Chapter 4

"I want to go away somewhere."

Karen was snuggling against me, her naked skin thrilling me, arousing me, even though we had just finished having sex. For three days since that first night we had been together every moment except when I had to work. Karen had been insatiable. She had so much to learn. And I had been trying to teach her everything I knew.

"Why?" I asked.

"So we can go out together. As a couple. So we don't have to hide. So I can look sexy and make men look at me."

"Oh, you're plenty sexy. And men look at you."

"No they don't!"

"Oh yes they do! Whenever you walk into a room all the men's eyes turn toward you."

"They don't!"

"Yes they do. You just don't notice."

"They do?"

"Just like you're a magnet."

"Really?" she said slowly. "I wonder what it would be like if I really tried."

"You'd have them falling at your feet and lapping at your toes."

"Oh, Philip, you're kidding me. But I'd like to try it. I mean, I believe it when you say I'm special. But maybe I'm just special to you. You could be biased."

"Oh yes, I'm biased," I said as I caressed her small, perfect breasts. "I admit it. I've lost all my critical judgment. I think you're totally wonderful."

She smiled at me, and her warm brown eyes were mesmerizing. "So can we go away? Kendall's still going to be gone for a week and a half."

I shouldn't. I had new responsibilities at work, especially since the new guy hired to replace me was just learning the job. And I really couldn't afford it. But like I said, I was hypnotized by those eyes. I couldn't say no.

"Where would you like to go?"

"The tropics," she said.

I had been thinking Atlanta ... Memphis, maybe.

"The tropics?" I said. "It's nearly summer. Nobody goes to the tropics in the summer."

"I just like the sound of it. The Tropics. I hear some of the islands have nude beaches."

I leaned back on my elbow and looked at her. She was glowing in the aftermath of our lovemaking. She was absolutely gorgeous.

"Nude beaches? You couldn't possibly go to a nude beach. Could you? Would you?"

"I don't know. It might be fun."

"Karen!"

"I think I might like showing off."

"You could cause a riot."

"No. Really?"

"Karen, I don't know how to tell you what kind of body you have. You're lovely when all I can see is your face and some hints underneath your clothes. But that first time when I saw you naked ... I can't describe it."

"I never thought I looked that good."

"You look that good. Trust me. I know."

"I think I believe you. And I think maybe I'm ready to let other people see me. So I can see for myself how they react. Just so I'll know. So can we go? Where there are nude beaches? Please?"

I called a travel agent and booked a last-minute all-inclusive 4-night package for two.

"Karen, you know this is the kind of place where men are going to be hitting on you?"

"And are the women going to be hitting on you?'

"Possibly."

"Then I guess we'd better pack plenty of condoms."

I didn't sleep well that night.

I had booked separate flights for us from our small airport to Atlanta, but we would be together from there to our island destination. I landed at Hartsfield first, and I was waiting when her flight arrived. I watched the passengers disembark.

It's funny, I thought. There was a time when people dressed up to get on a plane. Now people had learned to dress for comfort. Lots of sweats and loose clothing. Sports shoes and sandals. But then Karen appeared. She was dressed for effect. High heels. Bare legs. Short skirt. That loose knit top ending just below her navel. Killer. It was like there was an invisible force field around her. The crowd just magically parted, and she sailed through like a princess. And everywhere eyes just focused on her. No wonder. She was commanding. I had always known Karen was beautiful, but now Karen knew she was beautiful. I had convinced her. And now Karen had attitude. Her new-found sexuality was an irresistible attraction. Men couldn't help looking. And wanting. Every man in the place was figuratively drooling. Women's reactions were more complicated. They were looking too. Some looked resentful, but others had an expression that translated go, girl, go!