A Sense of Duty: A Former Navy SEAL Falls in Love and Begins a New Journey with his Private Consulting Company: Dark Horse Guardians (37 page)

Having never traveled out of New England, Lara felt like she had just landed in the Garden of Eden. The ecosystem of St. John was vastly different than anything she had ever seen. She had only
viewed pictures of places like this. The island was lush, green and tropical.
Filled with hills and valleys and relatively few flat areas, the island encompassed twenty square miles of breath-taking scenery. It was a small piece of land, only seven miles long by three miles wide. The highest point was Bordeaux Mountain at 1,307 feet. The island's coastal areas consisted of many beautiful white sand beaches in protected bays. The major harbor was Coral Bay; however Cruz Bay housed the main town and harbor. More than two thirds of the island was protected by the National Park Service. 

Ben's little bungalow was in a private cove
, Caneel Bay, with rocks and trees surrounding the beach area. There were no islands in the distance. They were facing west. The turquoise water was eighty-five degrees; there was a light trade wind blowing. "You
own
this place?" Lara asked incredulously. Ben's eyes met hers, "Yes, I have a good man who takes care of it when I'm not here. This is my hideaway and I can't wait to share it with you." Ben pulled her toward the white sand beach in the private cove. "Now let's get into the water." He instantly removed his clothing with the expert efficiency of a Navy SEAL and plunged into the warm tranquil ocean. Lara had never been on a beach naked in her life and felt a twinge of modesty in the bright sunlight. Ben was waving to her and yelling. She quickly slipped out of her dress and plunged in. It was a daring move for her.

~Ben~

Ben was pleasantly surprised when Lara jumped into the warm water naked. He teased her relentlessly swimming underwater and grabbing her legs. Although she feigned escape, Ben sensed she was enjoying his touch. As a former SEAL, Ben was at one with the water. He embraced Lara as they stood up to their necks in the eighty-five degree warmth. Ben looked into her beautiful green eyes and he knew she was happy. It felt like they were on another planet alone. With his strong arms, Ben dragged her to the warm wet sandy shore. He enjoyed watching the sun glistening upon her perfect skin. Although Lara seemed to enjoy the feeling of freedom, she suddenly had the urge to cover up. "Someone might see us…" she said shyly.
"Oh, let them look. They will need powerful binoculars and if they do, they'll be terribly jealous." Ben was natural and comfortable without a stitch of clothing. Lounging in the ocean water triggered memories of the times during BUD/S training when he was forced to swim in wet clothing with boots, weighing him down. He would run in the water for hours on end and roll in the sand until his skin would bleed. That experience made him appreciate
this
one so much more.

Ben focused on Lara's beautiful long legs and shapely bottom. In the wet sand Ben stretched out on his back soaking up the sun as Lara lay on her belly. Ben rolled over toward Lara as he placed wet sand on her bottom. He spent a long time admiring the shape of her back, then placed his hand on her bottom. "You don't want to sunburn that tender skin." He said laughing as he gently spanked her. For an hour they stayed like that, side by side, allowing the warm waves to tantalizingly roll over the lower halves of their bodies then recede. Ben was enthralled with everything about Lara. "You are perfect." He could not stop smiling. When her eyes met his, Ben felt she was not only basking in the sun, but in his admiration. He listened as she described with child-like excitement the events of the past twenty-four hours. "Just this morning we were getting into a cab and it was thirty degrees in Maine. By the end of the day, we are naked in an eighty-five degree tropical paradise. I can't believe it." It had been more than eight months getting to know Lara, and he had often wondered what she looked like without clothing. Ben savored this moment, wanting to memorize every inch of her perfect naked body shimmering in the sun.

The need for food and drink forced them inside temporarily. Drying off with towels they slipped their travel clothes back on. "Come on," Ben beckoned her toward an outdoor café around the corner and up a hill. "You won't believe the food here, Lara. It's spectacular." He knew she would enjoy this place. The restaurant was a tiny French café. They ordered a delicious salad and a warm slice of freshly baked French bread. "We need to get to the shops before they close." Ben said abruptly. Catching a shuttle bus, they rode to the Cruz Bay downtown area. They had about an hour to get the necessary items: clothing, toothbrushes, shampoo, and a swim suit.

Ben purchased a few white shirts and white cotton pants. Lara found beautiful long skirts and feminine tops. "Oh, we must come back tomorrow." He intended to pamper her for the next few days shopping and doting on her. "There are jewelry shops and hand-made clothiers that I would love to explore." Lara bubbled with excitement. Ben found it exhilarating to be with her, having fun, being spontaneous, and enjoying one another without the business of Black Horse, the university, or Lara's new business.

As they arrived at the bungalow, they dropped their shopping bags inside. Ben smiled, "Ah, we are just in time for our appointment." He knew he caught her attention with that statement, but would not reveal what they were going to do. Ben knew she would be expecting something dramatic like parasailing from her former military man. But, he enjoyed the surprise on Lara's face when he led her into a cabana set up on their little private beach. Inside the cabana were two massage tables and two white spa robes and cold bottled water. One whole side of the cabana was open to the ocean waves rolling onto the beach. It was a tranquil and quiet scene. Ben's eyes met Lara's and she smiled. "You couldn't have chosen a more beautiful setting…" Two masseuses awaited their arrival and left the cabana briefly so they could remove their clothing and get onto the tables underneath a white cotton sheet. Ben knew by Lara's expression this was a treat she had not expected.

The massage was exactly what they both needed, especially after the long day of travel. Ben glanced at Lara a few times out of the corner of his eye. They did not speak during the hour long session, but he listened to her soft breathing and the waves on the beach. Ben had never seen Lara in a state of pure relaxation. He made a mental note to massage her like this at home. After the session, he led her back to the bungalow in preparation for their evening meal. Ben smiled displaying his dimples, "Don't dress for dinner, just shower and wear that robe. It looks perfect on you." Lara laughed and asked, "Aren't we going to a restaurant to eat?" "No, I've arranged for our meal to be served here tonight." and he gestured toward the charming dining room just off the kitchen of the bungalow.

Ben encouraged Lara to slip into the outside shower, something she had never experienced. She ran the steamy hot water and lathered up. Meanwhile, Ben busied himself at the blender. He opened the shower door and announced, "I have a virgin colada for you, Lara. I will put it here." He set the tall drink on a metal table near the outside shower. She stopped soaping herself and stood looking at him. Ben couldn't help himself as his eyes riveted on her. He was taken aback by her sheer beauty in the shower. Her long wet hair draped over her breasts covering her almost completely; Ben felt like he had seen a mermaid. He was mesmerized for a moment then slipped his robe off to join her. Taking Lara into his arms, he kissed her for what seemed like twenty minutes. It was as if all of the pent up emotion was being drained from him as he caressed Lara's lips and neck as his hands moved over her soapy body. She was relaxing with him now and enjoying his soft touch. Lara soaped Ben up and they enjoyed the simple pleasure of rinsing one another.

~Lara~

As they dried their bodies off with towels, Lara replayed the naked swim on the beach with Ben earlier. She surprised herself. She never thought she would have the nerve to do such a wild thing. Ben probably had no idea how sensual the experience had been for her or how much she enjoyed studying every inch of him. For eight months Lara had a close relationship with Ben and often caught herself in the fantasy of wondering what he looked like in the buff. Her wavy dark tresses fell to the middle of her back and Ben combed her hair methodically. After applying a pearly pink lipstick, Lara slipped into the spa robe. She was thirsty and the virgin colada was exactly what she needed.

Ben stayed in the outside shower area a bit longer and emerged in his robe with his face clean shaven. "My goodness," Lara said with surprise, "You're a new man!" Lara thought he looked even more handsome with a clean shave." Normally, Ben wore a two or three day scruff of beard. It didn't matter. He looked gorgeous either way in her eyes. Tonight he smiled with dimples and whispered with his Irish brogue, "I did it just for you." She thought she knew what he had in mind. There was a devilish quality to his smile.

Ben hired a local chef and the meal served to them in the bungalow's dining room was exquisite. They were hungry and ate quickly, laughing and talking excitedly though the meal. "Oh Ben, I love it here." Lara said with delight. "I can see it in your eyes, Lara. You are like a kid in a candy store." Ben smiled. He ordered dessert to be served later. They sat together in the cushioned porch glider on the terrace as they drank cold Perrier and watched the sunset.
The sky became a wild burst of orange, gold, and red as the sun slipped gradually toward the turquoise horizon. Ben put his arm around her and drew her close. "Lara, I have dreamed of being here with you so many times…" She placed her finger on his lips and he stopped talking. She wanted the pleasurable experience of kissing him without the stubble. Lara thoroughly enjoyed clean-shaven Ben. Touching her lips to Ben's was delightful and she reveled in the simple pleasure for a long while teasing him. His mouth was soft, sensual and skilled. Lara was on the verge of being swept away with passion. She sensed that Ben wanted nothing more than to carry her into the bedroom and work off all of the built up frustration he carried over the past few months. But she knew he was taking it slowly because she had no experience. Kissing Ben, being naked with him was a languid, pleasurable process and Lara enjoyed each loving gesture.

Before they retired to bed, dessert was served to them on the
terrace. They sat in the porch glider enjoying the delicious cheesecake with fresh raspberries. Ben had an intense look on his handsome face as his eyes met hers, "Are you
sure
about marrying me, Lara?" She didn't expect such a serious moment after the lighthearted fun of the day. But she instantaneously knew the answer. She looked into his blue eyes and simply said, "Yes. Ben, there could never be another man for me." He smiled with his whole face, then kissed her passionately.  Burying his face in her hair, he whispered, "I'm crazy in love with you."

Lara awakened to the gentle sound of waves washing upon the beach. She inhaled the aroma of freshly brewed hazelnut coffee. Ben was sitting in a chair next to the bed and had been observing her…waiting for her to awaken. "
Coffee my darling?" He asked as he watched her lovely green eyes open. "I like watching you sleep. You're incredibly beautiful and I'm madly in love with you. But you know that, don't you." He leaned down and kissed her lips sweetly.

He slept with her in the comfortable king-sized bed last night
; they cuddled until sleep overtook them. But not before Ben got to first and second base, and very close to third. Lara hoped it would always be like this between them, passionate, fun, exciting. It was as if Ben could read her mind and she could read his. Every moment with him was meaningful, even when they sat silently in the porch glider holding hands or reading a newspaper. But, she sensed he wanted more than sitting in the porch glider this morning. His eyes lingered on her figure beneath the sheet.

"Let's go swimming." Ben offered with dimples. Lara stretched lazily and got out of bed. Taking a quick shower, she brushed her teeth and carefully applied lipstick. Then, she placed a croissant, fruit and coffee on a plate and sat on the terrace. Watching Ben toss his robe on the sand and enter the water took her complete attention. He lingered just long enough on the beach in the sunlight so she could examine his muscled form. It was as if nothing else on Earth existed except watching Ben move before her eyes. The beautiful symmetry of his muscles took her breath away. She studied his neck, arms, legs, knees and feet; all perfect in every detail. The scars on his body stirred a primal urge in her to caress each one. The scars both internal and external were part of who he was.

The one thing that made him most attractive, however, was how oblivious Ben was to his own good-looks. He didn't focus on what he wore or how he looked. In fact, he rarely looked in the mirror or shaved. He was a bare bones type of guy, brushing his teeth, washing his hair, and showering with that sandalwood soap. Small things didn't bother him. He took life in stride, living each day to the fullest with a quiet confidence she not only loved but admired. Ben knew she was watching him. He turned and playfully smiled at Lara before disappearing under the warm water. When he emerged he relaxed in the wet sand. Her eyes took in every gorgeous detail.

Finishing the croissant with fresh raspberries, Lara tossed her robe on the sand and joined him in the water. Ben swam to her and wrapped his arms around her body in the turquoise water. She felt his chest against hers, and it was a delightful feeling of freedom. Ben kissed her for what seemed like an hour, tasting raspberries. The morning consisted of long sensual French kisses in the warm sunshine. Lara swam away repeatedly, but he would dive under and catch her causing her to laugh. They played a game of water tag with child-like pleasure. Lara had to admit, it felt much better to swim au natural, with the added bonus of no tan lines. They finally pulled themselves onto the wet sand exhausted. It felt good to soak up the sun. Ben played with Lara's long hair. "Don't ever cut this, I love it." He said with affection. And, he kissed her again teasing her, making her want him.