"Paradise by the Sea"

copyright 1998 by Laura Sutton
No reproduction is allowed, in any form,
without the written consent of the author.

Tessa tapped the blunt end of her paintbrush against her chin as she stepped back from the easel to examine the painting. In frustration she turned away from it. The commissioned work needed to be done in two days and at the rate inspiration was coming to her she'd be done in two years. She'd been producing cover art for Romance novels for a long time now, and after awhile the hero and heroine all began to look alike and she wasn't able to capture the fire in their looks like she had when she was a young, eager pup looking for her big break.

Needing to get away from the work before she painted a moustache on the heroine, she walked out onto the deck of her seaside cottage. She leaned over the deck railing and gazed out as the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. It was a beautiful sight and promised to be a perfect night. She reached for her drawing pad and pastels she'd left out on the deck earlier in the day. With a few quick strokes of the pastels she was able to capture the essence of the sunset. As the sun dipped below the horizon she tossed the sketchpad back on the chair and put the pastels back in the box. Nothing. No inspiration, no fire, just a series of colors scrawled onto the paper. She wanted life, fire, desire, and most of all passion.

Turning away from the darkening sky she thought a hot shower and night of watching romantic videos would help. Just as she put her hand on the sliding glass door she heard someone call her name. She looked over her shoulder to see who it was.

"Hi, Glenn," she called as she waved to her neighbor. She'd known Glenn for a couple of years. He didn't live at his beach house all year, but used it on the occasional weekend to get away from his high-pressured job in public relations for one of the big movie studios.

"Tessa, glad to see you're here," Glenn said as he started up the stairs of her deck.

"I'm always here, Glenn," she said as she walked up to him and gave him a friendly hug. "Where's Tina?" It was unusual to see him without at least one cutiepie on his arm.

"You mean the 'airhead from hell'?"

Tessa laughed. "So, you finally saw the light?" Glenn had a penchant for attracting young women who were more interested in where Glenn could get them in the business than in him - which was really a shame. Tessa knew Glenn to be a smart, witty, and very handsome man. At 6'3", shaggy blond hair, ice blue eyes and a youthful face that belied his 40-something age he was a man few women didn't notice.

Glenn grinned. "Yeah, after awhile you'd think I'd learn my lesson."

"Well, we all have our addictions, Glenn."

Glenn reached over and rubbed her cheek. "Ya got a bit of paint there. Did I disturb your work?"

"Nope, can't seem to get much inspiration. I think I've been doing this type of work too long. Can't seem to get the right 'inspiration' for this cover."

"I think you need a break. How about I go get us a bottle of this great new wine I found at a fabulous upstate winery. We can sit on the beach, watch the waves roll in, and you can forget about your painting and I can forget about . . . hmmm . . . what was her name?" He winked at Tessa.

"Sure, Glenn, sounds like a great idea. I'll go get a blanket."

"Okay, meet you on the beach in a few." With that he turned and walked back down the stairs. Tessa paused before going in to get the blanket - the departing scenery was just too good to miss. Glenn had to have the best looking ass she'd ever seen.

Sighing, she went in to the cottage to get the towel and changed out of her painting slacks and over-sized shirt to a softly-pleated gauze dress. She unbound her hair and let the amber tresses fall over her shoulders.

When she got out to the beach Glenn was already there, standing at the water's edge, letting the waves gently lap against his feet and ankles. Tessa joined him.

"Beautiful night, huh?" Glenn asked as he looked up as stars winked into view.

"It sure is."

They spent the next hour or so sitting on the blanket, sipping the wine Glenn had brought. Tessa told him about her frustration with the current work she was doing and how she wanted to move on to something else, or atleast in addition to what she was doing. Glenn told her about Tina and how he'd found her going through his computer looking for phone numbers of some of his contacts in the business.

"Guess it's time for a change for both of us," Glenn said. He was sitting on the blanket, his knees bent and his long arms wrapped around his legs, tapping his empty wineglass against his leg.

"Yep." Tessa stretched her arms over her head. She hadn't felt this good in many months. The breeze off the ocean was warm and carried the refreshing scent of salt water. Stars sparkled like diamonds on black velvet in the sky. The cares of the day slipped away.

"Want some more wine?" Glenn asked as he picked up the bottle.

"I don't think I should. I've had two and that's my limit. I feel relaxed, just right." She smiled at him.

"I know what you mean." Glenn said as he put down the bottle and shoved the cork back in. "How about a walk?"

"Great idea," Tessa said as she watched Glenn stand up and offer her a hand to help her up. "Thanks."

They walked along the beach for awhile in silence, arm in arm, taking in the beauty of the night. A crescent moon hung over the ocean, and in the distance clouds formed, harbingers of a storm that would be rolling over the beach in a few hours.

Tessa moved closer to the water, letting the waves lick at her feet and ankles. Glenn joined her, but walked a bit further out into the water. "Come on, it's great."

Tessa giggled as the wine, the night, and the joy of being in the company of such a great guy took effect. "You think, so, huh?"

"Sure," Glenn said as he bent over and flicked a bit of water on her legs, getting some on the hem of her dress.

"Hey, two can play that game!" Tessa pulled up the hem of her skirt and used her foot to splash water at Glenn's legs and rolled-up pants. Then Glenn splashed her, and she splashed him, and soon they were both wet to the waist and laughing like two kids.

Tessa felt exhilarated and she could see by the broad grin on Glenn's face that he was having just as much fun as she was. Before she knew what she was doing, she pushed at Glenn's chest, sending him stumbling backward. She broke out in another fit of laughter as she saw the look of mock indignation on his face - his eyes sparkling with glee. He came up out of the shallow water, his clothing saturated.

"So, it's going to be that way, huh?" Glenn said as he reached over and caught Tessa by her ankles and tugged. "You wanna get wet too?"

Tessa thought to herself that she was already wet, but not in the way he meant.

"Why, sir," she said in an imitation southern accent, "you wouldn't do that to a lady like me, now would you?"

"Just try me!" Glenn said as he released her ankles, got to his knees, grabbed her around the waist, and pulled her down.

Tessa went to her knees, the cold ocean water covering her legs, but the chill wasn't enough to put out the fire growing in all other parts of her body.

Glenn pulled her to him, pressing one hand into the small of her back and with the other, brushed a few stray hairs away from her cheek.

"May I?" he asked, his voice deep and husky, carrying a clear message.

"Yes, please do," she whispered, knowing what he wanted and wanting it herself.

Glenn lowered his head toward hers, taking his time, closing his eyes slowly. She could feel his breath caress her skin as he moved closer. Then his lips touched hers and it was as if an electric shock sparked between them. His lips were soft, hot, and eagerly took possession of hers as he kissed her.

She pressed her body to his, hungry for him. She'd never thought of him as more than a friend, but now, under the crescent moon, with the waves lapping at their lower bodies, it was so right.

She wrapped her arms around him, running one hand through his tussled blond hair as she ran the other hand up and down his back, feeling the muscles move and respond to her touch. Enjoying the closeness of his body as they pressed into each other.

Glenn deepened the kiss, opening his mouth slightly and pressing his tongue against her lips. Tessa responded instantly by opening her mouth and accepting his probing. She sucked on his tongue gently, moving her own over and under his. He then retreated his tongue, but sucked on hers, drawing it deep into his mouth. She moved her tongue over his, across the roof of his mouth, then under his tongue. They continued like this, sucking on each other's tongue, kissing deeply, tasting each other, moaning softly into each other's mouth.

Coming apart so they could take a deep breath, they stared into each other's eyes.

"I've wanted to do this for a long time, Tessa," Glenn said as he moved his fingers over her face, tracing an intricate pattern over her cheeks, chin, and lips.

Tessa didn't quite know what to say. She had never thought of Glenn like this - but was more than willing to change her mind. "I . . ."

"No need to say anything, Tessa." Glenn said as he released her and got to his feet.

"But . . ."

He placed a finger on her lips as he once again helped her to her feet.

She took his hand away. "Glenn, make love to me." She could hardly believe her own ears at what she said, but she knew she wanted him.

"You sure?"

Sure of herself and her decision, she nodded.

"Then come here," he said as he opened his arms.

Tessa did as he asked, but instead of taking her into his arms, he turned her so she looked out at the vast expanse of ocean.

"Walk out a bit further," he whispered into her ear.

She did as instructed walking out into the ocean until the water came up to her mid-thighs. The skirt of her gauze dress floated around her legs, spreading out like some kind of exotic sea flower bobbing on the waves.

He moved to stand behind her and then reached down, cupping his hand. He scooped up some water and then moved his hands over her breasts, cupping each one. The cold water sent a shock through Tessa as her nipples hardened instantly against the cold of the water and the heat of his hands.

Bending his head to nuzzle at her neck, he massaged her breasts, flattening his palm over the hard buds of her nipples, then moving his fingers from the edge of her breasts to the tip, squeezing the nipple.

A rush of excitement coursed through Tessa as she pushed back against him, feeling his hard chest mold itself to her back. His breath was hot on her neck; his fingers and hands worked magic on her breasts. She floated in a world apart, just as her skirt floated on the gentle waves.

The tide was coming in and the waves were getting stronger, pushing at her. Glenn let go of her breasts and turned her to him, immediately taking possession of her lips as they kissed deeply once more. His hands were between them, working at the laces that bound the front of her dress together. He soon had them undone and broke the kiss to lower his head, kissing his way down her neck, across the top of her breast, then reaching under it, he lifted it slightly before wrapping his mouth around the hard, taut nipple.

Tessa arched her back to him, pressing his head closer to her, wanting him to take her entire breast into his mouth. He sucked on it hard, pulling at the nipple with his lips, then sucking the surrounding skin into his mouth, flicking at the nipple softly with his tongue.

Tessa closed her eyes as the gentle rhythm of the ocean waves pulsed against her in time to Glenn's soft sucking. She wanted to freeze time; to save this moment of ecstasy and find a way to translate the magic into something permanent.

Tessa gave out a sob as Glenn removed his mouth from her breasts. He stood up and backed away from her a bit. "Pull the top part of your dress down, but leave the skirt like it is. I like seeing it floating on the water. You look like a sea nymph, with your hair all tousled like that. You should paint yourself this way - my angel of the sea."

Thrilled by the scene, by the man, by the uninhibited joy of the moment, Tessa did as he asked. Lowering the top of her dress, she watched as he took his shirt off. His muscles were well defined and flexed gently as he moved. He undid his pants and eased the zipped down, from the expression on his face, a boyish grin, he knew he was taunting her.

Tessa licked her lips in anticipation as he eased his pants over his hips. She felt a rush of desire flow out of her as his cock came into view. He was hard and not so much long as he was thick. Just the kind of cock she liked.

He walked over to her, took her hand, and placed it on his erection. It felt even better than it looked. Tessa ran her hand along the shaft, the thickness pulsed, and the head was already a deep purple. The waves washed over his hot flesh as she pushed her hand down to the base, then moved her hand up, stopping just below the head.

Glenn moved closer, reaching his hand under the folds of the floating skirt he found what he was looking for as he moved his fingers over the damp curls just above the juncture of her body and legs. He twirled the hairs between his fingers, pulling on them, stroking the tender flesh beneath. He moved his hand lower, pushing open the soft folds of flesh, opening her as the waves licked at her opening. Chills of desire ran through her body at the interplay of sensations - the heat of her body and the chill of the ocean waves.

"Like this?" he whispered into her ear as he licked at her earlobe.

"God, yes," she whimpered as she rested her head on his shoulder for support. She wasn't sure how much longer her legs would support her.

"Good. Then I'm sure you'll like this." As he spoke he moved a finger on either side of her outer lips, then pressed them together, capturing her clit beneath them.

Tessa's breath caught in her throat as he rubbed back and forth on her lips, pressing them onto her clit. She rocked her hips back and forth on his hand, her desire building as her clit became more and more sensitive, the blood building up in her.

Then he released the pressure and moved his fingers to her opening, pressing his palm on the flesh around her clit. The water was over his hand and her opening now, adding to the sensory overload. Glenn slipped a finger inside, moving it deep into her, stroking at the hot, slick, hungry, pulsing vaginal walls.

Tessa arched her back again and tugged hard on his cock in reaction to his finger being inside her. He moved it slowly, in and out, back and forth, reaching as far into her as he could. He then moved another finger into her, filling her, exploring her depths. He gently rocked his fingers in and out in perfect timing to the waves that moved across both of them.

The wind had picked up, and so had the waves, beating against them as the tide rose. In the distance were soft claps of thunder. Soon the beach would be soaked in rain, but for now, all Tessa wanted to do was give in to the storm that raged within her.

"I want you," she whispered to Glenn.

"Your wish, my dear," he said as he turned his head to kiss her cheek, "is my command." Glenn moved them around so he was facing the open sea and she was looking at the deserted beach. He moved the floating skirt out of his way and reaching around to take hold of her hips, he lifted her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her legs, allowing the buoyancy of the water and his hands to hold her up. He positioned her legs on either side of his waist, then moved closer. Tessa reached between them and guided his cock to her lips, pausing for a moment to run the head over her clit. Her body lurched as a bolt of desire moved from her clit through her.

She removed her hand as the tip of his cock found her opening. A stronger wave washed over them, pushing her onto his cock, moving her body closer to his, driving him deeper. Neither one of them moved, they allowed the force of the oncoming waves to drive her down onto him. Then, when he was completely in her, he began to move. As the wave came over them, he would pull her toward him, driving his cock into her pulsing opening, and then he'd relax until the next wave came.

The ocean responded to their mounting desire and the waves became stronger. Glenn stroked into her during the pauses between waves, increasing their tempo. One hard stroke with the wave, one pounding on his own during the lull.

Tessa arched her back, having wrapped her legs around Glenn's waist, she could lean back and give him access to her breasts. He sucked on one, then the other, always keeping in time to the pulse of the ocean.

An animal lust began to grow in Tessa. She felt at one with nature, driven on by the power of the ocean and the power of her own desire melded with that of Glenn's. They grunted and groaned to each other, babbling incoherent word.

Then Tessa could feel it building in her, she pulled Glenn's head down onto her breast and forced herself down on his cock, pulling him closer with her legs. Then it was on her, as the walls of her vagina pulsed around his hardness, stroking on him, sending ripples of pleasure up from her center through her body, and then out to the ocean itself. The waves responded by becoming harder as the water rose.

Glenn reached around and took her hands from around his neck and lowered her so she was floating on the water, her legs still clasped around his hips. He released her arms and Tessa began to move them to keep herself afloat. Glenn grabbed hold of her hips and drove into her as a wave forced her down on him. He pounded into her, driving himself deep, driving her to higher levels of ecstasy.

They were one with the ocean, giving over to its power and the desire in themselves. Tessa looked up to see the expression on Glenn's face. His eyes were closed and he was straining. He drove himself deep into her, moving her against him, his cock moving almost out of her and then being driven deeper inside as another wave pushed her on him.

Glenn began to growl softly and Tessa knew he was close. She clamped down on him as he stroked into her, her own release so close. Glenn let out a loud cry and buried himself as deep as he could. Tessa felt him jerk as he came in her, his hot come like a molten rain pouring into her. She squeezed down on him hard as another orgasm spread across her body.

As Glenn came down from his orgasm, he rocked into Tessa softly, smiling down at her. "You are a sea angel, my dear."

Tessa smiled as the waves moved her effortlessly over his still pulsing cock. She relaxed completely, letting the beauty and wonder of the night pour over her and become embedded in her memory.

A loud clap of thunder drew their attention. Glenn released his grip on her hips and helped her to stand up. They kissed until another clap of thunder warned them of the storm's imminent arrival.

Back at Tessa's cottage they took a long hot shower together, then spent the rest of the night in each other's arms, finding out what, besides seawater, turned the other on.

* * * * * * *

Two weeks later Tessa got a call from her agent. The publishers loved the new cover for "Paradise by the Sea" and had renewed her contract with a hefty raise in her fee. They also wanted to know where she got the inspiration for the great new cover idea - the one about the couple making love in the ocean.

Tessa looked over at a sleeping Glenn and knew just where she'd gotten that idea - and many more that would keep her inspired for years to come.