clenching at my heart.
Fuck… The desire and lust shining from his eyes must have mirrored my own. Alex found me. He wanted me! I caved to him so so quickly.
Holy Hell… What was I thinking? If any of his men were watching me while he is away, I dread to think what he will have in store for me upon his return. Peering into the mirror, I ask myself the same question I do every night. Why can’t I have what every other woman has? Why does he string me along? Jules and I have analyzed this together so many times I have lost count. I pray she can make sense of my reactions at the beach.
Drying my face and the few tears that have leaked out, a confession is about to be unleashed. When I return, Jules has the hot drinks placed on my red placemats at my small white dining table. I can’t stall her any longer when I look across the table and see the worried look that is plastered in her eyes. She’s concerned for me.
Sitting down next to her and taking a sip of my fragrant tea, I start to unravel the events of the morning. Self-conscious about my wayward behavior, my voice is steady, which I’m shocked about since I have just let a virtual stranger touch me in the most intimate of places. Without realizing it, I place my hand on my neck where his teeth touched me and made me internally scream with pleasure. There is complete silence and my breath is labored. My eyes gaze downward during my recount so Jules cannot see into them and read what I am thinking. But in all honestly, I would do it again in a heartbeat…
I recount my encounter with Alex and when I finish speaking, I lift my head to see wide blue eyes staring back at me and a grin on her face from ear-to-ear.
Obviously, she’s taking sheer delight in my moment of embarrassment. And I’m not sure why because I’ve been irresponsible.
“What’s so funny, Jules? A complete stranger manhandled me in public and I let him.” I’m shrieking out loud. “What’s wrong with me? Who does that?” I demand with my hands flying up in the air.
Taking another sip of her tea, she rests her mug down and starts laughing at me, while fanning her face with her hand.
“Oh, my Isla. Your morning’s been full of excitement. I told you your bikini would make them fall at your feet. Crap, now I’m hot and bothered just listening to you.”
Hearing those words out of her mouth, my face blushes bright crimson red again. I can’t believe Jules is finding this so entertaining. Why isn’t she yelling at me for being a complete nutcase?
Shifting in her chair, she cheerfully states, “I think I need to go and see Tyler to relieve some of my sexual tension.” Jules has many men on the side she can call when the urge takes hold —Tyler being one of her favorites over the past two years. I am hoping things between them will become serious, as Tyler cares for her in more than sexually gratifying ways. He is a good, kind-hearted guy. If only Jules would see him that way.
Staring at Jules with an ‘I’m-Not-Amused’ look on my face, I ramble nearly inaudibly, “What should I do? He knows my name. What happens if he does find me? You know there will be consequences.”
I take in a sigh. “I feel when I’m near him, Jules. Before it didn’t matter. I know what my life is and how it must be played, but how do I get this craving to go away when I don’t want it to?” Sympathetic eyes find mine and she pulls me into a hug.
“This doesn’t have to be the end, Isla. It can be the beginning. Look how brave you were this morning. You were only being yourself. Letting someone else care for your needs. You can have anyone you want you know.” The pressure of the hug subsides.
“You are smart and beautiful inside and out, Isla Winters,” Jules says for maybe the millionth time in ten years. “Please remember this.”
“I will. Thank you, Jules, for always being there. Listening to me, making sure I remain as sane as I can with my alternate life.” I say as I smile before taking a sip of my cuppa.
A bit more relaxed than five minutes ago, Jules and I girly chat about the more intimate details of my public exhibition with my dream guy. Laughing now at myself, I confess for the next half an hour, how I dreamt about this man all night long and woke up at the apex of Alex’s climax. This is surreal and ridiculous. Even if I find him again, there is no way he would remember me or what he did to me. It will be embedded in my memory forever… There is a not a doubt in my mind that I am just another girl on his checklist.
Making sure I am okay before gathering her belongings, I assure Jules that I am calm and ready for what’s left of my Sunday.
By the time Jules departs to Tyler’s, I lean back on the chair with a book in hand. A sigh escapes my lips as I turn to the next page.
Five days, runs through my thoughts. Just five more days.