by T M Kelly
He turned onto his side, leaning on his elbow and resting his head in his hand. “I think they would get a little suspicious if we stayed in our room all day long.”
“We could pretend to be newlyweds.”
Brooks scowled. “Pretend to be married?”
“Sure, they don’t have to know the truth.”
“Or we could really be newlyweds, and then we don’t have to lie.”
I sat up a little too quickly, throwing the covers off both of us. “What?” Did he just say what I thought he said? Hell, I couldn’t even say the three little words to him. What made him think I would want to get married?”
“Or not,” he said, sitting up to be eye level with me. “I wasn’t trying to upset you. I’m sorry.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m sorry. I went a little crazy there.” Moving my body to the edge of the bed to hop off, I let Brooks wrap his arm around my waist, preventing me from leaving. “What are you doing?”
“You can’t leave this bed until this is straightened out. Did I piss you off?” He pulled my body back to be flush with his.
“Not pissed,” I said, placing my hand on his thigh. “It confuses me and freaks me out.”
“Because of your dad?”
“Yeah, that and my self-confidence plays a role, too.”
“Then the subject is dropped as of this very moment.” He kissed my temple, making me feel awful. I quickly sat up on my knees to face him and dropped into his lap. “Charlie.”
“I care about you so damn much. You know that, right?”
“Of course I do.”
I placed my hands on either side of his face. “I’m working on this. I promise.”
He leaned forward and kissed me. “I’m not planning to go anywhere.” Then he kissed me again. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“Good. I was prepared to fight for you, though.”
“Fight?”
“Always.” Pushing my body up, I shifted so I could straddle him. “I found somebody besides Lily I can completely trust. Do you really think I wouldn’t fight for you?”
“Well at least we have another thing in common.”
“Oh yeah.” I was mindlessly moving my fingers up and down his chest.
“I would move heaven or hell for you.”
His words took me by surprise. Brooks was the one man in my life, besides of course Jackson, who actually loved me for me. He wanted to see me succeed and helped to make my dreams happen. It felt good to know I had him by my side.
“Oh lovely, you both decided to join us for breakfast,” Martha said while stirring eggs in a pan.
“Good morning.” I smiled and sat down at the kitchen table. “We were tempted to sleep in, but it’s just too pretty out.” I reached for a scone in a small basket and took a bite.
Martha walked over and set the pan of scrambled eggs on the table. “Will you be going to the beach today?”
I placed my hand on Brooks’s thigh and squeezed lightly. “Yeah, I think we will. I need to see Durdle Door in person finally.”
Martha had placed a large array of food on the long kitchen table. I was struggling with deciding what to try first. The scone I’d grabbed the moment I sat down was amazing and full of buttery heaven. If this was how the woman fed her guests every day, I would need to work out on this trip.
“We should leave our cellphones here and go old school for the day.” Brooks handed me a pitcher of orange juice.
“Oh, that is very intriguing.” My mind tried to think about the positive thoughts to being electronics-free for the day. Then several negative thoughts flooded my mind and scratched the idea altogether. “We’ll see.”
Brooks must’ve been hungry because he polished off several of the items on the table. All the guests were gone, and I was waiting for him to finally throw in the towel. The moment he wrapped his arms around his mid-section, I burst out laughing. “I don’t think I can eat another bite.”
“Yeah, you are finally discovering that after shoveling in everything on this table.”
“I’m a growing boy. I need my nourishment.”
“And then some,” I teased.
I pushed back my chair and stood up. While I was in a full body stretch, I heard Bill call for Martha from another room. They both were so sweet. I was so happy we found this hotel. The food was going to make me fat, but I could just hit the gym harder after vacation.
“Let’s get ready for the beach.” I reached for Brooks’s hand to tug him up.
“Okay, stop nagging me woman.”
I smacked his ass as he walked past me. “That’s not nagging, but I can show you what is nagging if you want?”
“Upstairs after the bikini runway show.”
I hopped up on his back and kissed the sweet spot behind his ear. “It’s finally time for the runway show?”
“Well I do need to pick out your bikini for the day.”
“Let’s see that fuchsia top with the teal bottom.” He pointed to the pile of bikinis littering the floor around my feet. I did as he asked. The moment I had the fuchsia top on, he surprised me by demanding another one. “What about the bright yellow top with the teal bottom?”
I reached for the yellow top and stopped suddenly. “You just want me to keep changing don’t you, so you can see my boobs more?”
“What? No. That’s ridiculous.” He struggled to hold in a laugh.
I stripped out of the bikini and threw it behind me. “Is that better?”
“Much.” He reached for my hand, causing me to stumble forward and fall into his lap. “So, electronics or no electronics today?”
“We’ll hide one in the car.” I knew I was being silly, but a part of me felt it was better to be safety girl.
“Just in case,” he teased.
“Hey, you never know. Plus, I have managed to see several creepers on this trip.”
He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist. “I like the original bikini best.”
I must have looked like those cartoon characters with the way my eyes bugged out. “You made me go through all that, only to end up deciding on the first one?” I swatted at his arm. “Sneaky man.”
Brooks rubbed his hands over the length of my naked body, causing goosebumps to form. He picked me up to lay me on the bed and leaned down to start peppering light kisses all over me. “Hey, any way I can get you like this, I’ll do it.”
“All you have to do is ask.” I fisted my hands around the bottom of his shirt and tugged him closer. “Where is the nude beach you found?”
“Wait.” He sounded shocked. “You would go to one?”
“Why not?” I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know anyone here.”
He hopped up off the bed and ran over to where there was a stack of maps on the dresser. “It’s located in the opposite direction from where we planned to go today. The beach is called Studland and is only forty minutes from here.”
I stepped up beside him. “You did your research.”
“Hoping you would say yes.”
“Then who needs these?” I reached down to grab the stack of bikinis and tossed them up in the air.
14
We stepped out of the car, and I looked around; there were a ton of people enjoying the same thing I was about to enjoy. I decided to take myself out of my comfort zone for the day. I did enjoy being naked, but in front of hundreds of people was a whole different story. A little portion of my mind tried to remind myself they would never see me again. Plus, why not try something new?
There was a long walkway with wooden planks that led to the beach. As we stepped off the last step, we were greeted with a sign that read, Naturists May Be Seen Beyond This Point.
“I believe we are the naturists.” I grabbed the bottom of my T-shirt and tugged it off the moment I passed the sign. There was a secluded beach a few yards away with several people sunbathing or swimming. I slid my shorts off and tucked them inside my bag. “Is it me or are we the youngest people here?”
“You know, I always wondered if it was true,” he started to say.
“What was true?”
“Most people I see in images for nudist colonies are pretty old and very out of shape.”
“Oh my goodness, the images were right.” I threw Brooks’s T-shirt and shorts in my bag and looped my arm into his. “Well, we will be the most athletic here for sure.”
He leaned down and kissed me. “I can’t believe you agreed to come.”
“I can’t believe it myself.”
There was a small secluded area away from everyone, so I threw out my towel and plopped down. I could feel the sand already starting to creep up in my naughty bits. I brushed it off where I could and then quickly applied some sun block.
“Are you Charlie Hill?” this older woman, maybe in her eighties, said. She stepped right in front of the sun, blocking the light shining in my eyes. And yes, she was buck naked—of course she was.
“Um, who’s asking?” I attempted to cover myself and then remembered where I was.
“My husband watched the Liverpool fight the other night.”
“Oh.” Of all the places I could meet a fan. “That’s awesome. Thank you for the support.” I really didn’t know what else to say at the moment.
“I look forward to seeing you win the flyweight championship belt.” The woman reached down and shook my hand. “It’s time someone new had it.”
“That’s very kind of you to say.”
She turned, prepared to leave. “Is your boyfriend really the Brooks Moore?”
Brooks had decided to jump into the water the moment we arrived. He was currently standing knee-deep waving for me to join him. “Um, yeah, it is.”
“Wow,” she said with a dreamy expression. “No one will believe me when I tell them who I met today at Studland Beach.”
“Oh, bummer.” I hopped up and started to head toward Brooks. “It was wonderful meeting you.” The lady had the biggest grin on her face. The moment my feet hit the water, I felt a chill run up my spine, but as I waded closer to Brooks, the feeling eased up and the water felt warmer.
“Was that someone you knew?” Brooks grabbed my hand and kissed my temple.
“A fan of not only me but also you.”
“Well lucky us, meeting fans at a nude beach.”
I shook my head at the thought and sank my body below the surface of the water. As I lifted my head up, I could see our towels and someone standing next to our stuff. “Um, who’s that?”
“Who’s who?” He was wading around my body and flicking water at me every so often.
I waited to say anything and watched them. The woman threw out her towel and started to strip out of her clothes. “Never mind. Just me getting protective of our stuff.”
Brooks moved closer and placed his hands on my hips. “It’s a public place, sunshine.”
“I know,” I said, throwing my arms around his neck. “So you finally convinced me to go to a nude beach. You happy now?”
“Very,” he said, lifting me into his arms below the surface of the water. “Think anyone would know if we just happen to have sex in the ocean?”
“They probably would be able to venture a guess by the looks on our faces.”
“Let’s find out.”
I rested my head back against the seat. “My boobs may be burnt.” I placed my hands over my T-shirt, and I could feel the warmth of the burn radiating through the cotton material. “This is all your fault.”
“My fault. How so?” He threw the keys into the ignition and started the car.
“Well, it was your idea to go to a nude beach.”
“And you seemed to be having way more fun than me.”
I couldn’t argue; it was fun. “I may be bummed wearing a bikini tomorrow now.”
“We can come back tomorrow if you want.”
“Nah, I really want to go to Durdle Door tomorrow.” I closed my eyes, fighting to stay awake. As I drifted off, I could hear Brooks talking, but I didn’t have the energy to find out more.
“Hey, sunshine,” Brooks whispered, and I felt his fingers brush down the side of my face.
I moaned and stretched out my arms. “I’m sorry.”
“For what, baby?”
“I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.”
He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Come on, let’s get you inside. I bet Martha is making a killer dinner tonight.”
We walked hand-in-hand through the front door. I noticed a couple at the counter checking in with Bill. I waved my hand in Bill’s direction before heading up the stairs to our room. As I ascended the first step, I heard the couple talking. They both seemed excited to be on holiday. I could totally relate; my vacation was more than needed. Plus, now Brooks and I could cross nude beach off our bucket list.
Brooks pushed open the door, and I threw our beach bag on a little table. “I am going to take a quick shower before we head down to dinner. Care to join me?” I winked and started to pull my T-shirt up over my head. He surprised me by leaping forward and wrapping his arms around my waist. My body left the ground as he quickly carried me into the bathroom. “So that’s a yes I take it.”
“Do you really think I would turn down a shower with my hot-as-fuck girlfriend?”
“Well, when you say it that way.” I jumped down out of his arms and pushed his body toward the shower. “They may start to wonder about the commotion in our room, though.”
“Or they may become insanely jealous.” Brooks reached over and turned on the water.
“So,” I said and dropped to my knees, “are we going to be late for dinner?”
15
“Charlie and Brooks.” Martha stood up from her seat at the table. “I’m so glad you could join us.”
“Sorry we’re late,” I said and pulled out a chair. “It was a long day at the beach. The sun wore me out.”
“Oh, no worries, darling.” Martha touched her hand on mine. “We have two new guests who joined us this evening. This is Chris and Maggie.”
“Nice to meet you, both.” I reached out my hand. They seemed quiet but did shake my hand. “Where are you both from?” I said and grabbed a napkin to place on my lap.
“Liverpool,” Chris said and handed me a bowl full of steamed carrots.
“Oh wow, we were just there.” I pointed to my two black eyes. “I was in an AFC fight there.”
“I’m glad you said something.” Maggie sighed and reached for her fork.
“Maybe I should make a public announcement whenever I see someone new.” I laughed and sat back in my chair. “Something like, ‘my boyfriend doesn’t beat me; I’m a fighter with AFC.’” Maggie’s face scrunched up. “Too direct?”
“Just a little,” she said and took a drink of her water. “How about, ‘did you catch my Liverpool fight last week?’”
“Start with a question. That’s intriguing.” I laughed and placed my hand on Brooks’s thigh.
Bill had left the room the moment we arrived, which seemed odd. Martha excused herself when Maggie and I were talking. The same people were at the table, well, except the new arrivals I was currently chatting it up with. I knew it wasn’t my business, but I never heard the bell go off for a new guest. So where did Bill and Martha go?
I sat there talking all through dinner with the new guests. In the back of my mind, I was questioning the absence of the hotel owners. They seemed to enjoy eating with us yesterday, but maybe they didn’t eat with the guests that often. To take my mind off that distraction, I started asking Maggie and Chris about their jobs. Maggie shared that she worked at a bank as a teller. Chris told us he was in between jobs. He said something about how he was ready for a change but wasn’t sure what he wanted to do yet. They sounded like just your everyday individuals on a weekend getaway.
My fork was almost to my mouth when I heard a loud crash. I sat up in my seat. “What was that?” Everyone at the table seemed concerned by their expressions.
Martha ran into the
room. “Sorry about the noise. I dropped several pans off a shelf.”
“Do you need any help?” I said and moved my chair back a few inches.
“No,” Martha said a little too quickly. “I mean, no, we’re fine.” Then she turned and headed into the direction of the kitchen.
I leaned over to whisper in Brooks’s ear. “Did you notice how she was shaking?”
“Yeah, and that didn’t sound like pans falling.”
I grabbed his hand and started laughing. “Who are we Jonathan and Jennifer from Hart to Hart?”
Then he laughed. “You do realize you just picked an eighties detective show?”
“Yeah, so, it was good.” I pushed at his arm. “Don’t judge.”
“Did anyone tell you how cute you are?”
“Not today.”
“Weirdest dinner award goes to—” Brooks closed the door and took two steps closer to me.
“Rudds of Lulworth Hotel,” I whispered in between laughing.
“Ding, ding, ding.” He shook his head and wrapped his arms around my waist. “What the hell just happened down there?”
He was right; everything about dinner tonight was extremely bizarre. The kind spirit I noticed in Martha and Bill just twenty-four hours ago seemed to have dissipated. Now they both looked on edge and shaken. How did the owners of the most beautiful hotel turn from happy to looking terrified?
“I’m sure we’re overreacting.” I moved my hands up his chest.
“Too many murder mystery movies at night.”
“Maybe we should take up watching Hallmark movies instead.”
He leaned in and kissed my nose. “Sounds boring to me.”
I turned his body and forced him onto the bed. “Bite your tongue.”
“How about I bite yours?”
“Oh.” I turned my head to the side. “Tempting.” Brooks did a perfect grappling move and flipped me onto my back. “What is this cloth-like material that is separating us?” I fisted my hands around the hem of his shirt and pulled it up over his head.
“What is it with you and clothes?”
