He sat beside her and pulled off his shoes and socks. Then he looked at me.
"Aren't you joining us, Olivia?"
"I know how cold that water is," I said.
"No, it's not," Belinda said leaping to her feet. "Belinda used to be terrified of the ocean," I said. "Well, I'm not anymore," she cried. "I have to step into it once in a while to cool off, remember? I'm Miss Hot."
Nelson laughed and she tugged on his hand again. I watched as the two of them went running down to the surf.
"You're going to get soaked," I shouted, but the roar of the sea drowned out my voice. Reluctantly, I slipped off my shoes and socks and drew closer to them.
Belinda squealed and continued to splash and run with Nelson clinging to her hand. His laughter trailed out to sea. Suddenly, Belinda stopped. We were a good thousand yards from the house and before us, the beach was dark, deserted.
"It's so warm and the water's not really cold, is it?" Belinda asked.
"No," Nelson said. "Surprisingly, it isn't." He looked back at me.
"It's not exactly a bathtub," I said.
"I'm going in," Belinda suddenly declared.
"What?" Nelson's face glittered in the starlight, his smile soft, gentle.
"Skinny dipping. Haven't you ever done that?" "Belinda!" I cried. "Don't you dare."
"Oh, I don't mean right down to naked," she said. "You can't see much out here anyway. Haven't you ever gone skinny dipping, Nelson?" she challenged.
"Oh, sure, but . . ."
"Don't look unless you're coming in after me," she declared and unbuttoned her blouse.
"Belinda, stop that this instant," I ordered. She peeled off her blouse and quickly undid her skirt. A moment later, she was standing in her bra and panties.
"Here goes," she screamed and ran toward the waves. Nelson looked at me.
"What do you say?" he asked.
"Absolutely not. I'm going back to the house," I said, my heart pounding.
"It does look inviting," he said, nodded to himself and then took off his shirt.
I stared, amazed as he slipped out of his pants, not at all inhibited by my presence. Then he called to Belinda and charged at the sea. I watched the two of them splashing and frolicking in the water. She threw herself into his arms and they both sank for a moment, reemerging and laughing like two teenagers. I was fascinated, jealous and angry all at the same time.
"If you're not coming in, maybe you can get us some towels," he called.
"Yes, Olivia. That would be nice."
Belinda stood in the water, the starlight making her bosom glimmer. Her panties had become transparent, and Nelson's shorts didn't offer much coverage either.
"MI right," I shouted. "I'll be right back."
I hurried through the darkness, slipping on the sand, cursing Belinda under my breath. When I reached the house, I was careful to enter and get to the laundry room without being noticed. I gathered up some towels and rushed out, feeling like a coconspirator. By the time I returned, they were both out of the water, sitting very close to each other.
"Hurry, we're freezing," Belinda cried.
"I don't doubt it. You'll both probably get pneumonia or something."
"We'll be fine," Nelson said. I tried not to look at him when I handed him the towel and cast one at Belinda.