Midnight on the Beach

You were already relaxed in one of the lounge chairs waiting when I finally arrived.  It was late, past midnight, so there were torches lighting the grass covered open cabana from the four corners.  Your warm chocolate hair was deepened by the shadows, and fell over your shoulders atop a deep red bikini top.  You wore a knee length, white silk sarong tied together on one side and lay comfortable in the flickering torchlight – the pinnacle of feminine beauty.  Warm dancing light richly complimented your skin, and I was breathless for a moment as I took in the vision of you.  

I was comfortably and casually dressed in light-colored sporty boardshorts and a loose weave, white linen button shirt.  It contrasted just enough against my complexion that appeared perhaps more tan than I actually was.  It had been warm earlier today, and in the spirit of coolness and relaxation my shirt hung open, almost as if redundant in such tropical weather.  As I moved, and when it fell open just right, a shark tattoo in simple tribal style could be seen on the upper left side of my bare chest.  But I made no real attempt to bring attention to it.

I sat down on the edge of your lounge next to you, and greeted you with a smile.  I brush back your hair over the ear on one side, and nested a lovely orange tiger lily blossom there.  I met  your gaze, and I let myself be lost in your lovely brown eyes for a few moments.  Next, I took one of the two orchid leis from around my own neck and carefully draped it over yours.  

The night was awe inspiring – with the moon reflected in the soft rippling waves of the dark ocean.  Our part of the beach was quiet now, with only the sounds of the surf as it rolled up to the beach could be heard.   The night sky was clear and dazzling, with more stars twinkling above than you ever remember are out there when you come from the city.  There was no breeze, and the sand still held some residual radiant heat from being kissed by the sun the entire day long.

We shared a plate of fresh cut fruit – pineapple and strawberries, bananas and figs, mango and melons.  We talked, we ate, and smiled while enjoying the public privacy of the beautiful but quiet night.  I asked you to walk with me down along the water, and you agreed.  I offered you my linen button up shirt to throw over your shoulders in case it were to get a little cool as we walked.  You denied shyly at first, playfully, and it was very charming.  But I insisted, so you took it with a slight grin.  It smelled faintly of me, without being overpoweringly pungent.  

You drew the shirt over your shoulders and we walked together at the edge of the surf.  The water was cooler than earlier in the day, but it wasn't unpleasant.  Ahead of us stretched beach-line as far as we could see.  The waves were hypnotizingly rhythmic before us.  All our troubles and tension seemed to melt away - down through our feet and into the waters that ran over them.  We walked for a while, first away into the dark then back towards our flickering light of our straw cabana.  Just short of the entrance, we sat together in the sand facing the sea.  I rose and left you a moment, only to return with drinks for us both.  Juices and ambrosia so heavenly they might have well been the nectar of the gods themselves.  

There was no sense of time or urgency.  No schedules or appointments, worries or concerns.  Just being together in a moment of such stark beauty and raw serenity.  It was intoxicating.  One of my life's perfect moments.