Northern Exposure

Helsinki was unusually warm this August with temperatures hitting about sixty degrees. But Brit didn't mind; it was a welcome relief. She had been cooped up in her room since her arrival, so seeing the sun out and actually heating the earth was refreshing.

Now she could hit the clothing-optional beach.

Brit was always of the opinion that instead of wearing string that cut into your butt crack and strips of fabric that scratch your nipples, you might as well go naked. In Europe, no one really looks at you anyway.

Brit strolled down to the beach with her umbrella, magazine, blanket and iPod. She set up her spot and got comfortable on her blanket. She placed the magazine over her face, stuck the ear buds in her ears, and listened to the glorious voice of Luciano Pavarotti. Ten minutes later, she was on her way to dreamland.

This was the life. No worries. No nagging parents. No annoying, geeky ex-boyfriend. No drama.

"Hello there."

At first she didn't respond. She was in that state of sleep between deep REM and half awake.

"Hello? Miss?" The voice was insistent, deep and masculine.

Masculine!

It wasn't until she felt a nudge on her shoulder that Brit threw off the magazine, and sat up on her elbows. What she was looking at could only be described as mythical beauty.

He was large, muscular, gorgeous and…nekkid!

Oh God!

"Sorry to wake you, but I just couldn't take the chance of missing you again."

Brit blinked rapidly. She really didn't hear him. She just looked straight into his huge, sea-green eyes and watched the movement of his sensuous, full mouth.

It wasn't until he shifted in the sand next to her, that she realized they were both nekkid!

"I beg your pardon?" she squeaked.

"I've noticed you at the hotel, but you were always on the move or locked up in your room. I wanted to visit you, but thought it would be rude of me to just come knocking on your door uninvited."

Of course, and approaching me buck-naked is better.

Brit reached for her clothing, but as she did so, she began to notice every ripple of muscle belonging to her naked intruder.

Every muscle.

She leaned back down on her elbows. Heck, it was too late now; he had already seen his fill of her.

"I…uh…I see. Well…."

"Please, how rude of me. Let me introduce myself. My name is Sebastian Jalo."

"Brittany Reese. I prefer Brit." She watched as he extended his hand. She was still trying not to stare at this statue-come-to-life, but he was beauty personified. Thick, blonde, wavy hair, piercing eyes and a body that was just unreal.

He was a merman washed ashore.

After she finished a mental inventory of this sea god, she reached for his hand and grasped it tightly, as though holding it would help take her mind off other body parts.

"Pleasure to finally meet you. You must really like Finland. This is your fourth trip here isn't it?"

"Four…." Now how did he know that? Great. A naked stalker.

"Don't look so alarmed. My uncle runs the hotel where you stay, and I must say you are hard not to notice."

"Oh really?" Brit said, not hiding the accusatory tone in her voice.

"Not for the obvious reasons of course, but for your beauty and something else. You have a boldness about you that I like. Most Americans shy away from a nude beach."

"Well, I …." NUDE!!!

She kept forgetting that she was naked too. She sat up straighter and grabbed the end of the blanket and brought it toward her breast. But it didn't reach.

Sebastian gave her a wicked grin, then dropped his eyes. "I'm sorry if you feel a bit uncomfortable…."

"Oh, no!" she chuckled nervously. "There was a chill in the air. Ahem…uh…so, your uncle manages the hotel. How nice."

"Yeah. But what I really came here to ask you was what you're doing later today?"

Is this guy trying to pick me up? Naked?

"Uh…nothing that I know of."

"Great! Do you horseback ride? Of course you do, any woman that can relax on a nude beach can certainly ride a horse!"

"I can't see how the two are related unless I'm Lady Godiva."

Sebastian laughed. The corners of his eyes crinkled and every muscle in his well-defined body moved.

"That's pretty funny." He shifted some more, this time the obvious couldn't be hid any longer.

Oh. My. God!

Trying to be nonchalant, Brit reached for her magazine. "Um… so what do you do, I mean, what kind of work?"

Sebastian smiled again, and he must have decided it was time to get more comfortable. He lay on his side in the sand. "I'm a graphic artist. You?"

"Ah…" She couldn't think for staring at him. Now she could really see him in all his glory. Damn!

His legs were long and muscular with a sprinkling of fine blond hair. His chest and abs were unbelievable. He must do weights. His pecs were smooth and bare, which she liked. She noticed his nipples and how hard they looked. She wanted to smooth her hand over those massive pecs!

Her gaze traveled downward to see that his knees were nearly wide open. He was just lying on his side as if he were at home watching a ballgame.

He was big. He was thick. He was beautiful. He was…erect!