Page 47 of Shattered

We take our time getting to Florida. The journey is half the fun. We stay up making love as long as we can, and then we sleep late, not getting up until we have had at least an hour of cuddling, kissing, and touching.

I managed to find us a small, one bedroom apartment to rent for the summer, and it’s on its own private beach. I had to do some convincing with the building manager, but I managed to get us in, and I even have a plan to get River back for the walk of shame I had to do at the tent.

We pull into the parking lot around two P.M. I step out and look up. The apartments almost look like a row of houses. They are all connected, but each is set up as its own place, having its own front door, back door, and roof. I retrieve the key and pay the bill for the summer, before showing River in.

The hardwood floors shine beneath our feet as we walk through. The living room is decent, home to only a small, blue couch, a little TV, and a couple of end tables with matching lamps. I move further, reaching the kitchen and breakfast nook. There is a sliding glass door that leads directly to the beach. Time to put my plan into action.

I spin around to face River. “Are you excited?”

He smiles as he closes the distance between us. His lips quickly smack against mine. “Let’s celebrate.” He starts pulling me in the direction that leads to the bathroom and bedroom.

I hold up my finger. “Okay, but first, there is one thing I didn’t tell you about this place because I wanted to surprise you.”

“What is it?” His blue eyes are gleaming.

“The beach we’re on…”

“Mm-hmm,” he says against the soft skin of my neck.

“It’s a private nude beach.”

He pulls away suddenly. “Are you serious?”

I laugh and nod. “Want to go for a naked swim?”

“Hell yeah!” He pulls his shirt above his head. His shoes, socks, jeans, and boxers follow quickly after.

I pull my shirt off and toss it on top of his clothes. “Oh, go ahead. I’m going to grab us some towels and I’ll catch up to you.”

“Alright.” He presses one last kiss to my lips before unlocking the door and sliding it open.

A wide smile covers my face as I turn around and cross my arms over my chest, waiting.

“Five.”

“Four.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

“On— ”

River rushes back into the room. He closes the door quickly behind him and pulls the curtain closed. He spins around and presses his back to the glass like he can’t even stand anymore.

“What’s the matter?” I smile.

His eyes are wide and his face is slightly pale, almost green. “You…you did that on purpose.”

“Did what?” I move towards him and try pushing him out of the way to look out. I know what I’ll see. “I promise it is a nude beach, was everyone else wearing suits?” I feign innocence.

He turns around to stop me from opening the curtain. “No. This is a retirement home, isn’t it?”

I bust out laughing. “It’s assisted living!”

His hands fly to his hair, making it stand in all directions. “It was horrible. I’ve never seen so many saggy, wrinkly breasts in my whole life.”

I fall into the floor, holding my stomach from laughing so hard.

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