Paradise for Two

“… never expected to be dating again, not at my age, but I mean, I don’t want to spend the rest of my life alone, you know what I mean?”

“Yeah, yeah, definitely.”

“I just have no idea where to begin. The apps, obviously, but, I mean, I don’t know. It just feels too impersonal, but then what other options do I have?”

“First of all, you’re acting like you’ll never find love again. You will, okay? You know how many people are on their second, or third, spouse? You’re going to be fine.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

This beach really is beautiful. I see now why you left the city and bought a place out here. Succulent-covered cliffs everywhere you look… the bay out in the distance…

I’m not super jazzed that it takes an hour and a half to get to your new little slice of paradise, but at least I still get to see you every couple of weeks.

“So, uh, we gonna be there anytime soon?”

“We’re almost there, I promise.”

“Pretty sure you said that 20 minutes ago.”

It’s like pulling teeth to get me to do anything outdoorsy, but… you know I’ll do anything for you.

Being friends with someone for seventeen years will do that. It’s so wild to think about everything we’ve been through together. Your marriage to Tiffany, my move to New Orleans, my move back from New Orleans. Your kids being born. Me adopting a dog. And now, your divorce.

And through all of that, you’ve always been my rock. And I think I can speak for you and say that I’ve always been yours.

“Just past that curve, and we’ll be there.”

“You know… most people deal with divorce by… buying something nice for themselves. Or going on vacation. Not dropping everything and moving to a secluded beach town.”

“Okay, but when you see this spot, you’re gonna want to drop everything and move here, too.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“Careful right here. Here—”

Your hand touches my bare waist and keeps me balanced.

I’m suddenly reminded of your going-away party a few weeks ago. You placed your hand on my waist, much like you’re doing now, and you kissed me on the cheek for much longer than you have ever before.

Neither of us has mentioned it since, but I’ve definitely thought of it… more than a few times…

I’ve never really wanted to admit it to myself, but… ever since your divorce… I’ve kind of wondered… what if…?

“Almost there…”

“Wow… oh my god…”

“I know, right?”

“I guess I see why you upped and left everything to move here…”

Bright blue waves disappear into an endless stretch white sand. All around us large cliffs jut up towards the sky. And there’s not another person in sight…

“I know you hate hiking, but c’mon, this was worth it, right?”

“Definitely worth it.”

You’re standing so close behind me that I can smell a hint of your cologne. All I’d have to do is take a little step back to feel your bare chest against my back.

You slide your hands over my shoulders, softly massaging with your thumbs. I could just tilt my head up—

“C’mon, let’s get in.”

You kick off your shoes and jog past me onto the shore.

My stomach flutters a little when you smile up at me.

“What are you doing? You're not getting in?”

“It’s cold!”

“Aww, afraid to get a little wet?”

“No!”

“Think fast!”

“Come on, in you get!”

You grab my hands and pull me into the water. Instinctively, I wrap my arms around your shoulders, trying to find my balance in the water. You pull me close, your laughter in my ear.

Currents of cold water lap at my legs and hips. The sun beats down above, bright and hot. You take a step forward and suddenly you’re so close that your face is out of focus. Just a blurry picture of familiar shapes.

Your lips are soft, placing slow, cautious kisses on mine, as if to ask if I’m okay with this, even though I started it.

“What… what are we doing?”

“I don’t know…”

I bring my hand up to the back of your neck and try out the feeling. The way you smell, the way you stand with all your weight on foot, it’s all so familiar. So comforting.

Your hand winds up my back and you press your forehead against mine.

Your breath tickles my cheeks as we take a moment to just… be close. To take in this new facet of our relationship together. I cup your jaw in my hand, stroking my fingers over your stubble… up to your lips.

“I don’t want to stop…”

“Me neither…”

I slide my hands up into the wet mess of your hair as your hands trail down to my ass… all of the time we’ve spent together over the years… all of the late nights, the love and friendship we’ve built… has it always been building to this?

You pin my hips against yours and your cock presses into me a little. The feeling rushes me back into reality. This is real. Touching you… kissing you… this is real.

“Do you…? Do you want…?”

Any control I thought I had over this situation suddenly melts away. My body is starting to ache. I can feel heat building and rising in my hands… my thighs… my chest.

“Yeah, yeah, I want you.”

I pull my shirt over my head and toss it into the sand. I push my lips up against your chest and taste you.

Your skin is warm and salty and I… I can’t believe this has never happened before. After so many years, so many experiences, how have we never realized…?

“Fuck…”

Your hands are relentless, dragging over my lower back down to my ass and back up again. Over and over, like you can’t believe you’re touching me.

You pull at the strings of my bikini top at the back of my neck and it falls away for you with ease. Your hands drift up to my breasts and squeeze each one with careful, almost tentative touches.

You take my nipples into your mouth and circle your tongue over each one.

Your fingers work desperately at getting off my bottoms.

“Come here, come here…”

You guide us down to the cool, wet sand, me on my back and you with your knee between my legs. I watch your face change as you look down at me beneath you, like you’re seeing me for the first time.

“This… this is… crazy…”

“Yeah, it is…”

I slide the waistband of your swim trunks down and guide your cock out.

Your thumb teases my bottom lip.

“I want you inside me…”

The water gently splashes us and lulls us as we move together. My hair is in my face and all I can see past your sunburnt shoulder is the cliffs surrounding us.

My pussy clenches around your cock as I slowly take you in… inch by inch… Your hands squeeze just above my ass, guiding my hips to rock in rhythm with yours. I don’t think you realize how tightly you’re gripping me.

“You’re so fucking beautiful. You’ve always been so fucking beautiful.”

“Fuck.”

You suck one of my nipples into your mouth and I arch against you, bracing my hands around your waist. Rocking harder on your cock.

I think I’ve wanted this for a really long time. I just never really knew.

I can’t even remember the last time I wanted anyone this badly. Or the last time someone made me feel this good.

My whole body is trembling under you.

“Slow, slow… go a little deeper…”

I grind myself up against you, rubbing my clit along your wet skin. Every part of you feels familiar, but… different. New.

Your fingertips dig into my hips, driving your cock deeper in my pussy. I feel your lips on my neck. Biting my shoulder… my fingers dig into your forearms, leaving marks on your skin.

“Ohh, god, I’m close… I’m close…”

“Me too, me too…”

My body tenses up against you as I slip my fingers over my clit. I press down and work myself fast… desperate…

“Yeah, yeah, touch yourself… Yeah, I’m so close…”

“Yeah. Fuck… I’m cumming.”

You roll over onto the sand next to me.

“Okay… now I could use a swim.”

You take my hand in yours and pull me up to my feet. The sand sticks to the backs of my thighs as we walk into the water.

Your arm slips around my waist and I lean into your chest. We have a lot to figure out, but right here, right now, we’ve got nothing but time.