Florrie took a sip of her drink and thought back to that afternoon she’d thrown caution to the wind, stuffed her clothes into a small suitcase and climbed into his silver soft-top BMW. With her hair blowing in the wind as they drove along the coast road, Florrie had had hundreds of fireflies fluttering at high speed in her stomach. They’d laughed and sung at the top of their voices and before they’d even arrived at the picturesque, oak-beamed seventeenth-century cottage that looked like it was straight out of a fairy tale, Florrie had decided that one day she would marry Tom.
* * *
The rural cottage stood amongst lush green grass with cattle and sheep next door. As soon as Tom pulled up outside, Florrie was greeted by a wooden gate that led to an oak-beamed porch that tumbled with pink clematis. She gasped as her eyes flitted along the open veranda with its two wicker rocking chairs and small table.
‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it?’
Florrie turned to answer but was struck mute by the wicked glint in his eye and lopsided grin. Was it possible he meant her, rather than the cottage?
‘Isn’t it just,’ she said coyly, casting an appreciative glance of her own over Tom before turning back to the view. At the end of the porch was a vista of glistening sea.
‘You haven’t seen anything yet.’
After taking the luggage from the car, Tom opened up the mizzle green front door. The inside of the cottage was just as breathtaking as the outside. Facing the furnishings was a grand rustic fireplace with an old bread oven. Up the wooden stairs were a couple of bedrooms, the first light and airy with floral patchwork quilts on the rustic double bed, along with a small chest of drawers and a table lamp. The window overlooked the beautiful enclosed garden. The landing housed an inviting snug space with a bookcase and a sofa to settle into with plush blush-pink velvet cushions. In the primary bedroom was a stunning iron-framed bed covered in simple white linen, as well as exposed redbrick walls and its own log burner.
‘Take a look out of the window.’ Tom gestured towards it.
The view was simply stunning. Her eyes followed the gravel path at the side of the cottage, which led down to its own private cove.
‘It’s called the hidden bay,’ said Tom. ‘Let’s go and take a look.’ He gave her a sideward glance that caused Florrie’s heart to race. Spontaneously grabbing each other’s hands, they ran outside and through the garden to the cove. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to touch him, to be close to him.
The sun was beating down on the horseshoe-shaped beach, and the glassy sea was simply stunning, worthy of a picture postcard. Taking her by surprise, Tom pulled Florrie towards the water’s edge. She had a wide smile on her face but as soon as the cold water hit her feet, she gasped out loud and started to hop from one foot to the other.
‘It’s not that cold.’ He grinned. ‘The sun is shining and it’s at least twenty-six degrees.’
‘That doesn’t stop the sea from being freezing.’
‘Such an exaggeration. And anyway, cold water is good for your soul and boosts your mental health.’
‘I’ll take your word for it,’ she murmured, taking in the magnificent view. She’d never seen anything so beautiful. ‘And this cove belongs to the cottage?’
‘It does, and as you can see it’s private. No one can see us, Red.’
The tiny, secluded beach of sparkling beige sand had low white cliffs on either side, with a cascading waterfall.
‘Who exactly owns such a wonderful property as this?’
‘A friend of my grandfather’s.’
Before he finished his sentence, Tom had stripped his T-shirt from his body. A tiny thrill ran through Florrie as she flashed her eyes up and down his toned torso. With her eyes locked on his he kicked off his shoes and with a quick tug on his belt his trousers fell to his ankles. As he stepped from his clothes the intensity of his gaze made her tingle, and her heart beat wildly. She tried to avert her gaze but was unsuccessful as he confidently turned and she watched him walk naked into the sea before he dived under. As he came up for air, he threw his head back and ran a hand through his tousled hair, slicking it back from his face. He took her breath away.
He looked back over his shoulder and gave her a sexy grin. ‘Come on, Red.’
Feeling slightly nervous, she slipped off her shoes, followed by her shorts and T-shirt. It was glorious to feel the sun upon her skin as she walked into the water wearing her underwear.
With a racing pulse she swam towards him. As soon as she was within arm’s reach, he took both her hands and placed them around his neck. He pulled her body against his.
‘You, Red, are beautiful,’ he murmured.
Florrie could feel her whole body trembling in anticipation of his touch. Their faces were now centimetres apart, their bodies bobbing in the rhythm of the waves. He bent his head slowly, his lips brushing against hers.
They let the waves sweep them backwards and forwards as they kissed, time standing still in this perfect moment. Finally pulling apart, they laughed as the waves picked them up and eventually swept them back to the shore. Tom’s arm was draped around her waist, and Florrie let herself lean into him, dropping her head to his wet chest as they fell into a heap on the sand, their wet bodies joined at shoulders and hips. Trying to catch her breath, Florrie watched the rise and fall of her chest before she briefly closed her eyes.
‘I can feel you watching me,’ she said after a moment. Opening her eyes and taking a sideward glimpse towards Tom, she saw he was leaning on his elbow looking at her. He gently pushed her hair off her face like it was the most natural thing in the world.
‘You intrigue me, Red.’
‘Why?’ she asked. The intensity of his gaze caused goosebumps to spring up all over body, making her shudder.
