“You better not be peeking under there!”

Lilly squinted her eyes tighter shut under the silk blindfold, gripping Cathy’s arm tighter too as she stumbled over the uneven terrain.

“How much longer? I wore Jimmy Choo’s for today, and they weren’t made for blind hiking.”

She heard her friends chuckle around her, but her question went unanswered.

The sun baked down on her bared shoulders, and she mused that she’d have interesting tan lines from the criss-crossed back of her strappy red dress.

Lilly had picked it out specifically for her birthday.

‘My flirty 30’s are over. Go out with a bang…fuckable 40’s maybe?’

The dress scooped low at the neckline, and even lower at the back. It also came down mercifully low to her knees but besides that it had still been the most revealing outfit she had worn in many years; cinching in her small waist with a web of thin spaghetti straps interlacing at her lower back.

The scarlet hue brought out the warm copper in her otherwise chocolate brown locks, and sharply contrasted the forest green of her eyes.

The saleswoman had described it as ‘knockout’.

It wasn’t every year she turned 40, and after two kids and one failed marriage, her relationship with her own self-worth and self-esteem had been rocky. It had been 8 long months of depression, ice cream, determination, diet shakes and CrossFit…In that exact order. The ups and downs had landed her roughly the same weight as before the divorce, at 10.5st, and she had finally settled down into the comfort of ‘this is just me’.

With ample breast and arse, and a naturally tight waist, she would comfortably fit into the ‘hourglass’ category. She didn’t have the flawless skin of old hollywood bombshells, nor the perfect rosey button nipples-and god knows she had tried and failed to kill her ‘fupa’ with crunches-but she loved the skin she was in.

She had ditched a wardrobe of frumpy high neck tops and ill-fitting jeans, and spent a considerable chunk of her Christmas pay check on an entirely new, figure-hugging wardrobe. Her ‘butterfly wardrobe’ as she had coined it to her friends.

‘I’ve been the sad little caterpillar, and now I’m emerging from the chrysalis of this shitstorm, to reveal my gorgeous butterfly self’

The entire speech had been fuelled by a late night margarita happy hour, but the sentiment was still genuine.

“Ow fuck…I think I’m getting a blister Cath.”

“We’re nearly there! Jesus. I’ll carry you the last 5 minutes if it means you’ll stop complaining!” Jack spoke up from behind, with mock exasperation.

“You said this was brunch…brunch doesn’t require a hike!”

“It is brunch. I swear on my life it’s brunch. You said you wanted brunch so here we are…I mean it’s a special brunch obviously because we couldn’t just go get mimosas in Browns like every other weekend for your big birthday.”

‘Brunch’ didn’t even sound like a word to Lilly anymore.

“Okay but special how? I’m not good with surprises! How long have you known me.”

“GOD! Take the blindfold off her Cathy before she gives me an aneurysm. We’re fucking here ok!”

The silk fabric was slipped Free and Lilly stood before a large wooden sign adorned with a halo of wildflowers.

‘Nude day 2022

Meet-and-greet mixer’

Her whoop of incredulous laughter was resounding amongst the expectant silence of her friends, their bright smiles and raised eyebrows all directed towards her.

“Nude?!…wait, I don’t think I understand.”

“You said you wanted to do something big for 40,” Melanie giggled from Lilly’s left.

“Yer I meant I’d book a skydive or get my belly button pierced or something…”

“We can do that too, but for today…”

“So…I’m having lunch with a load of naked people?”

“Brunch Lilly,” Jack scoffed.

“But with naked people?”

“Yep! Lots of them. The nudist society holds this taster session every year. You were doing your ‘new, confident me’ thing and Cathy thought it fit the bill,” Jack continued.

“And you might even meet someone…would be nice to see them without their kit on before the first date ey?” Kate interrupted from behind.

Lilly barked out another laugh, in lieu of the words she couldn’t discover.

“So…are you up for it?”

“I…guess so! But…wait, do we have to literally all be naked too!?”

Lilly hadn’t wondered it through until that moment; focusing only on the prospect of a crowd of naked people, and not on her own impending nudity.

“What did you expect?”

“I just…I don’t know! I spent £90 on this fucking dress.”

“You spent even more on that personal trainer, so show that off instead! Come on Lil, when will you ever do this again? Better to do it now rather than saving it for the 50th when everything will have gone south,” Jack spoke up again, reaching a hand out to grasp Lilly’s shoulder reassuringly.

She cast her eyes across the group; barely contained glee on some faces, and mild regret on others.

Despite the fact that her friends had been gathered from far and wide-work colleagues, old college buddies, neighbours, and one Sister of an ex-boyfriend-they had gravitated to each other. She stood as the keystone of the group; the curator of her ‘little gallery of weirdos’ that had grown to Love each other as they had.

“Come on…just say fuck it,” Jack egged her on.

‘There’s being proud of your body…and then there’s this’

She took one deep breath, and nodded, not letting herself think any more about the reality of a nudist event, for fear of talking herself out of it.

“I haven’t even shaved my fanny, but fuck it.”

– – –

Ten minutes later the group stood at the checkpoint.

They had been directed down a narrow path cut directly into the woods. Underfoot was a level layer of short soft grass, littered with yellow and blue wildflowers, and lining either side of the path was a row of unlit lanterns. Above their heads was a thick shady umbrella of dark foliage, sharp beams of yellow sunlight cutting through the trees, and the gentle melody of distant songbirds.

“They use this for weddings sometimes,” Cathy answered Lilly’s unspoken question regarding the gorgeous scenery.

The path had led to an incongruous set of port-a-potty style changing rooms (which seemed entirely pointless to Lilly), and a row of lockers. Two young ‘event officials’ had explained that the group would de-robe, store their belongings, and continue down the path to the entrance. They were to leave their phones and only take essentials. Nudity was ‘non-negotiable’, and those who wished to remain clothed wouldn’t be allowed access, and would be directed to upcoming ‘clothing-optional’ events.

Lilly mused that for a ‘taster’ session, it was a baptism of fire.

The officials were clothed, to the group’s surprise, but Melanie pointed out that it may be to discreetly redirect hikers who could wander onto the path accidentally, or those looking to surreptitiously and illegally photograph the event. This did however make it all the more jarring for Lilly, when her friends began to regroup from the changing rooms. She had seen some of them naked at spas in the past, and quite frankly, Jack got his clothes off at any and every opportunity, but still, Lilly found it stranger than she had wondered she would.

Fighting the urge to use her hands to cover her overgrown patch of pubic hair-and that wobbly bit under her belly button that she didn’t like-she stood tall, shoulders back, and allowed herself to relax into it a little. The breeze was soft against her bared skin, and the light that filtered through the trees was surprisingly warm. She didn’t feel ‘naked’, but rather ‘nude’, and she hadn’t realised what a gigantic distinction between the two there was.

“It really was a bloody lovely dress, mate, you’ll have to find another party for that one,” her friend Chloe whispered as she passed.

Lilly was however thankful for small victories when she realised she could keep her heels on.

– – –

Another five minute walk through picturesque woodland had led them to the entrance, the main feature of which was a large arbor archway, thick with lush green and an array of flowers.

Looking through the archway, the event space had been artfully decorated with large round tables and chairs, also adorned with rustic greenery, and a long bar, glittering with bottles of every colour.

The main thing that Lilly focused on though, was the sea of bare flesh.

“Welcome guys!”

The perky redhead approached as they entered, with ‘official’ lanyard slung around her neck and nestled between two pert breasts.

Lilly mused that she would have to avoid staring directly at everyone’s genitals if she was to make it through the next few hours. Surely the novelty would wear off.

‘Focus on the eyes. Eyes eyes eyes’

“So these are your complimentary towels. We ask that you always sit on your towel when moving around the mixer. No phones, and if you need to bring one for emergencies, we ask you to take one of our red stickers and put it over the lens to ensure the privacy of all of our guests. Mark will be up in about five minutes to give a full intro and run down of our guidelines. No assigned seats. The waiters will be around with Mimosas and Bellinis, but feel Free to order at the bar also.”

‘Perky redhead’ handed Cathy the stack of towels for the group and moved around them to address those next in the rapidly growing queue.

“Great tits on Pippi Longstockings,” Jack whispered.

“You’re gay.”

“Thanks for the reminder…but I can’t appreciate? Jesus, it’s 2022 guys, let me live my life.”

Lilly rolled her eyes at Jack’s dramatics and led the group towards one of the tables. The closest to the bar as she could discover.

She placed her ‘Nude day 2022’ branded towel carefully on the seat and tucked herself tightly in, glad to have the protection of the table covering at least 60% of her body. Her breasts however fell roughly in line with the tabletop, and she mused that she would have to be mindful to sit back and avoid resting them on the edge unattractively, like two heavy coin purses.

Looking around the room, it didn’t take long for Lilly to suss out the other ‘newbies’. They had an air of awkwardness about them. There were a few discreetly trying to cover their bodies, but most were overly confident; strutting across the room with bold steps, or holding their drink to the side so as to not hide themselves. Comparatively, Lilly found she could identify the ‘regulars’ from their relaxed postures, the way they held themselves (or rather didn’t), the ease at which they approached others, and the comfortable way their eyes moved around the room-rather than the strained ‘I’m not looking at your dick’ way.

She found herself admiring them, jealous even.

“Mimosas ladies?…and gent sorry,” the waitress hastily corrected herself, despite the fact that Jack himself was perfectly happy to be ‘one of the girls’.

Drinks were passed around, and quiet settled over the table for a moment as they all gulped down their liquid courage.

“I need a top up already. I’ll go the bar…anyone else?” Kate stood, her hand wavering over her mound as she grappled with her modesty.

Lilly ordered a wine for her second drink, deciding that she needed the extra alcohol percentage now more than ever.

As Lilly watched Kate approach the bar, her eyes found someone else; a tall older gentleman. She guessed him to be approaching 50 from the ‘salt and pepper’ of his dark silvery hair, and the soft lines that creased around his eyes and mouth. He wore a neatly trimmed stubble of similarly silver hair around his jaw. She couldn’t tell what colour his eyes were from this distance, and found herself annoyed at this fact.

He clearly looked after himself; his body, although not that of a 20-something, was more than pleasing to Lilly’s eye. Broad chest, strong arms, narrow hips. The crowd between them concealed anything further south to her dismay, but before she could complain, he stepped up towards a small stage and took his place at the microphone.

‘Wow’

His cock was clearly flaccid, from the sway of it as he moved, but still at least six inches. It looked heavy against his thigh and Lilly had to drag her eyes away after an already immodest amount of time.

His eyes were blue.

“Hey everyone, I’m Mark, I’m one of the organisers of todays event. We do this every year to allow people to try out naturism if you haven’t before…so, welcome! Drinks are bottomless…pardon the pun, and food will be coming around at 11:30. Now, the aim is to enjoy yourselves and meet some new people, but I do need to go over the boring bit of the rules. These are extremely important to events like these so please if everyone could pay attention.

Our first rule is respect. Respect the people around you, respect their personal space, respect their bodies. We don’t stare and we don’t make inappropriate comments. There are officials milling about today, wearing the lanyards, so if at any point you feel uncomfortable please speak to us.

Second rule is no photos. I know most of you will have left your phones at the lockers, but those of you who do have them, please have the lens covered with a red sticker. This lets everyone know that you aren’t taking photos, and we can all just relax and enjoy the day.

Third rule is erections…”

Lilly balked at the unexpected word, casting an awkward glance again to his flaccid cock and then immediately down to her own lap.

‘What am I doing here?’

“…so erections happen, that’s life. We ask that if you’re struggling, just take yourself off somewhere quiet to cool down. Don’t draw attention to it, and I promise you it happens to the best of us. Let’s all be adults about it.

Fourth and fifth rules sort of go hand in hand;

I remind you that alcohol lowers inhibitions whether you’re clothed or not, so be conscious of that when you’re drinking. Anyone who is behaving inappropriately will be asked to leave.

And in relation to that…this is British Naturism. It isn’t swinging. I wish I didn’t have to say it, but I do. If you wouldn’t do it at a restaurant, don’t do it here. Hugs and hand-holding is fine but be respectful.

Now…any questions?”

There was a moment of awkward silence before a polite smattering of applause when nobody raised their hands.

Mark moved off the stage and disappeared behind the bar, out of Lilly’s eye-line.

“I’ve got a question,” Jack muttered conspiratorially to Lilly and Melanie, who sat either side of him.

“Oh god…I don’t even want to-“

“So like he said no swinging, but does sucking cock count? It’s not Sex…not really. That guy with the hairy Ass has been eyeing me up since we arrived, and maybe it’s the Mimosa taking effect but I think I’m into it. I’m looking to suck seven shades of cum out of him.”

“Jesus Christ Jack, you’re disgusting. Seven-shades?…You’re going to get us thrown out.”

Although partly based in truth, the words were meant only in jest, and Jack knew that. Lilly couldn’t imagine her friends being any other way.

“I wondered silver fox was pretty Hot…Lilly? You agree?” Kate smiled in mock innocence.

“Who…the organiser guy? I guess he had a certain charm,” Lilly responded, again searching the bar for his face.

“Yer, seven inches of uncut charm. He definitely isn’t a grower. That thing can’t get any bigger surely,” Jack cackled into his drink.

The wondered crossed Lilly’s mind that Jack would only get more ‘enthusiastic’ as the drinks flowed, and there had been many a night that he had gotten them kicked out of clubs with his table dancing. Today didn’t seem the day for dancing at height. Lilly didn’t think she could stomach the view.

Regardless, the drinks did flow. The waiting staff were both generous and prompt with the refills, and it took very little time for Lilly to feel a pleasant warmth in her cheeks. She had soon forgotten to worry about her slightly larger than average nipples, or the fact that she might leave a tiny smear of discharge on her towel. She didn’t discover herself staring down at the bodies of the other guests, or worse still, comparing herself against them. She simply enjoyed the peculiar and unexpected sense of comfort that had settled over her.

The one body that she did follow however was Mark’s. He seemed to frequently walk across her line of sight as she was mid-conversation, and despite her best efforts, she found herself following his movements.

He looked effortlessly cool, and seemed to command the attention of anyone within a short radius of his conversation.

Lilly found herself wracking her brain for an excuse to talk to him.

‘Would it be entirely too cringey to ask him to go over the rules again? I then either look like I have the IQ of a tadpole or I’m an willing little busy body. Neither really screams ‘ask me for my number’…could tell him I want to become a nudist? Like full time. Is that even a thing?’

“LILLY,” Chloe’s bark woke her out of her thoughts.

“Oh…yer sorry, what?”

“You really are away with the fairies today. Have you had too much to drink? You didn’t have one of the blue drinks did you? They have Malibu in and you’ll vom.”

“No no. Sorry, I’m just looking for the loo.” She gestured with her near empty glass.

“Over there Lil,” Cathy interjected, pointing to a small W.C sign across from them.

The arrow directed her behind the bar; the flooring becoming more uneven and leaf-littered as she approached.

She stumbled slightly on her towering heels, and was momentarily thankful that with the back of the bar tent now concealing her, if she did fall, she would at least not have an audience for it.

As Lilly rounded the corner, eyes cast down, she collided bodily into a wall of warm, firm flesh.

Her head smashed against solid bone and for a moment, stars flashed behind her eyes.

Before she could teeter any further off balance, two large hands encircled her waist and pulled her close, steadying her as she swayed.

Her nipples hardened at the gentle friction of chest hair, and her stomach fluttered as thick thigh muscle flexed between her own tangled legs.

“Are you ok?”

Dragging her gaze up several inches, she found Mark’s eyes. This close up they weren’t just blue, but a swirl of bright azure and sage green. It reminded her of sea foam.

“Y-yes.”

The smell of him consumed her; a heady mix of woody musk and orange zest.

“Are you sure?”

Lilly realised then how she gawped, mouth open and fingers still tightly gripping his tanned shoulders.

“Um…god, yes…sorry, yes! I’m so clumsy. It’s not the drinks. I mean they probably haven’t helped…but I fall over sober, like regularly…I’m great, don’t worry. Sorry.”

She tripped over the words, trying to push away and discover stable footing on the leaf-littered floor. Mark held her firm, one hand still gripping her waist, and the other coming under her chin to tilt her head upwards.

Her heart hammered in her chest, and she felt the butterflies in her stomach moving north up into her throat. Lips parted instinctively.

“Are you sure? I mean I’ve got a pretty hard head but that one stung even me.”

Lilly glanced down to see a small red mark nestled in the hairs on his chin, and she pictured the one in the centre of her forehead which would match it.

“I promise, I’m fine.”

She pushed on his chest with slightly more force and Mark reluctantly set her down. Her skin cooled without his touch, and she felt her nipples harden further.

‘Can he tell?’

“No dizziness?”

“Erm nope.”

“How many fingers?”

The shockingly vivid and lewd image of Mark, three fingers deep inside her, flashed by and was gone as quickly as it arrived.

“I’m sorry?”

Mark held four fingers out to the side.

“How many?”

“About as many brain cells as I feel like I have right about now.”

He reluctantly smiled; the corner of his mouth curving up.