Day 3 of their holiday, time to play in the pool and get drunk! I'm fully into this 'new' relationship and plan to continue beyond this holiday, which pretty much messes up my title! Thank you for all your lovely comments so far, hope you'll stick with it/me/them! X

Saturday

When she awoke the room was bright with morning sunshine and she could feel a light breeze. She flopped onto her back, watching the drapes shift in the gentle wind.

The bed was empty but she had no desire to get up and find where Charles was. Instead she snuggled down and closed her eyes.

In time she heard him return and close the doors, pulling the drapes across.

"Where have you been?" She asked without opening her eyes.

"To the main building, I got some juice."

She listened to him pour and sat up plumping a pillow behind her and running a hand through her hair, the clock said 7:45 and she wondered why on earth he was up so early.

"You do realise this is a holiday, don't you?"

"Yes?" He said quizzically, handing her a pineapple juice.

"Then in my book that means sleeping in."

"I think it's physically impossible for me to do so."

She sipped her juice, "In half term I can sleep until lunch without issue if I don't have any pressing engagements."

He wonders if she's chastising him and sheepishly downs his juice, he isn't very good at picking up on cues and many a friend he's offended over the years with smart quips or mis-read signals.

"Was anyone else about?" She asks.

"Not really, couple of guys on the beach taking photos of the sunrise." He twirls his glass between his fingers, "Sorry I woke you."

"It's fine, you didn't really, I heard the ocean I suppose."

"I was only on the patio you know, I didn't leave it open whilst you were sleeping and I wasn't here."

"I wouldn't think that you would." She's confused by his panic and rubs her eyes as she leans back against the headboard. There are times she wonders how he manages to sell any books or keep any customers, he can find relationships so very prickly.

He climbs back into bed, sitting beside her, and she can feel his eyes on her as she rests.

"You're staring at me."

"You can go back to sleep if you want, I don't mind."

She huffs, "Charles, I'm awake now. We can go for breakfast soon then book the trips we're going to take."

"Saturday, the last day of their weekend."

"I know, you told me yesterday, we can go into Dubai tomorrow."

He rests his hand in her stomach, "We have to go on Monday."

"Why?" She bites down on her bottom lip, rolling the skin between her teeth.

"Because I booked you a surprise. I did it on the Internet – back at home, a few weeks ago, I thought it might be nice. Are you impressed?"

"That you booked online? I am. But what have you booked for?"

"Afternoon tea, at the Burj Al Arab."

She gasps, squeezing his arm, "Charles! That costs a fortune."

"Worth it though, you'll like it. And I want to see if they get Afternoon Tea right. If they serve Earl Grey."

"You won't spend the entire afternoon listing the ways they aren't getting it right, will you?"

He thinks better of the first response that went through his head, "Only in my mind," is what he plumps for.

She's laughing as she snuggles into bed and he thinks he's off the hook, though he wasn't quite sure if he were even 'on it' in the first place.

"Do you want to get dressed, go have something to eat?"

"Not quite yet," her eyes are closed but he reads the tone in her voice and leans over to kiss her.

He's so desperate to make love to her again that he fears he'll make a fool out of himself and come within seconds. Instead he takes his time inching up her nightgown, peeling back the silk and kissing every inch of exposed skin, forcing his body to wait, to be patient.

He's soon halfway down the bed with her leg over his shoulder and his mouth causing her to moan and grind out his name between pants.

"God Charles, I want to," she breathes huskily, "I want you."

Her words fill him with as much joy as lust and he wastes no time in stripping off his shorts and laying full length on top of her, meeting her mouth in a hot kiss as she wraps her legs around him and welcomes him into her body.

He's panting her name within seconds but luckily she's as far gone as he is and when he climaxes with a roar by her ear she isn't far behind.

He lies with his head on her chest, content, and he can feel her fingertips on his neck, in his hair.

"Why did you say yes?" His voice rumbles against her skin.

"To what?" Her eyes are closed and she feels utterly relaxed.

"When I asked you out for dinner last year, last August?"

She smiled, "It was the summer holidays and I was bored." She tugged his hair, teasing. "Because you asked, and because I'd always liked you and we find it easy to talk to one-another. I figured even if you just meant as friends we'd have a nice lunch and a decent conversation about literature." She kissed his head, rubbing his shoulder, "Why did you ask?"

"Because you're gorgeous."

She smirked and he twisted over, shifting his body to the side of hers and resting on his elbows so he could look at her. "Because you always spoke to me, and you seemed fairly intelligent."

"Thanks." She huffed.

"And you didn't cringe when I mentioned my hobbies or treat me like a ridiculous old fool."

"And obviously because I've purchased many a book from you over the years and keep coming back."

He smiled, tipping his head to kiss her chest, "And because you're gorgeous."

"Well yes, and of course that." She squeezed his shoulder, "Let's get dressed and go have breakfast."

He rolled onto his back, kicking off the thin sheet that covered his legs, "What do you want to do today?"

"To start with I want to make use of those sun loungers we have reserved out there, sunbathe, read my book, sunbathe some more. Maybe have a dip in the pool. Sunbathe some more…"

She stretched on her back, pushing her breasts up, aware of his eyes on her. "Do you find that idea utterly repulsive?"

"No, I can cope, you did say you'd loaded my book with good reads."

"Are you finally going to give in and read Wolf Hall?"

He screwed his face up, "It's…"

"Sassed up fiction made to look like history – I know, but give it a go hey, for me, so we have something to talk about."

"For when we run out of things to talk about you mean." He pulled on a t-shirt. "I'll read three chapters then decide if I'm sticking with it."

"I can't ask fairer than that."

"Your nose is getting red," she warned glancing over at him.

"Mm," he flicked his finger over the screen to turn the page.

"You're hooked aren't you?"

"Mm…"

Shaking her head she sat up, re-fastening the strings on her bikini top and reaching for the sun cream out of her bag. She sprayed some into her palm and got up, leaning over him to smooth some onto his face, "Don't want you in pain later."

He finally looked away from the screen and to her face, "Thank you dear."

"You're welcome. I'm going up to get some water, do you want anything?"

"I'll go, you stay here."

"No, it's fine, I need to pop to the loo anyway."

"If you're sure."

"I am," she squeezed his shoulder, "go back to your book."

"Odd to think of this as a book," he said settling back down to read.

She took her time in the villa, rinsing her face and combing her hair before she tied it up again. It was cool in there and nice to have a moment away on her own, not that she resented him being there, far from it. He'd surpassed her expectations as it happened and was actually quite a wonderful travel companion. Trust Charles to read everything there is to read on the destination beforehand, he'd answered so many of her questions over the past two days it was like travelling with a walking encyclopaedia - a very handsome and charming encyclopaedia.

There was a tap at the door and she quickly put her dress back on and opened it, only to find a young maid there.

"Sorry ma'am, I came to clean."

"That's fine, please don't be sorry. Go right ahead, I'm leaving now." She took her handbag and wide hat and set off for one of the bars along the beach front.

Charles glanced up every few minutes, he was getting anxious, he couldn't help it. She'd been gone a while and despite the fact he knew she lived a very independent life back home he still worried.

I should have gone, he kept telling himself.

He finished chapter ten and put the iPad aside.

When she did reappear she carried two ice-covered glasses and a paper bag swung on her arm.

"I got iced coffees," she smiled, handing them to him. "And doughnuts."

"You were gone a long time," he said, his fingers brushing aside the condensation from the cups.

She took in his serious expression. "Don't tell me you missed me." She teased.

"I did. Very much. But I was a little worried."

"Why on earth?" she took off her dress and returned to her lounger, "it's an enclosed establishment."

"I know," he handed her drink across. "But I still worried."

She shook her head, "well, I'm back now." She took a drink, "This is gorgeous. You should do these."

"What ever do you mean?"

"In your shop, start offering coffee, get a little corner café in." She opened the paper bag and took out a small doughnut. "There's room, it would just need rearranging."

"What for?"

She chuckled, "Don't freak out over suggested change, it could be a real money maker. Offer free wifi and you'd be set."

"Wifi!?" He said exasperated, watching her lick sugar from her lips.

"Yes, you should try one of these." She took a napkin from the bag and handed him a doughnut, if he was chewing he couldn't complain. "You must start competing with the big stores, you said only the other week that business had slowed, your slowest December for years." She shrugged, "So start competing, alter the layout, put in a small coffee area, get some young girl in serving."

"Pay a worker?"

"Unless you want to do everything yourself. Expand your seating area and offer wifi, people will come in and sit…"

"And not buy books, just use my free services." He sucked the sugar from his fingertips.

"Maybe but then you'll have them, you'll be offering something those corporate stores don't, the warmth of a local business, community… A friendly atmosphere." She teased biting her lip to suppress a smile.

"You've thought all this through." He said sitting back on his lounger and putting his sunglasses back on.

"Not really, just came to me now. I can help, if you're worried, we could redecorate this summer, I can help you set up, run the coffee bit for a few weeks."

"Considering retirement?"

"Hardly, I'm 51, I can't afford it. Cameron will have me working until I'm at least 70. Then I'll die and not cost the NHS a penny."

"I don't think it's just his decision." He said as fairly as he could. "I could offer you part time employment though, if you're looking."

"You want a sweet young girl, someone who'll charm the customers."

"And you won't?"

"Some. Those that are rude she'll be more likely to tolerate, I'll just bite back."

He laughed, finishing his drink. "That was good." He admitted. "And I rather like this thing now," he indicated the tablet in his hand.

"And the book?"

"Not bad, I'll admit."

"See, some of my ideas have had a positive impact on your life."

"You've had a positive impact on my life." He says gently.

She puts her sunglasses back on and watches the children splashing in the pool; a baby is learning to swim and balancing on its mother's arm as it splashes and kicks. Two boys have a blow up boat and between them are attempting to row it from one side to the other.

"You could invite writers in once you've decorated the shop. Local ones. Get a book group going. Things like that." She suddenly says.

"You're just full of ideas." He deadpans, but inside she's got him mulling it over, considering her points. Maybe it is time for expansion, maybe there's scope for making the bookstore a thriving part of the local community. He rather likes the thought of being the hub of it.

He follows her gaze to the children in the pool, specifically the boys going round in a circle as they splash their oars in the water and complain at each other about the lack of progress.

Their oblivious parents were both lying flat on their stomachs on sun-loungers at the opposite side of the pool and Charles shook his head in annoyance – what were they teaching their children?

Elsie was surprised when a shadow fell over her, she lifted the brim of her hat from her eyes and watched as Charles strode into the pool, wading towards the struggling boys. They can't have been more than seven and to them he must have seemed a giant.

"Look boys, you need coordination to make it work."

She watched amused as he instructed them on how to use the oars, striding behind them as they set off across the pool and finally went in one direction.

He turned in the water, his face beaming and she nodded her head at him, he hadn't realised she'd been watching and he stood foolishly for a moment staring at her before setting off to swim to cover his embarrassment.

Putting her book away she got up from her lounger and strode into the pool, audibly gasping as the cool water stroked her legs. He smirked and she glared at him, carefully traversing the steps down.

By the time she was waist deep Charles had reached her and caught her hands pulling her further in.

"Not too fast," she warned, "I need to readjust." They floated by the edge, moving deeper into the pool. "That was very sweet of you," she observed, watching the boys now easily row around the pool.

"I can be sweet you know."

"I know. You're sweet to me."

He moved to kiss her but she placed her hand on his arm, "In public remember." She set off across the pool, "Race you to the other side."

"Cheating," he said, she was already half way across but in just a few strokes he'd reached her and beat her to the far end.

"Your limbs are too long, it's an unfair competition."

"You're the one who wanted to race."

"I take it back," she said leaning against the side of the pool.

"Oh come on, don't give in so easily." He floated in front of her but his teasing was interrupted when a small girl dropped in to the pool between them. He wiped the splash from his eyes.

"This is my new ball." The girl said, waving it at Elsie.

"Oh, is it? It's very nice." She said sweetly, ignoring Charles' expression. "What's that inside?"

"Spiders, see!" She thrust the ball into Elsie's face.

"My, yellow ones too."

Charles smirked, floating on his back.

"I can throw it real far too. I'll show you."

She did just that and splashed off after it. Elsie was chuckling when she returned with it in her hand, like a faithful dog.

"That was most impressive, you can swim well. How old are you?"

"Five." She held up her hand to show her. "Can you swim?"

"Yes, but not as well as he can." She indicated Charles, who still floated on his back not too far away.

The little girl paddled closer to him, observing his stern face. "You're really big."

"Thank you." He said, searching for a suitable response.

Elsie chuckled again.

"Can you dive?" She asked.

"I can."

She turned again, paddling her little legs over to the side of the pool and clambering out.

"Baffling conversation," he said coming to stand beside Elsie again.

"I think we've made a friend." She said touching his arm.

The girl jumped back into the pool in front them.

"These are my goggles."

Here we go again, Charles thought.

"Yellow too, is that your favourite colour?" Elsie asked politely.

"Yes, like the sun."

She put her goggles on and then dropped a small, plastic item into the pool.

"What's that?" Charles asked.

"You dive after it, I don't know it's name."

"Oh."

"Teach me to dive."

"What?"

"I want my stick back."

"I'm confused. Didn't you drop it in because you're supposed to dive in after it?"

"Yes."

"But you can't dive?"

"No."

He turned to Elsie, "I don't understand children."

She smiled, "I think she wants you to play." She whispered.

"I'm 57 years old!"

"She probably saw you help the boys, go on, dive in."

"I could just reach in to get it."

Her glare told him he better not so he played along and dived down retrieving the unnamed plastic stick and handing it to her.

"But how do you dive?"

"I don't know, you just, jump, kind of."

She jumped, slapping Charles' face with water as she did so. Elsie was almost in hysterics.

"No, you have to jump down." He dived beneath the water to show her, then resurfaced, "And you have to hold your breath too."

"Mary…" A voice came from the side of the pool and Elsie looked up, covering her eyes.

"I'm sorry she's bothering you, she can be rather precocious." A rather handsome young man said to her in perfect clipped English.

"It's no bother, really," Elsie smiled. "It's good for him. If you don't mind that is, she asked him to teach her how to dive."

"I don't mind, but feel free to send her away if she gets on your nerves."

"Will do." She watched the man return to his lounger at the other side of the pool, his young wife sat there holding a baby and looking rather rattled.

"Is that your baby brother or sister?" Elsie asked as Mary splashed in front of her.

The little girl pulled a face, "My sister, Edith. Nanny says I have to be nice to her but I don't much like having her around."

Elsie smiled as the girl jumped beneath the water again, frantically kicking her legs as she tried to imitate Charles.

Nanny indeed.

Elsie left them to it after a while, swimming a few lengths and then returning to the lounger and her book.

He must have been in there over an hour, close to two perhaps, before he returned to their spot.

She eyed him over her reading glasses, lifting the brim of her hat as he towelled off.

"She had to get ready for dinner."

"Oh right, nothing to do with the fact you're wrinkling up after two hours in the water."

He rubbed his face, "No." He sat down on the end of her bed, "Cute girl."

She smiled, her toes tickling his leg. "She was. And she can dive now too."

"Very well." He said proudly.

"Shall we go have a shower, change for dinner?"

"Yes, sure."

"Good," she sat forward reaching for her dress, "I want to get drunk tonight."

He shifted his gaze from the young family, an excitable little girl bouncing about as she explained to her parents what she'd achieved, to stare wide-eyed at Elsie.

"Drunk?" He asked.

"Yes, we're on holiday, let's get drunk and make the most of nobody knowing us."

He was smirking as he got up to pack their things away. He took one last glance to the family and Mary, hoisted onto her father's shoulders, waved frantically at him as she was carried away.

She was drunk, but not so drunk that she couldn't admit she was, and it was making her want to do things she usually wouldn't. She swung his hand as they walked to their villa, her shoes hanging from her other hand.

"Let's not go in yet," she said. "There's a bar on the beach, let's get a drink and sit by the pool instead."

"Alright."

She ordered a Bellini and he had scotch and they walked back to the pool right outside where they were staying. The pool was out of bounds after nightfall and as such the area was empty, though low lighting made the water appear azure and inviting, and the air was still warm enough to comfortably swim.

He went to sit on the edge of a lounger but she sat by the the pool, her legs dangling in the water. He watched her for a while, took out his camera and took a few pictures.

"They aren't free," she said without looking up.

He put his camera away and went to sit beside her. "It feels good," she assured him.

"I'm not sure we're meant to be in here at this time of night."

"Do you always follow the rules?"

He watched her take a long drink and lick her lips.

"Pretty much." He finally said.

"Breaking them might be fun…" Her eyes were twinkling with mischief.

"You sound risqué."

She drank the last of her cocktail and then stood up, reaching down for the hem of her dress and lifting it up her body until she stood in front of him in lacy black underwear. She shook her hair loose and dropped her dress into his lap.

"And if I meant it to be…"

He was stunned when she dived into the pool and he watched her body move along the bottom of it. A silhouette of pink and white, the lights shimmering against her pale skin as she emerged at the other side.

"Well…?" Her voice was husky, her palms flat on top of the water as she stroked them back and forth, inviting.

He drained his scotch. "Screw it," he said to himself, unbuttoning his shirt and kicking off his shoes. "You only live once old man."

In seconds he was down to his underwear and joining her in the water.

"If we're asked to leave I'm claiming you fell in and I dived in to save you."

She giggled, "But you undressed first…"

"Yes." He'd just about reached her but she swam out of his grasp, elusive, alluring.

He swam behind her, and she kicked her feet deliberately splashing his face. "Hey," he tugged on her ankle, pulling her back to him and she was laughing and spluttering as her body banged into his.

"Not fair, you're stronger."

He circled her waist with his hands, pulling her against him. "And you're playing hard to get."

She rested her hands on his shoulders, "It's fun."

"Maybe."

She brushed her hand through his hair, sweeping the damp thickness back. He could feel her other hand tracing circles on his chest, down to his stomach, lower still until he reached down and caught her wrist.

"Stop teasing."

She grinned wickedly but he stopped her mouth with a deep kiss, his tongue stroking hers, and she gave up the pretence of flirting and instead melted into him. Pressing her breasts against her chest, stroking her hands along his shoulders and down his arms until she reached his hands and folded her fingers with his, spreading their joined hands out in the water.

"I want to make love to you," he breathed by her ear, his voice husky, clouded with desire.

"I know." She let go out his hands and spun in the water, her back to him, her bottom pressing against his groin. He groaned this time, closing his eyes at the sensation as she moved against him, "Els…"

She drew his arms around her before swimming out of his grasp again and heading to the steps that led out of the pool.

He watched her go. For a moment overwhelmed by the strange feeling in his chest. He wasn't used to feeling this way. In fact he doubted he'd ever felt anything like it. Could it be she was the one? Finally. He knew this, he didn't want to be anywhere else, he didn't want to be with anyone else. The thought of looking didn't even register with him.

She swayed her hips as she climbed the steps, bent deliciously to collect her glass, shoes, dress and handbag, and then, in just her soaking underwear, climbed the steps to their villa, opened the balcony door and disappeared inside.

He followed, collecting his things, his heart pounding as he headed inside, realisation dawning. Maybe he should tell her how he felt. Maybe she knew. Perhaps she felt the same… Perhaps.

But once inside, and the patio doors shut, he was intoxicated by her. Naked and wet from the pool, tasting of peach wine and hot against him.

For a while they danced around just inside the doors, hands everywhere, followed by mouths, tongues, until she pushed him to the bed, made him sit, knelt and licked down his chest. She didn't usually do this, she couldn't remember doing it since before Anna was born, then such acts of utter passion disappeared. But she wanted to now. Because that passion was between them and there was no doubting how much he wanted her, how much he adored her.

He almost roared out her name when her mouth enveloped him and she wondered if anyone had done it for him before. His hips thrust forward and she had to rest her hands heavily on his thighs to keep him from jumping up off the bed. His fingers tangled in her hair and she moved slowly, deliciously, drawing out his pleasure. It was so good, he'd never dreamt…

"Oh god!" He moaned loudly, his head falling back, "Oh shit, Els, wait, I'm… Wait." He tugged on her shoulders, grasping her upper arms, pulling her body on top of his, finding her mouth with his, pouring every ounce of emotion into the kiss.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, teasing him slightly by hovering just there until he gripped her bottom and she gasped in surprised delight. "Yes…" She breathed, lowering onto his erection, deeper, until he filled her.

He held her gaze, her eyes dark blue, overwhelming. His hand on her back supported her as she moved on top of him, she felt secure, powerful, and she leant back, tipping her head back until her hair brushed his thighs. His strong hands held her safe as she ground against him and he did his best to keep his hips still as she drew out the moment, quite the challenge when all he wanted to do was slam into her.

"Charles…" Her voice had that velvety tone he loved so, he drew her body back up to his. "Charles." She said again, her movements deep against him, hot, tight.

"Yes," he kissed her forehead, "yes my darling."

She was kissing him when she climaxed, moaning into his mouth, altering her angle slightly to make the moment last and it was that which finally tipped him over the edge, gripping her back as he thrust inside her.

They wobbled precariously on the edge of the bed and she laughed as he grasped hold of her, tugging her with him as they collapsed back against the mattress.

She kissed him deeply, slowly, enjoying the sensation of having him still inside her, the remnants of their shared pleasure still moving through their bodies.

"I think that's the single most sexy moment of my life," he finally said against her hair.

She smiled, pushing her hands against the mattress in order to shift her body, "I'm glad." She kissed him again, briefly this time. "I need to move, my legs can't take this angle for too long."

He helped her get up and watched as she walked naked to the bathroom. Whilst she was gone he flopped back on the bed, absolutely exhausted but gloriously happy. He was at the point now where he didn't want to be without her, not one night. Maybe he should ask her to move in, but then the flat above the shop was so small and he really didn't like the style of her new apartment. Maybe a shared house.

He heard the sound of running water stop and sat up again, drawing back the bedcovers and climbing in, plumping her pillows the way she liked.

Yes. They could buy somewhere perhaps. A little house. A shared home. Was it too soon for that? He didn't always 'get' the rules of relationships and he didn't want to rush it. He'd test the waters, sound her out.

"Hi," she said as she came towards him, the most wonderful smile on her face, her eyes shining.

"Hello Mrs Hughes."

She chuckled at his terminology.

"That sounds very formal."

He held the sheets back for her and she turned out the lamp and opened the drapes before getting in with him, snuggling into his welcoming arms.

"Look how bright the moon is," she said looking out to the view.

"I wish we had this view every night." He said stroking her back. "Do you ever think how nice it would be to live somewhere with a stunning view, rather than the city?"

"Mm, maybe, we do live in a beautiful part of the country." She yawned. "But then you wonder how practical it is, how easy to commute to work. Joe's farm was pretty much in the middle of nowhere, just empty fields. He wanted to move, live there, but I felt isolated after just a week's holiday. There was no way I could live there permanently."

He stroked her back, kissed her head. "Does he live there now?"

She swallowed, imagining him doing just that. "Yes, with Sarah."

He traced the outline of her shoulder blade with his fingertips. His new wife, she'd mentioned it once before. He wasn't entirely sure how she felt about it. He hoped she didn't care too much.

"I think they've turned it into a shop…" Her voice trailed off.

He kissed her head, ran his fingers into her hair. "I've been thinking about your ideas for my shop."

"Oh?" She was glad for the change in subject. "And?"

"And , you may just be convincing me."

"Convincing, not convinced."

He held his hands up, "I only ask to be convinced."

She twisted over, leaning on his chest, resting her hands beneath her chin. "What else do I need to do to convince you?"

"Show me some figures."

She smiled, "Are you in to figures?"

He shook his head, "Are you always so flirtatious when you're drunk?"

"I'm not drunk anymore, the orgasm sobered me up."

"You make me blush."

"You know I do it on purpose," she rolled off of him. "Besides I'm always such a good girl at work, I rather like misbehaving when I get the chance."

"I can see that."

She curled onto her back, reaching behind her for his arm, "You'll still cuddle me though?"

He snuggled up behind her, kissing her shoulder, "Of course." His arms wrapped around her waist and his leg moved between hers.

"Goodnight," she whispered. "Mr Carson."

He smiled, kissing her one last time, "Goodnight Elsie."

I really hope you're still enjoying the way this is going - please leave me a little note and let me know! It's great incentive!