Caving in the Nude

Author's Notes:

While this is itself a standalone story, it is also a reflection piece/opposite pov to my entry from last year's National Nude Day Contest- Naked in a Cave. I had nearly finished it last year and meant to include it with the original, but depression is a bitch and I was lucky to get out what I did.

For that reason alone, I'm entering it into the contest this year for the extra exposure and do not wish for this piece to qualify for any kind of placement.

For those familiar, I've taken ample liberties, again.

I wasn't looking forward to my first time. Not this one, anyway. Not that I was nervous. People are generally anxious their first time. I'd seen enough of them- restless, a bit self-conscious, trying in vain to cover up their more tender bits-and-bobs before simply relaxing into it. I wasn't sure why I was still even going to the Naked in a Cave event. My first time going nude and now I was going by myself. I'd already bought the ticket, might as well take the fucking ride. If nothing else the suite I paid for was too nice and too non-refundable to bail on. It wasn't my first nude event, but it would be my first time naked that far underground, over 150 feet down! Still, I despised going alone. Even if I did get to go all nakey.

I had moved out here only a few months ago. Leo's turn to visit was coming up, so I was looking for some local spots on the off chance we ever left my bedroom. This touristy cave attraction came up. As I was checking out their website I saw their National Nude Day event. A quick phone call later and the tickets and suite were reserved. Six weeks later and I was single. Me and my timing.... But it was real this time, it was final, this time I had ended it. I just couldn't anymore. I love a good run, but that man had me chasing after him so hard and he never once bothered to look back to see if I was still there.

I guess not everyone bothers to look back.

Heartache always makes me nostalgic. Mostly about Leo. We'd been on and off for years now. He'd get a thing up his bum about this or that and we'd be off for a bit before he missed my stability, loyalty, libido. Lately he missed the excitement of that new touch more. He always had sought that out while we were off. Should have been a bit of a clue for me right there.

What good is ruminating on any of that though? I guess I could spend time remembering some of the other people I let treat me like shit. My mother who used to wait outside the shower to tell me how fat I was getting once I hit puberty. She wasn't the only reason I started running, but her memory always gives me that extra push when I need it. Or there's my old roommate, my first truly close friend, who turned on me as soon as I took an opportunity that didn't directly involve him. He'd gotten hostile, eventually throwing some AA batteries at me one night. When one hit me square in the jaw, I was beyond stunned. Didn't even bother to close my laptop. Just went to my room, shocked, speechless.

I wanted to run down the hall to Aaron and throw myself into his arms. But what was I to him?! Some silly girl that made goo-goo eyes at him. I was so young and naïve back then. I should have flipped the fuck out on the roommate for being a grade 'A' douchenozzle. Live and learn. And don't put up with dumb shit.

Maybe that's why I'm single.

***

I checked into the suite as soon as I could. I needed to take the edge off before tonight's event. Not like I was a nympho or anything, but three weeks post-breakup, doing this alone, I don't know, it's like my gut was trying to tell me something. I just couldn't figure out what.

This place is out in the hills a ways, I don't use any public wifi, and my phone wasn't getting enough service for any kind of porn. It was just my memories and my imagination, both of which I'd been trying to avoid the past few weeks. At least I'd thought to bring along my Hitachi. Bit massive, but definitely worth it.

Leo wasn't popping into my head, thank fuck, but for some reason my old roommate was. I'd never slept with him, never even kissed him. That wasn't a thing for me. I mean, he tried kissing me a few times. Freaked me right the fuck out. Of course he never remembered it when he sobered up. Not that he'd admit to, anyway.

Then he popped into my head. Aaron. His eyes.... My Lord that man had the most gorgeous eyes! A deep hazel with green throughout them. I never dared look too long. We were flirty, yeah, but I wasn't about to jump the guy. Not that I wouldn't have, but I wasn't that forward. Not back then at least. That's what did it for me, imagining myself fucking Aaron here and now.

I wasn't in a hurry to get over to their organized meet and greet, so I remained for a time, leisurely enjoying my bliss and the daydream I'd crafted. The receptionist had thoroughly briefed me back when I bought the tickets. I knew what to expect. Check in, light refreshments, change into nothing but your sneakers and their souvenir robe, stash your clothes in a provided bag, socialize while waiting for your tour, go down in the cave and lose your robe.

It wasn't much of a walk from the hotel to the topside structure with the cave entrance. I thought about doing it naked, but that was probably frowned upon. Still, I skipped the bra and undies, throwing on some loose yoga pants and a slightly oversized t-shirt. I loathed wearing clothes, undergarments doubly so, though my breast size generally requires some support so as not to appear too terribly lewd in clothed society. Walking around without a bra or panties, amazing isn't a strong enough word. I felt lighter already and for the first time in three weeks a smile felt natural. My orgasm from about an hour ago might have helped too. Nothing quite like that natural release of dopamine.

I practically skipped over to their reception. Walking in to the place, the energy was exactly what I needed. This must have been what my intuition was trying to tell me. That I needed this, this vibe, vigor, vitality! They quickly shooed anyone wearing clothes away to these little closets to change. I was done in less than a minute, slipped my yoga pants over my shoes and tossed off my shirt. Done!

Popping out of the closet, I made a b-line towards the bar area from back the way I'd come. And FUCK ME SIDEWAYS! It was actually him!! At least, I was 80% sure it was him. It'd been about five years, and I could only see him in profile.

"Aaron?!" My voice had taken on a higher pitch than I'd intended, but flipping hell!! Jumping, he turned to face me straight on and I knew. His hazel-green eyes, his dark hair... though he no longer had his trademark baseball cap. (I was surprised I missed that thing.) Oh, and his heart warming dimples!

"It is you!" I felt better simply being here, but I still could use a proper hug like no one's business. Especially from him. Likely a pretty damn good reason why I shouldn't hug him, among a few other damn good reasons. I'd already started in for one when those thoughts occurred to me, so with my arms outstretched, about to close in around him, I stopped myself. "Oh, sorry! Does it weird you out to hug when we're nearly naked? Soon to be naked? I mean, these are nice robes and all, but I can see how it could make some people uncomfortable."

For a minute he just gawked at me. I knew it was him, but I was getting nervous that he might not remember me. He seemed to be trying to remember, checking me out. My hair was a bit shorter, but still just as dark, maybe a bit curlier, I didn't wear as much makeup as back then, who does?

Finally, "Yeah... No! I mean, there's nothing weird about it!" As he embraced me all I wanted to do was give him a great big bear hug and squeeze for all I was worth! But then I don't know if my naughty daydream from earlier wouldn't have progressed, and that just, I don't know... he could have squeezed me harder though. When I felt as though we had to let go, I did so remorsefully, but feeling his chubby grow against me sent butterflies to my stomach and I... I couldn't help myself! I looked! Only for the briefest of seconds. But fucking hell, I looked!

"Heeyyy! Eyes up here, Miss!"

I could feel myself blushing. How could he have seen that?! I only looked for like half a second! Still, I didn't care in the least that he noticed, not really. I thought I'd never see this man again, never mind his flattering hard on for me. I'd left in such a hurry back then, I never got to say goodbye because of my own foolishness. Now here he was! Though naturally I wasn't about to acknowledge that I'd looked.

"Ooho Miss, huh?! I don't get that as often as I'd like anymore. So... how are you?! I haven't seen you since...."

"Before Thanksgiving break, five years ago. If I would have known you were leaving...." A flash of what looked like actual misery washed over his face. What the hell?!

"I'm sorry I didn't come say goodbye back then. Leaving kinda happened sooner than expected. It was nice though, you, the fun we had together, those weirdly deep conversations, even if it was in passing." We had had some crazy conversations. Some going to 3 AM just outside my door. Why hadn't I ever invited him in? I know why. Because I was scared to death he'd say no, thinking I was implying something more. And maybe I was. But maybe I wasn't. I would have been fine with simply talking longer, in more comfortable seating, but I would have been thrilled with more too.

Why was I getting so flustered thinking about him like this?! At least he seemed to like the show. "So, are you into this sort of thing or...?" he asked as he looked around at the company of gathered future nudists. I really didn't want to get into it all just then.

"Oh, well, you know. Sometimes you get a primal need to get all nakey and go exploring, I suppose!" It was the truth. Hopefully he'd leave it at that and not tease me for my use of the word 'nakey.' Thankfully the server I'd flagged down earlier was finally bringing my drink. Perfect timing!

His body language changed completely though. From warm and friendly to cold and rigid in an instant. One thing was clear, I'd already fucked up somehow.

"Got it. I'll mind my own business." Fuck me, he was pissed. Shit! Shit! Shit!

"Shit! Aaron, you know I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry!" Fucking hell, in for a penny I guess.... "Someone was supposed to come with me tonight. I just moved to the area a few months ago and we'd been trying to make this long-distance thing work.

"It ended weeks ago. But I'd already booked a suite here and the tickets for this are non-refundable. And come on! Right?! This energy- it's electric and intoxicating, I love it! This was supposed to be a fun, exciting, sexy weekend!

"Now I'm here. Alone. Which is fine! But it's different, ya know? And of course I'd run into you while I'm trying to forget...." Fucking hell, Kara, SHUT UP! I should probably just head back to my room now and call the whole damn night. It was such a stupid idea!

"Hey, I get it, I do. I'm sorry I was harsh. Maybe different won't be so bad? Can I get you another drink? Your first time can be a bit of a trip, between the nudity and the literal, physical chill. It might help take the edge off." Oof! He was so sweet! Always was, that was the problem. I thought he was just being friendly, good neighbor and all that. It wasn't always just that, seeing him here, now, about to see a lot more of him....

"I'm not too worried about that stuff. But... you? Yeah, maybe another drink would be nice."

I'd already said too much, but that was me all over. Over-sharer extraordinaire! Talking with him again, staring off into his eyes, joking, flirting, it felt incredible. Apparently he was from this area, never really settled down, hadn't really tried too hard. Life and all that. Which I completely understood. School had taken me all over with internships and transfers and this and that. Leo hadn't exactly been understanding, unless I was within a certain perimeter. I explained that the semester I just kinda disappeared on him, at least that's how he put it, I'd gotten that internship we'd talked about. Still not sure how, but that's neither here nor there. But that's what led to the old roommate turning into Jekyll/Hyde and all that.

"Why didn't you tell me? I would have kicked his fucking ass!" Something about how pissed off he was... I don't know, usually I hate anger like that, but the things I wanted to do to that man in that moment... I should have gone to him that night. Then again, that would have been a whole thing. I didn't need to make trouble for anyone like that. Especially not when I was leaving anyway.

"Question asked, question answered, ya goof!" He didn't need to get himself in trouble. Not after the year he and his family had already had. Not that I was about to bring that up. I touched his knee playfully as I called him a goof. Not that I was worried about it, but I didn't want him to think I was being defensive. Touching him like that though, it was a mistake. I didn't want to let go, I wanted to keep going. Our eyes met and I think it must have been written all over my face.

"When is your tour?" His usual nonchalant demeanor suddenly turned serious.

"Late. I think it's one of the last ones. You?"

He was thinking. This could be dangerous.

"Mine's the first group. Should be starting in about five minutes. If I can swing it, wanna come with me? We can sneak off, explore somewhere on our own and join up with another group later? Or whatever you want. As a way to thank you." What?! What was this man thinking?!

"Thank me? For... are you on about those cupcakes again?! It was your birthday! I wanted to do something nice for—"

"Believe that it was a big deal to me. Okay?" He was desperate for me to believe him. This wasn't the first time he'd told me how much it meant to him, but back then we were kids, everything was a big deal. Now? I don't know, maybe it really was a big deal to him. Or maybe time had simply romanticized the gesture. There really wasn't any kind of secret recipe. You use dark roast coffee instead of water for chocolate cupcakes. That was it. That was what he was making this big, huge deal about me having made him cupcakes for his birthday. I know he said no one else did anything for him. And I do know it had been a hard year for him, but still. I only knew it was his birthday because of the bartender at Red Jug making a joke about it the month before. I have a memory for dates, that's all. And Aaron, well, he's a sweetheart. I like to see him happy.

"Sure, Aaron. I didn't mean—"

"I know, Kara. Are you game? If I can swing it, without us getting caught? I'm pretty sure I can, I've been to every one of these and I know the drill by now. No promises, mind you."

"Yeah, I'm down. I'll try anything twice," I cooed and winked at him, without even thinking about it. I hadn't had anything to drink in about six months. So I'm going to go ahead and blame the gin, though that had nothing to do with it. Fuckin' hell, I needed to stop flirting before I ended up sucking his dick down there.

He smiled broadly and took off like a bolt of lightning. The line, 'hate when you leave, but love watching you go,' ran through my head. While he was gone I took a minute to think about it. We were going down super fucking deep, naked, and now we were doing something that was probably illegal?! I don't know, maybe it wasn't a great idea.

"We're all set," he whispered in my ear. I could feel myself blushing, though it was the last thing I wanted to do.

"Are you sure this is okay?" Yeah, it really didn't seem like a good idea. Though I had to admit, doing something daring with him, outside of what everyone else was doing tonight, the thrill of that alone, plus some actual alone time with him did sound nice.

"If anything feels off at any point, let me know, and we'll call it. Fair?"

Fuck it.

I was going to go get lost in a cave, naked, with a guy from college that I hadn't seen or heard from in five years. 'Awesome,' I thought as I smiled at him and those magnificent eyes. I wanted to ask him why he'd never called me. I'd left my number on a sticky note on his door. But then they called the first group. Conversation for another time, I suppose.

He offered me his hand and I took it. When he didn't let go, I squeezed his hand back. It was a cute move, and I wanted him to know I appreciated it. Whatever was going on, I wasn't putting any kind of anything on it. It was nice. Being with him, talking, laughing, existing, simply, purely... nice.

We waited back a bit to get on the elevator with the rest of the group. Going last, the employee checking off names only took his, but I noticed he made an extra mark next to it. Standing close to Aaron in the elevator I could smell his old cologne. I wasn't sure if it was endearing that he still used the same one, but I enjoyed the scent regardless. It was a rustic kind of leather, one that's gone to the woods to die. At least that's how I imagine they'd advertise it. I leaned against him and inhaled deeply, again enjoying the moment. He kissed the side of my head and nice turned into something else super quick.

My nipples tingled and the sensation zipped all the way down my spine to my pussy, taking all my willpower to not full body shiver and shake. I couldn't control the goosebumps his lips had elicited on my flesh, so I was beyond grateful when the elevator door opened, and that first rush of cold air hit us.

Stepping out, Aaron seemed particularly interested in the hangers for the robes. I gracefully took mine off, thinking I'd be giving him something of a show. I slid the collar off the back of my shoulders, letting it fall to my ass with the front still tied, revealing my breasts and hard nipples. But that asshat wasn't even paying attention. He'd absentmindedly taken his off and handed it over to the guy hanging them up. That guy was watching me and seemed to approve of the show. I quickly untied the robe and handed it off to him as I stared at Aaron's bare backside.

I couldn't help but let out a small laugh, not that he noticed, still lost in thought as he was. This man that had brought me down here with him, now bare, had a fairly impressive bear tattoo on his back. I wanted to ask him about it. I wanted to touch it, and him, all over. But not here, not a good idea.

Turning my eyes from him, I could tell who was truly having their first times down here. Their teetering anxieties over their body images quickly gave them away. I had my own, but over the last couple of years I'd just started to say, 'fuck it,' to a lot of things. I didn't have the best body down here, but I had the best body for me.

The tour guide started cracking jokes as he tried wrangling us all down the path. I looked back for Aaron, and he was finally paying attention. Too much attention, as he, uh, stood at attention. And it was in no way my fault for noticing! You'd have to be nearly blind to not notice. The man had large hands and feet, and while that's not always a hard and fast rule, it's generally a pretty fast and hard indicator. I wasn't surprised, I'll say that. What I was, was impressed. And more than a little annoyed with how thirsty I still was considering my pre-planning activities.

"Aaron! Just get behind me until it settles." I moved in front of him. He'd always had a thing for my ass. If he wasn't making eye contact, he was staring at my ass, I knew he'd appreciate this, and it'd keep his member out of sight, and trouble, for a minute.