A dream holiday becomes a nightmare due to an unthinking boyfriend, however a decision to skinny dip leads to some attention from an unexpected source. A visit to a lighthouse seals the deal.
* Apologies for the story taking a while to get to the sex, hope you stick with it!!
The holiday had been a long time in the planning, I'd often had childhood holidays on the mainland, looking out to the island some seven miles offshore. Now, the dream would become a reality. My boyfriend, Mike, had been in charge of all the bookings, we were travelling down the night before and staying in a quaint hotel before the early morning sailing.
I'd had my eye on the smallest property on the island, a small, one bedroomed brick and wood house, originally the island schoolroom. It sat above the bay with unspoilt views over the sea. I'd been a little disappointed when he'd booked a bigger property, a little further back from the coast. It looked like a concrete animal shelter. I was determined not to be down-hearted about it, thinking about the freedom we'd have on the island, the wonderful walks, the little shop and pub, the wildlife, the lighthouse, and the secluded beaches.
The weather had been unseasonably warm for the time of year, so I was hoping Mike and I could have some alfresco fun- a swim in the sea, and then lazy love-making on a secret beach.
Fast forward to the day of the sailing, we were queueing on the quay waiting to embark when Mike's brother strolled up and joined us, an overflowing rucksack on his back! I turned to Mike, who looked at me sheepishly.
"What's going on, Mike?" I tried to keep the anger from my voice.
"Listen, err, Chris's split with Janey, and was feeling low, so I told him he could come along..."
I was livid! My dream holiday, and Mike's asshole of a brother would be joining us! The guy creeped me out, always hanging around, I was surprised he'd ever landed a girl as nice as Janey, and could understand her dumping him. That explained Mike booking the bigger property!! He must have planned this all along!! I stormed onto the boat, ignoring Mike's imploring voice, and made straight to the top deck, picking a seat next to an older couple, making sure there was no room for Mike and Chris.
I tried to enjoy the journey, the sea like silk, the boat making good time, the sun beating down. I could feel my skin tingling as I began to tan. The two boys stood by the rail, deep in conversation. I made a meal of ignoring them, the couple next to me being so nice, getting me a cup of tea and a bacon roll and engaging me in their chatting. The journey took a little over two hours, the boat sailing smoothly, the diesel engine chugging fatly below.
We approached the island, a small group of people on the harbour, waiting to welcome us. A tractor took the luggage up the steep road while we all meandered our way upwards. I was still fuming with the pair of them. I noticed a couple, about our age, just ahead. She seemed to be giving him a hard time, and I began to mellow somewhat.
At the top, we were handed our keys and left to roam the island. I made my way to the accommodation, unpacking my things and putting them away in the drawers and cupboards in one of the rooms, and leaving Mike's clothes on the bed in the other room. "You can share with your brother," I told him, before heading out to explore.
Mike and Chris soon found me- the island was only half a mile across and a little under 3 miles long, apart from low stone walls and a few trees it was pretty open terrain. I'd perched up on the cliffs at one end, watching the seals below. Determined to make the most of the break, I planned on exploring the whole island. A lighthouse stood on the cliff-top, unmanned now, but still operational in bad weather. It was open to the public. I pulled open the heavy metal door at the base, wanting to see the panoramic view from the top.
"I'm going up, you joining me, Mike?"
He turned to Chris, who shook his head vigourously.
"Chris is afraid of heights, I'll wait here..."
I slammed the door shut and took off, tears in my eyes as I made my way back to the accommodation. The holiday was as good as ruined! I hated Mike as much as I hated Chris. Grabbing my beach towel and a trashy novel, I headed back out before they could catch up with me. I made my way towards the western side of the island, as I crossed a field I saw the young couple from the boat. He smiled at me, she scowled and resumed her tirade towards him. I shared a smile with him, then made my way down a small path to a deserted patch of sand by the sea.
Sod it, I'd forgotten my bikini. I looked around, the cliffs were high above me, and there were no boats in the water, so I stripped off to my bra and panties. Feeling more adventurous, I quickly shed those, too. I'd intended to skinny dip, I'd just do it solo instead of with Mike. I slipped into the water, shrieking a little at the initial coldness, but once in it was lovely.
I felt so free, the sunlight on the water reflecting on the ripples. I dived deep, fish and seaweed to be explored. I rose, breaking the surface, legs kicking to keep me afloat. I looked up, and thought I saw someone watching me. I dove again, the cold water tingling my skin. It felt so sensual.
I swam for a good half an hour, then decided it was time to get dry. I still had the feeling I was being watched. I'm not an exhibitionist, but I thought, "What the hell". I rose slowly from the sea, smoothing my long hair, the water running down my naked body. I was sure my nipples must be visible from space! The sun felt good on my skin, I could almost feel the freckles exploding as my skin began to dry.
I walked slowly to where the towel was, and, instead of drying myself, I lay the towel out on the white sand, and lay down, face up. I picked up my sunglasses and put them on. I could see the top of the cliff above now, and I could swear I saw someone looking down at me. Feeling more daring, I ran my hands up my sides, feeling my breasts, then dipped on hand down between my legs...
"Clare!!"
The voice shook me back to reality, I sat up quickly, covering myself with my hands, Mike scuttled down the path, with Chris leering behind him.
"For fuck's sake, Mike!" I shouted.
"I didn't know where you were. We just stumbled on you, I didn't realise you were naked."
"Oh, sure, like you weren't spying on me! Is it going to be like this all week? Your idiot brother trotting along behind? Well, fuck off, both of you, and let me get dressed."
Mike turned, as did Chris- with one final leer, and left me alone. I felt tears welling again, but I gritted my teeth, determined not to show my feelings to those two. I dressed quickly, picking up my towel and book, and headed back.
The rest of the day we all kept our distance- rather I kept away from them. That evening we made our way to the pub for a meal, as Chris was buying I ordered myself a bottle of wine. I drank half of it before the meal arrived, and felt a little light-headed. I excused myself and went outside for some air. I found a dark spot, away from the windows, and gazed at the stars. I heard the door to the pub open and then swing shut, then footsteps behind me. My heart sank, thinking it was Mike, or worse, Chris.
I heard someone snap a cigarette lighter, and caught the whiff of smoke. A figure moved into my line of sight.
"Hi, want one?"
I turned, and saw the guy from earlier. He held a packet of cigarettes out, gently shaking them in my direction. Not a big smoker, I thought I'd have one, just the same. I took one, the lighter sparking in the dark, and I got a look at him close up.
"Thanks. You look like you're having a shit a time here as me...". It's amazing what you say when you've had a drink. I immediately regretted saying it. I cringed inwardly.
"Sorry to hear you're not having a good time, it's so beautiful here." He smiled at me, "I'm Tom, by the way."
"I'm Clare, nice to meet you."
We stood, smoking, staring at the stars. I glanced sideways at Tom, he was a bit taller than me, slim, sandy coloured hair. I couldn't tell what colour his eyes were in the dark. He must have sensed me looking as his eyes moved to meet mine. He smiled again, a warm smile that lit up his face. I returned the smile. "That's better," he said, "The few times I've seen you today you've looked incredibly sad. A smile really suits you."
That made me beam even more. "I've not had much to smile about today," I told him, "and it's nice to see you smile, too."
Suddenly the door of the pub opened, the dark area we stood in flooded with light. Chris stuck his head out, "Food's here."
I ground the cigarette out and dropped the butt into the bin. "I'd better get back," I told Tom,my hand on his arm, "thanks for the ciggie."
"Thanks for the smile." he replied. I turned and walked into the pub, wishing for more time with Tom.
I had a slight hangover the following morning, so while Chris and Mike made their way across the island, I grabbed a deckchair from the accommodation and sunned myself outside, reading my book. Typical chick-lit, the heroine found herself in more and more impossibly comic situations while the hunky hero rescued her time and again. I thought it must be nice to have a hero to rescue me.
I'd made the decision that Mike and I were through, he and his brother deserved each other. I'd always thought I'd be terribly sad if we ever split up, but all I felt was a calm relief. I didn't love Mike, not that deep love that should have been there.
I was deeply engrossed in my book and didn't notice Tom until he was stood right in front of me. "Hi Clare, how's the head?"
I smiled up at him, "Kind of sore," I said, "but I'll live."
"Glad to hear it." I was wearing my bikini, and I could see Tom struggling not to give me the once over, his eyes fixed to mine. I dropped the book to the ground and stretched, rather dramatically, but allowing him the opportunity to get a good look. I'm such a tart, sometimes!
We made small talk, I could feel my cheeks burning, and I didn't know if it was from the sun or just being this close to Tom. I stood up, "Would you like a cup of tea? I'm having one." I turned and walked towards the house, giving Tom a look at my bum.
Before he could answer, someone yelled his name, rather yelled at him. I turned back, watching as Tom's partner came stomping across the path towards him.
"You're supposed to be getting milk, not standing around chatting to half dressed women!" Her face like thunder.
He muttered an apology, more to me than her. She gave me a look that could kill, before grabbing his arm and practically dragging him away. Tom looked back at me, rolled his eyes and gave a small wave of apology. I didn't know whether to feel sorry for him, or wish he'd grow a backbone. I try not to judge people on first impressions, but decided that I'd make an exception for her.
The rest of the day passed, I tried to get back into my book but my thoughts kept turning to Tom.