“Babe, is this what you always do? I appreciate the view, but it’s not safe for you to lay out here in your bikini alone.” Rick is already back in protective mode.
“Don’t worry, my king. I pay attention to my surroundings and layout close to the lifeguard stand when I’m alone. Thank you for looking out for me. Relax.” I choose my words carefully. I can feel his eyes on me and I reach for his hand, wanting to hold it.
“You shouldn’t come out here by yourself.”
Deep breath. “I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself. I’ve always taken care of myself. I’m not going to stop living my life. It’s always been just me. I’ve always lived alone and paid my own way. I don’t need a keeper. I’m not a child.” Can you say DOTM? His grip on my hand tightens. Fuck! Filter on the beach near lifeguard stand five, please?
Before I can speak again, “It’s not just you anymore. I want to take care of you. You told me last night that we’re a team and took care of me.” He looks down, as if he’s inspecting the sand. His tone gets quiet and gravelly. “I need you safe. I can’t be without you again. Please, Sherry.”
I consider the short time we’ve known each other. All the choices we’ve made. We both have a learning curve. I never realized how set in my ways I am. “I have to have a life, but I promise to be safe and not do anything stupid. I love how protective you are of me, but we both have different adjustments to make if this is going to work.” I heard the “if” as soon as I said it.
“You don’t believe we’ll make it? I should’ve known. You gave up on me and started dating. I thought you wanted this as much as I do. I guess it’s better to find out now before…”
I cut him off. “Rick, stop. I love you. I want everything with you and I’ve never wanted anything with anyone else. I’m not always going to say the right thing. I’m still learning how to be in a relationship. I know how to take care of you. I need to learn how to let you take care of me. Sometimes I wonder if we’re only a good team when we’re naked.”
Rick laughs, “We’re a perfect team. I like to make you happy. You like to cook for me. You love baseball and I play baseball. You even want to go to all of my games, none of the baseball wives do that or even cheer like you do. You love my sister even though she’s crazy. We’ve made life-changing decisions together. And, of course, the sex is amazing.” He has a dirty grin at the end of his rant. I’m good as long as he isn’t going down the bad road.
I sit up and kiss him. “We’ll get there, my king.” I jump up, “Stay here, I’ll be right back.” I run for the ocean and wade out until I can’t touch the bottom. I float, diving into the waves one by one as they pass through, the ocean sharing its energy and playing with me. I wait for my wave and ride it to shore. I walk out of the water feeling like a new woman. Refreshed, I twist my hair and look up to see my man waiting for me with a towel.
Rick holds my towel up for me and I wrap up, “You’re so beautiful, even soaking wet.” He kisses me on the nose, “And salty.”
I lead him back to the blanket, so I can layout and dry off. He sits next to me, watching me. “Lay down, so I can talk to you.” He does as I ask and lies on his side, facing me. “Do you remember the last time we were on the beach?” I realize this could take me down a bad road because that was the night that ended with a horrible morning in LA, but that’s not my focus.
“I remember Malibu.” Flames instantly fill his eyes.
“I’ll never forget it. I love the way you plan date nights. You picked me up at the airport in the convertible Porsche and kissed me like we hadn’t seen each other in days. You drove us to that Hawaiian themed restaurant on the water in Malibu because they have a dessert you know I’d love, but we never got to dessert. We left the restaurant and ended up on the beach, unable to keep our hands off each other. I stripped down for a swim, but you wouldn’t go with me and I ended up underneath you on the sand, then on top of you. I’ll never forget how raw it was, you were shaking for me. You needed me. I needed you.” I started speaking in my sweet sexy seductive voice, but by the end I had myself breathing hard at the memory.
“I still need you.” His eyes and his tone give me goosebumps. “I’ve never needed anyone, the way I need you.” This man does crazy things to me. He can fry my brain with his words. His voice changes, he sounds unsure, “Sherry, do you still need me?”
“I need you more than ever before, my love. Everyday, I need you more.” It’s the truth. I always speak the truth, but sometimes I surprise myself with the words I say. Huh, I really
