Steamy Banana


"Steamy banana, 11 o'clock"

Anna practically choked on the mimosa she was sipping. "Mary!" She gasped, as if she were able to produce any other sound at that moment. She didn't think a trip to the pool would be a mortifying experience, but then again, she underestimated her friend. It wasn't the first time, and it likely wouldn't be the last.

"What? Well, isn't he?" She smirked as she tipped her sunglasses low on her nose to allow herself unobstructed ogling.

The blush was just starting to leave Anna's cheeks as she snuck a quick peek. She rolled her eyes. Mary had taken amusement in the amount of tight-fitting men's swimsuits they'd seen while on holiday, quickly dubbing them "banana hammocks." The particular banana in question clasped his arms behind and across his body, stretching himself out on display as he readied himself for a dip. Beside her, Mary hummed in appreciation.

Barely suppressing her groan, Anna deadpanned, "Seriously?"

"Oh come on, he is steamy."

"He's preening."

"Oh, so what?"

"You're married."

"Again…so what? I'm just looking. No harm ever came from that," she quirked her eyebrow at Anna.

She could merely sigh in response, turning back towards the sun and wishing all the more for the men to return from their golf outing. She really would've much preferred to travel without the entourage, but the deal Matthew scored made it worth everyone's while to go in as a group. Hence, all the men wound up spending the morning and afternoon on the links, leaving the girls to their own devices. Cora and Sybil took the opportunity to schedule some pampering in the spa that morning, so Anna and Mary headed to the poolside, taking full advantage of the bar service delivered right to their lounge chairs.

At least I'll have John to myself for a few hours later, she mused.


An hour later:

Anna's phone dinged beside her, rousing her from the nap she'd fallen into.

"Oh God, what time is it?" She murmured. "I should flip before I'm half lobster."

She looked over at Mary, who was clearly in a deeper sleep than she had been in, her mouth parted slightly, head lolled to the side. Grabbing her phone, Anna turned over on her lounger and looked at her alerts.

-Hey, beautiful, we're almost done here. Hope you're having as terrible a time without me as I am without you ;)

She smiled at that. After all this time, he'd always manage to say the right thing. Mary always teased her about their "sickening sweetness," but she didn't care, it suited them.

Two more alerts came through just then. Her eyebrows crunched together at the sound. He must've not had much signal for them to become backed up like that. How long ago was that first message sent?

-Hey, Cora said you're at the pool, I'll be down in a bit.

-Are you awake? Whether you fancy my company or not, here I come.

She looked up quickly, eyes darting around the pool area. The last message was sent about five minutes before. She figured he'd be down any second. That is, until his voice rumbled behind her. She started in surprise, and began to look over her shoulder as he spoke, "Well, leave it to me to leave a swimsuit behind. This is all they had in the shop…"

"Steamy banana." The words fell out of her mouth before she could stop them. Her jaw slackened at the sight before her.

Bemused, he murmured, "I feel like a classic fool, but it was so bloody hot and I don't have anything else I'm willing to sacrifice to chlorine…"

"Bloody hot is right," she interrupted. Her arm slipped as she tried to twist herself up to sitting, practically falling on her face in the process, breaking her from her daze.

His lips twisted into an sly smile, "So…you like it, then?"

She bit her lip, blushing, and eyed him appreciatively.

The oversized towel draped across his shoulders did nothing to hide the tufts of hair scattered across his chest and front. His long legs were on full display, ending with a pair of sandals. And in between…. Lord, have mercy… Green was always a great color for his Irish complexion, but here in the sun, putting all his assets on show, Anna almost forgot how to breathe.

His eyes crinkled as the smile spread across his face watching her look him over. He couldn't help but feel a burst of pride that he could affect her that way. With all the younger, far more fit men around, she only had eyes for him.

"Christ, John! What?! Oh come on!"

And just like that, the spell was broken.

Mary, cringed, having woken from her nap to see more of John than she ever cared to.

He took a breath, about to explain himself when Anna interjected for him.

"Steamy banana, Mary." She smirked at her friend and rose at once reaching for John to press a kiss to his lips.

To him, she whispered playfully, "Come on, you. Let's go cool off."


Thank you, Tumblr for a completely ridiculous string of posts that served as inspiration for this completely ridiculous drabble. :)