Page 28 of Courting Clemson

“It doesn’t really matter. I just need money. Hell, I’d even clean houses or wait tables. Although I doubt I’d be very good at that,” she said with a chuckle.

“Some people make pretty good money with tips and all.”

“Yeah, but I’m so clumsy. It would be my luck to dump someone’s meal in their lap or slip and fall or something embarrassing like that.”

“What’s your major?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer from my online investigating.

“Biology, at the moment. Not sure if that’s going to stick, though.”

“You’re probably just getting into the classes that have more to do with your major, no? The first two years are usually general ed stuff, right?”

“My grades weren’t great this past semester,” she said with a heavy sigh. “There are a few required courses I might have to repeat if I can’t get the professors to work with me over the summer.”

“That might make working hard if you also have to fit summer school in your schedule.” Maybe I was stating the obvious, but I was enjoying our conversation too much to let the tempo drop.

Clemson slowly nodded. “Yeah, I’m trying to figure it all out. Probably another reason spending the day at the beach sounded so good. My stress level is off the charts right now, and I just want to play in the ocean and soak up sun. You know?”

I smiled at her comment. I appreciated how open she was being with me and how easy it was to just sit and talk with her. It seemed so long ago that the worries of my world could be solved by a little salty air.

She made a fair point, though. I hadn’t thought about work deadlines or financial reports or any of the usual bullshit that raced around in my mind since sinking my toes in the sand today. Maybe the beach had healing powers I had forgotten about.

We all played another game of volleyball, and then the few who were brave enough took a dip in the waves. The water was colder than I expected for the time of year, but we’d had a lot of rain through the winter and spring, and that could’ve had something to do with it.

Clemson and Grace, her roommate, dove into the waves like the freezing temperature was nothing. I couldn’t help but watch her graceful form as she cut through the surf like a fish, making swimming out past the break look effortless.

When she called to me to follow her, I stayed rooted to the ocean floor in the knee-high water. I didn’t want to admit I wasn’t a strong swimmer like she was, and there was a good amount of nerves involved with my choice to stay put. The last thing I needed was an embarrassing incident like needing to be rescued by the girl I was crushing on as I was swept out to sea by a riptide. That thought made me wade a little closer to shore rather than venture out farther in her direction.

“No way,” I shouted to her over the loud pounding of the surf.

She must’ve picked up on my uneasiness, because she didn’t heckle me about not going out farther, and in no time was swimming back toward land and closer to me.

“Too cold for you?” she asked with a grin as she surfaced near me. Her long hair was slicked back from her face, and her big blue eyes looked enormous. It was clear how happy she was in the water. Her face was animated, and her eyes danced with life.

“It’s a bit cold, but to be honest, I’m not a strong swimmer. It makes me nervous when I can’t touch the bottom.”

Why did I just admit that?

The words tumbled out before I could think better of it.

“Ahh, makes sense, then. It’s good to know your limits in water like this. There’s a pretty strong current at this beach, and I’ve seen lifeguards run out to help swimmers many times.”

We waded back to shore and chatted more about her swimming career. I let her do most of the talking because I felt a bit winded. She, on the other hand, was completely at ease. Like the exercise was no strain at all.

She walked in front of me to our towels, and I admired her tan back and ass. The woman had the smoothest skin I’d ever seen, and now that the sun had kissed it a bit more, she was like a golden goddess.

She must’ve asked me something while I was enjoying the view because silence bloomed between us when I should’ve answered.

“Sorry?” I said, embarrassed that I was so lost in admiring her.

“Were you checking out my ass, mister?”

“I totally was,” I admitted. “I’d apologize, but that would be a lie, so I’m not going to do it.” I laughed. “You’re gorgeous. You have to know that.”

Clemson gave me a shy smile as she dried her face, then ruffled the towel through her hair. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“You didn’t. I actually appreciate your frankness. I hate when guys wreck a compliment by wrapping it up in some cheesy line.”

---