Andrea and Mitch were enjoying their first real vacation since their honeymoon. It was late afternoon when they began to walk back from the beach, hand in hand. Mitch had a knapsack slung over one bare, sunburnt shoulder. He would blame married life and his desk-job for his complexion and physique before taking personal responsibility. He wasn't terribly out of shape, just a little thicker and a loss of the definition he'd had in college. He knew it would only get worse as they got older, but he wasn't too concerned at the moment. "At least I've still got my hair!" He would say to himself. His father had gone bald early, and many of his friends' hair was thinning already. Having a head of thick, curly black hair made him feel younger than he was. Or at least younger than his peers, which was enough for him.
Andrea walked gracefully, barefoot, beside him in her modest bikini and sarong. She preferred to dress for comfort, and lacked the self-confidence to wear anything more revealing. Despite this, Mitch had managed to convince her to sunbathe topless in the relative privacy of the windscreen that curved around behind their beach chairs. Even though there was no chance anyone saw them - the beach was all but deserted - she blushed at the thought of it. At the same time, she felt a rush of excitement. Her pulse quickened and a shiver rippled through her body, leaving her momentarily lightheaded.
"You okay?" Mitch asked, noticing a change in her step.
Andrea smiled in return. Mitch loved that smile; so bright and full. He never understood why she was so self-conscious. He, along with pretty much everyone else they met, thought she was beautiful. Especially on the rare occasions when she got dressed up. Though even without any outside assistance, there was only so much she could do to disguise her firm, full breasts and hips. She epitomized the hourglass figure. Topped with golden-blonde hair that shone like fire in the sun, it was hard not to notice her.
"I'm great." she replied after a brief pause. "Except maybe a little sad to be leaving tomorrow."
He nodded. "Hey, do you want to check out the resort shops on the way back to the room? That's one place we haven't explored yet."
She smiled again. "Sure, why not!"
***
As the couple strolled through the handful of shops, looking through the trinkets and souvenirs, the shopkeepers would offer them tea and conversation. At first, they were a bit unsure and reserved, but they soon warmed up to the custom and readily accepted the offers as they went.
A group of young men greeted them as they left a shop full of artwork. They stood casually in front of the shop across the street brandishing cigarettes and smiles. After exchanging the typical small talk, a handsome, athletic man wearing a thin cotton shirt and loose linen pants took a step closer. "Beautiful lady," he reached an arm around her waist and gestured toward the shop, "How would you like a manicure or pedicure?" He noticed Mitch's gaze, and responded with what must have been an often repeated script. "Men are welcome too! It's okay!" He firmly slapped a friendly hand on Mitch's shoulder and winked as he spoke.
Mitch and Andrea both chuckled a bit. Though she had jumped a bit at the man's touch and wanted to shy away from his forwardness, she awkwardly stood her ground. "Nah, I'm good." Mitch replied with dismissive wave and snort. "You should go, though." He added to Andrea, almost an afterthought.
Her husband's suggestion caught her off guard, and she gave him a confused glance. "No, it's alright." she replied, hoping he would take the hint and that the man would release her from his grip. She had become aware that the man's hand was high on her waist, which put his fingers uncomfortably close to her breast. Yet, she didn't want to seem rude and pull away.
"Oh, come on." Mitch urged her gently. "It's our last day, and you deserve all the pampering you can get before we leave."
"Yes!" The young man from the salon injected himself back into the conversation. "Your husband is a wise and caring man! Let us do all the work while you sit back and relax. Since it is your last day, we will give you The Works!"
Andrea arched an eyebrow and gave Mitch a knowing look and slight head tilt before turning back to the man. "Oh yeah? How much?" She asked, preparing for the customary haggling.
"For you, beautiful lady, thirty euro. We will give you: manicure, pedicure, massage, and facial." He emphatically counted out each service on his fingers as he listed them.