Only Once

Chapter 2

The more he tried not to think of the night before, the more he did. He had one more day at the resort, and wondered if he'd see her again before he had to return home for his job.
If he did, Scott knew he wouldn't pause to say hello, and ask her to dinner. He didn't know why, but he found himself mystified by the woman with wild brown hair and piercing blue eyes. It didn't help that as his mind became sober, he'd remember more from the night before.
Flashes came back to him, and he found himself smiling.
"Is this seat taken?" She had asked, gesturing to the empty bar stool beside him. She wore a long, flowing dress and her hair cascaded past her shoulders in waves.
"No, I'm all alone," he smiled at her, and she smiled back. She had a beautiful smile, it seemed more real than the smiles he was used to seeing: forced, and only half there. Her smile though, left him feeling as though she were truly happy.
"Scott," he extended his hand towards her.
"Isabelle." She smiled as she shook his hand.
The woman ordered herself a drink, and Scott took a sip of his own drink, beer.
"I've never been one for beer," she commented. "Too bitter." Her face twisted, but he could tell she was teasing.
"You've never had the right brew then," he told her.
"I highly doubt it," her lip turned up slightly, suppressing a smile.
"Well, do you drink coffee?" He asked, absent mindlessly playing with his glass.
"Yes," she laughed. "Who doesn't drink coffee?"
"Who doesn't drink beer?" He shot back, and she smirked.
"Beer is like coffee. You need the right brew. Something smooth. Everyone thinks coffee is bitter at first, until they've fixed it right. It's the same with beer." He explained.

She smiled, thinking this man, Scott, had a good point. That he hadn't just mindlessly fought over why beer is good with no backing to support the argument.
"But hey, just like coffee, it's not for everyone." He returned a smile. He had a nice smile, she thought. His cheeks showed a nice pair of smile lines. She wondered briefly, who had made him smile that much?
She took a sip of her drink, enjoying the new found company. Isabelle had left her phone in her room before she went to her jobs retreat. Doctors from all over had come to the resort to tell of their studies, and it had been a great opportunity to witness. However, she still wished Michael had been able to take the week off from work, but she understood. His job was busy, it was hard work running a company and he was still exhausted from the job interviews he'd been holding over the past few weeks.

As she looked back, Isabelle knew this was not the problem, or what had started the catastrophic events of the previous night. They had been talking, that was harmless. The drinks that had followed, however, not so harmless.
She should have stopped at the one, she thought, scolding herself. But, she'd been having a good time talking to Scott, and knew when she'd finished her drink she would have to return back to her hotel room. It was what she should have done, and part of her was aware of this the night before, but Isabelle hadn't wanted to be alone, not yet. Spending the whole week at the resort, only on the last day had she found someone who she was enjoying herself with. Sure, she'd talked to other doctors, but they were too professional; they hadn't been able to joke and talk to her the way Scott had.
The drinks were the problem, she thought. Surely, had she been sober her judgement wouldn't have lapsed her. If she had been sober, she wouldn't have asked Scott to walk on the beach with her. Had she been sober, she would not have gone along with skinny dippy. And more importantly, had see been sober, she would not have kissed him back.
She had been with Michael for years, and she had not thought of even touching a man since. But, something about Scott had made her do just that. Maybe it was that her pulse had been thumping full of alcohol. Or, maybe - it was something she was unable to admit to herself - that when he'd looked into her eyes in the water, and gone in for the kiss, she saw need. She had felt needed, and wanted, and that was something Isabelle could not resist. Sure, with Michael she had comfort, and love. But, the lust for one another had left their relationship long ago.
Even though she was trying her best to avoid thinking of her unfaithful night, it was hard to stop thinking about when bits and pieces kept returning to her memory. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire as images of their bodies, and lips pressed together filled her mind.

He had been the one to suggest skinny dipping, then again, he hadn't expected her to comply. She had taken her sandals off and was holding them in her hands as they walked the beach - the walk, fully Isabelle's idea. There was a comfortable distance between them, close but with enough space to avoid contact. He watched as she walked through the sand, stepping forward to let the water splash over her feet.
"Do you want to go in?" He asked. He knew he probably shouldn't have asked, but looking at the moon's reflection in the water, he couldn't resist. He felt drawn to it, and her.
She looked at him then, unsure what to make of his question. Then she laughed.
"I'd ruin my clothes," she shook her head with amusement.
He allowed himself to really look at her then, his eyes drinking up her body. Their eyes met, and he was speaking before he could process the words.
"Then take them off."
Isabelle looked away abruptly, breaking their eye contact.

When she sat her sandals down, he was sure she was going to put them back on and run away. Then, she said something more surprising than his own words.
"Look away for a minute," she said. Scott complied, turning away.
Maybe this was a trick, he thought. Maybe she was going to run away. However, he snuck a peak then.
Just to make sure she isn't running away.
He forced himself to look away quickly as she slipped the dress from her body. Her bare tan skin filled his mind, the natural curves of her body making him sweat.
She was really doing this.
Scott began to take his own clothes off then. When he looked up, he noticed the familiar room number to the suite that belonged to him. How lucky, he thought. He wondered about how late it must be while he was getting undressed, quite late if no one else was in site on the beach.
When he was completely naked, he walked further into the beach. At first only letting the water touch his toes, until walking through the water so it reached the top of his chest. The water was surprisingly warm, then again, it was also a comfortable temperature outside.
Scott heard the splashing of water from behind him, then, Isabelle was standing right beside him.
"Took you looking enough," he joked, turning to look at her.
She smiled shyly.
"The moon looks so beautiful," she said, staring up at the full moon above them. It is, Scott thought. He was too mesmerised by Isabelle to pay attention to the moon's beauty, though.
He reached out, running his hands along her shoulders. She didn't look at him at first, but soon she met his eyes straight on.
"So do you," he told her. Meaning it maybe more than anything he'd ever said aloud before.
She waited, expectantly.
Cupping her chin, he tilted her face to his. He leaned down, pausing just before their lips met, silently asking if this was okay. He pressed his lips to hers then. They were soft, like her skin.

Isabelle shook her head, trying to make the night before disappear from her memory. It was wrong to have done, and she was sure there was nothing she would regret more.
Even if it had felt so right.
Sighing, she dragged her luggage behind her. The airport was filled with noise and people scurrying around. Some looked like they were in a hurry to check in for their flights, others looked eager to meet with their loved ones. She, however, was not very eager to meet with anyone. She should have been excited to meet with Michael. Then again, she also should not have slept with someone she met in a bar.
"Iz!" she heard. Whirling around, she met the familiar face of Michael.
"Isabelle," he smiled, pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're home, I missed you so much." He kissed her hair.
"I missed you too," she spoke into his neck.
He released her from the embrace, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.
She decided then that Michael could never learn of her unfaithfulness. He was the only man for her and she only had eyes for him, minus her small slip of judgement.
She kissed him again, and grasped his hand.
"I love you."