Pay Me, I'm Yours

Chapter 13 - Too Much Gladiator

Chapter 13 - Too Much Gladiator

It was already ten P.M when Gale saw me to the door and left. Nice man, I thought as I stripped off my clothes.

Opting to go to bed naked, (because searching for my pajamas would take too much effort) I fell into the bed and sighed in pleasure as it creaked under me.

What a nice sound to hear, I said to myself as I crawled under the covers and curled up to its warmth.

If I had a list of unforgettable moments, tonight would definitely be one of them. I had a wonderful time playing with Gale like that. He was challenging, playful, and utterly sexy in a rugged kind of way that I found compelling. Most of all, he's a great sport. What kind of man could be that nonchalant facing everybody off without a stitch of clothing on?

Yeah. Tonight really was a total rush and no doubt I'll be addicted if I don't tread the situation carefully.

I tried to picture myself with him and a flutter of happiness surfaced until I remember that all of this was only for the bet. The smile on my face vanished into oblivion as I faced the fact that I could never take any of these moments seriously because let's face it, all of it was just a farce.

In one unguarded moment, I wished me and Gale met in a normal place and time. Suddenly, I was wishing for something more real.

Fat chance of that happening.

Come on, I told myself. He's everything you hate in a guy. He's shallow, he plays around, and he isn't serious about anything. You'll end up totally screwed if you fell for his acts.

And remember, you hate commitments.

Closing my eyes in tired resignation, I went to sleep.

∽♥∽

When I opened my eyes again, it was a very early morning and the sun came weakly through the window, creeping its way into the sky. I stared at it listlessly, thinking that this was really a place where someone like me could relax.

I could do anything and not care about a single thing.

I thought of how shocked Art would be if she ever heard my line of thinking and then of how Gale would laugh at me and nod his head in agreement. As if summoned, unbidden visions of my fishing escapade with Gale and how Aubrey once asked me if I ever gone skinny dipping, started to flash through my mind.

I smiled to myself. Who says I'm boring?

With my courage or recklessness at its best, I made up my mind and pulled on a cotton shift. I put on my sandals and left the cabin to walk down the path to the lake.

It was cold in the woods and I shivered a little. Breathing in the smell of earth, breeze, and the lake, I feel invigorated in an instant. When I reached my destination, I marveled at the water and took in its beauty.

It was even better than the last time I saw this place.

This is it.

I took a deep breath and kicked off my sandals. Pulling off my shift, I dived naked into the water.

Holy crap! It's cold!

The water broke over my head and I twisted in the cold, reveling in the feel of my muscles tensing as the water enveloped my body. I came to the surface and stretched my arms as I trod water, feeling the early-morning sun on my face. I dove again and swam as if there's no tomorrow, feeling as if this was the only time I have been alive.