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“I might have forgotten to sunscreen something important,” I say.
His eyebrows lift, but he says nothing as I flip open the basket and extract the bottle of lotion.
After one more check to make sure our path along the shoreline is private, I untie the string behind my neck and let the front of the bikini fall.
I’m rewarded with a long groan from Gabe.
I squeeze lotion on my hands and spread it across my chest, which is evenly tanned now. His swim shorts tent appropriately as I work the lotion into my skin.
“You’re killing me,” he says.
“I’m just being safe this time.”
He lets out a long gust of air. “We’re almost to the cave, so you can leave that top off.”
“Sure.” I untie the last string and fling the bikini top at him. It lands squarely on his lap, as if it’s about to be hung out to dry.
“I guess we’re eating last,” he says.
“Depends on what’s for lunch.” I lean back, elbows braced on the edges of the canoe. I feel high again, like I did on the island, body bared to the sky. Who knew I was a nudist?
Yeah. Might as well do it right. I untie the sides of the bikini bottom.
“Bloody hell,” Gabe mutters.
I slip it off right as he steers us around an outcropping of rock.
Then we’re in shadow, the cave engulfing us.
It’s not dark. Plenty of sun comes in from above, holes in the ceiling shining light through in perfect beams.
I realize he can’t come for me in the boat. It will capsize.
“It’s not deep here,” Gabe says. “You can step out. Just be careful of the algae. It’s slippery.”
I picture this mysterious Anita here and wonder if she’s the source of the legend. “Hey, is this the infamous mermaid cave? Where your lover left you forever?”
He laughs. “That’s a made-up story. The only time I’ve been here is drinking with friends.”
I’m glad.
Gabe paddles us to one of the cave walls, where the trunk of a long-dead tree sticks out over the water. He wraps the red nylon rope around it and ties a sailor’s knot.
I take in the cave. It’s cooler in here, out of the sun. The water laps the boat and shifts in a lazy wave, revealing the green line of algae on the walls.
Gabe throws his legs over the edge and hops out, holding on to the boat to avoid slipping. He’s right. The water doesn’t pass his waist.
“And now for my naked mermaid.” He reaches for me.
“Don’t slip and knock me unconscious,” I say. “There’s only so many mermaids you can lose before there’s an inquiry.”
He chuckles, easily snatching me from the boat and cradling my body against his chest. “I’m never going to lose you.”
My eyes smart at that. He will, and soon. I’m very careful to keep my thoughts out of my mouth. I don’t want to wreck this perfect moment with reality.
This is fantasy, and I’m going to live every delicious moment.
He sets my feet in the water and doesn’t let go until I’m safely standing.
