EXcapades (9 page)

Our eyes locked, and looking deep into his, I thought I saw his answer. Was it mutual attraction?
Maybe he, too, grew in excitement just sitting close to me. Perhaps he imagined what it would be like to take me into his arms again.

He was attractive, no doubt, but I had met many handsome men in my life. Yet there was always something about him that went straight to my libido, putting my desire on high alert. I used to think it was just my youthful urges that drove me wild; however, sitting next to Blake now, I knew it was him. He made me hot from head to toe. Other men did not have that same effect.

He glanced down, took my hand, and lifted my arm to his face for closer examination. He focused on the round scar on my forearm. A moment later, he raised my arm to his lips and kissed it.

Using his other hand, he stroked across my nubby scar and looked at me knowingly. When he looked deep into my eyes, his body tensed. It was as if a flash of memories shot through him.

His words confirmed my suspicions that he, too, saw glimpses of that day. He leaned close. His breath was hot on my face. “Seeing this scar is like looking through a window of time. That memory of us making love on the ledge began to seem so distant. It’s almost as if it happened to someone else, but seeing you next to me brings that image crashing to the surface. It feels like time is unraveling.”

“And what an adventure it was. We really knew how to live,” I said.

“I’m sorry I gave you a scar,” he said in a breathy whisper.

“Yes, you left me with a party favor.”

“That was a loaded comment, Lila. Left you? You mean you left me for good when you broke up with me,” he said, with frustration in his voice. “But that was then. This is now.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know what to say. We can’t change what happened when we were younger, but we’re sitting together now.”

He smiled. And then he lifted my arm and pressed the scar to his lips again. In a husky voice, he asked, “Maybe we can re-create some of our playful times?”

“I like the sound of that.”

I tried to look away when Blake repositioned his burgeoning crotch, which I surmised, had begun to awaken and stir. He tried discreetly to shift his bulge; however, my eyes followed his hand with keen interest.
Hello, long-ago friend.

He leaned forward. “You may not believe this, but I must tell you, on dark nights in the service, alone in my bed, you were there in my mind.” He looked into the distance as if watching his memories on a movie screen. “I’ve lived our escapades over and over in my mind.”

I sighed. I wanted to reclaim all those lost years. “You have no idea, Blake, how many times I replayed our adventures, too. Even to this day, our trysts stay in my mind.” I lowered my head and softly whispered, “If you look closely at the scar, you can still see faint teeth marks.”

He leaned in closer to get a better look. As he eased his hand across my skin and rubbed it gently, my arm quivered beneath his touch.

Maybe this time Blake and I could skip the relationship part and just have fun. Is that really possible? And how could Blake get past the reality that I left him years ago?

And Blake seemed to answer my questions when he said, “You can’t believe how excited I am to see you again.” His face lit up when he spoke, his youthful energy infectious.
You better be careful with this one.

“I feel that way, too.”

“Lila, it’s your turn now that your daughter is grown. What do you want from life?”

I want to live pain-free, both physically and emotionally. I need to make whatever is causing this stabbing pain that comes and goes to disappear magically from my body.

But instead of speaking my inner truth, I bent my head toward Blake as if to confide something important. It was at that exact instant that I knew what I needed to do next.

Suddenly, the words flew out of me.
“
I’m going to share my secret desires with you. I made a list of goals.” Immediately, I could see the question in his golden eyes.

I paused. Should I really be discussing my fantasy life with him? I
inhaled a deep breath, taking in the savory coffee aroma, and took a small sip, letting the warm liquid fill me with warmth. Without looking directly at him, I revealed how I had some unfulfilled dreams and a long list of things I wanted to see and do in life.

“I need a traveling companion.” My voice suddenly filled with excitement. I paused and met his gaze. And my eyes widened as if an idea struck me. “I would like
you
to be my travel companion. Do you have any interest in sharing this adventure with me?” I shot him a quick smile. And silence followed.

“Ummm . . .”

Questioning my candor with someone I haven’t talked to in years, I quickly back-pedaled. “After the first trip, if you don’t want to continue, I’ll understand. And don’t feel like you have to agree to anything,” I said.

Blake beamed. “You’re making a tempting offer. I’m flattered, but don’t you want to take a girlfriend?”

“You might want to see my list.” I opened my purse and pulled out a pink sheet of paper. We leaned our heads together to review the list.

The top of my list revealed wish number one:
Romantic Beach Getaway
.

Blake gaped at me in stunned silence. “Oh, I think I get it now.” Much to my relief, his face lit up. He grinned from ear to ear. “I’d be honored to be your travel partner, and you never know, maybe it could evolve into something more . . . meaningful. You were always a very exciting woman to me,” he said, stroking my arm.

I laughed, again second-guessing my offer; maybe this was a crazy idea. “You know, it doesn’t have to be romantic, but let’s try for enjoyable.”

“Is that open for interpretation?” he asked. His question caused me to give a modest shrug and giggle. “Your laugh,” he interjected. “I forgot how much I liked your laugh.”

“You’re making me happy.”

Blake did not hesitate. He did not even pause to think about my offer. “Well, with all of this in mind, I better start planning,” he announced. “Perhaps now
you
are the one who can talk
me
into anything.” We looked at each other and shared smiles.

In that interval of time, I just started to recognize how much I missed his friendship. I had no comprehension of the impact he would have on my life in the future. I happily pretended to strike the first item off of my list. At that instant, I was beginning to like my new life after all.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“When can we get started? I’m available next weekend,” he blurted out.

I searched his eyes for any hint of hesitation but found none. They looked delighted, full of adventure and twinkled with excitement. It was as if I could see a bolt of energy shoot through Blake—rejuvenation. Maybe he, too, was in desperate need of a new adventure and had not realized it—yet.

Blake offered to take the lead in the planning since he lived closest to the coast. He
called the next day to say that his friend, on several occasions, had offered his beach house. And this time he decided to take his pal up on the invitation. Luckily for us, it was available this upcoming weekend. Skip and his wife couldn’t join us but offered their house anyway. Nervously, I prepared for our private getaway.

Chapter 6

For once in my life, I was ready ahead of schedule. With my bag near my feet, I sat on the front porch, fidgeting and squeezing my phone as if it could speed Blake’s arrival. As soon as I saw his car winding along the driveway, I raced down the steps and stood on the walkway. He pulled up next to me, rolled down the window, and shouted, “Are you ready for some fun?”

“I’ve been ready all week,” I said, hopping in the car.

“Fantastic. I just left my parents’ house, and they’re doing fine. Maybe I’ll pop in again after I drop you off on Sunday.”

After driving a couple hours, we arrived at the small coastal town that afternoon, garbed in our end-of-the-summer beachwear. He was dressed casually in his khaki shorts, navy button-down short-sleeved shirt, and ball cap. I wore a form-fitting red sleeveless blouse with an eye-catching low-cut neckline, white pants, and flat sandals.

We sauntered down the sidewalks through the peaceful town and spent the afternoon shopping in the quaint beachside gift shops. It was a magnificent day with the sunny, bright blue sky and the warm sea breeze. I breathed in deeply, picking up the scent of the salty ocean air mixed with the aroma of fresh bread wafting from the nearby bakery. A perfect day. I looked up at Blake, and his smile beamed down at me.

An instant later, he slid his protective arm around my waist, pulling me close as I strolled by his side. We couldn’t resist the delicious aroma and stepped inside the bakery. My eyes lingered on the glass case filled with pies, cupcakes, and cookies. Blake laughed. “I think your eyes are salivating more than your mouth. What should I get us for this weekend?” he asked.

I smiled and pointed to the homemade milk chocolates molded in the form of miniature seashells. Gesturing to the woman behind the counter, Blake said, “We’ll take a pound of those milk chocolates, another pound of dark chocolate truffles, and a loaf of your French bread.”

“You really know how to take care of a lady.” I teased.

With our arms full of shopping bags, we ambled along until we reached the outskirts of town. I glanced around but saw no one. I felt this sudden burst of energy, dropped my things, and climbed onto the elevated brick wall. Much to Blake’s surprise and maybe my own, I did a quick cartwheel, turned, and smiled at Blake.

“You can still do that trick after all these years?”

“Once a gymnast, always a gymnast.” I laughed. “Okay, that’s not true at all, but I can try.”

He chuckled. “I like your unbridled enthusiasm. You’re forty-one going on twenty-one.”

“And that’s how I want to live.”

He cracked his knuckles. “Okay, I’ll take you on later. You just wait until I get my hands on you.” When he looked at me with his ball cap blocking the intense sun from his face, I gasped. Something about that ball cap and the way he looked at me made my mind confused between then and now. It was as if we had lived that exact scene years ago.

We arrived at the house late that afternoon. As we gathered our bags and entered the ocean-front cottage, my thoughts swirled in fear about spending the night with him—alone in the darkness. I heard the sound of the front door shutting and the bolt locking. Blake leaned against the door with that hungry look in his eyes. “I have you all to myself,” he said.

“What do you have planned?” I asked. But I already knew the answer. His naughty grin that followed spoke a thousand words, all words I longed to hear again.

Sliding his hand from the latch, he took mine and led me through the open, sun-filled home. The beach house was mostly one large living area with high, vaulted ceilings. The kitchen and family room were connected, and there appeared to be a few bedrooms down a hall. The back wall was made almost entirely of glass, with French doors leading to a deck. Against the side wall, there was an oversized denim sectional and a floor-to-ceiling bookcase. The coffee table displayed back issues of
Southern Living
and
Coastal Living
magazines.

Standing in the sunlit family room, Blake looked exquisite with copper and yellow streaked strands of his hair shimmering in the light. He touched my back softly. “There’s something I want to show you,” he said.

While opening the doors leading outside, I took in the fresh, warm ocean air. Stepping onto the expansive deck, I saw a chaise lounge, a round metal table, and chairs bursting with colors from the yellow, orange, and red toss pillows that were scattered across the furniture. We admired the four large terra cotta pots that overflowed with pink and white petunias.

When we looked into the distance, we saw a breathtaking panoramic view of the ocean. Sunlight spilled out over the water. A glimmering splay of golden light flared across the rippling waves. The afternoon sun slowly dropped to the horizon, where light blue sky appeared to merge with the royal blue sea.

The glistening beige sand was the only thing that separated us from the backdrop of layers of blue. And up and down the beach, large colorful umbrellas dotted the landscape like an open box of crayons.

We heard the crash of the waves, and it became rhythmic music in the background. “This is a little piece of paradise,” Blake said. He turned to me, his golden eyes glistening, making me want to kiss him right there.

“It’s just what I needed.”

“How about we get some wine to celebrate our brief escape from reality?” he asked.

I followed him into the house, and found it impossible to keep my eyes off his tight bottom. A shiver of excitement poured through me, followed by a tingle of warmth that spread across my pelvis.

Oh, how I longed for a man’s touch, Blake’s touch. That thought consumed me as I lifted the crystal wine glasses from the cabinet and opened a bottle of Cupcake Chardonnay. I filled our glasses, handed one to Blake, and felt his fingertips brush against mine.

He boomed in a festive voice, lifting his glass, “Cheers, to fun times and reunions. Your assignment, should you accept it, is to relax and enjoy the weekend.”

I tipped my glass toward his. “To new beginnings.”

He smiled. “Yes. And no pressure from me for anything. But I’m getting hungry. Let’s start on that shrimp feast,” he said.

While cooking dinner, we caught each other up on gossip about mutual acquaintances. Blake asked me about my marriage and my daughter. Without getting into too many details, I shared how I felt like my married life became all about compromises, especially with a child involved. “The way I see it, if one person ends up making more of the sacrifices then the marriage can become off balance. The person who always has to give in becomes frustrated; in this case, it was me. I eventually realized that I was always forced to make concessions, to keep him content. And when I started to stand up for myself, and express my opinions, he moved on to a younger version of me—probably one who would cave in easily to his demands.”
And I don’t think I even need to elaborate further on his desire for a younger partner.

Blake shook his head in disbelief. “You seem to have a good perspective on it, though,” he said.

“Really, what choice did I have?” I shrugged.

Blake looked at me with compassion in his eyes. “I’m sorry you had to go through that,” he said.

I nodded. “I didn’t really realize while I was married how distant Peter and I had grown. Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that the happiness has faded away. You start to wake up each day with a stranger and no longer even have a bond of friendship. That’s what happened in our relationship; I became so lonely.”

“Married and lonely? That’s no good.”

“When I wasn’t working, I would spend my days while Jenny was in school, shopping and buying stuff that I didn’t need, to fill a house that was too big for us to manage and enjoy. When in reality, my life was empty. I was trying to fill that void with stuff. I’m starting to realize that real happiness can’t be bought; it comes from within.”

To my dismay, Blake actually seemed interested in learning the details of my life, as he leaned forward and asked, “And how are you now?”

I shot him a stunned sideways glance. “After the marriage disintegrated, I had to remind myself of the value of friendships. And now, I realize my trusted friends are my extended family. Sometimes your inner circle changes, whether you like it or not,” I said.

Blake smiled warmly. “I hope you’ll count me as one of your friends. And I can’t understand why your ex-husband didn’t see the treasure he had with you.”

Blake, who had been chopping vegetables while talking, stopped what he was doing. He looked into my eyes. “Some people just can’t seem to appreciate what they have and always feel the need for more. Not only are you witty and clever, but strikingly beautiful, too. I have been enamored all day.”

“Thank you. You always know the perfect thing to say. Actually, I’m glad to start my life over and to reevaluate choices that were made along the way.” I met his half-smile with my own.

“I’ll toast you again to that comment,” he said, lifting his glass.

“Cheers to starting over and rekindled friendships,” I said. And with that comment, Blake clinked his glass with mine.

I paused. “And you understand that if I talk about Peter, it’s my way of saying good-bye to him and to what we shared. It truly is time to move forward and live in the present. Not to forget the past, but to learn from it and grow.”

“The way I see it, sometimes the things you want so badly don’t work out because there’s something better for you around the corner waiting to be discovered. It’s not until you look back that you realize this is true,” Blake said reflectively.

I wanted to stand up and applaud his words, but instead I said, “You’re right on with that one. And sometimes things don’t work out because we were too young and inexperienced to realize a good thing when we had it.” We stopped to give each other a knowing, thoughtful look.

Blake smiled. “That’s true.”

“We didn’t get to talk much about your travels with the Marines at the coffee shop last week. I’d love to hear more about that.”

He looked into the distance as if gathering his thoughts. In the silence that followed, I could hear the faint sound of the waves crashing. Was the tide was rolling in?

“My life became focused on my career. Let me tell you about it after we try some of those chocolate truffles we bought today.”

“Chocolate truffles—you’re introducing me to trouble. What else do you have planned? I remember how you can be persuasive. I caught occasional glimpses of that dark side when we were young.”

Blake handed me the cellophane bag of chocolates. I reached in and pulled out a ball of dark chocolate with white sprinkles. I handed the bag back to him. He selected a dark chocolate ball with brown sprinkles. He bit into a gooey chocolate center and grinned.

“Okay, sometimes I was the bad boy. But I can thank the military for straightening me out. It’s a demanding lifestyle. You’re given an assignment and then you have to focus on your job. And it took me on adventures around the world.” 

Blake shared stories of his various assignments that had him stationed in Washington, D.C., Iraq, and Afghanistan, not to mention several locations in North Carolina. And then his voice trailed off, and he appeared lost in thought.

“Right now, I’m involved with training at Camp Lejeune. I like working with the young recruits. Their enthusiasm is infectious. It’s a pleasure going to work every day. I didn’t feel that way about every assignment I had over the years. I’ve seen the world from many angles.”

“Sadly, my view has been pretty straightforward from the suburbs. My life seems a little narrow compared to yours.”

“I wish mine had been a little out of focus. I’ve seen more than I want to think about right now.”

During our discussion, I thought there were hints of the young boy I knew years ago, but overall, he had, without a doubt, transformed into a confident and knowledgeable man. Listening to him made me feel so proud of his willingness to dedicate his life to the service and the honor he felt in defending our country. I admired everything I knew about him at this point, and I felt intrigued and wanted to know more details.

And knowing that he was capable of handling so many challenges was such a turn-on. I started to look at him dreamily and wondered if he had any idea what a rush it was to be with such a confident and accomplished man. I knew I would lose myself completely if I saw him in uniform.

“After serving in Iraq for a couple years,” he explained, “I was sent to Afghanistan.”

I looked at him with respect and astonishment. Although I had traveled out of the country, I never spent years away. I leaned in closer. I wanted to know everything, to hear more about his assignments and adventures, but at the same time, I did not want to barrage him with questions.

He hesitated and appeared to be cautious about sharing his past, especially what he said about his career. He gave sketchy details about his assignments. From his reluctance to share, I couldn’t help but assume that the military instilled a stoic nature to the demands of the assignments.

He continued slowly. “Both were stressful assignments. I’d rather not weigh down our good time with this discussion tonight. Let’s talk about it another time.”

“I understand.” There was no need to find out too much about his responsibilities tonight.