10 comments/ 106458 views/ 16 favorites Sail Away By: alicia_boston The contents of this story are the sole possession of the author and may not be distributed or reprinted in any form without the written or electronic permission of the author. The story contains graphical descriptions of sex between consenting adults of the same sex. Please check with local laws before reading this story because it is not permitted to read this story in communities where such activities are prohibited by law. It is also prohibited for minors to read this story . (Alicia_boston) Comment and feedback are welcome. For Cassandra, this was an exceptionally easy crew assignment. She had been to sea now for a day, crewing on a 60 foot Swan sailboat out of Miami for a married couple in their forties. The couple, Lena and her husband David, had turned out to be very easy passengers. Both knew how to handle the boat, and they cared for their own needs for the most part. Many times the most unpleasant aspect of crewing on a private boat was that the expectation of the passengers that the crew are actually slaves required to respond to every request for a cocktail or snack. The way crewing is supposed to work is that a couple or group of passengers could charter a boat and crew for a pleasant sail in which the passengers would enjoy the experience of sailing without the worries of handling the boat or navigation, and in some cases meals, depending on the arrangements. In Cassandra, Lena and David, had a more than competent captain for their boat, as well as an outstanding cook. She was also surprisingly discreet, which is important on any size boat. The reality of sailing on a sixty-foot boat is that the quarters are tight, and it’s important for the crew to be almost invisible to the passengers. The passengers want to feel alone on the boat, and the best crews make them feel that way. Both Lena and David would remark to each other that even on this sized boat, sometimes they didn’t even know where Cassandra was, and then as if by magic the raven-haired 22 year old would with a tray of freshly grilled scallops. She seemingly was able to do her work, including the navigation, without interfering with the privacy and enjoyment of the passengers. David was also an experienced sailor, and with very few hints from Cassandra, he enjoyed handling the boat for long stretches. From the cockpit, Lena looked forward to see Cassandra making fast the forward sheets. She reminded Lena of herself twenty years ago. As Cassandra crouched to her work Lena could see the taught muscled thighs below her modest khaki shorts. The skin, browned by the sun, was smooth and unblemished. Cassandra wore a white collared “crew” shirt and Lena could see the veins on her forearms as she worked the lines, her fingers deftly and speedily winding. She had a wild mane of curly black hair that came down off her shoulders and was held back in a bandana. Her dark glasses hid her coal black eyes. Lena smiled to herself, ‘My goodness, to be young and beautiful again.’ In fact, Lena was still quite beautiful. At forty-two she had lost very little of the muscle tone that she had developed as a Division 1 College track and field star at Penn State. She had surprised Cassandra early in the voyage by her display of swimming strength in a fair chop. Cassandra had discouraged her from swimming in the rough waters, but Lena swam for an hour without difficulty, as she had done every morning as part of her regular exercise regimen. Her body still looked fantastic in the white bikini that she had been wearing for most of the trip, her breasts still firm and large enough to display a beautiful décolletage without artificial enhancement. When Lena had first met Cassandra, to interview her for the crew position, she had first been a bit wary of having a beautiful young woman on the same boat with her and David. But after speaking with her, the maturity that Cassandra displayed eased her concerns completely, and in fact, the voyage so far had been a delight. Only a few times had Lena caught Cassandra eyeing David in his Speedo as he worked the boat. David had a fantastic body from working out regularly and he looked great in his red Speedo that more often then not provided a clear outline of his ample manhood. His athletic tanned body allowed him to move easily around the boat and he really enjoyed working the details of trimming sails and handling the ships wheel. Over the next two days, Cassandra settled into the life of crewing a charter. David and Lena were really delightful passengers and Cassandra tried to make herself as invisible as she could. She would awaken early in her aft cabin, separated by the salon from the main cabin where David and Lena slept, and shower quickly. She would complete her morning checks in the next hour and prepare the boat for the day’s sail. Another hour was spent with the navigation charts checking and re-checking her position with the GPS. By 7:30 AM the coffee was brewing, and croissants and fruit were readied for breakfast in the main salon. Cassandra would then go topside with her mug of black coffee and enjoy the morning solitude, and give privacy for David and Lena to wake up and enjoy their breakfast. In the evening, she would finish her final navigational computations early, and secure the boat. She liked to turn in around 8:00PM in order to give the couple the run of the boat in privacy. The second night, as Cassandra lay in bed, drifting towards sleep, she could hear David and Lena laughing and swimming in the moonlight. She smiled to herself, sure that they were skinny-dipping in the warm gulf-stream waters, something she liked to do herself, but which was out of the question on crew assignments. As she lay there in bed she heard the regular rhythm of the waves lapping at the hull. But soon there was a sound she didn’t recognize, and irregular pounding that sounded like a floating object striking the hull in the waves, regular but not the same as the waves. She sat up listening further. A smile crept across face as she heard another sound, a low moan, unmistakably David’s voice. David and Lena were making love on the deck of the boat under the moonlight. Cassandra lay back in bed, picturing David’s lean muscular body over Lena. He was probably feasting on her beautiful breasts and Cassandra was sure from the sound of things that David was rapidly reaching his moment of orgasm. Cassandra’s fingers roamed over the tee-shirt she had on, feeling the hardness of her nipples. Her breasts were small, much smaller than Lena’s, but her nipples were extremely sensitive. She could achieve orgasm on her own by merely fondling her own nipples. But not tonight, even asleep, she was crewing. She took her hand away and lay back, closing her eyes just as she heard David’s guttural utterance of pleasure accompanied by Lena’s throaty shriek of pleasure as they achieved their mutual orgasm and collapsed on the deck. Day three broke sunny with a fair wind from the southeast. When Lena emerged from belowdecks in a white robe holding a mug of coffee she found Cassandra already pulling anchor and setting the forward sail. “What a beautiful day.” “Yes ma’am,” replied Cassandra. “We’ll have a really nice day today for sailing, nice breeze to take the heat out.” Cassandra looked aft at Lena, seeing what she imagined was a look of satisfied calm on her face. David was a lucky man, she thought to herself. She hoped that when she was Lena’s age she still had the looks and body that Lena had. Cassandra quickly finished setting the forward sails just as David emerged, in a white tee shirt and white Speedo. “Well,” Cassandra thought to herself, “ Lena is pretty luck herself.” “Hi Cassandra, do you need a hand?” he called forward. “No, I’m managing, we are almost underway.” As she said this she turned aft to see David making his way forward. There was still a fair amount of dew on the fiberglass deck and as Cassandra watched she could see David’s body twist awkwardly as his foot slipped. In trying to save his coffee, David landed hard on his hip on the deckrail, and loud crack sounded. Immediately his face screwed up in a twist of pain and he uttered an anguished scream. Both Lena and Cassandra were quick to his side, checking for injury. Cassandra had first aid as part of her training and immediately she didn’t like what she saw. David was pale, almost as pale as his white tee shirt. His skin was clammy to the touch. As he tried to move his face would turn up in pain. Cassandra pulled the Speedo down off his hip, and could see the swelling already beginning. Lena looked over at Cassandra, trying to ascertain how serious the situation was, but as an experienced college athlete familiar with leg injuries she already suspected the worse. “Broken hip?” questioned Lena. “I think so, or dislocated anyway. We’ve got to get him off the boat. He needs more medical attention than I can give him here,” replied Cassandra. “How long till we can get to a port?” rasped an anguished David. “Too long. We are two days out under the best conditions. We’ve got to get the Coast Guard to take you off the boat, I’m sorry.” “Wait, you must have pain killers on the boat, I can last until we get in.” “David, I’m sorry, it’s the risk of infection I’m worried about. You leave now then you have a two month rehab and you can come back and sail with me again. If you wait, and your hip joint becomes infected you could require an artificial hip or worse lose a leg, then your sailing on some fucking cruise line with the rest of the AARP crowd.” David managed a smile at this, and Lena looked over at Cassandra and said, “Let’s call.” Cassandra went below and made the call to the Coast Guard rescue. A helicopter evacuation was too risky with the tall mast of the Swan, and a cutter was nearby on regular patrol. In two hours the cutter would be there, and they would airlift from the cutter to Miami. Returning topside with some pain medication she found David almost incoherent from the pain. As she gave him the pills to ease his misery Cassandra looked over at Lena. “I’m sorry your voyage had to end this way.” David stirred, “Lena, you stay on board, and help Cassandra sail back to Miami.” “David, don’t you worry about that, I’ll get her back on my own.” “No.” David was vividly lucid now. “Lena, this boat is to much for one person. You need to stay.” “David’s right Cassandra. He’ll be fine back at the hospital and I can’t do much for him there. You either turn this boat over to the Coast Guard to be brought back, or I stay on board.” Cassandra considered this. The boat was a lot for a single hand to sail, and Lena was certainly proficient. Weather forecasts were for fair weather for the week. She decided quickly. “Okay, Lena thank you for staying. Today is Tuesday, and we won’t get much sailing done, so we’ll start back on Wednesday and be in Miami late Thursday or early Friday depending on the wind.” Four hours later the Coast Guard cutter pulled away from their boat and as Lena and Cassandra watched from the deck they saw the Air Rescue Chopper leave the helipad aft with David and head North to Miami. The ship’s doctor had confirmed that Cassandra had made the right decision. Best case, David had a dislocated hip, but the doctor thought perhaps a broken hip or fractured ball joint. Either way the injury required immediate medical attention. It was 2:00PM before Cassandra had cleared the decks. At best there would be 4 hours more of sail, which given the circumstances and events of the day would probably be pushing it. She made the decision to stay put, and work on the new navigation and headings she would need to get back to Miami. She checked on Lena, who seemed concerned, but fine, especially after receiving word that David was at the hospital in Miami and that he would be fine: a minor but painful fracture of his hip that would lay him up for six weeks. From belowdecks she heard a splash and she immediately went topside to check. From the deck she could see Lena swimming about 30 yards off the starboard side. “Hey”, called Cassandra, “You need to let me know if you go swimming. There are only two of us now and the rule of this boat is we need line of site to each other when we are topside. I can’t have another accident.” Lena called back, “Sorry, it’s just so hot.” It was extremely hot in the sunlight when the boat was not under sail. Lena had been sitting topsides baking in the heat and she had sought relief in the cooler water. As she glided through the water her body began to relax and her muscles seemed to unwind from the tension of the morning. After about ten minutes she swam back to the swimming ladder and climbed out of the water. She stood for a moment shaking the water out of her hair. The white bikini was plastered to her body and as she bent her head down to shake the water out she could see her breasts and her nipples poking clearly through the bikini top. She wondered to herself whether she was permanently aroused after last night’s lovemaking with David on the deck. She looked up to see Cassandra staring at her with a curious look on her face, her lips pursed almost in a question. “It’s so hot Cassandra. Look, now that it’s just us girls, it’s okay with me if you want to relax the dress code.” Cassandra looked up at her. It was hot, and Lena’s amazing body perfectly shone in the sunlight. Each drop of water was like a tiny diamond glistening. For a second, she wondered what Lena’s facial expression had been like as David made love to her last night. “You know, I think I’ll take you up on that if you don’t mind. It is damned hot out here.” Cassandra stood and pulled the white crew shirt over her head. Then quickly she stripped off her khakis and tossed them below through the deck hatch. “Oh my, that does feel better. Thanks Lena.” Lena stood motionless for a moment, awestruck at the site of Cassandra in her bra and bikini panties. Under the crew shirt and shorts she hadn’t realized what an exceptional body Cassandra had. She wasn’t tall, 5’2” or so, but her body was lean and chiseled. Her abdomen was flat, with clearly defined muscles across her belly. Cassandra’s breasts were not as large as her own, quite small actually, but through the simple white cotton bra Lena could clearly see her nipples outlined large in proportion to her breasts. The matching white bikini panties rode high on her hips. As she had suspected Cassandra could see firm thighs, and flawless brown skin that ran up and around to her ass. “Oh my” thought Cassandra, “this girl has no idea how beautiful she is.” For the rest of the day Lena eyed Cassandra as she went through the preparations of the boat for the next day. She was still amazed at the lithe young body as Cassandra moved quickly and athletically over the length of the boat. Dressed in just a bra and panties, Cassandra looked like a dancer moving in the sunlight, a sleek and beautiful animal moving by instinct over terrain she knew well. “It’s a good thing David never saw her like this,” she thought to herself, “he’d never have been able to resist, and I’m not sure I’d blame him.” The rest of the day went quickly and before going below, Cassandra and Lena both jumped into the warm ocean in the waning light of the day to cool off. Lena emerged first and handed back a towel to Cassandra. Now Cassandra stood practically nude before Lena’s gaze. Her bra and panties were now transparent in the evening light, and Lena could clearly see the half dollar sized nipples that seemed to cover most of Cassandra’s small breasts, and below, the darkness at the juncture of her thighs was clearly visible. Lena could even clearly see the dark curly down covering the young woman’s pubis. Lena felt odd watching Cassandra as she wrapped the towel around her magnificently curly hair and began to make her way below. What about this girl made Lena want to just look at her, gaze at her? Sure, she was physically beautiful, but there was something else, something deeper. She wrapped herself in a towel and followed Cassandra below. Later that night, as she lay in the darkness of her cabin, Lena’s mind drifted to the evening before. She imagined David’s touch on her again, the way he held her, caressed her. Her fingers drifted down to the front of her panties, lightly caressing as she remembered the feeling of his body against hers, the tip of his cock beginning to enter her, fill her and rhythmically move within her. As she drifted towards sleep Lena fingers felt the moistening at the front of her panties indicating her arousal. Her memories mixed with her dreams and as she felt David’s tongue against her innermost self, in her dream Lena roused from her rapture to reach down and push his head more deeply against her. Instead of David’s short trim hair, her fingers roamed through a curly mane of hair, and as she looked down she looked into Cassandra’s eyes as the young woman pleasured her with her tongue. Lena awoke with a start, soaked in sweat, and panting. “My God,” she thought to herself in the darkness and solitude of her cabin, “What a dream, Jesus.” Her body was coated in sweat, the sort of sweat generated from the heat of passion. She could smell the musky aroma of her own arousal that the wetness between her legs confirmed. She could hear her own heartbeat in her ears like a drum. She peeled off the soaked tee-shirt that she had worn to bed and lay back, pulling the sheet over her, and drifted off into a troubled sleep. The sound of Lena’s voice had awakened Cassandra, and she sat up in bed trying to recall if she had really heard it or just imagined it. No, she was quite sure that Lena had cried out in the middle of the night. The day had been a lot for her, and maybe she was more worried about David than she had at first appeared. But the middle of the night cry hadn’t sounded particularly anguished. In fact, it more reminded Cassandra of the sound that Lena had made the night she had made love to David. Cassandra smiled to herself for a moment, “No, it couldn’t be.” Cassandra lay back in bed smiling and silently giggling. At least Lena had given the okay for the relaxed dress code. She guessed Lena felt that perhaps that gave the okay for unrestrained midnight acts of self-pleasure. As she drifted off to sleep Cassandra felt the tingling sensation of arousal in her nipples. The next day was another perfect day and Cassandra awoke early to make preparations. By the time Lena emerged topside they were underway and Cassandra was sipping coffee with one hand on the ship’s wheel. Cassandra looked fresh and young in a yellow string bikini tied at the hip in perfect loops. Her skin glowed in the morning light and Lena immediately remembered her dream from the night before and felt disturbed as she looked at Cassandra’s body. “Good morning,” beamed Cassandra. “Coffee’s right there in the carafe. Did you sleep well.” “Ugh, no as a matter of fact. I was thinking of David a lot, kept me up a bit.” The coffee smelled wonderful as she sipped heartily. “In an hour we’ll make a ship-to-shore call to the hospital so you can talk to him.” Cassandra looked over to Lena and saw that indeed she looked a bit worn and tired. She hadn’t slept well apparently. She was sitting in her robe leaning against the cushions of the salon looking out over the ocean slipping by the boat. As Cassandra watched she could see where the front of Lena’s robe pulled way and from her angle Cassandra could see almost her entire breast. They were much larger than her own, which she had known already from the many times she had seen Lena in a bikini top. If she could have larger breasts, Cassandra thought to herself, those would be the ones she’d want. “Does is still look like Friday into Miami?” Lena’s voice startled Cassandra and she flushed when she realized she was still staring down the front of Lena’s robe while Lena was asking her question. Sail Away The Isle of Mull sits like a jewel in the waters of the Inner Hebrides. A magnet for tourists and white settlers alike; and for eight months of the year, a fantastic place to find seasonal work. I was completely taken with it and knew shortly after starting work there, that there was a great possibility that I would be returning the following year. I was presented quite early on in the season with the opportunity of spending my days off from my work as a chef, to sail around the small islands that formed the Inner Hebrides alongside Mull with our local milkman Jeremy who doubled as a tour guide for the people that just used Mull as a base for their holidays. The lure of the sea was great and I leapt at the chance to spend some time out on the water; spending most of my working week looking forward to my precious days off. The changeable spring tides soon gave way to sun-filled summer days where the gentle swell of the sea carried us on its back from sunrise till sunset. While Jeremy navigated, I acted as a general dogsbody/ tour guide for the small parties of tourists who booked days out. I never tired of seeing the massive basalt columns of Fingal's cave soaring majestically above us as we left the relative safety of the boat in favour of a small dinghy, allowing us to go right into the cave itself. Stunning in its beauty, I loved to see people's first reaction upon seeing it up close. The return trip from the small island of Staffa took us past the slightly larger island of Lunga, home to a massive colony of puffins; clowns of the ocean, comical little birds that would allow a person to come within arms length. Sometimes, we would catch sight of the black rabbits; each sighting considered a lucky omen of good things to come. The busiest part of the tourist season was drawing to a close, the parties that we took out were growing smaller; but this meant that we were able to spend more time looking out for sharks and whales than before when the majority of the tourists had been just hungry to island hop. Nature never disappoints; small pods of dolphins made their presence known on more than one occasion, treating us to displays that you simply wouldn't see in any man-made aquarium. They rode alongside our bow, catching our eyes, watching us while we watched them; never leaving even when we took the chance to stop and get in the water along with them. On the last Sunday of August the sun seemed to shine brighter than ever; the water was flat calm and the gulls wheeled lazily above us. The early morning heat had me stripping down to my khaki shorts and a loose t-shirt shortly after we left the small harbour where the boat moored during its working months. The small party of four Americans that had booked with Jeremy that morning were seemingly content just to scan the horizon for dolphins and feeding whales, sipping water from their bottles of water. Jeremy himself was in the wheelhouse dressed only in a pair of raggedy shorts. His deeply tanned and weathered skin a sharp contrast to the salt and pepper grey of his shaggy hair; a broad smile curved his mouth and a twinkle in his eye. He was never happier than when he was out on the water. I treasured days like these, they provided a real escape from cooking; the hungry tourists seemed to be a whole world away and I was surely in no rush to return. Unfortunately on that particular day I was so taken up with looking out for the wildlife that the sun caught me unawares; too late with applying the sun block, my skin was beginning to tighten painfully across my cheekbones. Better late than never I thought to myself as I applied a thick layer of sunscreen anyway. A large portion of the day was spent following alongside a minke whale, smiling as the tourists marvelled at the sheer size of it compared to the boat we were in. All too soon though it grew tired of our company and lunged deep one last time and was quickly lost from sight. A quick stop off at the Isle of Coll gave us the chance to stretch our legs, some time also for the tourists to wander about and be free of us. We left the tourists to their own devices and made our way to the pub, commandeering a table in the garden where we could watch the comings and goings in the pretty little village. The first few minutes were spent in companionable silence; save for the occasional screech of a gull in the distance; I was content to rest back under the shade of a large garden umbrella. "Will you be heading back to the city again when the season ends then Kate?" Jeremy's gruff voice startled me slightly, making me realise that I had been on the point of nodding off. "I have no idea Jeremy, to be honest I was putting off making any decision. On days like these there's no place I'd rather be than here; who wants to have their lungs choked with exhaust fumes when they can be filled with the fresh sea air." I breathed deeply and let out a sigh of pure pleasure shortly after and wriggled a little further down in my seat. "That's true enough pet, but when all the tourists are gone its a very quiet place to be, surely a young thing like yourself would rather be surrounded by the bright lights of the big town." "Ha! Young thing, I quite like the sound of that but I think you're forgetting that I'm twenty-three, and besides, you're hardly an old man yourself!" I sent him a slightly suggestive leer, I'd grown used to his gentle teasing; it meant nothing. "Get that look off your face right now Kate Macleod! Heaven knows what my ever-loving wife would make of it." A hearty laugh punctuated his words. His wife of thirty years was like a second mother to me and called me his 'young bit of stuff', she would find it amusing, I was in no doubt about that. "Ah alright, if I'm making you uncomfortable I'll stop." I winked slowly at him and smiled as my eyes fell shut. I heard him let out a long held breath, and we relaxed once more. "I'm meeting someone at the pub when we get back later, he's interested in going out on a long trip next weekend, he'll be taking charge of the boat himself, but he needs someone to act as guide, there's no way I can do it myself. The wife wants to go visiting family and I have to drive her, if I talk to your boss and offer bribes and various incentives would you consider going with him?" I thought long and hard... for at least a whole ten seconds. "Well, if he's genuine and you think I'll be safe enough with him then sure, why not, I'd rather be out on the water than slaving in the kitchen." I replied. "He's safe enough, a professor at Glasgow University, he's bound to be an old crusty with nothing more on his mind than books and lectures, his name's David Ballantyne, means nothing to me, you went to that university didn't you? Have you heard of him?" "I seem to recall going there some time in the dim and distant past but I can't say I remember anyone by that name, maybe he's new there. No matter though, it'll be nice to be away overnight and not have to get up in the morning to a rabble of hungry guests demanding cooked breakfasts." Just the thought of the drambuie laced porridge doused in cream was enough to make my stomach turn over in disgust as was the image of smoked kippers; I could almost smell them and my nose wrinkled in disgust. "Just hope my luck holds and he's a teetotal vegetarian Jeremy!" My last statement fell on deaf ears as Jeremy let out a gentle snore. The approaching chatter heralded the return of the Americans and we got to our feet to greet them, sharing a light bar meal and ice cold drinks before heading back to the boat. A late afternoon breeze struck up across the still waters as we made our way back home, lifting the long strands of my red-gold hair so that they whipped against my face. Hastily I tied the tangled mass back away from my face in one long plait, which now lay over one shoulder. After tying the boat up we watched the happy tourists make their way back up the jetty and cleaned the boat ready for the next day. The sinking sun starting to cast long shadows was our signal to make our way to the local hotel where I normally worked; we would have a few drinks together in the public side of the bar; a place where few tourists ventured. A combination of the heat, sea air and activity had rendered me bone weary but I trudged up the slight incline behind Jeremy, cursing him loudly for his endless energy. Luckily the hotel was less than five minutes walk away, any further and it was likely that I'd be making the small walk on my hands and knees. "C'mon lazy bones, a young thing like you should be full of energy!" His words were slightly mocking, if he was any closer I would have batted him over the head, but my arms felt like they were filled with lead weights. "I'm not lazy, I've been working hard all week, this is my day off, have a heart will you." I pleaded, suddenly overcome with the need to feel an icy cold glass of coke against the burning heat of my cheeks. Jeremy reached the door to the bar first, holding it open for me, laughing as I pushed past him into the cool interior. I didn't have the energy to hoist myself up onto a barstool, instead choosing to lean against the bar wearily, groaning quietly as I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror at the back of the bar. "Never mind pet, you don't have to dress up to be in here." Jeremy's smile was warm, lighting his eyes. Mike the regular bar man was busy serving a couple of old men at the other end of the bar, the rest of the room was empty, it was usually this way until later in the evening when the hotel laid on some sort of entertainment and the locals would be standing shoulder to shoulder. "Well, what vision of loveliness do I see before me then?" Mike's Irish lilt cut through my thoughts, making me smile. I loved to hear his sing song voice. "I knew he had a thing for you Jeremy, you lucky man!" I said, laughing as Jeremy choked slightly. "Silly woman, you know I meant you, although looking at you just now we could put you out on the headland and you could act as a beacon for the passing ships! The sun got you good and proper today then." He gently scolded. "Well I didn't have you out there to take care of me did I?" I parried quietly. "Listen you two, I don't mean to butt in or anything but do you think we could get a couple of drinks, it's been a long day." "Sorry Jeremy, the usual is it?" A pint of Guinness for him and a coke for myself. I scuffed the toe of one of my boots against the bar while I waited, inspecting the slight burn that coloured the length of my legs, luckily it wasn't too bad, the shorts I was wearing reached mid thigh and the t-shirt had protected all but my forearms. My face glowed with a life of its own though, making my green eyes appear glass-like. Hardly the vision of loveliness. Mike had grown used to my less than neat appearance over the last few months we had been working together at the hotel. I was brought out of my reverie by Jeremy lifting me off my feet, plonking me down heavily onto a bar stool, the air whooshed out of my lungs with the sudden impact of my ass on the seat. "Sit down before you fall down pet." I grasped the bottle of coke in one hand and saluted Jeremy, thanking him silently before resting the length against a cheek, the coldness sending a shiver right through me. I gulped the drink quickly with my eyes shut, savouring each long swallow. My eyes were still shut as I heard the bar door open and close quickly, I was in no rush to see who it was, but I was in danger of dozing where I sat, of this much I was certain. It took me long seconds to force my eyelids open, I could feel someone standing beside me, a new person, the smell of a tangy aftershave filled my nose, he smelled expensive. Keeping my eyes downcast I stole a glance sideways and was greeted by the sight of a slightly tanned arm, dusted with dark coloured hairs, further down I could see his long tapered fingers resting on the bar, fingernails neatly trimmed and clean. Hands fascinated me, work roughened, dirty, short fat and stubby fingers, manicured fingers, a lot could be gained about a person just by looking at their hands. These hands were certainly not those of a manual labourer, there were no calluses, not a speck of dirt. I dropped my head lower and checked out what he was wearing on his bottom half; similarly attired to myself his legs were partially encased within a pair of three quarter length shorts, the navy colour suiting the golden tan on his legs. My tongue darted out to wet my lips and I wondered briefly if my luck would hold if I took the chance to look upwards. "Are you ok down there Kate?" Mike's voice reached into my thoughts, dragging my head up sharply. "Yes, of course, I'm fine, just dozing a little I think, been a long day out there." I looked up at Mike, beaming a thousand-watt smile in his direction; he raised an eyebrow in question and laughed before turning his attention to the newcomer. "What can I get for you then?" Mike asked him, treating the stranger to the full power of his Irish accent. "Just a long glass of iced water with a wedge of lemon thanks." The rich timbre of his Scots accent wasn't lost on me and I looked up quickly, my eyes catching those of the stranger in the bar mirror. We seemed to be locked like that for minutes when in actual fact it was probably only seconds. My mind didn't know what to make of him; there was much to take in. On hearing just his voice I would not have connected it with the person I saw in the mirror. He was tall, much, much taller than myself, his broad chest covered in a body hugging tie-dyed t-shirt, his shoulders looked slightly muscled and I itched to run my fingers along them; I shoved my hands underneath my thighs with haste, lest the urge overtook me. His eyes were the colour of melted chocolate, framed by long dark lashes, and his hair... well there was none, he was as bald as a coot. My mind raced off and I had to sit down harder on my hands, he smiled briefly at me and I answered with a grin that Alice's Cheshire cat would have been proud of. "Are you alright Kate?" Jeremy's voice sounded concerned and I felt the weight of his hand on my shoulder. "Just fine Jeremy, never better, I think I must be getting my second wind or something, I don't feel quite so sleepy now!" I covered the hand he had on my shoulder with one of my own, reassuring him gently. "Excuse me, I think you must be the same Jeremy I'm supposed to be meeting here." The strangers' voice cut in. "Old cru..." I started to say. "Yes, I'm Jeremy; you must be David Ballantyne." He said quickly, just managing to save me from sure embarrassment. Both men shook hands firmly and Jeremy drew David away from the bar to a table in the furthest corner of the room, I watched them retreat with a little sigh of regret. "Now Kate don't go setting your heart on one of the hotel guests." Mike was scolding me gently as his fingers tucked some hair that had come loose from its binding behind one of my ears. "He's staying here with us is he then?" My heart leapt. "Certainly he is, booked him in this morning myself, for the next ten days he's got us looking after him. By the way you can get that look of hope out of your eyes Kate; I don't think management have the kind of personal service you have in mind on the list things that the hotel provides for the guests." He laughed quietly and tugged on my plait, jumping back quickly and heading off to the other end of the bar before I could slap him. Sitting a little higher on the stool I was able to observe Jeremy with David in the mirror behind the bar; both were deep in an animated conversation, things were looking good it seemed. I watched as Jeremy rose, walking over to where I sat. "Listen Kate; I'm just going to hunt down Haydn, see if he can give you the whole of next weekend off, he owes me a favour or two so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Who's covering your days off this weekend?" "Jane is covering breakfast and lunch shifts and Kerry is doing evening service, thank heaven for the locals." Both Mike and myself were recruited for the season but still the majority of staff came from the local village. "Good enough then, at least there will be plenty cover then, just go over and keep David company while I go hunt down your boss." He winked broadly at me. I slid off the barstool and nipped round the side of the bar, swiping a bottle of coke from the small bar fridge before making my way over to the corner table. I let my eyes roam appreciatively as he stood up to greet me, swallowing a gasp of shock as I watched his large hand swallow mine up in it's warm grip. "You're Kate then." I nodded briefly and wondered how long he would hold onto my hand, the pad of his thumb was rubbing lightly back and forth on the inside of my wrist, I gulped hard and tugged back a little. The sensation from his small touch confused me; the small action had me prickling with awareness. If this was all it took to have me aroused around him, how would I survive the two nights we would be alone together; I scooted round to the far side of the table, putting a little distance between us. "Have you any idea where you want to go next weekend then Mr Ballantyne?" I asked quickly. "Please call me David, Mr Ballantyne sounds so formal... and old. I was thinking of heading out to the Isle of Coll, there's a seal colony out there I believe?" "Yes, we can get quite close to them out there." "I'd like to see Staffa, perhaps spend the night on Lunga and the remaining night on the boat itself if the weather holds. I like the idea of just stretching out on the deck, being rocked to sleep by the swell of the sea." His eyes seemed to spear me where I sat; I was starting to melt. Perhaps if more of the professors at the University had looked like this one I might have attended more lectures. "Jeremy said you'll be taking over the boat yourself, he wouldn't normally entertain the idea." I knew Jeremy treated the boat with more care than he would have a child of his own. "Well, I've never met him before, but he and my father were great friend's years ago, they still keep in touch now and again." "Ah well that explains it then." I replied. The next few minutes were spent in silence, listening to Mike's easy banter with the couple of local men that were keeping him company at the bar. Jeremy wasn't long in returning, a broad smile on his face. I gulped hard. "Well it looks like you'll be taking to the sea next weekend Kate, Haydn was only too pleased to let you go since it was to accompany one of his guests. You'll find the service here is very personal David, you won't be wanting to leave when your stay is over." "Of that I am very sure Jeremy." David's words were spoken softly; his eyes held mine. -- For the next week I worked harder than ever in the hotel kitchen, hoping to tire myself completely so my mind wouldn't have time to think of David but it was impossible. Mike teased unmercifully as he noticed that I seemed to be taking more care with my appearance, I began to wear light make-up, my chef whites were crisply ironed, normally so long as they were clean I would throw them on regardless of creases. Unfortunately during the week I was able to count the glances I had caught of him on the fingers of one hand. He had been leaving the hotel straight after breakfast to sightsee I assumed, returning late in the evenings to the sanctuary of his room. By the time Friday morning rolled around I was a mass of nerves and it wasn't lost on Haydn who usually served breakfasts to the guests; but he just smiled knowingly as I artfully arranged David's regular bacon and egg order into a happy smiley face. I could see him biting the inside of his cheek in an effort not to laugh as he took the plate through to the dining room and before the swing door of the kitchen came to a rest a loud bark of laughter reached my ears. I was allowed to finish after prepping for the lunchtime crowd, handing the reins over to Jane with heartfelt gratitude. Sail Away I would need at least an hour to pack, we were supposed to meet Jeremy down at the jetty at one o'clock sharp. I took the stairs up to the small room I had at the top of the hotel two at a time, eager to get organized. Half an hour later I realised that maybe a little black dress wasn't appropriate for rock hopping on the small islands, neither were the matching leather heels that went along with it. Sighing with regret I began to throw shorts and t-shirts into the rucksack, along with sun block and a figure hugging black swimsuit. I stripped off quickly and showered with haste, towelling my hair roughly as I watched the hands of the clock move round. Just enough time to dress and apply a bit of make-up, luckily during the course of the week the sunburn that had coloured my face a bright red had now subsided considerably. So with my hair wrapped up in a towel I began to conceal my numerous freckles beneath a thick layer of foundation. Frowning at myself in the mirror I realised that over the past few months I hadn't worn make-up that much and it now felt like a mask over my skin. No matter though, perhaps David would appreciate my efforts. Pulling at the towel, the weight of my damp hair fell heavily around my shoulders; there would be no time to dry it properly, the warm sea air would have to do, so I just tied it back simply at the nape of my neck. After putting on a brief swimsuit I covered it with a loose t-shirt and long shorts. Finally glancing around the room one last time, hoisting the rucksack over one shoulder and setting my mind to the possible adventures that lay in store for me over the next couple of days. I might have known that I wouldn't be able to leave without being noticed as Mike came around the corner of the hotel to stop me in my tracks. "Are you sure you know what you're doing going out there alone with someone you don't know from Adam Kate?" His voice was full of gentle concern. "Don't start with the big brother act now Mike, he's got Jeremy's seal of approval so that's good enough for me, besides he's kept his distance this past week, I've barely seen hide nor hair of him." I spoke with conviction. "Well, if he tries anything with you out there, he'll have me to answer to when you get back. Sorry if I seem to be coming across like your big brother but seeing as you're here on your own someone has to look out for you." His hands cupped my face gently and he planted a soft kiss on my lips before letting go. I looked up at him with a dropped jaw; taken aback slightly by his kiss. "Umm, listen, if I don't get moving now I'll be late, it's going to take a couple of hours to get to Coll and I don't want to waste the day. We'll talk when I get back, and don't worry, please." I stepped back swiftly and turned on my heel, desperate to put some distance between us. I could see the sun glinting off the water in the harbour and the mast of Jeremy's boat Crimson Dawn gently bobbing up and down in among all the others that were moored beside her. "Take care Kate." Mike's words reached me as I started to walk down the small incline that would bring me onto the jetty; I raised my hand in acknowledgement, but didn't turn around. I felt very self-conscious as I walked along the wooden jetty towards the boat; Jeremy and David were already there, standing at the end obviously waiting for me. "You made it then young Kate? I was beginning to think you'd had second thoughts." Jeremy gave me a broad smile and his eyes twinkled. Sly old man, he knew there was no way I would have changed my mind. "On a day like this where else would a body rather be Jeremy?" I answered, blushing a little under David's direct gaze. "Right you are Kate, I for one would rather be out there with the two of you, instead I've been press-ganged into visiting with the dreaded outlaws...s, excuse me." He tried to look shame faced but failed miserably and his straight face gave way to a hearty grin. "Well granddad you better shake your tail feathers and go visit the ugly sisters before they turn into pumpkins, Mari would never forgive you if you were late." I laughed and hugged him swiftly before vaulting lightly over the rail and onto the deck of the boat. "I don't know which one of you needs looking after more David, but see you take care of her, I'll be here waiting for you both on Sunday evening make sure you aren't late." "Right you are Skipper!" David said, saluting Jeremy quickly before following me onto the deck, his bag was already stowed so he went straight into the wheelhouse and struck up the engine. I positioned myself near the bow and pulled the brim of my baseball cap down low over my eyes, shading them from the glare of the sun, taking the chance to glance at David's tall frame. He seemed to be in no rush to start any conversation and I was content with the quiet although it did nothing to slow down my imagination. I had to admit that he looked right at home at the helm of this small boat, steering us on a course to the northern end of Coll like he had been doing it all his life. I turned my face into the fine spray that was now coming over the bow and smiled a little, breathing deeply, feeling cleansed. "You alright out there Kate?" David's voice shouted from behind me. "Never better, at this rate we'll be able to spend a couple of hours at the cairns before the tide turns." The cairns were a cluster of jewel like rocks planted in the crystal waters at the northernmost tip of the island, home to a massive seal colony and a favourite playground to the dolphins that had kept Jeremy company on many a boat trip. An hour later we were there, David shut off the motor and I threw the anchor over the side. "Well Kate shall we take the dinghy or swim for shore?" A mischievous glint lit his eyes as he came to stand next to me, facing towards the largest of the small rocky islands, which had a small patch of golden sand to stretch out on. I had braved the waters on many occasions and although the summer had been long and hot, the temperature would still be shocking on our sun warmed skin. But if he was game, then so was I; I grasped the hem of my t-shirt with both hands and hauled it up. "Well if you think you're up to it, I'll race you to the beach." I said glancing at him quickly before stripping down, the challenge set I forgot to feel awkward about having so much of my body revealed to his eyes. "Up to it? I'm going to whip your ass Kate." With that he shucked off his shorts and climbed over the side rail of the boat, balancing there as he waited for me to do likewise on the other side. A group of curious seals watched from a discreet distance, their huge eyes seeming to take in every detail, bobbing gently on the swell. I crouched down slightly, holding the rail with one hand, turning one last time to the side to catch his eye and blowing a loud kiss as I launched myself off the boat, diving straight into the cold, cold water. Opening my eyes as soon as my head was under the water I could see the dark grey shadow of a seal gliding past far beneath me. I was home. I broke the water at the same time as David, both of us gasping for breath, bodies shocked at the cold; kicking into a fast crawl I drew ahead of him while he got over the cold and remembered how to move his body. He wasn't still for long and I could hear his ragged breaths close to my head, the seals who had been such interested onlookers seconds before had now ducked for cover in among the kelp, but I kept my eyes firmly on the sand. Less than five minutes had passed and I was close enough now to the shore to be able to plant my feet into the sand and wade quickly out of the water shoulder to shoulder with David. "Sorry sweetheart, I hate being beaten." His hand was firm on my shoulder and he pushed me, making me land with a huge splash backwards; spluttering I managed to hurl a string of obscenities at his back as he cleared the water and collapsed onto the warm sand. "That was hardly sporting now was it?" I fumed quietly. "Sporting would have been if you had informed me that you were a close relative of those seals, you swim like one that's for sure." I couldn't help but laugh between deep breaths as I dropped down onto the sand beside him. "It doesn't do to reveal all your cards at one time; one of Jeremy's favourite sayings." "You could be right there Kate. Tell you what though, I'm glad we swam, the water has managed to remove that layer of muck from your face, why hide the freckles?" He queried gently. "Vanity." There it was, the word was said before I could do anything about it, strangely though, I felt as if I could say whatever I wanted in front of him. "Ah well, I prefer the more natural look, why hide what nature blessed you with." Well at that moment nature had blessed me with two rock hard nipples thanks to the cold water we had just swum through and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it, only wait for them to soften again. It was almost like he was reading my mind and his eyes lowered from my face and he glanced down. "It was pretty cold wasn't it?" He chuckled. Unfortunately for me he was still wearing his shorts so I was unable to tell what kind of effect the water had had on him, my face must have betrayed my thoughts. "Don't even go there Kate... least not yet." His words trailed off; my heart skipped a beat as he stroked along the side of my face with the tip of one finger. The look in his eyes told me he had stopped joking and I turned further into his touch, the questing finger now brushing over my lips, opening my mouth slightly I gave in to the urge to let me tongue dart out to taste the saltiness of his skin. His breath left him in a long hiss. "God Kate, I told Jeremy I would look after you, how am I supposed to do that when all I want to do is see you naked and writhing underneath me?" He whispered. His honesty blew me away, it took me long seconds to form any words, unusual for me, normally I'd speak and whatever was on my mind would fall out before I had a chance to think about it. "Maybe my thoughts haven't been so innocent either David." I closed my eyes as my words trailed off, not wanting to see what his reaction would be. His finger moved lower, tracing the line of my jaw, down over the still damp skin of my neck. I wanted more contact, I wanted to give in to all the thoughts I'd had to live with over the past days, and I needed to know that he'd been going through the same hell as me. I felt him move closer to me, both of his hands stroked along the length of my arms, I wasn't ready to open my eyes, savouring every touch, committing it to memory. His hands slid upwards hooking under my arms, I was being lifted across as if I weighed no more than a child, settled on his wet lap while his mouth nuzzled against my neck. My breathing was quickening; the nipples I had hoped would soften were now tightening painfully against the wet material of my swimsuit. I relaxed into his touch, let his powerful arms pull me close, sliding my feet into the warm sand and sighing with pleasure as his teeth nipped playfully on my bottom lip, sucking on it gently. I moved my hands up his chest letting them stop only when I had his face framed between my palms, holding him close. His tongue stroked lightly against my own as he moved to deepen the kiss, he groaned into my mouth and we seemed to feed off each other for long minutes. I was held fast in his arms while our tongues stroked against each other; hot and wet, but I wanted more, so much more. His hands were behind my head, pulling on the bands that held my hair, suddenly pulled free for his fingers to tangle, pulling my head back so the contact with our mouths was broken swiftly. "Open your eyes Kate." "I don't want to." "You look so beautiful and expectant, my red haired witch, but there's no way I'm taking this further." He sounded almost regretful, my stomach flipped over with disappointment, my eyes opened suddenly, questioning him. "Then why the kiss David?" "Oh don't get me wrong, I have every intention of satisfying both our needs, just not here, bloody sand gets everywhere and I don't want anything to spoil what might be a truly amazing experience." I gulped hard. Suddenly all I wanted to do at that moment was swim back out to the boat and lay down before him; glancing out over the crystal waters my feelings were made clear enough, the words unnecessary. "Not yet, we've had to wait out this week, another hour or two will not hurt either of us." "Speak for yourself David." I replied, pushing myself out of his hold quickly. All summer I had gone without the intimate contact of another, our simple kiss had affected me more than anything had for a long time. The tiny nub of my clit throbbed within the wet folds of my sex, my breasts felt swollen. He held his hand out to me and I helped him up; glancing down I knew straight away that he wasn't oblivious, his erection pushed against the material of his wet shorts. Brushing myself against him on purpose I let the palm of my hand glide over the bulge, his body shook. The reaction pleased me greatly. "Hope you're hurting half as much as I am." My wrist was caught almost painfully in his grip. "Seals... show me the bloody seals Kate!" For the next hour we lay together on our stomachs on a long flat ledge of rock just behind the main part of the seal colony. Watching the mothers and babies sunning themselves, safe in the knowledge that no harm was nearby. Looking sideways I could see the pleasure of such a simple sight etched into David's face. A smile touched the corner of his mouth and I just itched to kiss him, but he had made his feelings clear and I would have to wait a little longer. "I think we'd better get back to the boat, we'll go down to the village for dinner and moor there for the night, if that's alright with you?" I nodded quickly and got to my feet as quietly as I could, trying in vain not to shout out as a sharp piece of rock grazed along one of my thighs, sharp enough to draw blood. All I could do was watch and a steady flow began to run down the entire length. "What the hell have you done to yourself then? I would have thought you'd be up and down these rocks like a mountain goat, you've certainly been out here enough times." I felt like I was being scolded. "It's just a scratch, besides, how would you know how many trips I've had out here, I haven't said anything, in fact you've not asked me any questions at all." "Well, you just happen to be Jeremy's favourite topic of conversation at the moment, I think the old devil had some matchmaking notions, anyway, there's not much about you I don't know." "Ah well, at least one of us isn't in the dark, I hope he didn't bore you too much." "Quite the contrary now lets get some salt water onto that scratch and keep your eyes peeled for sharks!" "It's been a while since any man-eating sharks were seen around here; the basking sharks wouldn't be in the least bit interested." I was knee deep in the cold water washing away the blood, and right enough there wasn't much of a scratch there. David had already struck out into a long lazy crawl, I looked back at the beach and waded in deeper; taking my time to enjoy the freedom of the water and the sight of David's long arms cutting through the water. He was already on the deck as I drew alongside the boat, holding the rope and metal ladder still while I gripped one of the rungs with both hands. "Kate I don't mean to sound like a panicked old woman or anything but there's something large and dark grey cutting through the water towards us and its got a great big fin sticking out of the water, will you hurry that ass of yours up here." Give him his due he did sound concerned but I wasn't, I just made a little 'o' with my mouth and looked slowly over my shoulder. "KATE!!" He shouted hoarsely. "What?" "It's a great big bloody shark, get up this bloody ladder right now!" I could see what it was and tried hard not to laugh. The dorsal fin disappeared slowly from view as the shark grew closer, it had to be around twenty feet away and at ten feet nothing was visible but the huge outline as it went lower. David's knuckles were white around the top rung of the ladder, hauling it up and me along with it, he was white around the mouth and I couldn't really tell whether it was with anger or panic, more likely a mixture of both. "You worry too much David, calm down and watch." "CALM DOWN? Just you wait till I get you up here!" I stuck my tongue out cheekily and let go of the rung; I thought he was going to pass out there and then. I stretched out my arms and bent my head down into the water, smiling to myself as the shark glided like a silent ghost beneath me and the boat, swishing its tail lazily side to side. Some men were born worriers. "I'm ready to come out now." I announced, starting to haul myself out. David had turned away in disgust, apparently he hadn't gotten over what I had just done. Maybe I had gone a little too far but at least now he would be able to spot a basking shark without being told what it was. He was facing away from me on the opposite side of the deck; his knuckles gripped the top rail tightly, the stark white colour telling me that all was not well. I shrugged my shoulders and began to wring the water out of my hair, making my way over to the huge drum of fresh water, dipping a small plastic bucket into its depths. "Are you not going to talk to me at all then David?" His silence was beginning to bother me. "I'm not sure I trust myself to Kate." He muttered quietly. Ah well, he'd get over it soon enough. "If the mere thought of a shark was enough to panic you then why the hell did you swim in there earlier?" I addressed his broad back. "God woman, are you always so infuriating? It wasn't so much that I was scared of the shark, it just seemed like every cheesy shark attack movie flashed in my mind and all I could think of was you being attacked, after all your leg was bleeding a bit." "Oh." I was momentarily speechless. "To be honest it didn't really occur to me that it was just a basking shark, all I could see was that fin." He turned round to face me finally. "Well if you'd looked a little beyond, you might have noticed the two smaller fins a short distance behind... if you're ever in doubt; they have more than one each." I spoke softly, I understood why he had reacted the way he did and I had the good grace to feel a little guilty. "Sorry David, if I promise not to do anything like that again, will you forgive me?" The water was starting to slop over the sides of the bucket, washing my feet in steady splashes as the swell of the water increased, I relaxed my legs and arms and moved along with it, my actions stopping the water spillage. I held the bucket out to him, hesitating for a moment he stepped towards me, taking hold. "What do you want me to do then?" "Well, I need to get some of the salt out of my hair and rinse off my body, help me out and I'll do the same for you... well obviously not for your hair because... umm, there isn't any." His smooth head was more of a turn on for me than any thick mane of locks could have been. I hooked my thumbs under the shoulder straps of the suit, pulling them down over my arms a way until the material just rested across the very edge of my nipples, I paused, looking him straight in the eye; seeing a challenge lighting them, raising an eyebrow slightly I turned on my heel at the same time peeling the clingy material down to my waist. Baring my damp breasts to the seals that were watching the boat. "I never took you for being the shy and introverted type at all Kate." "Oh really?" An imp of mischief danced about in my head and I covered my breasts with my hands and turned round to face him once more. Sail Away I laughed out loud when I let my arms fall to my sides; he gulped hard and whistled low through his teeth. My rosy tipped nipples were beading under his gaze, the gentle breeze caressed them like a lover would, tipping my head back a little I let my eyes drift shut, moving my hands so they were lying flat on my stomach, fingertips just inside the material of the swim suit and ever so slowly I pushed it down. As soon as I had rolled it down as far as the top of my thighs I had to wiggle a little, kicking the soggy mass to the side of the deck, standing naked in front of him for the first time. I wanted him to talk, say something, anything, but he said nothing, but I noticed the surface of the water in the bucket rippling, he was shaking. "I'm ready David." I was ready for more than a dousing with cold water, my body felt primed, I had never been so open with anyone before and here I was standing naked before a man I hardly knew, but feeling as though I had known him for lifetimes. A minute passed and still he said nothing, his feet were rooted, I was beginning to feel decidedly vulnerable, maybe I had got things wrong back at the beach, mixed up the signals, maybe he was having second thoughts. A blush started to rise from the top of my chest, I could feel it, the heat moved like a tide. I'd had enough, right at that moment I wanted to crawl into a corner. "You're ready now." His voice was hoarse. I watched the muscles play in his arms as he raised the bucket high, stepping a little closer to me. I raised my face and arms up, feeling the first splashes bathing my heated skin, the water washing away my fears, finally I understood. "I think that's you all done, you look like a water nymph." He stepped back and turned to fill the bucket for himself, letting it sit on the deck while pulled off his shorts. His broad chest tapered down to a narrow waist, the cheeks of his ass just begged to be squeezed; to have my fingernails biting into them; his manhood rose proudly from the nest of trimmed curls and my stomach muscles clenched with my racing thoughts. He stood before me as I had stood before him, giving himself to me in the same way, there was no questioning in his gaze, only need. I moved to stand behind him, stepping up onto the step that led up to the bow, I was still only able to see just over his shoulder but I raised the bucket high, slopping the water over his shoulders. Watching the water run down over his body in a hundred little rivers, glinting like silver in the bright sunshine. As the bucket grew lighter I splashed higher, covering his head; we were done. I put the bucket down and he made motions to turn around, but I halted him with a hand on his shoulder and began to lick at the water droplets clinging to his back. My fingertips and tongue explored every muscle and sinew, moving lower with aching slowness, I didn't want to forget a single detail, his breathing was growing ragged as I pushed my hands between his thighs, pushing them apart, forcing him to move his feet; my breath hot against the cleft of his buttocks, I raked my nails over the rounded globes, parting them slightly so my tongue could delve deeper. Tentatively I began to drag my tongue over his tightly puckered hole, the reaction was instant, his legs and buttocks tensed slightly but he didn't pull away. "What the hell do you think you're doing woman?" Each word seemed to be pulled from deep inside him as my tongue continued to lave. "Getting to know you." I whispered bringing my head back slightly before returning once more to my task but he pulled forwards suddenly. "I only hope you don't get to know everyone in the same intimate way." His hands hooked under my arms pulling me up in front of him. I knew looking at him there and then that I didn't want to wait, I needed him quickly, the feeling was raw and pure, his hands traced down my sides and held my waist as I locked my hands around his neck. "You make me want to." There was no other way I could think to put it. He raised me high, his lips brushed against a nipple, capturing and making a prisoner of it in his mouth. Teeth grazed while his tongue flicked back and forth, I rested my head against his and wrapped my legs around his waist, there he held me poised until he was finished with my breast, tilting his head back to look at me. I tried to talk but he shushed me, his hands cupped my buttocks, holding me still, the head of his cock resting against my wet slit; my heels were digging into his lower back, urging him on, my hands brought his head forward and we kissed, a deep dragging kiss. Letting loose all the emotions that had been reined in on the beach. Our mouths were still plundering each other as he dropped me down, his cock spearing right into the heart of me, my mouth opened wide under his as I felt myself being stretched. His fingers dug into the flesh of my ass as my pussy clutched tightly around his shaft, his breath was hot on my mouth, his tongue danced with mine as he raised me high, plunging me down hard so that every inch of him lay deep inside me. We were moving; his cock still sheathed within me as he leant back against the top rail, allowing me to brace my feet against the lower one, letting me control the pace. I wanted this to last for the longest time, I wanted him to be my forever, but I said nothing as I pushed upwards, biting down on his shoulder as we started to fuck. I cried out each time I felt the head of his cock nudge against my cervix, he moved one of his hands between us, sliding his fingers down to where we were both joined, his head bent slightly so he could watch his cock disappearing into me, again and again. The pad of his thumb rubbed in tight circles over the nub of my clit and I let loose the cries that had been building up inside. Forcing myself down onto him faster and faster, he answered with cries of his own and I felt something snap inside me, shattering me, there and then, I needed to feel him come undone in the same way. Both of his hands moved to my hips, stilling me; I screamed my frustration, bowing my head to his shoulder, my breath coming hot and rapid on his heated skin, I felt weak, sapped but he started to move me, making short sharp thrusts, his back bowed as he thrust higher. He cried out my name and it was caught on the breeze as he came inside me, filling me with his salty seed, I started to shake, my muscles clutched tightly around him, tears coursed my cheeks as he brought me close against him, holding me. We didn't talk, our eyes spoke where our mouths couldn't. Like that we were joined for the longest time, his cock growing softer inside me, still his arms held me. "If I had only known it was going to be like this with you Kate we would have done this a whole lot sooner, all week was wasted and now we only have these two nights. It's not enough." His voice was quiet and he raised me up, his cock sliding out of me. My legs were shaking as I stood before him. "It was difficult enough this week just seeing you briefly each morning; I would never have been able to get any work done if we had taken things further." I knew this with a deep certainty. Still I was curious, I still didn't know where he had been going every day. "Maybe you're right there Kate, it was most surely worth the wait." He kissed me lightly and moved away into the wheelhouse, returning quickly with a tube of sunscreen. "Where have you been spending your days though? You never did tell me." "Well, I've been coming out here with Jeremy, I don't really need a guide at all, but he thought the company would be good for me, besides I think he's under the impression that you need to live your life a little more. He says you hide in that kitchen but for the day or two every week when you help him out." "I think maybe Jeremy is right, but then it's suited me these past months." He started to smooth the lotion over my shoulders and into my arms, something I should have taken care of as soon as we had rinsed off, the sun was no friend to my fair skin, luckily I hadn't burnt at all, I just felt warm, all the way through. "I don't think there's anyplace I would rather be than here Kate, would you have any objections to spending the next two nights here instead of going down to the other islands? Jeremy already had me down there this week." "Not at all, if you don't mind the seals singing keeping you awake at night." They were noisy buggers when they got going. "By the time we need sleep, we're going to be too tired to notice what the seals are doing Kate, of that be very sure." His grin was infectious and I answered with a matching one of my own. Luckily for us Jeremy's better half had provided a couple of cool-boxes full of drinks and picnic fare, it was enough for us, and we ate in the late evening as the sun sank in the sky, laughing as the seals chorus rang out across the waters. After the heat of the day the night breeze felt almost cold so David ducked down below deck to retrieve the sleeping bags Jeremy always kept stowed in a locker near the head. I laughed out loud at his efforts to zip them together in the dying light; my fingers made quick work of the zip as his hands began to strip me. I spread it out flat on the deck and laid down, naked, waiting. I heard the zipper of his shorts being pulled and then felt my legs being parted as he moved to kneel between my thighs. His fingers traced back and forth along the underside of my breasts while his lips kissed my eyes shut softly. "Let me love you." He whispered softly. His breath was warm on the side of my neck as he explored my jaw line, pushing my hair back so he could drag the tip of his tongue along the length of my neck. My breath was shaky as he moved lower, cupping my breasts in his hands, moving between both hardened peaks, biting gently, sucking till both ached. Softly he blew low on my stomach, his fingers moving in lazy circles, I cried out my need but he didn't answer with words, instead dragging his fingernails from the inside of my knees up to where my legs joined my body, I could feel myself getting wetter and wetter as he continued to ignore the place where I needed to feel his touch most of all. I was being tortured sweetly, over and over. My legs parted wide and I tried to move, hoping his fingers would stray to my pussy, but he backed off a bit and followed the path of his fingernails with his mouth, then at last I could feel his breath hot and panting against the apex of my thighs. He breathed deep, inhaling my scent as his hands slid under my thighs, pushing them up so that my hips were tilted, pinned and totally open to him, creating havoc inside me as he blew gently over my clit. I could stay quiet no longer and begged him, but he quieted me once more before letting the tip of his tongue lave over the delicate folds of my sex. He groaned low and deep and buried himself between my thighs, letting go of my thighs so he could slide his palms under my ass, holding me up, drinking from me. Every inch of me was explored with his tongue, sucking my clit into his mouth then lower, diving his tongue straight into me while his nose nudged against the little nub. His hands rocked me back and forth while he fucked me with his tongue, fingers moving under me, I could feel his thumb rubbing my tight little ass-hole. I had never been touched like this before, my stomach muscles jumped in shock and I tried to wriggle away but I was held still, worked on till I was a quivering mess, juices running from my pussy and his chin started to pool around his thumb, acting like a lubricant for his thumb. In circles he worked my tightest hole until he felt me relax slightly against him, taking it as a cue to push through the tightly banded muscles. The pleasure-laced pain had me screaming out, I couldn't have stayed quiet as his mouth and hand urged me on. His fingers were splayed across my buttocks as his thumb pushed deeper; I almost saw stars as I came under his mouth, bucking against his mouth and thumb, his murmured words of encouragement spurring me on till I completely lost control. Right there and then I needed to feel his heat filling me. It had never been like this for me before, I had never once begged a man nor been this wet. I could feel him easing his thumb out of my ass slowly as he raised his head up, letting his body slide along the length of mine, a hand now rested on either side of my face, lowering his head down to mine, letting me taste myself on his tongue. Using his hands he rolled me over onto my stomach, letting his knees push my thighs wide apart, at this moment I could almost feel the silky head of his cock invading my body, but he took his time, nipping at my shoulder with his teeth, licking a path down my spine to the small dimple at the very base, his hands spread my cheeks and he lapped at me in the same way I had him earlier, it felt amazing, dirty, I tried to wiggle away from his tongue but I was held still. Little by little I relaxed and felt the wet heat of his tongue push a little way inside, quickly followed by a finger, then two, it felt as if I was being stretched wide, I had no idea that pain like this could bring so much pleasure along with it. He covered me with his body, whispering softly in my ear as he let the head of his cock push slowly into my pussy, coating it with my wetness, I was ready for him. Drawing his hips back he rose higher, pushing against my ass, slippery wet already it was easy for him to push the first inch inside. My breath left me in a hiss as the pain really hit, but I wanted him there, crying out as he went deeper and deeper, stopping every so often so that my body had a chance to relax against him. When at last he was buried to the hilt inside my ass his hands moved under my stomach and he pulled me up so that I was on my hands and knees, pushing my shoulders down a way so my hips were tilted up towards him. My muscles clamped down around him, squeezing the length of his shaft, relaxing and contracting again and again around the base of his cock, my screams mixed with his shouts as he pulled back, it felt as if my insides were being dragged out, his hands soothed me as he began to fuck me slowly. I felt one of his hands on my shoulder, digging into me, a whispered apology in the night as he brought me back hard onto his cock. Over and over his body slammed into mine, soon I found my body meeting his thrusts with a power of its own, I needed the release as much as he did, screaming at him to fill me with his seed. Just when I thought I wouldn't be able to take much more punishment his hand brought me up, making me land heavily on his cock as he came, the saltiness bathing my raw flesh. If it hadn't been that his hand held me up I would have collapsed forwards, I felt a weakness spread through my whole body but he lowered us both down gently, rolling us to our sides, his cock still buried within my ass. For a long time all I could hear was our ragged breathing, protected in the warmth of his arms, joined in the most intimate of ways. Like that we fell asleep, not caring of the cold air that caressed our bodies, just feeling the gentle rock of the boat on the sea and the sound of the seal song in our heads. Some time during the night he must have moved me because as the first beams of morning sun hit my closed eyes I felt the warmth of the sleeping bag across my back. Stretching out my legs wasn't easy, I felt cramp and throbbing aches in places I didn't want to think about, groaning softly, I let my arm drift to the side, but it didn't come into contact with the large warm body I was expecting. Puzzled I turned over onto my back, shielding my eyes from the sun. There he was, sitting cross-legged near my feet, just watching me, his face contemplative, I smiled shyly at him and closed my eyes once more. "Did you ever meet someone and just know that it was right, everything was right?" His soft words had me thinking. "Only once David." I was being completely honest. "Oh, did things not work out well for you then Kate?" I smiled as he spoke. "Things are working out well enough thanks, but I think you know that already." "I just had to know it wasn't one-sided. But..." He trailed off. "You don't have to say anything, I know what you're thinking and I was wondering about it too." One night and one day left. Work had me tied to the hotel until the first week of October, I had no idea what his plans were but I figured that going back to the city was pretty high on his list of priorities. What would happen when we returned to reality would depend very much on Lady fate unless he had already thought of some way for us to be together. I sat up, letting the thin cover drop around my waist, raising my arms up, brushing my hair through with my fingers before opening my eyes properly. Not a shred of self-consciousness clouded my movements as I stooped down to gather up the sleeping bag, pulling it gently, a signal for him to get up. His hand cupped the side of my face and I turned towards it, kissing his palm softly before walking into his embrace. Just the gentle brush of my nipples against the hairs on his chest was enough to have them tightening painfully, he was already aroused, the length of his cock seared against my belly. Wetting my lips with my tongue I got down on my knees before him, moving my cheek back and forth against the satiny head, parting my lips to capture it. "Are you sure about this Kate?" I was never surer; I nodded slightly, moaning from the back of my throat as I began sucking softly, my hands flat on his stomach. His muscles rippled under my fingertips, his hands cradled my head, pushing my mouth further onto his cock, my mouth was greedy for more, my tongue circled him wetly. His hands pulled me a little closer and I could feel the head of his cock at the back of my throat, it took a while for me to relax enough to let him pass, still I suckled on him, I was hungry to taste him so I grasped the base of his cock in my fist, moving it up and down in time with his thrusts into my mouth. His fingers were almost painful on my head as he forced me to take more, I was forgetting to breathe, at that moment all that mattered to me was giving him pleasure. "Sweet Kate." He whispered as he began to cum against the back of my throat, withdrawing until the head of his cock rested against my lips, his thick gooey cum spattered my face as I tilted my head back to look at him. His fingers stroked over my lips, coating them in his seed, eyes never wavering from each other as he slid the slippery finger into the depths of his own mouth, sucking on it till it was completely clean. I stood up slowly in front of him, drawing his head down, sharing a salty wet kiss, achingly slow, the day was ours, no rush to go anywhere. The rest of our time was spent exploring each-others bodies and minds, our lives away from the island, stopping to eat only when biting hunger and lack of energy forced us to. It was idyllic but all good things come to an end sometime and hearts heavy we pulled up the anchor and said a last goodbye to the Cairns and the seals that had sung us to sleep so vociferously each night. True to his word Jeremy was waiting for us at the end of the jetty, sitting on the end with his feet trailing the water, a happy smile on his face as he caught sight of us. I threw him the mooring rope and hoisted my rucksack onto my shoulder, jumping off the boat quickly. "I was beginning to think I'd lost you both to the beauty of the islands." He said, holding his arms out to hug me briefly. "You nearly did for a while back there Jeremy." I answered. "How did she behave then David?" "She was very good; we only crossed swords once the whole time." His eyes caught mine, smiling warmly. "I meant the boat; I'm not so sure I want to hear about you and Kate right now." At least David had the good grace to blush, but he assured Jeremy quickly that the boat had behaved impeccably. Sail Away We parted in the hotel's reception, Jeremy wanted to share a drink with David, it would be the last time he would see him before he checked out the next morning. My heart contracted almost painfully as I thought about him having to leave, nothing had been resolved between us and as I watched the hands of my bedside clock move on through the small hours of the morning I was still no closer to an answer. I only hoped that David was having an equally sleepless night. "God Kate you look like shit this morning!" I knew this already but I didn't need to hear Mike saying it. "Well thanks friend, you look stunning yourself." I was muttering degrading comments at him as I busied myself with the breakfast orders. "Where's Haydn this morning then? He usually serves breakfasts himself." "He's out in reception checking out a few people that didn't fancy breakfast so yours truly got roped in to help." My heart skipped a beat. "Oh okay, just wondered." I needed to know if David was one of the ones leaving but I couldn't leave Mike to cope with the half filled dining room on his own. The last order taken care of I began to clean up, pouring a large coffee to console myself with. Half the cup drunk I realised that it was providing no solace. Haydn himself, finished with the guests had come through to the kitchen to keep me company, he pushed a folded over piece of paper across the table towards me, giving my shoulder a fatherly pat he pushed his stool back and left the kitchen. For a long time I just looked at it, my hands were clasped tightly, but I realised whatever was written in the note couldn't possibly make me feel worse than I already did. I drew in a shaky breath and opened it quickly, checking at the bottom of the short note sure enough was David's scrawled signature. The kitchen door creaked open and I looked up to see a worried looking Mike standing in front of me. "Well, I hope he apologised for running out on you." "He's explained why he had to go, and yes, he did apologise." I folded the note back up. "Well what are you going to do now; you're not going to leave us are you?" "Well, not until the end of the season at least, but it looks like I'll definitely be going back to university." I grinned happily at him, my stomach somersaulting as I thought about what the future might hold. Four weeks and six days later... Sail Away “It’ll be close. Thursday evening possibly, but I won’t sail her at night with the big cruise ships coming in. I’ll try my best though.” Cassandra turned back to the task at hand, one eye on the compass, the other on the horizon and the sails. Today would be an easy day, fair wind, warm temperatures and a straight course, it didn’t get any easier than that. Lena wandered below, eating yogurt and granola in the ships galley, and then a quick shower. In her cabin she searched through her belongings and settled on a Speedo training suit, green with red piping. The bathing suit top, a sports-bra style, fit comfortably over her breasts. She wanted to do some hard swimming today to work off her tension. It had been a strange and restless night. As the morning wore on the wind died down a bit and Cassandra set the auto-pilot. She could relax a bit now. They were still making good headway and there wasn’t much to do but enjoy the sun and the occasional dolphin that would swim alongside. She turned to Lena, who had been sitting near, reading. “I’m going to go get some sun.” Lena looked up and around. “Can I come too? Or is that too risky?” “No, that’s fine, you can come forward, autopilot is set and the radar will give warning if there are other boats nearby that we have to watch out for. You never know what the next day’s weather will be like so you might as well enjoy it while you can.” Forward, there was a flat expanse of deck covered in dense but soft padding that was perfect for two people to lay side by side and sunbathe. Lena was already sitting there when Cassandra came forward with a tiny crystal bottle. “What’s that?” asked Lena as she eyed the rose colored liquid in the bottle. “It’s my Greek grandmother’s own private recipe for suntan oil. Our family has used it for generations and never one sunburn,” laughed Cassandra. “Don’t even ask me about UV protection, I have no idea,” she added. “Here, let me put some on your shoulders.” With that, Cassandra opened the bottle and poured out the oil into her palm. After rubbing her hands together she began to rub the lotion into Lena’s shoulders. “You might want to change tops. You are going to get the strangest tan lines with this bathing suit top.” “Oh, you know, I think you are right. Do you care if I just take it off?” asked Lena. “No, go ahead, then you don’t have to worry about his stuff staining your suit or anything either.” Lena quickly pulled her top over her head, carefully folding it and placing it aside. She rolled over onto her stomach and lay down next to the seated Cassandra. Lena thought for a minute to take off her bottoms too, but that might be a bit too much, and instead she pulled the bottoms down well below her tan line and rolled them at her hips to make the smallest lines possible. Cassandra drizzled the lotion down Lena’s back and began to work it in. Her hands felt wonderful on Lena’s back and the scent of the lotion was heavenly. Cassandra worked the lotion all over Lena’s shoulders and down the small of her back. Her hands caressed the white skin below the tan line of Lena’s bottom. Cassandra marveled at how smooth Lena’s skin felt. Cassandra couldn’t help staring openly at Lena’s exposed breasts when the woman had removed her top. Her breasts were firm, and as beautiful in their nakedness as Cassandra had imagined them to be. Her fingers lingered for a moment at the top of Lena’s thighs, massaging the oil into the older woman’s skin. Her gaze was drawn to the covered “v” between Lena’s legs, which were slightly parted. The bathing suit bottom was cut wide over Lena’s buttocks and as if she had been adjusting her own, Cassandra reached out and moved the Lena’s suit bottom back over her buttocks, exposing the smooth skin of her ass to the sun. Cassandra noticed Lena’s sharp movement when she did this. “Oh, sorry, I just was trying to help your tan line.” “Oh no, that’s fine,” replied Lena. “It just tickled. Do you want me to do your back now?” “You know, I think I’m going to lay on my back a bit, just in case I need to look around. Don’t let me fall asleep.” Lena looked over at Cassandra and smiled as she watched the young woman untie the strings of her bikini top. She casually flipped it aside and sat in the lotus position and beginning at her feet began to massage in the homegrown suntan lotion. Lena watched the young woman’s firm strong fingers work the oil into her muscular calves and thighs. Cassandra’s hands moved quickly over her thighs and spread legs. She held herself upright and slathered the oil over her midsection. Lena could see Cassandra’s naked breasts in the sunlight. The nipples were dark, and indeed they coved three quarters of the surface of the woman’s small breasts. They looked perfect on the young woman’s athletic frame and as Lena watched she saw Cassandra begin to massage the oil into her breasts. Lena wasn’t sure whether Cassandra knew she was watching, but as she looked it appeared to Lena that Cassandra was caressing her breasts. The young woman’s hands cupped her own breasts, finishing in a pinch over the nipples, the way Lena would do to her own in self-pleasure. Cassandra seemed completely oblivious to Lena’s presence as she continued to massage the oil into her breasts, tweaking the nipples to their peak state of arousal. Lena could see them poking out from the young woman’s chest, enhancing her beauty. Finally, Lena watched as Cassandra lay back in the sun amidst the sounds of the wind in the sales, and the waves slapping as the hull moved through them on its course. The sun felt wonderful to Cassandra, seemingly covering her in a blanket of warmth. Her whole body tingled whether from the heat or the absent-minded caresses she had just given herself. Even now, her sensitive nipples were like points of fire on her chest. “Thank God,” she thought to herself, “that Lena was laying on her stomach and didn’t see.” Touching Lena’s smooth body had definitely and unexpectedly had an arousing effect on her. Before she knew it she realized that she had been no longer applying oil to her own body, she had actually been caressing her own breasts. She stopped as soon as she realized what she had been doing, but now she could feel her own arousal as she lay in the sun and she ached inside. Could she be attracted to a woman? She thought not, but in this case she didn’t feel just attracted to a woman, it was really Lena that she found to be attractive. There was something powerful and yet deeply feminine about Lena that Cassandra wanted to get close to, to touch somehow, to share. As she lay in the sun Cassandra acknowledged a deeply powerful desire not to make love to a woman, but to join herself in some deep, complete, and meaningful way with Lena. After 30 minutes or so Cassandra awoke to the caress of Lena’s finger on her cheek. “I’m sorry, I let you sleep.” Lena was sitting cross-legged next to Cassandra. Cassandra sat up and quickly looked around. “Don’t worry, I just wanted to give you a rest, I’ve been watching. We are on course, and doing 4 knots. I don’t think we’ll break any speed records into Miami.” Lena had brought a pitcher of ice water forward and now the two of them sat together in the sun sipping the cool water. Cassandra’s eyes were drawn to Lena’s full breasts, still naked in the sun. As she watched Lena move around the boat Cassandra saw the older woman’s breasts move in perfect unison with her movements. They were firm, with small nipples, thick and rounded. Cassandra spoke, “Lena, you have a beautiful body for someone your age.” In an instant she realized how awkward that sounded and Lena feigned scorn. “No, no, I mean any age. What I’m trying to say is I think any woman would love to have your body.” Lena blushed at the compliment. “You are too kind. But thanks, I try to keep in shape. Enjoy your youth while you can, it gets tougher and tougher as you get older. Pretty soon these, “ and as she said this Lena reached down and cupped her breast in her hand, “ I’m sure will start sagging all over the place. But I’ll enjoy it as long as I can.” She smiled and as she did she released her breast, but not before casually caressing her thumb over her nipple, which became instantly distended and aroused. Cassandra stared at her and her breasts and seemed to flush all over. Again, she had that tingly sensation in her nipples, and realized that they were beginning to become aroused. Lena couldn’t help but notice Cassandra’s reaction and looked at her with a quizzical expression. “What was going on here?” she wondered. Cassandra quickly turned over and lay on her stomach. Lena applied the lotion to her back and legs. Cassandra’s bottoms were already pulled into her ass, “thong style” and she didn’t flinch when Lena applied the lotion to the smooth skin of her bottom. Lena couldn’t help but caress her fingers over the young woman’s smooth bottom. She applied the lotion liberally, and massaged it deep between the young woman’s thighs, coming within a centimeter of the young woman’s center. Did her legs part a bit more? Lena thought the heat was getting to her. She stood up. “I’m going to take a dip.” She walked aft and turned the boat up into the wind and dove into the refreshing water. The water felt cool and caressing over her almost nude body. Rather than clearing her mind of thoughts of Cassandra’s beautiful body the water over her naked breasts seemed to only increase her arousal. After a few minutes she came back aboard, set the boat back on course and went below. That night, they ate in silence above deck, watching a beautiful sunset undisturbed by any man-made objects. Cassandra gave Lena a brief lesson in navigation as she charted the course for the next day’s sail. “Well, the good news is that I think we’ll have one more day’s sail and be into Miami midmorning on Friday. Best I can do.” “Well I just got off the ship-to-shore with David and he is doing fine. The doctor said he can leave on Saturday so it looks like the timing will be just right. You’ve been really wonderful Cassandra. Thank you.” Cassandra just stood smiling at Lena. “You’ve been a great passenger, I’ve enjoyed it too.” Lena smiled again and then leaned in and gave Cassandra a kiss on the cheek. “Okay, let’s get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning for the final day’s sail.” Lena found it momentarily difficult to go, a brief hesitation, nothing more. Cassandra looked at her expectantly. Lena then turned and went into her cabin. Dizzy for a second, sitting and then lying on the bed. Cassandra followed the graceful movement of Lena as she made her way to her cabin. She found herself wanting to ask Lena to stay a bit longer, but what for? Just to be in her presence? This was crazy. Cassandra secured the boat and went aft to her cabin. She stripped off her shirt and lay in her panties, letting the cool evening air coming from the open hatch drift over her body. She could not get the image of Lena’s hand cupping her own breast out of her mind, and the heat that she felt inside her that afternoon began to return to her. She could see almost in slow motion Lena’s long fingers holding the fullness of her breast in her hand and the her thumb slowly drawing across the milky whiteness to her nipple. Cassandra had watched as Lena’s thumb drew her nipple to hardness in an instant and then it had stood out starkly making her aureole appear smaller and puffier. It had been one of the most arousing things Cassandra had ever witnessed. In a moment, Cassandra realized that her own fingers were tracing over her abdomen. Her nipples tingled in the night air, and as she held the image of Lena cupping her own naked breast in her mind, Cassandra felt her own fingers begin to circle her own breasts. The young woman couldn’t help but moan as her fingertip began tracing a circle around her nipple, and she immediately felt the warm waves of arousal spreading through her body. The ripples of pleasure began at the white-hot nerve endings of her nipples and began to flow down over her body like the evening air to break gently between her legs. As she pictured Lena’s nakedness in her mind Cassandra cupped her own breasts, small by comparison, and wondered to herself what it would be like to hold another woman’s breast in her hand. No, she thought to herself, not another woman’s breast:: Lena’s breast. As the reality of the object of her desire hit her, the ripples became waves and the fingers of her left hand slid beneath the front of her panties, gliding through the soft down tracing lightly over her pubic mound. The first sensation of moisture surprised her. She wasn’t just aroused, she was soaking wet. Her finger easily slid between the lips of her sex and traced over the distended bud of her clitoris. This time she heard herself moan loudly as one finger entered her, and the she squeezed her naked nipple between the fingers of her other hand. In the galley, Lena heard a low moan coming from the aft cabin. She had gone back to the galley to pour herself a final glass of wine. She stood motionless in the galley for another minute waiting, the silence broken only by the steady beat of the waves against the fiberglass hull. She stepped quietly to the door of the aft cabin, Cassandra’s cabin, and inclined her head towards the door. It was closed, not latched, but Lena was sure that Cassandra was asleep. As she turned to return to her cabin, Lena heard another muffled cry, this time definitely from Cassandra’s cabin. Lena looked at the door lock and placed a finger against it, pushing gently. The door eased open a fraction of an inch. Lena peered into Cassandra’s cabin through the tiny opening, but it was enough to allow Lena to see the beautiful, young girl lying on her back on her bed, naked but for her tiny panties. What caused Lena to suck in her breath sharply was the realization that the young woman wasn’t asleep, but that from where Lena stood she could see Cassandra’s fingers working feverishly in her panties. Cassandra’s other hand was pulling and teasing on her nipples, and the young girl was writhing on the bed, her hips rocking against her own fingers. Lena could see clearly the young woman’s fingers beneath her panties thrusting in and out, and from this near distance Lena thought she could even hear the sounds of Cassandra’s fingers entering the thoroughly wet and aroused lips of her vagina. Lena felt a warmth flood her insides. She stepped back stunned for a moment, considering whether to return to her cabin after accidentally intruding on the young girls privacy. For some reason she did not step back. She remained rooted where she was, watching Cassandra tease and tantalize her body in the moonlight. Lena stared at the young girl’s nipples, now distended in full and complete arousal and absentmindedly Lena’s hand drifted between her own legs, gently cupping her own mound through her panties. She had never seen another woman masturbate before, or in a state of arousal as complete as this young beauty. Lena’s fingers gently cupped her own sex as if to relieve the heat that was building there, but finding only that the heat increased with every touch. Lena lightly traced her lips through her panties, which were already becoming moist. She slipped her fingers beneath her own panties, and her forefinger traced down over her soft fur, lingering a moment at the fleshy hood covering her clitoris then slipping past into the wetness between her outer lips. Lena staggered and almost collapsed as she felt white heat begin to emanate from between her legs. Almost immediately she felt a flood of pleasure spreading over her. The sight of the young girl, nearly naked, pleasuring herself, and the ministrations of her fingers as they caressed her own sex quickly accelerated the pleasure she was feeling. As her fingertip rolled over the tip of her clitoris, circling it, covering it with the wetness of her own arousal, Lena could hear Cassandra beginning to breathe in the regular rhythms indicating an impending orgasm. The sound of Cassandra’s regular panting, and the sight of the increasing undulation of her hips brought Lena rapidly to the peak of pleasure. As she heard Cassandra begin to cry out, Lena felt vibrations of pleasure became explosions deep within her womb and spread out over her whole body. Her legs gave way, and silently, Lena crouched to a sitting position with her back against the cabin wall, trying to breathe quietly as the waves of pleasure subsided. For minutes she stayed like that, waiting for her heart to stop racing, praying that Cassandra wouldn’t get up and find her here, expended after spying on the young woman’s private pleasures. After what seemed like ten minutes. Lena could hear nothing but the regular breathing pattern indicating sleep coming from Cassandra’s cabin. Lena waited two more minutes and then silently crept back to her own cabin. In her own cabin, Lena lay restless. Her emotions were a mixture of self-loathing and wonder. The self-loathing came from the feeling that she had betrayed a great trust by spying on Cassandra. And there had been no accident about it, Lena had opened the door, and then stayed after discovering the source of the nocturnal moaning. The wonder came from the sheer sexual excitement of the moment. Lena admitted to herself that it was one of the most sexually exciting moments she had ever experienced. Cassandra’s body had been beautiful in the moonlight, and now as Lena lay in bed, she realized that she would love to have her sexually, a thought that brought her back to self-loathing. She was married, heterosexual and twenty years older than the young girl. “This boat better get to Miami fast,” she thought to herself as she fell into another troubled sleep. The final full day of sailing was an uneventful one. Cassandra, noting time and distance decided to wait one more evening before coming into Miami. It would be perilous if the wind should die, and they got caught in the shipping lanes after dark. Or so it seemed. Cassandra noted that she probably could make it with ease, but inside there was something else, a reluctance to say goodbye to Lena. They had spent a wonderful final day together, working the boat, and relaxing in the sun. Cassandra could see in Lena the woman that she would love herself to become. It wasn’t just the physical beauty, which this morning was highlighted by the yellow bikini that Lena wore, but it was also the confidence she exuded from every pore of her being. Lena’s bright green eyes were filled with life, but also with wisdom of experience. As Cassandra looked at Lena, she was reminded of her own powerful orgasm the night before. She had never imagined herself with another woman, but now as she looked at Lena, her skin golden against the yellow bikini, Cassandra imagined her own hands on the older woman, caressing her. Had she really decided to spend an extra night at sea with Lena just to stay around her? What was she hoping would happen? Cassandra turned to the sea, gazing out at the horizon, but soon her gaze inevitably shifted back to Lena’s body. That evening, after they had shared a final meal in the early evening sun, Lena and Cassandra sat silently looking at each other. The trip had taken some unintentional turns, both physically, and emotionally. Cassandra spoke first, “Lena, you have been great to sail with, and really wonderful to be around. I don’t know how to say it, but I’m really going to miss you.” “Oh come now, don’t be silly.” Lena smiled at the young girl. As Lena looked at Cassandra she saw in the young woman her own self from 20 years ago. She saw the youthful exuberance, but also the deeply embedded lack of self-confidence that derived from having had so little life experience. “If I knew then, what I know now,” thought Lena to herself. She gazed adoringly at the young girl, wishing she could somehow give her those life-experiences that would speed her learning curve. The innocence was still there, and still beautiful as Lena admired Cassandra in her shorts and shirt. Sail Away “Let’s go for one final sunset swim,” announced Lena. “Okay, I’ll get changed. Don’t go in until I’m back topside.” “Oh, stop Cassandra. Let’s just skinny dip. It’s only us.” Cassandra looked at Lena. It was true, it was just them, and Cassandra did enjoy the feeling of the water caressing her body when she skinny dipped. As she spoke, Lena had already peeled off her shirt. Her bare breasts glowed in the purple light of dusk. Cassandra unbuttoned her own shirt and tossed it to the deck, then her bra. The evening air felt heavenly as the gentle breezes caressed her breasts. She watched as Lena eased her panties off her hips and naked stood before Cassandra. Cassandra eased her own shorts off and then her black string bikini panties. She looked at Lena’s body, and the dark juncture between her legs. “Yes,” she thought to herself, this is natural, it is just us.” With that, Cassandra dove off the side of the boat, cleanly slicing into the water. She broke the surface as Lena dove from the side, cutting the surface ten feet from her. The water felt wonderful over both of their naked bodies. The warmth of the waves caressed them into a pleasurable state of arousal. Lena marveled at the young girl’s body as she glided through the waves. In turn, Cassandra marveled at Lena’s strength and perfect stroke as she swam through the evening seas. After a few minutes, they returned to the deck of the boat. “I’ll get some towels,” said Lena as she went below, dripping and naked. She returned in a minute, and stopped, breathless. With her back to her, Cassandra stood naked facing the sun as it disappeared below the horizon. Silhouetted in the setting sun, she looked like Venus, powerful, yet with a youthful innocence. Lena found the sight beautiful, and arousing. She walked up behind Cassandra, holding the towels, but not handing them out yet. She was now five inches from the young girl, willing herself closer, wanting to feel her own skin naked against Cassandra’s. There was an awkward silence as Lena continued to stand behind the young girl. It was Cassandra who broke the silence, by moving gently back against Lena, wordlessly, as if the wind itself swept her against the older woman. Cassandra could feel the softness of Lena’s breasts against her back, the warmth of her belly against her. Cassandra was acutely aware of the heat coursing through her body. Her blood pounded in her ears and an ache began in her loins. She felt her head incline against Lena’s shoulder. As if someone else had gained control of her body Cassandra sensed more than directed her hands to her sides, to hold Lena’s hands within her own, and then began to draw them up over her body. Holding Lena’s hands in her own, she covered her own breasts, tingles of pleasure sparking from the tips of her nipples as she felt Lena’s fingers begin to caress her. A tear formed at the corner of Cassandra’s eye and began to fall over her cheek. Lena could see the tear on Cassandra’s cheek, and pursed her lips to cover it with a kiss. The older woman was shocked at what had just happened, but as she stood there, her hands caressing the young woman’s breasts she felt lost in desire to be with this young woman. The first touch of the young woman’s breasts sparked a blaze within her. Cassandra’s breasts weren’t large, but as her fingers found her nipples, Lena gasped at how stiff the young girl’s nipples were. Cassandra was obviously aroused and as Lena squeezed the girls’ nipple between her thumb and forefinger, she felt the young woman’s body tremble against her. Lena’s hand dropped to Cassandra’s hip and turned her towards herself. The young girl looked away as their bodies folded into each other, breasts caressing each other, nipples tracing across each other’s chest. Lena’s hands snaked around Cassandra’s waist and pulled her against her warm body. Lena’s lips traced over the young woman’s cheek, her fingers dancing over the smooth skin of her back. Where there bodies were joined heat emanated from the contact. As Cassandra moved against her, Lena could feel the different contours of the girl’s body, the softness of her thighs, the points at which her nipples rubbed against the smoothness of her own breasts. Lena reveled in the smell of the sea in Cassandra’s hair as her tongue traced over the young girl’s earlobe. Cassandra’s mind was a whirlwind of pleasure, and nervousness. She felt that the pounding of her heart must be heard for hundreds of yards around the boat. She hung onto Lena in desperation, enjoying the pleasure of pressing her body to her, but holding too for strength, which for the first time in her life she felt she lacked. Indeed her whole body felt on the brink of some collapse. She could do no more than enjoy the feeling of Lena’s tongue tracing along her neck, and the feeling of the older woman’s full breasts against her own, soft, comforting. At the moment when she felt she could stand no longer, Cassandra allowed Lena to step away for a moment, take her hand and lead her back to the deck salon. Lena knelt on the soft cushions and Cassandra knelt opposite her, close, knees touching. Cassandra felt Lena’s fingers in her hair, and for the first time looked at her face. Cassandra would think for the rest of her life, that Lena’s face that night, bathed in the rose-purple light of the setting sun, was the most beautiful face she had ever seen. Her eyes sparkled like the sea, with a deep smoldering desire and something else too. Cassandra could see the absolute trust and care and gentleness in Lena. For what seemed like three minutes the two women did nothing but stare into each other’s eyes, searching. Cassandra finally turned and kissed the palm of Lena’s hand as it caressed her cheek. Cassandra felt Lena’s fingers trace down her neck and over her shoulder, down her arm to her own hand. Lena drew Cassandra’s hand into her own, and brought it up to her own cheek. As Cassandra watched, Lena kissed the young girl’s palm, lightly tracing her tongue along the center of her hand. Looking directly into Cassandra’s eyes, Lena brought the girl’s hand into her own, and drew it over her own breast, cupping her hand over her nipple. Cassandra stared in disbelief as she watched her own hand curl around the fullness of Lena’s breast. Unlike her own, they were much fuller, and Cassandra cupped the breast in her hand, feeling its fullness and the searing heat emanating from Lena’s nipple. She yielded to her own inner desire as her fingers closed on the older woman’s nipple. Cassandra’s forefinger traced a circle over Lena’s aureole, feeling the changing texture, watching as the nipple became even more distended under her touch. Finally her finger traced over the hardness of Lena’s nipple, closing it between her forefinger and thumb eliciting a moan of pleasure from Lena. Lena could bear it no longer. The feeling of Cassandra’s hand on her breast had ended any reservations she had about what was about to happen. As she felt Cassandra squeeze her nipple a dam burst within her, and her desire flowed freely now within her body from her breasts down in the depths of her stomach and poured forth from her aroused loins. She leaned into Cassandra, who lay back against the cushions, her hands going around Lena’s back, pulling her in. Lena’s mouth immediately found the young woman’s, and her lips eagerly tasted. Cassandra’s lips parted and Lena could feel for their tongues make contact for the first time, again, a wave of pleasure flowed from the broken dam of restraint within her. She hungrily tasted the young woman’s sweet breath and could sense the passion building within her. Lena covered Cassandra’s breast with her hand, squeezing the nipple until she felt the sharp intake of breath as she kissed the young girl. Cassandra’s hips were moving wildly under her own, as if they had a desire in them that could not be controlled. They maneuvered their thighs against each other, and Lena could feel the wiry texture of the Cassandra’s pubis as she drew her thigh over the young woman. She also felt Cassandra shudder beneath her as her leg drew slowly up over the girl’s sex. They continued moving together, searching for mutual pleasure, finally Lena felt her own sex make contact with Cassandra’s. As she looked at Cassandra’s face, Lena could see her mouth form a silent “Oh” as Cassandra’s sex pressed against her. As Lena felt the wetness of the contact between them, and the waves of pleasure began again. Cassandra moved beneath her, thrusting her hips against her, and then, Lena felt the lips of the young girl’s sex against her own, their most intimate selves, touching, seeking the other. Lena could feel the lips of their vulva fit together, sliding against each other in their own wetness, pleasuring each other in a most intimate kiss. And as the lips of the young woman’s vulva made contact with her clitoris Lena felt a tidal wave of pleasure flow up through and over her body and break against her every nerve. Her body shook uncontrollably as wave after wave of pleasure rolled through her. It seemed impossibly hot between her legs, as if a fire of desire had exploded into an inferno of pleasure. Lena was dimly aware through this of Cassandra rhythmically writhing beneath her until the young girl gasped and Lena felt her shudder against her. Lena held the girl tightly against her as her orgasm shook her, their breasts slippery with sweat moving easily over each other. For a few moments neither woman spoke. The only sound to be heard was the gentle slapping of the waves against the hull, and the ringing sound of the halyards as they knocked against the masts, and the heavy breathing of the women into each others’ ears as they clung to each other. The weight of Lena’s body on Cassandra was wonderful, and Cassandra could feel every spot where their bodies were in contact with each other like tiny flames on her body. Her orgasm had been the most powerful she had ever experienced, and Cassandra lay awestruck and frightened at what had just occurred. She clutched Lena to her both to maintain the pleasure of the feeling of contact and to avoid looking at her. She was sure that Lena had achieved orgasm with her, and her body tingled with both nervousness and pleasure. Lena moved first, rising up onto her hands, over Cassandra, looking down into the young woman’s eyes. Cassandra looked searchingly at Lena. She saw the flush in face, the dreamy look of pleasure so common after a powerful sexual experience. Cassandra looked at her, into her eyes, but could see nothing but the dreamy half-asleep look of sated desire. Cassandra saw too Lena’s breasts, full, the nipples still impossibly hard hanging inches from her own. They glistened in the moonlight from the musky sweat of their pleasure. As she stared at Lena’s breasts, she felt Lena move closer, and her nipples came in contact with her own, just the hard points of her own already aroused nipples. Lena’s eyes closed as she moved gently back and forth, dragging her own nipples over Cassandra’s. The feeling was electric, and Cassandra closed her eyes. She was briefly disappointed when the contact stopped for a few seconds, only to be replaced by a new sensation, one of warm wetness closing over her nipple. Cassandra’s eyes flew open and she stared down in time to see Lena’s tongue draw her nipple into her mouth. Cassandra shuddered with pleasure, but was unable to look away as she saw Lena’s mouth begin to suckle her breast. She stared as she saw her own nipple, distended, wet with saliva, disappear inside Lena’s mouth. She sensed the suction and tweaking of her nipple as Lena gently took it between her teeth. She felt the waves of pleasure begin within her self again and they became inevitable vibrations of pleasure as she saw Lena gently suck her whole breast into her mouth. Her second orgasm left her gasping for breath and her nipple, now open to the cool even breeze felt like an exposed nerve. She could stand it not longer, and covered her own breast with her hand. She sensed Lena moving away from her, kneeling up, when another sensation overtook her. This time she felt Lena’s finger tracing along her vulva, already soaked from her earlier orgasm. Cassandra opened her eyes and looked at Lena. Lena no longer had that dreamy far off look in her eyes. Now there was the look of determination. Lena never broke her gaze from Cassandra as she leaned over the young girl, and covered her young sex with her lips. For one instant, Cassandra had the urge to run. For one instant, she thought to stand up, push Lena away, and step back from this “point-of-no-return.” For one instant she thought life could be normal again if she closed her legs. Instead, as a warm fire engulfed her loins she closed her eyes, laid back, and gently opened her legs, opening herself, opening her core. She felt Lena’s tongue on her, gently probing her depths, tracing along her lips. Her hips shuddered involuntarily as she felt her clitoris being engulfed between Lena’s warm lips. Never in her life had she felt so vulnerable, or so excited. She felt the familiar waves of pleasure begin to build within her, the warmth beginning to spread throughout her body. “Oh my god,” she thought, “I’m going to cum again.” At that moment as she felt her orgasm beginning to build she felt a need deep within her sex. She wanted something. She wanted to be filled. She reached between her legs and covered Lena’s hair with her hands, moving her, guiding her. Then she felt it. Lena’s tongue entered her depths. Cassandra moaned as she pulled Lena more deeply inside of her, feeling her tongue fill her depths. Cassandra’s orgasm exploded within her with a force she had never experienced before. She heard herself screaming in ecstasy, tears flowing freely now down her cheeks as her body trembled with pleasure. For ten minutes they lay in each other’s arms, gently caressing each other. Cassandra heart began to beat at a near-normal pace. She sat up slightly, next to Lena, who sat up and looked into Cassandra’s eyes. “I don’t know what to say,” Cassandra began. Lena put her finger to the young woman’s lips, quieting her, smiling. Cassandra looked at Lena’s beautiful face, her full breasts, glistening in the moonlight. Cassandra reached between them, and held Lena’s breast in her hand, caressing it, feeling it’s weight. Cassandra felt the need deep within her, to please. Lena had taken her to a completely new level of physical pleasure, and now Cassandra wanted to do the same for her. But hesitation arose within her. It was one thing to be seduced, and to experience pleasure at the hands of Lena, but it was another thing to take an active role, to pleasure another woman. She looked at Lena, into her eyes, and realized that this was not about just physical pleasure. For the past twenty minutes she had felt one with Lena, and she wanted to feel that again. As Lena watched her questioningly, Cassandra slid off of the salon cushions onto her knees, and between Lena’s legs. Cassandra could see Lena’s mouth forming an “Oh” as if to ask a question as Cassandra’s firm fingers spread the older woman’s legs. Cassandra gave Lena one last look as she began to trace her tongue along the older woman’s smooth thigh. Her skin tasted salty with sweat as Cassandra drew her tongue back into her mouth. She loved the feeling of the smooth skin of Lena’s inner thigh against her cheek. She felt momentary resistance from Lena as she placed a hand on each thigh and began to spread the older woman’s legs, but that moment of resistance faded away in a gasp from Lena’s mouth. There in front of Cassandra now lay Lena’s exposed sex. As she briefly looked up at Lena she could see only the woman’s upturned breasts as her head lay back against the cushions in abandon. Cassandra wasn’t sure what she had expected, but there before her was Lena’s beautiful flower of her sex, open, glistening with arousal. Cassandra could see the aroused swelling of her outer lips, the fleshy hooded covering of her clitoris, and deeper between the lips, the pink glistening folds of her core. Cassandra had always considered her own sex something to cover and hide, but this was beautiful. As she stared in wonderment, Cassandra knew exactly what she wanted, what she needed. All hesitation left her as she lowered her lips to place the most passionate kiss in her life at the very core of Lena’s self. She covered the soft fleshy lips of Lena’s sex with her own, tasting at once the musky, pungent flavor of Lena’s arousal. Almost immediately she felt Lena spasm in her mouth, and heard the older woman cry out. Cassandra loved the taste and sensation of soft skin between her lips. She traced her tongue along Lena’s outer lips, eliciting another spasm and cry from her lover. She slowed her tongue over the firm bud of Lena’s clitoris and Cassandra gently took it between her lips, feeling it grow larger with arousal, and swirled her tongue around the distended nerve of pleasure. This time, Lena’s whole body convulsed with pleasure as she felt Cassandra tongue at her very core. Cassandra continued to nibble on Lena’s clitoris until she felt the waves of orgasm begin to subside in the older woman. Cassandra continued tasting, loving. Tracing her tongue along her outer lips, Cassandra parted them with her fingers, and placed her tongue against the soft pink ridges of her inner sex. She tugged at them with her lips and traced her tongue around the entrance to her vagina, tasting the tart sweetness of her aroused sex. For the first time in her life, Cassandra felt she was giving in the way she was meant to give. She had abandoned herself with her lover, taking pleasure in providing pleasure. She loved the feeling of Lena’s body in complete arousal before her, writhing in ecstasy as Cassandra penetrated her core with her tongue. Again, Cassandra felt the vibrations of impending orgasm begin in Lena, she sensed the minute ripples with her tongue as she held it against Lena’s pulsing vagina. And then, in an instant, like a damn breaking, Lena legs began shaking and her body began to tremble. What began as a gasp of pleasure became a cry of ecstasy in the night. Cassandra held her tongue against Lena’s core as she felt wave after wave of orgasm pass through her friend, to her own tongue and down into her own loins. For a full two minutes Lena continued her spasms of pleasure until finally, drained, she collapsed back against the cushions of the salon, her muscles powerless to sustain her. Cassandra remained on her knees, gently and silently caressing her. After many minutes, Lena looked down at Cassandra, who looked almost asleep between her legs, except for the light tracing of her fingers over her thigh. It was here, only three nights ago, in this same place on the boat, that she had experienced the pleasure of her husband’s cock deep within her. Now, and she squeezed her eyes shut in disbelief, she had experienced pleasure to a depth she had never felt before. She looked down at Cassandra in wonderment. The young beauty had given her pleasure beyond anything she had ever felt before. Beyond the physical pleasure, there was the absolute intimacy of what they had just shared. She had tasted Cassandra’s most inner self, and Cassandra had tasted hers. The next morning, when Lena awoke, she was alone in the bed. She remembered the night before, that they had gone below deck and slept in each other’s arms. Now Lena was alone, but she sensed that the boat was underway and she soon heard the familiar patter of Cassandra moving topside managing the boat. Lena pulled on a tee-shirt, and a pair of panties and went above to the cockpit. Cassandra was there, dressed in a shirt and khakis, unshowered, but beautiful, thought Lena, in the morning light. Cassandra didn’t look over to her as she said, “Just another hour or so into Miami, you can see it now.” Lena looked forward and indeed there was the Miami skyline. She watched in silence for a few minutes. She sensed more than saw that Cassandra stole glances of her. Sail Away “That was wonderful last night. Thank you.” Lena let that hang out in the morning air. After a moment, a muffled cry began deep within Cassandra. Lena could see the tears begin to form in the young girls eyes. Lena rose and moved quickly to Lena’s side, throwing her arms around the young girl. Cassandra buried her face in the older woman’s shoulder, her body shuddering from the tearful sobs. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for it to happen Cassandra. I’m sorry if I hurt you.” “No, no,,,Lena, please no. It’s not that at all,” said the young girl, regaining her composure. “Am I frightened by what happened last night? Yes, I am. Am I sorry? No I’m not. You made me feel so alive last night. I’m crying because in a few hours, you’ll step off this boat and I’ll never see you again. You’ll go back to your own life with your husband, and I’ll be here. I know it has to be this way, but no one has ever made me feel so whole before, and when you leave, I’ll never have felt so empty.” Lena held the young woman tightly to her. It was true, and in fact in a few hours they did arrive at the dock. David, Lena’s husband, was actually there, on crutches to greet her with a warm embrace. It was an awkward two hours unpacking their belongings from the boat. Lena and Cassandra worked silently side by side for the most part. David thought the two looked exhausted. He attributed the exhaustion to the fact that the two women had had to manage the boat on their own a few days, and he tried to help where he could. Finally, the moment came to depart. David gave Cassandra a huge hug, thanking her for her quick action on board that probably saved his life. Cassandra helped him back into their rented SUV and then returned to the dock. She looked deep into Cassandra’s eyes. She could see the pain and felt the emptiness in her own heart. She whispered softly to her, “That was so special the other night, I don’t know what it means. I didn’t expect it.” Cassandra remained silent, her eyes glistening. “I know, hey Lena, you better go. I’ll never forget you, and I’ll never be able to sit out on the boat in the evening without thinking of you. I want to make sure you know that.” The two women embraced, and Cassandra luxuriated in the warmth and smells and texture of Lena. Her own heart was breaking within her, but in this case there was no choice. Only time and the sea would bring healing. She turned away from Lena, without looking back and boarded the boat, not sure she’d able to bear seeing the SUV drive away. “Damn, I hate Miami.” She began to rig the boat for her journey home, to the sea. The End