Whats It Worth

It's been a long while since my last submission. Life got in the way and I didn't feel up to writing anymore. This story is an attempt to blow the cobwebs out and get the juices flowing again. Over the next few weeks, I intend to finish up my unfinished series. Thank you for your patience and reading.

Everyone in this story is over eighteen. There is mild implied drug use and a lot of alcohol.

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"You're sure it's safe?" I said looking at the rusty fishing boat bobbing next to the pier.

"They fish in it every day. It's perfectly safe" Laura said.

"I wasn't talking about the boat," I said in lowered tones eyeing up the two-man crew.

"What Mr Wati? He's a legend, and his son's alright. He's the one who hooked us up with that extra ticket," Laura said.

As if selling counterfeit concert tickets was a glowing endorsement.

For the past few weeks, we had been backpacking with some friends from university. Blowing off some steam around Southeast Asia before starting our final year. Laura was my best friend and she had organised the whole thing and brought along her girlfriend Abby. To avoid being the third wheel I convinced my boyfriend James to join us. Unfortunately, James had to ruin things by inviting Holly.

To say I was annoyed was an understatement. Holly was nice enough and shared an uncanny resemblance to me. We shared the same shade of blonde hair and similar facial features. Our general body type was comparable but her tits were a bit bigger than mine. I had a nicer rear though.

She also happened to be one of James' exes. Well, ex was a bit strong, in truth they had been fuck buddies before I came along. I can't say I'm thrilled my boyfriend still hung out with her. But they'd been friends since before university and I didn't want to seem possessive. For his part, James assured me that he didn't see Holly in a romantic way. That's not the same as saying he didn't fancy her though, was it?

Why he thought it was a good idea to invite her along I'd never know. There had been more than a few awkward moments on the trip already. Laura and I knew each other like sisters and if we weren't together we split off in our couples. Holly hung around James and me like a stray dog. As we stayed in hostels she insisted on sleeping near James for protection.

She'd been a right little cock blocker this whole trip. I had the impression she hated me and wanted more than friendship from James. She flirted constantly and wouldn't leave him alone. It got so bad that when I saw them dancing at the bar last night I flipped out. James and I had a massive fight and that's why I was now standing next to a rusty old fishing boat.

"Come on you need to let James cool down a bit after last night. We will be done by lunch and I promise it will be worth it," Laura said with a pleading expression.

There was an island a few miles away that had the most beautiful shells in the world. They were so beautiful that it was banned to go there due to the environmental impact.

Abby loved shells so Laura wanted to get her one. Abby wasn't good on boats and so Laura had begged me to go with her instead.

"Isn't it illegal?" I said still reluctant.

"Only a little," she said with a naughty smile.

She looked so hot when she did that. I'm usually one hundred per cent straight, but I couldn't deny how cute my friend looked when she smiled like that.

"It's only a small fine if you get caught, no big deal. I promise I'll pay if it comes to it, Mr Wati says the police don't care anyway. Come on Rach we'll be back by lunch," she said with a pleading pouting expression.

"Ok," I said wondering if leaving my boyfriend and Holly unsupervised was a good idea.

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It took half an hour for the fishing boat to get to the island. Mr Wati was a funny old man and kept flirting with Laura in halting English. Despite explaining she was a lesbian, he told her how much fun she would have as his next wife. His son was less talkative and did most of the sailing. I asked him about the shells on the island but he didn't want to talk to me.

When I saw the Island I couldn't believe somewhere that beautiful could exist. White sandy beaches stretch into the colourful jungle interior. There was a reef that surrounded the island and Mr Wati expertly navigated the little boat right up to the beach. He explained that the best place to look for shells was in a tiny lagoon on the other side of the island. You couldn't sail to it as there were fast currents and jagged rocks. I thought he would hop off the boat and guide us through the jungle but he just pointed to a well-worn track.

"We wait here. Should take you one hour," he said pointing to his wristwatch.

Laura jumped off the boat without hesitation and waded onto the beach. I followed less gracefully but had the forethought to take my bag with me. When we got to the beach we laid out our clothes to dry on the sand and walked to the tree line in our bikinis.

As she walked in front of me I appreciated Laura's body. Her glossy brown hair fell in a plait down her tanned back. Her cute little bum swayed and jiggled as she walked along. I often admired her body when we were on a night out or like now wearing a bikini. As friends, I had seen her nearly naked loads of times and I always thought she looked gorgeous.

She looked behind and smiled as she caught me gawking at her. I felt my face flush as we both started laughing. Laura made a show of swaying her hips and wiggling her bum at me as she walked. She always joked that I would see the light and turn gay.

We joked about it for a few months. I wasn't gay but for some reason, I found my best friend insanely attractive. I put it down to our deep friendship. The truth was I couldn't give up cock and got wet when I just thought about fucking my boyfriend. I couldn't deny that seeing my friend nearly naked didn't give me a hint of a tingle though.

It was a short walk through the trees before we came to the small lagoon. It was no bigger than a swimming pool and the water was a crystal clear blue. Rocky cliffs rose all around and there was a small waterfall at the end. It was so idyllic that we stood in awed silence for a moment.

I had never seen, nor would ever experience a more beautiful place. Seeing this majestic view washed away all the anger and pain from the other night. I forgot about James and Holly and all that bullshit. I held Laura's hand feeling that little tingle in my stomach as her fingers wrapped around mine. We stood enjoying the magical atmosphere of the place.

"Argh!" a roar echoed around the lagoon causing both of us to scream. The trees opposite seemed to vibrate as another roar split the silence.

We ran down the path screaming, my heart thumped in my chest as adrenaline pumped around my body. Vines and thin branches whipped our skin as we sprinted through the trees to the beach. Bursting from the shaded forest out into the sun we looked for the boat. But it was nowhere to be seen.

"There on the horizon!" shouted Laura between deep breaths.

She jumped up and down and screamed at the boat bobbing over the horizon. Mr Wati had left us and to get out that far they must have gone as soon as we left the beach.

"Shitting fuck!!" screamed Laura as she raged and kicked the sand.

"What do we do now?" I said feeling tears welling up.

How could they leave us here alone with that thing in the forest?

"It's going to be ok Rach," Laura said pulling me into a tight embrace.

She took her phone out of my bag and tried to find some signal. We both tried but neither of us found any.

"The others will notice we're gone and look for us," she said holding me tightly as shock washed over me.

"No, they won't. No one knows we're here. we're going to fucking die here," I cried starting to feel hopeless as I sank to the ground.

We held each other on the sand for a while. Laura stroked my back and said soothing words until I managed to control myself.

"What's that?" she asked as she broke our hug and stood up.

I looked at where she was pointing. Above the canopy of trees, there were swirls of smoke.

"There's someone else here," I said through slow sobs.

"Maybe they can help us. They could have a sat phone or something," Laura said with renewed hope.

"I don't know Laura. Is it safe? They could be anyone," I said clinging on to her.

I thought about that noise from the lagoon.

"Well, you said it earlier, no one is coming for us. Unless we want to stay on this beach all night I think we should take a chance," Laura said pulling me in for a tight hug.

Despite the situation her soft tits squashing into mine felt nice. Our nipples were separated by very thin material and rubbed against each other. I felt mine harden as a familiar tingle radiated through my body. It had been a while since I'd experienced some sexual relief thanks to cock block Holly.

"What about that noise though?" I said holding her tighter as I remembered the loud guttural growl.

"I don't know. maybe it was just the wind blowing through the rocks?" Laura said taking charge of the situation.

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The journey through the jungle was easier than I expected. Paths crisscrossed in all directions hinting at human habitation. We had to keep climbing trees, sticking our heads above the canopy to check where the smoke was. Even with the paths, it took a long time to find its source.

Eventually, we found a small fire in a clearing. Next to the fire was a small ramshackle shack that looked like it could collapse at any moment. A few fish were smoking on a bamboo rack over the fire. A small stream flowed the other side of the clearing.

"We shouldn't be here," I whispered nervously.

It was obvious someone lived here, probably the person who scared us at the lagoon.

"We should go back to the beach," I said reaching out for Laura's arm.

"Why? We're fucked either way. Maybe whoever lives here can get help," Laura said holding my hand reassuringly.

"Hello! Is there anyone there?" Laura called out.

I gripped her hand tightly as a rumbling sound came from inside the shack.

"We were sailing past the island and thought we would explore. But our guides ditched us," babbled Laura.

The sounds of rumbling grunts grew louder.

"You came here to steal shells," came a deep guttural voice from the dark entrance of the shack.

"Shells? We don't know anything about shells do we Rachel," Laura said frantically.

"We're sorry to disturb you. We didn't know anyone lived here. We just want to go home," I said through welling up tears.

"That's not possible," said the penetrating deep voice.

A man emerged from the dark entrance of the shack. It was a bear of a man, a great hulking brute. His head was shaved at the sides whilst the golden hair on top was grown out long enough to form a long plait. His close-trimmed beard was tinged with ginger, and his bloodshot eyes were sparkling green.

He lumbered on unsteady legs to sit by the fire. He clutched a half-empty bottle of black rum. His impressive physique was clad in a pair of dirty khaki board shorts. His huge muscled arms and chest were covered in Nordic tattoos, barely visible on the tanned skin. He looked equal parts terrifying and magnificent. I felt an involuntary shudder down my spine.

"Who are you?" asked Laura.

I could tell by her voice she was similarly awestruck by this man's brutal appearance.

"Eric," he said in that deep guttural tone.

"Well, Eric do you have a sat phone or a radio to talk to the mainland?" Laura asked.

"No, I don't need to talk to anyone," he said bluntly and drank from his bottle.

His accent was hard to place possibly Scandinavian. Or perhaps I just imagined that because he looked like some Viking pulled out of the history books.

"Eric we need to get out of here, so tell us how to do that and we can leave you in peace. You must have supplies dropped in," Laura said taking a step closer to Eric.

"A boat comes every two weeks," he said checking if the fish were cooked.

"Well when are they next due?" asked Laura starting to get annoyed.

"They came yesterday," was all Eric said in response.

My heart sank and I pulled Laura into a tearful embrace. I couldn't imagine having to survive here for two weeks.

"But there must be something you can do. You can't expect us to sit here for two weeks," Laura said as she held me tight.

"Not here. This is my camp you should go back to the beach," Erik said coldly.

"We don't have anything. We need food, water, shelter," I said letting go of Laura. Taking deep breaths to control my emotions.

"That's your problem. You better get back to the beach it'll be dark soon," he said tasting one of the fish.

"Listen here, I don't know who you think you are. But you are going to help us and tomorrow you are going to take us home!" shouted Laura flying into one of her rages.

The man ignored her taking one of the smoked fish and putting it in a wooden bowl. He sat by the fire ignoring us, idly eating the fish with a huge bowie knife. Laura kept raging and shouting demanding his help. When she moved closer to Eric he stood up. His six-foot-five bulk dwarfed my friend's slight frame.

"You came here to steal shells. You are alone on this island with a stranger. A stranger who could do anything he wanted to two defenceless young women. I could gut and smoke you like one of these fish. I'm guessing no one knows you're here. At least no one who cares. I wouldn't continue shouting it might piss me off," he said all this very calmly in his deep gravelly voice. It was spine-chilling and caused Laura to fall silent.

Then Eric laughed. It was a deep booming laugh that shook you to your core.

"It's fortunate for you that I intend you no harm. If you leave me in peace, peace will be with you. The beach is that way," he said pointing his knife toward the path we had come from.

"Please, we're scared you can't leave us to fend for ourselves. Please, we'll do anything," I said fearing the prospect of sleeping on the dark beach.

"Rachel no, don't give him any ideas," Laura said regaining some of her confidence.

"You think I'd take advantage of you like that?" Eric said looking offended.

"There must be a way we can help each other," I said trying not to offend him.

I was so scared I didn't think about what he might want. Eric sat down and continued eating his fish. After a moment's thought, he wiped the fish from his lips and spoke.

"You get nothing for free in this life. I'm self-sufficient here. I suggest you get going," Eric said going back to eating his fish.

I emptied my bag onto the floor. There wasn't much, a hairbrush, a map, some make-up my phone and a small portable speaker.

"Here you can have this it's all we have," I said desperately

"I don't need any of that," said Eric dispassionately.

"Ever heard of chivalry?" Laura asked getting angry again.

"Ever heard of equality?" Eric replied with a barking laugh.

"Please, just help us we're begging you," I asked feeling hopeless.

Eric looked at me for a long moment and I could see his green eyes soften. He looked to be about thirty years old. His tanned leathery skin betrayed a life of hard work and toil. This was a hard man, a man used to pain and hardship. But looking into my eyes I think he pitied us.

"I would be willing to let you stay one night at my camp. You'll get food and water, and the use of my bed," Eric said graciously.

"Yeah I bet you'd love that," said Laura with an accusatory glare.

"You two share the bed, I'll sleep out here by the fire. Agree or leave I grow tired," he said eating more of the smoked fish disinterested either way.

"You would let us stay here for free," I asked.

"Well it's obvious Rach, he wants to fuck us," Laura said coldly causing Eric to laugh.

"I'm not denying you are both attractive and as you can see physical intimacy is perhaps all I'm lacking. But I've never forced anyone to my bed. I'll let you stay here for tonight. Tomorrow you find a solution," Eric said before finishing his fish.

"What'd you think?" I asked Laura as she pulled me out of earshot of Eric.

"We don't have much of a choice? But what are we going to do tomorrow? There's nothing we can offer him," she said glumly.

"Well that's not strictly true, is it?" I said wistfully as I thought things over.

"What you're considering fucking him? You know I hate James but I thought you loved him," Laura said, with an expression of shock and bewilderment.

"Of course I do and I'm not saying I'm going to sleep or do anything else with him," I said defensively.

"Well, what then?" Laura said earnestly.

"I don't know," I said deflating a little.

"Well that's a problem for tomorrow," Laura said. Walking over to Eric and thanking him for letting us stay.

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As the evening drew in I was grateful for Eric's hospitality. The darkness of the forest was forboding and sharing his fire made me feel safe. Eric remained withdrawn and mysterious throughout the evening. Avoiding conversation about his past or personal life. He seemed to be a devoted environmentalist. He was most animated when talking about nature. He was quite good-looking in a rough sort of way and when he showed his passion was quite endearing.

He provided us with smoked fish which had a strange taste besides the smokey flavour. There was a paste on the outside that tasted like mushrooms and wild herbs. It was ok when washed down with some dark rum. I regretted leaving our clothes on the beach to dry but Eric gave each of us a large shirt to wear.

Despite my pleading earlier I had no intention of doing 'anything' to secure another night in his camp. I tried to remain sober, not fully trusting Eric's intentions. Laura seemed less inclined to practice restraint. Despite her earlier hostility to Eric, she now seemed unable to control her drinking. Soon she was quite drunk and Eric had to carry her to bed.

The shack was surprisingly comfortable with a double bed made out of bamboo. The mattress looked well used and there was a huge pile of blankets. Eric laid Laura gently down and turned to face me. The warmth of the rum radiated in my body and there was something else happening. I tingled all over, electricity was dancing over my skin and I suddenly felt an aching hornyness. Time seemed to slow as Eric stood in front of me.

The dark tattoos of mythical monsters rippled across his muscles like they were alive. Without thought my hands reached out to trace the intricate Nordic designs. Following their progress they traveled across the dark sea of tanned skin. My fingertips lightly traced along his chest, circling his large nipples. My eyes followed the movements of the creatures, as they writhed and swam around each other. I found my hands moving lower and lower. Skimming across his taught abs and circling down to his waistband.

What the fuck was I doing. I had scolded my boyfriend for dancing sexily and now I was stroking another guy's chest. This was far more overt and flirtatious behaviour than I had seen James and Holly do. But I couldn't stop. That inner voice of reason was silent. The only thing I felt was warmth, passion and need. I felt moisture building in my bikini bottoms and realised I was getting wet. This was so wrong, so very wrong.

I looked up into Eric's sparkling green eyes. He looked at me with a calmness brought by experience. He rested a calloused hand on my neck and gently guided my lips towards his. They were chapped and rough, but the kiss was tender. We shared a few slow and sensual kisses. My brain was foggy as I parted my lips to receive his tongue. The moist patch between my legs grew as I felt my skin tingle with warmth. My breathing grew ragged and a little moan escaped between our lips. He rested his other hand on my lower back and pulled me into his hard body. I felt something long and hard poke into me. Suddenly my senses cleared through the fog for a moment. I can't do this, I love James.