And He Called It Research

Paul nodded and Beth said, "Yes, we talked about that a little."

"Are either of you the least bit uncomfortable with the concept?"

"Nah," Paul said and cute Beth shook her head and smiled as she said no.

"Paul, there is an outside chance that you'll encounter a topless woman at some point, would you have any objection to that?"

He almost laughed before he said, "No, no objection at all Mac."

"I don't mind a naked man either," Liz added and laughed as she looked at Beth for a reaction.

"Beth," Mac said continuing. "This development is owned by the same person that owns a private island in the tropics."

"God, wouldn't that be awesome."

"It really is. But what I'm getting into is there is a new resort on that island that will be totally clothing optional. I tell you that in hopes that you'll understand the reasoning behind the adult community concept, and you women dressing provocatively. We want to stress and reinforce that fact to prospective buyers so there will be no doubt and no misunderstanding about our aims. Paul this info is for you too of course, but of the two of you, I would expect Beth to be more reticent about any or all of this than you."

"Mac," Beth said, "We're not talking nudity are we?"

"No, we don't expect either of you to be naked. In fact that would likely be counter productive to our goals."

Sissy made fleeting eye contact with Paul as she said, "I do have hopes of doing a little topless sunning though. As you can tell by my skin, I'm from the tropics and I love the sun." Liz watched Paul as he almost swallowed his tongue as he stared at Sissy's breasts.

Allie and Martin joined the group and introductions those introductions were made. Martin's smile was impressive as he took Beth's hand, and Allie lingered with Paul for a few extra seconds. "So what have we missed," she asked as she sat down next to Mac, and Martin stood and leaned against the wall not far from Sissy's cleavage.

"We're just going through the reasons behind what we're going to be doing. Nothing illegal or even immoral as I see it. It's no different than a good looking woman in a sexy negligee selling toothpaste on TV. Sex sells and it's that simple.

Beth naively asked Allie, "Did you know about the private island and the new resort?"

Not only do I know about it, I spent two weeks on that island."

Beth's face lit up and she said, "No way."

"Oh yes, and so have Liz and Martin, and Mac lives there. Or he did anyway."

Beth quickly turned toward Mac and he told her, "I managed the island and lived in a nice place at the west end."

"On the beach?"

"Almost."

Allie took over again saying, "The beach goes almost all the way around the island and I loved walking it and even sitting back and watching the evening sky change colors and the small waves came ashore with a soft whisper."

"Oh my god. Did you...you know, did you go naked?

"That's a long story, but yes, I spent a lot of time naked on the island just as Liz and Martin did, and many others of our general age."

"I could never find the courage to do that."

"Oh I know you could once you were there. Paul you could do that right?"

"I think I could but I'm not sure."

"Mac, what's it like living there? I mean other than...you...never mind," and she looked back at Liz and Allie.

"Okay, we can come back to that when we're sitting around and resting. Remember, we're not selling anything. We have realtors that will do that. Our only function for the next few days is to be residents. Sissy is going to be my wife, and Beth you'll be the maid for our three homes, and Paul, you're the gardener slash handyman."

"I even have a few tools that I can borrow to make it look right."

"Great. Did you and Liz talk about what you'll wear?"

"Pretty much."

"Paul," Liz added, "If things go as I expect them to go I'm going to make a little change in your wardrobe and routine, but I'll let you know."

"Sure, no sweat."

"Beth, do you have it figured out what you'll wear?"

"Oh sure. I brought a couple of changes to show you if you'd like."

"That would be great," and all eyes went to quiet Martin. "Well I mean we all want to be about even right? Allie can't wear a bikini while Liz wears long pants or whatever." Allie just smiled at him and gave him a private wink.

"Cool. Where can I change?"

"I'll show you," Liz said getting up, and she led Beth to Mac's bedroom. "You'll have more room in here and a better mirror and I know that Mac doesn't mind. Want me to leave?"

"Of course not, I'm just stripping to my bra and panties," and she did.

"Oh my god, you have a perfect body girl."

"No I don't, my butt sticks out and my boobs are little."

"If it was possible I'd trade you in a heartbeat."

Beth slipped on tiny shorts and a cute top that drew the eye to her open chest. "See what I mean Liz, I'm half exposed and still my boobs are hidden."

When all of this craziness is over I'm going to ask the men for their opinion. But I can tell you right now that Mac and Martin totally approve of you."

"Did you really go naked on that island?"

"I did, and I was naked for almost the whole two weeks. But like Allie said, there is quite a story there that we aren't allowed to tell. Well I'm sure we can share a few details if you want to."

She smiled and sounded like she was sixteen as she said, "God yes, I'd love to hear about that and how it was for you and Allie."

"What about Mac?"

"What? No, you mean he was naked too?"

"Well I didn't see him, but yes, he's been all over that island while naked. Swimming in the ocean walking the beach...well about anything you could imagine I'm sure. We better go out and get opinions."

Liz followed Beth out and watched as Beth did a slow turn before she stopped at Mac and asked him, "Will this be okay?"

"Beth, that is great and you look so damn nice and so hot."

She tipped her chin down slightly and smiled as she asked him, "So this is okay."

"That is fantastic girl."

"I'll show you the other one I brought," and she about half ran back to the bedroom to change again. Liz waited with the others and smiled at each of the men. Mac raised his eyes and smiled at Liz, Paul didn't know quite how to act, and Martin's smile told her everything she wanted to know. Then Beth appeared in a skimpier top and a short skirt and again turned for her audience. "I thought I could bend over to dust or something, but I don't know how daring you want me to be."

"Beth," Liz said, "Don't ask the guys how daring you should get, because you know what the answer will be. That one is great too, so if you have more just go with what you can handle."

"What will you wear Liz?"

"Want to see?"

"Sure I do."

"We all do," Martin added as his smile continued unabated.

"Wait and I'll change too," Sissy said.

They came out a few minutes later and what they were wearing wasn't terribly racy, but Liz's shorts were indeed short and fit her like a second skin, and her halter top exposed a lot of her now braless breasts. Martin had seen Liz naked several times and had made love to her, but still he stared as she appeared just as Mac and Paul stared. But it was Sissy, attired much the same as Liz was, that pulled the men's eyes as she proudly displayed as much of her breasts as she could without them breaking free of the light cotton fabric.

Mac sat up a little straighter and proclaimed, "I can truly say that you women...all four of you, are the best of the best, and each in your own way is the best of this group. Paul do you have anything to add?"

"Probably, but I'm just a little too tongue tied right now."

"Martin?"

"Yes, I want to marry each and every one of you."

"Well didn't I screw up," Allie said and added, "I didn't bring anything to change into."

Mac took her hand and told her, "Then you'll surprise us starting tomorrow and I have no doubt that you'll knock our socks off honey." Then he pulled her down and softly told her, "I'm still humming from your kiss you know."

She smiled at him and then looked over at Martin as Mac said, "Okay, any questions or concerns?" There were none so he said, "Okay, then that's it. The only thing I want to add is we're not tied to a house or a room. We just happen to be home and willing to talk to clients if a realtor brings them by. We can be chatting in the living room or having tea on the back veranda and that's it."

Chapter Eighty

The open house would run from Friday morning through the following Wednesday and Mac and Liz had a lot more riding on the outcome than anybody realized. The advertising had to be a success; the turnout for the open house had to be good and great would be a big plus. The connection between Journey's end and Serene Gardens had to be made, but without doing that in a way that would cause possible buyers from shying away. The realtors had to really be on their game and the freebie hand outs and door drawing prizes had help. It all had to come together and that included their little one act plays.

Mac ordered pizzas and he had the beer, so they gathered on his back patio to eat and drink while they talked. "Beth," he said, "Tell me you're twenty one."

"Okay, I'm twenty one, but actually I'm twenty."

"Paul?"

"Of course I'm twenty one, or I will be in several months."

"Close enough, but if you get drunk I'll have your ass hauled home in a taxi."

"That works," and he reached for more pizza. It was getting dark when they moved inside and gathered in the living room. Mac sat at the end of the sofa, and Liz sat on the arm next to him. Allie took the recliner and Paul sat on the floor near her until she said, "Sit up here on the arm Paul," I'm sure you don't bite."

He moved up as Martin took the other end of the couch and Beth, still in her short skirt sat between him and Mac. Then Beth said, "Tell me about the island Mac."

"Beth, if I get into that I could offend you and I could give you reason to have a low opinion of me or even worse."

"I'm a big girl and I know a few things you know."

"You probably know a lot more that I would ever guess, because times have changed since I was your age."

"You can't be that old."

"I freely admit that I'm thirty five."

"See, you aren't old."

"Because of certain restrictions that I'm under I'll have to skip a few details and a few details will be altered. But I will keep as close to the truth as I can. Now this is my last warning. This is all very R rated. No make that very adult rated."

"I'm good."

"There are...correction there were three groups of cottages. Okay I better tell you that the island has gone through a major change since I left just months ago. I still love it there and I want to go back, but...okay so I'll talk about it as it was when I lived there. Liz, Allie and Martin feel free to help me out here."

"Go for it," Liz said, and added, "I'm sure I'll hear a few things that I didn't know."

Mac did his best to describe how the island looked and about the cottages, but then it became more complicated.

"I can't get into the reasons behind this, but groups of people were selected to get a free two weeks on the island. Great food, a spa, pool and massages, all included."

"Totally free?"

"Totally and they were flown to the island on a private jet."

"Oh god, how cool is that."

"For one group, there was one condition though. Once on the island, they had to strip naked and stay that way for the full two weeks."

Beth leaned toward Mac without realizing it and said, "Totally naked and just like that?"

"Yes, and nobody knew anybody else. Well there was one exception, but that was by mistake mostly."

"This is unreal." He continued as he tried to choose his words and leave out even some of the significant parts or he would be talking to her through half of the night. "Liz or Allie, would you like to add something to that?"

"Yes," Liz said quickly. Beth, I can't find the words to describe how very terrified I was. I mean I knew that was coming, but knowing about it and actually going through with it was something else again.

"Also," Allie added, "When cottage assignments were made, each woman was matched to a strange man."

"Except me," Liz admitted. "I was matched with Martin."

"No way," and she quickly looked at Martin."

"That's what I thought too Beth," Martin added. "In some ways that might sound like it was better than a stranger, but I don't know. Liz and I had been friends for some time, but nothing that ever involved even partial nudity let alone sleep and live together for a week."

"Oh god, that makes my heart race," and she looked to Mac to ask him, "What would make anybody be willing to put up with a situation like that?"

"Money. Each of the thirty people that were invited got a tropical vacation worth over ten thousand dollars. Imagine that. What would you say if I used my power to put you on the island for even a week totally free. Private jet, very nice cottage and a very long and gentle beach. Great food and unlimited bar drinks, warm tropical air and the freedom to explore and enjoy."

"But I'd have to be naked."

"That's the only stipulation Beth, you have to be naked. Will you go with me?"

"Are you serious?"

"Would you go and be naked in front of me. I'd be naked too of course because even the members of the staff were naked."

"Mac are you telling me..."

"Yes I am."

"But you said two weeks."

"I'm making it easy for you. One week, a tropical vacation with all the trimmings and all you have to do is be naked for that week. What do you say?"

She looked around at the others and back to Mac and said, "You're kidding me right. You're just making this up."

"I'm making nothing up. I'll even set it up that you can stay in my house with me rather than alone or with a stranger. Just go down my few steps and then along the sandy path for about a hundred feet to the ocean and that sweet beach with no other rules. You can sun naked, swim naked, and make love on the beach as much as you want."

She looked over at Liz and asked her, "Is he serious?"

Liz gave Mac something less than a smile before she said, "Oh I'm quite sure he's serious Beth."

"I don't know what to say."

"Well the others were given twenty four hours to decide so I'll give you the same. Twenty four hours from now I'll ask you one last time. That's what Liz and Allie and Martin, and all the others faced. Sacrifice a hugely expensive but totally free tropical vacation complete with palm trees vacation, but also allow yourself to be naked in front of me or somebody like Martin or Paul or any other man or woman you might encounter on the beach."

"I don't know what to do."

"I understand so I'll ask you one more time tomorrow evening after dinner." Then he looked at Paul and said, "One day I may extend the same offer to you."

"That's cool," and he smiled.

Chapter Eighty One

Mac smiled and turned toward Beth a little more. He was having a great time teasing her. He hadn't taken the time to consider what he would do if she accepted because she was so young. But then she was also so damn tempting. "Okay Beth so now you know what Liz and Darren and Martin and Allie faced when presented the offer. They had to quickly decide if they could be totally nude in front of so many other strangers, but they also would have the dream vacation of a lifetime. So let's go back to what it was like on the island, but rather than talk about Liz or Allie's experience, let's move ahead to the next group to visit the island. You can talk to Liz and Allie later because I don't know how much of what they experienced that they would want to share." Then he dove into describing the second group and how much they differed in that they did know all of the others involved. They also had the paper garments to wear.

"That's better. I could easily do that I'm sure."

"The garment were paper remember and they hid very little. I saw many breasts through the gaping armholes and the oversized vee in the front. But at the same time, it gave them the illusion that they were wearing something. Even the guys wore the same garments."

"Skirts?"

"Oh yes, and that meant I also had to wear a skirt. I had to be very careful how I moved and I had to decide if I would sit down and how I'd manage that."

She blushed just slightly and looked away, and Mac used that moment to look over at Allie and then Liz, who stuck her tongue out at him and didn't smile.

"I could still do that, no sweat."

"Ready for day three of the two weeks?"

"Sure."

"Certain selected women had to remove their tops and from then on go topless everywhere they went."

"Just some of them?"

"Yes, and that made them feel more naked than had all the women been topless."

"Oh, I get it I think."

"Of course it wasn't all that much later that all the women were topless. Oh, and did I mention that this group was composed of couples at one cottage group, but the couples at the other cottages were split up for the two weeks. That meant that Jane Doe didn't see her husband for that whole time, but she did live with a couple of other men before the vacation was over. Of course about the fifth or sixth day, the men had to be naked, and then a day or two later so did the women."

"So...god, this is confusing. So, at the couples group, a guy's wife would be naked in front of others."

"That they knew, yes. Coworkers in that case."

"Oh god." Mac talked faster and injected more detail with less effort to ease the degree of exposure or temptation, but Beth was in the world that he was painting for her. He almost smiled because she was so engrossed in his tale, but when it was done she'd say no thanks. She'd say that because before he was done he was really going to shock her.

Mac hadn't considered that Sissy was also listening intently because there was a lot of what he was telling that she had never heard before. She thought she had a pretty good idea what went on over there, and she was right, but she wasn't even close to knowing everything that happened there.

"Mac, you mentioned making love on the beach. You said that was possible, but they really didn't did they?"

"They certainly did," Liz injected.

Beth looked over at her and Allie was moving her head up and down right along with Martin as Liz added, "You'd be amazed at some of the things that happened in the heat of the tropical afternoon, or in the soft moonlight of the night."

"Oh my god."

"I know, I used that phrase very often that first week."

"Mac, what else did they have to do? They were out of clothes so there was nothing more they could do in that area."

"They had to change cottages and cottage mates and start all over again. Quickly get acquainted and hope that they were compatible, which of course, some weren't at all, and then decide what to do from there. They shared a queen sized bed and slept next to each other naked just as they did through the first week. In a few cases, the woman hated the man she was paired with, and in all cases, lives were changed forever, for the better or worse depending on how they could handle the situation."

"So this was all a test of sorts."

"In a way that's right, but that's one of the areas that I can't get into."

"But...I mean you said you were naked on the beach too right?"

"I did say that and I was. Everyday in fact. I took long walks almost everyday in fact."

"So you saw many naked men and women, but they saw you too right?"

"Of course. I watched them walk side by side. I watched them kiss and embrace and caress each other. Sorry Beth, but you want to know, so I'll tell you that I watched many couples make love on mats placed on the sand next to the water that they borrowed from chaise lounges. A couple of times I watched two men and one woman together."