AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Uh, yeah, that's kind of the point." I laughed, trying to sound casual though I'd started to feel uncomfortable. "This is a naturist resort."
She threw her hands up, huffing. "Like that explains it?"
"Well, sure it does."
Mara stalked out into the hallway where she couldn't see into the dining hall.
I followed her. "I'm confused. Why are you so upset that all the naturists are naked?"
"Because—" She flapped her arms and huffed again. "Public nudity is illegal."
"This isn't public. It's a private resort." I held up my hands, trying for a conciliatory tone. "Listen, you can dress for meals. Nobody will care."
Jeez, I'd never met an uptight naturist before. She was beautiful, but I'd started to think she might have a few screws loose.
"Oh, how generous," she said in a haughty tone. She scrunched up her face harder than before, her lip curling. "I'm allowed to wear clothes if I want. Shouldn't you be more concerned about disturbing all the other guests who don't want to eat surrounded by naked people?"
"Um, those are all the other guests in there."
"Everyone eats in the nude?" She grasped her head in her hands, her eyes wild, seeming on the verge of a nervous breakdown. "What kind of place is this?"
"It's a naturist resort." I touched her arm. "Relax. This is a clothing-optional resort, not a clothes-free one. You can take your time getting acclimated before you ditch the clothes. You haven't done this much, have you?"
"Done what?"
"Gone nude."
She lowered her hands, her gaze narrowing. "What do you mean it's a clothing-optional resort? I thought this was a naturist retreat."
"It is." A realization dawned on me, and I raised my brows. "What exactly do you think a naturist resort is?"
"A place where people go to enjoy nature and see the wildlife."
Seriously? I stifled a groan. "Miss Severins, you're at a nudist resort."
Her eyes bulged again as her face went pale. Her knees began to wobble.
And she fainted.
I caught her. "Miss Severins?"
Her lids fluttered open. "Nudist?"
"Yeah, that's right. Some of us prefer naturist, though."
She closed her eyes and moaned.
I helped her to her feet. "How did you not know? It says right on our website, and on every travel site where we're listed."
"Never saw any website. I hired a travel agent to book my vacation. She said this was a place where birdwatchers and other nature lovers come to enjoy the outdoors."
"Sorry. I don't know where she got that idea." I glanced at her suitcases. "You want to go home right away?"
"I can't." She threw head back and moaned again. "I bought nonrefundable, round-trip airline tickets. Are there any motels in town?"
"Sure, but they're all booked up. The Renaissance fair is this week."
Mara slumped against the wall.
