The Libertine of Anacortes

THE LIBERTINE OF ANACORTES - Chapter One

It was my first summer vacation in years and I intended to make the most of it. I wanted an escape from everything; to get back to nature and enjoy some time alone. Rosario Resort and Spa, my intended destination on Orcas Island, was hardly the wilderness but it was, quite literally, within hiking distance of the pristine wilderness of Moran State Park, Washington. Originally I had planned to fly there on a sea plane but changed my mind after I met Friedrich.

We met by chance in an online chat room. I was drawn to his warm, friendly manner and quickly came to feel comfortable in conversations with him. Naturally I excitedly told him of my plans to spend two weeks on Orcas Island; plans that immediately piqued his interests. By sheer coincidence it turned out he had retired several years earlier and, when he did, he sold up everything, moved to Anacortes, and purchased a 30 foot sailing boat which he used to take people on charter cruises around islands in the area, including Orcas Island. When he offered to take me there for free, I jumped at it without hesitation.

Several week later we met as arranged at the Anacortes marina. Friedrich’s smile radiated charm and he greeted me like we were the oldest of friends.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Ingrid. Please; come aboard.” Friedrich held out his hand to take my backpack and then the other for me to steady my step up onto the deck.

“And to meet you also, Friedrich,” I smiled excitedly.

“You’re even more beautiful than your picture,” he said. He continued to hold my hand as he looked me up and down.

“Thank you,” I blushed slightly at the warm compliment. I always felt awkward whenever I received complements about my appearance. “You’re very handsome.” I replied honestly but still felt a little disingenuous. “I like your hat too!”

“Thank you my dear,” he said and he tipped his well-worn captain’s cap to me. We both laughed.

“I’ll just take this below deck.” Friedrich released my hand and disappeared with my backpack.

It was a glorious day to be on the water. The early morning temperature was already in the mid-sixties and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I raised my nose to smell the salty air, breathed in the wonderful scents, closed my eyes and sighed at the beauty of everything.

“Are you ready to set sail?” Friedrich asked when he returned.

I nodded enthusiastically and replied, “Yes!”

Friedrich unhitched the boat from its moorings, climbed back aboard and then started the engines. He navigated the boat slowly through the maze of other vessels and out toward the still, blue open water where he then switched off the engines and hoisted the sails.

“It might be a slow trip,” Friedrich said in reference to the gentlest of breezes that caught the sails.

“That’s fine,” I smiled. “I’m not in any hurry at all.”

We chatted idly for about an hour by which time the view of Anacortes had faded into the distance and we were alone in the middle of a vast expanse of tranquil waters.

“Did you pack bathing suit?” Friedrich asked.

“Yes,” I replied.

“It’s a perfect day to get some sun. Why don’t you go and slip into it?”

I agreed and went below deck to change out of my clothes.

The stairs led down into the galley which then opened into the cabin. I went to my backpack on the dining table and rummaged through it to find my bikini. There was no privacy to be had as the cabin was completely open although; I trusted Friedrich wouldn’t spy on me when I was undressed. I slipped off my deck shoes and then quickly removed all my clothes. It felt strangely exhilarating to be complete nude in the unfamiliar surroundings and with Friedrich such a short distance away on deck. The thought of him suddenly descending the steps caused a rash of tingly goose bumps to break out and raise the hairs on the back of my neck. I glanced at my bikini on the table and then at the untidy pile of my discarded clothes on the floor.

I contemplated the choice of which to do first and decided to ignore the voice of caution in my head. Pleasure won out over reason and I neatly, and with deliberate slowness, folded and packed away each item of clothing into my backpack. Just as I reached for the scanty bikini panties I heard a noise up on deck at the bow of the boat. I looked up through the windows above to see Friedrich’s legs walk past. When he bent down my pulse immediately quickened. I rushed to cover my nakedness with my arms. I expected to see his face appear at the window but instead; his back was to me and he appeared to pick up something from on deck. A moment later I heard the sound of the anchor splash into the water and then watched as Friedrich returned to the stern.

“Are you decent?” Friedrich’s voice called down; the sight of his feet on the steps followed.

“Not yet!” I called back. My hands trembled while I twisted the drawstrings of my bikini panties into bows tied at my hips. A minute or so later and I had the top safely secured. I quickly checked to see I was properly covered.

“Can you get me a beer from the fridge before you come up,” Friedrich called out again.

“Yes; no problem,” I replied.

“Help yourself to whatever you want to drink as well.”

“OK,” I called back and breathed a sigh of relief when Friedrich’s feet disappeared from the stairs.

I climbed the stairs back on to the deck and saw Friedrich had settled comfortably onto the white vinyl seats at the stern. He was bare-chested and relaxed with his arms spread out across the backs of the seats.

“I opened the champagne,” I saw as I approached with his beer and my glass. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course I don’t, Ingrid! In fact, I’ll have one as well instead of the beer.”

“Oh, OK,” I said. “Here, you have my glass. I’ll take the beer back and get another glass.”

Friedrich happily accepted the exchange and I disappeared below deck again to the galley. When I returned I held up my glass and said, “Cheers!”

“Prost!" Friedrich clinked his glass with mine. “To libertines!”

My brain was stalled as it translated Friedrich’s German and I misheard the complete toast.

“To liberty!” I smiled and sipped my champagne. “Mmm! Delicious!”

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