Before we both knew it, it was the last day of my magical getaway with PJ. I was bummed to see our special time together come to an end but super stoked to make that last day as memorable as possible. We slept in that morning, exhausted after our fun day at Busch Gardens. PJ asked if we could spend day three at the beach and I readily agreed. So we packed our bags and headed across the Tampa Bay past St. Petersburg to St. Pete Beach. It was hot and crowded but we set up our towels on a private stretch of white sand. I was nervous at first as I pulled my tee shirt over my head. My bikini was black and showed off the body I worked so hard to maintain but still I couldn't help but feel self conscious. Immediately I wrapped a towel around myself and blushed.
"What are you doing?" PJ asked.
I looked away sheepishly. Mike never failed to praise my body in private but in public he was often critical. The emotional scars ran deep. It did something to a woman when her man stepped out on her. It was a major blow to one's confidence. My self esteem was in the toilet and even though I worked hard to stay in shape, I still didn't feel like my body was good enough.
"Nothing, I…"
"Don't cover up," he said. "I mean, if you're uncomfortable, I understand. That's the last thing I want but I just want you to know you look great."
PJ's eyes were always so sincere. That's what I liked most about him. You could look into his eyes and see straight into his soul. There I felt like truth existed and that was a very comforting thought.
"Really?"
"Really," he winked. "You look hot, babe."
There was something wildly exciting about knowing that he found me sexy. With a newfound assurance, I pulled the towel off and let if fall to the ground. PJ's eyes glanced over my body appreciatively. It wasn't staking his claim on me like I was a piece of meat or property, it was genuine admiration and that was nice.
"Thanks."
He reached into a bag and pulled out a bottle of sunscreen.
"Do you mind?" he asked.
I answered him with an inviting smile as he spread a huge glob into his hands and began to rub it in my skin. As the hands of the former masseuse expertly kneaded my flesh, I couldn't help but moan. It felt so good.
"You and me on a beach in Florida with you rubbing sunblock on me. Déjà vu, huh?"
He grinned.
"I remember that day, you were hanging out with Liz."
I remembered it too. How things had changed in such a short amount of time. After PJ rubbed me down, we relaxed on our towels. I pulled out a book.
"I'm just gonna read for a while if that's okay," I said.
"Of course. What are you reading?"
"A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's my favorite Shakespeare story. We were on the road and I found this super old copy in paperback at a thrift store and I had to have it. I read a little bit of it whenever I can. You ever read it?"
He nodded.
"For school. One of his better books."
"I agree."
PJ pulled me closer to him and gently took the book from my hands. He turned to the page I had flagged.
"He hail'd down oaths that he was only mine. And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt, So he dissolved and showers of oaths did melt…"
I couldn't believe it. It was so romantic. He read page after page after page out loud.
"Wow," I said when he was done. "Nobody has ever read to me before, unless you count my mom and uh, hers wasn't nearly as good. Shakespeare sounds much better with an accent. In fact, everything sounds better with an accent."
He leaned down and kissed me lips.
"Thank you and it's my pleasure. Now come on, love. Let's go have some fun."
He led me to the water where we frolicked and played in the Atlantic Ocean for hours. We swam and horse played before finally returning to our little spot where PJ had packed us a picnic lunch. We ate and relaxed for a little before tossing a Frisbee around. Afterwards, we rented boards and PJ took me out and showed me how to surf. The waves were gentle and cooperative and just like with pool, he was such a patient teacher that I picked up a lot on the first lesson. We paddled out together and though I fell a few times, I was spared the big wipeout. We spent all day on the beach and watched the sunset in each other's arms before heading back to his condo. We changed for dinner and ate out at a quaint little Italian restaurant not far from his place. The meal was delicious and we headed home in comfortable and relaxed silence. When we got home, he suggested we hang out in his Jacuzzi. It was the perfect end to a perfect day and a perfect trip. We hung out for a long time and after we got out, I wrapped a towel around me and went and stood on the upper level balcony. The view was magnificent. It was quiet but the big lights in the distance showed that the city wasn't too far away. I closed my eyes and breathed in the smell of the nearby ocean.
"Hi," I said as he walked out and joined me.
A towel was securely wrapped around his chiseled waist.
"Hi," he wrapped his arms around me. "What are you doing out here all alone?"
I shrugged.
"Just thinking."
"About what?"
"About the wonderful time I've had here with you the past few days. Words can't describe it, PJ."
"I'm glad you had a good time."
"I don't want it to end."
"Me either."
I sighed as he stroked my arms. It was a gorgeous full moon and the view was breathtaking. His balcony was decorated with a black three piece furniture set and a hammock. PJ took a seat on one of the chairs and pulled me onto his lap. There was a slight chill in the air so he wrapped a blanket around us both.
"This is so nice," I murmured. "Being here, being with you. Tomorrow I can't believe it's all over. We're back on a plane to the next random city and it's back to work and stress and pressure and Mike…"
"Work's not so bad. I love what I do and I know that you do too. I think most of your stress and pressure comes from dealing with Mike."
"You're probably right."
"You said the separation is complete and the divorce is pending. I don't mean to overstep my bounds but I was wondering when you were planning on moving out."
"I don't know. It's inevitable, I guess I just keep putting it off. You know, comfort can be a dangerous thing. You get complacent and that limits change. This is a whole new chapter in my life. I just have to quit making excuses and make my move."
"I feel kind of stupid saying this but I always want to be honest with you, Claudia."
"You can tell me anything," I looked up at him.
"It bothers me. Our situation is a little different but all I know is that you're the woman I care about. Knowing you go back to that environment, knowing that you put yourself through all the stress makes me sad. And knowing you're with him makes me a little jealous."
"But I'm not with him with him. What do you want me to do, move here?" I joked.
"I wouldn't mind," he didn't crack a smile.
"Are you for real?" I asked.
"I want you to be happy and comfortable, Claudia. If that's in LA, then so be it. If it's here in Tampa, that's even better."
I had never thought about it. He was there along with the other seven NXT guys I had formed close friendships with. Liz and John were there too.
"I never really thought about it before, PJ. It sounds absolutely wonderful but I don't want to make any rash decisions. Do you understand?"
He kissed my forehead.
"Of course I do. Take all the time you need."
I shook my head.
"Sometimes I feel like you're a dream, like you're so perfect you're not even real."
"I'm far from perfect. I'm just a man, Claudia, a man trying to live, to be better than I was the day before. I'm meticulous, ambitious and passionate. I'm adaptable and devoted. I'm also way too gullible and I'm a big softie when it comes to emotion. I have my faults and my flaws. I'm sometimes a walking contradiction. I'm a self-pitying, over sensitive escapist."
I turned and stroked the distinct line of his jaw with my finger.
"You are so beautiful and so amazing," I whispered. "Your free spirit, your integrity, your charm is so endearing. You desire truth in every aspect of your life and I respect that so much."
Our eyes met.
"Claudia, you're the most beautiful woman on the planet."
"Stop it," I blushed.
He tilted my chin to face him.
"I mean that. I could fall in love with you. I look in your eyes and I see a real future there."
The scary part was I did too. My breath caught in my throat. The emotion of the moment made me literally lightheaded.
"I could fall in love with you, too," I mouthed.
He leaned in and kissed me. The inside of his mouth tasted so sweet. I loved his gentle kisses, the way his tongue expertly explored the inside of my mouth without being too pushy or probing. I kissed him back, kissing and kissing as no one pulled away and the mutual sense of urgency grew. Finally I pulled away to catch my breath, both of our faces were flushed.
"I want you," he breathed.
And those three words were the most powerful I'd ever heard in my life. I wanted him, too. There was no thought, just pure emotion. Our hearts were on our sleeves and suddenly nothing else mattered. I kissed him again, my lips crashing into his, my fingers slipping into his. My passion for him heightened and I felt his in return. He stopped kissing and a groan of protest escaped from my throat. He just smiled and let those soft lips connect at the sensitive spot right underneath my ear. My entire body shuddered as he kissed my neck and finally my exposed shoulder. It was romantic and sweet but at the same time sexy. I tossed my head back as his kisses trailed my chest and the edge of the blanket.
"Oh God," I whimpered.
We kissed some more, each second more frantic than the one that preceded it. His hands made contact with the bare flesh of my back and my body involuntarily arched toward his, allowing access, practically begging him for more. I let my own hands explore, timidly at first then with more confidence against the sculpted muscles of his perfect chest and stomach. PJ Lloyd had to be the most beautiful creature God had ever put on this earth.
"Claudia," he suddenly pulled away, breathless.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't…"
"Please don't stop," I pleaded.
His eyes met mine.
"We have to…or I won't be able to."
I knew what he meant. And I felt the same way.
"Then don't," I said softly. "I don't want you to stop, PJ."
"Are you sure, love?"
I answered by kissing him again. I loved the way he was looking at me at that moment, I loved the way he was holding me. He stood and led me over to the hammock. He gently laid me down and placed the blanket over us. His eyes were loving but intense and I savored every second as he began to take my clothes off. He undressed me carefully like he was unwrapping a package that had been marked fragile. Fragile, I was and I knew he understood that. We undressed each other and when we were completely nude, there was no shame, embarrassment or awkwardness. As his hands and mouth worked themselves over every inch of my body, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. He was an attentive lover, in tune with my body and what I wanted and needed. PJ took his time pleasuring me, adjusting his touches and rhythms to my moans and reactions.
"PJ," I cried out.
"Does that feel good?" he whispered in my ear.
I could only nod. I had forgotten what foreplay was like and when he was done, my entire being felt like a quivering mass of jelly. He positioned himself on top of me, balancing his heavier weight with his elbows. He smoothed a stray lock of hair behind my ear as we just stared at each other for what felt like eternity.
"I want you too," I said.
That was all the invitation he needed. He entered me slowly and gingerly, waiting as my body adjusted to the feeling of his size. I gasped, my eyes never leaving his. He felt so good and it was written all over my face, just as the pleasure was etched across his. He maneuvered in and out of me tenderly making love to me and with me. We kissed, our eyes locked on each other the whole time. We were in no rush and made love for a long time. Our bodies were so perfectly in sync and we each knew instinctively when the other was on the brink. He moved just a little faster and I held him a little tighter. We kissed passionately, our eyes finally closing as we gave in to the inevitable joint finish. We both moaned out loud, inadvertently changing positions as I rolled on top. The night was ours and it was magical but in the midst of the magic we had forgotten about the limited space on the hammock and ended up rolling right onto the balcony floor. We landed with a thud and both gave embarrassed giggles but we never let go of each other. We couldn't. It was the perfect end to the best three days ever.