Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Double Balcony (FF)

   The private message took Lydia by surprise.  She'd replied to some of
biojen's threads on the Cruise Fan bulletin board in the past, and might
even have considered her even kind of a "friend"--as far as that meant
anything on the anonymous forum--but she was rarely so involved in the
banter that anyone tried to reach her offline.  Had her post last night
sounded that desperate?  She'd been pretty bummed out, and was admittedly a
bit heavily into the vino...oh God..had she been drunk-texting?  Quickly
she looked over her posting history.  There it was...well, not that awful,
but she might not have rambled so much if she'd been sober...lamenting that
she'd been laid off yesterday, and it was now too late to cancel her
scheduled cruise without losing the deposit as well, but if she couldn't
cover the rent on top of needing to spend time job searching should she
really be spending the extra money on the cruise and oh damn she needed
this time away for herself since her mother died and she'd put off so much
in her life caring for her and she wouldn't trade her last months with mom
for anything but dammit...  Shit.  That did sound maudlin.  She clicked
open the PM.

   "Dear libby78--I'm really sorry you've had such a tough week.  Anyway, I
just wanted to offer to help in a practical way.  Bottom line--I just got a
free upgrade to a balcony, and I wondered if you were interested in
sharing? I'm cruising alone otherwise anyway.  You could probably apply
your deposit and not have to pay much more.  I know it's kind of forward,
but think about it...you seem like a nice person in your postings and all.
I just felt that, well, if I could offer *something* to make a difference,
I should.  I hope you can still come on the cruise.

   You've mentioned before that you live in Tampa.  I'm a grad student at
FSU, so if you wanted to arrange a meetup in person, we could have lunch or
something halfway next weekend.  My real name is Jenelle Douglas.  You can
see my department profile at our lab website, if you want, too.  I'll send
you a phone number if you want to connect.  --Jenelle (biojen)"

   Well, if nothing else, now she at least had to reply to let the group
know that she was OK.  She'd joined the site when she was researching
cruises, and found most folks pleasant and helpful.  Some seemed to cruise
several times a year and had definite opinions about individual ships and
destinations and whatnot, but she had been learning a lot from them, and
her excitement about the week afloat had been building ever since.  Mom had
encouraged her to book the cruise--but she had seriously overestimated the
value of her estate, especially after all of the medical bills had been
paid.  It was going to be a stretch, even if she still had had a job.  And
the rest was all true.  She was lonely, burned-out, and had neglected
building a life for herself in Tampa.  Her social contacts had been limited
to Mom's fellow retirees--nice people for the most part, but she wasn't
really into the daily card games and discussions of golf and distant
grandkids.  And dating...well that was an extremely distant memory.  She'd
been asked out a couple of times by Mom's real estate agent, but there
hadn't been much chemistry there.  She'd thought about moving back to
Michigan, but most of her college friends had dispersed across the country,
and from what she saw on Facebook, they were pretty wrapped up in their own
husbands and kids.  So here she was, 32 years old and basically ready to
audition for "The Golden Girls".

   Speaking of Facebook--she wondered if biojen--Jenelle--might be on there
too.  There she was.  So, she kept her public profile to a minimum--good
judgment there--but did list herself as a biologist and student at Florida
State.  She googled her name and the department, and found her picture
listed under "Jenelle R.  Douglas, Ph.D.  Candidate, Developmental
Biology". She looked like a nice young woman, if you could judge that from
a standard professional portrait.  Her webpage had a video of fluorescent
zebrafish--what did that have to do with anything?--and a list of articles
she had published.  The words were unfamiliar to any recollection she had
from the Intro Biology she took in her first year at Eastern.  Still,
everything so far appeared to be on the up-and-up.  She switched back to
Facebook and clicked on the Add as Friend button, then back to the Cruise
Fan board.

   "Dear Jenelle--What a lovely offer!  I'm still not sure if I can accept,
but thank you for your generosity.  And thank you for caring.  My name is
Lydia Carlisle, I'm 32, single, and as you know, a recently laid-off
account manager.  I sent you a friend request on Facebook (at least I
assumed it was you!).  BTW--pretty fish--though I have NO idea what that's
all about!  :-) Perhaps you can brush up your "Developmental Biology for
Dummies" talk for lunch next Sunday?  Or is Saturday better?  Again--thanks
for caring.  --libby."

   Both replies came quickly for a Saturday morning.  Jenelle must have
been at her computer already.  A Saturday in the lab, Lydia supposed.  A
Facebook message, the exchange of phone numbers, and the setting of a date
for lunch in Gainesville a week hence.  Lydia called the cruise line and
found it would be surprisingly easy to cancel her inside single and apply
her deposit to her share of Jenelle's stateroom.  She'd even come out a few
dollars ahead.  Well, she'd treat Jenelle to a pina colada or two then!

   The next Sunday, Lydia set out toward Gainesville, easily locating the
Denny's on I-75.  It was a busy place, what with the church-brunch crowds,
so she was glad she had gotten there early to get a place in line.  She had
just gotten seated and was working on a cup of coffee when she saw the
battered VW Jetta pull up.  More good judgment, Lydia thought--she'd
brought escorts, a young couple about her age.  Lydia waved at them as they
entered the restaurant, and introductions were made.  Ron and Lisa Jansen
were friends from FSU, recently married, and also booked on the same cruise
as a delayed honeymoon.  The four chatted amiably, especially once they
discovered their common roots in the North.  Jenelle and Lisa had been
undergraduate roommates at Toledo, and Ron hailed from Kalamazoo.  Lydia
and Ron found they shared the same intense dislike for anything having to
do with the University of Michigan, sentiments easily echoed by Jenelle,
having been born and raised in Columbus.  By the time they finished
breakfast, Lydia had no doubts that she could feel comfortable around
Jenelle and her friends, though she still felt quite unaccomplished in her
life compared to them.  In any case, she let Jenelle know that she would
happily accept the cabin-sharing offer, and in return wanted her, and her
friends, to feel welcome to use her home as a base for the night before
sailing.  Jenelle accepted, and just two weeks later arrived to begin their
adventure at sea.

   Boarding and finding their cabins was everything Libby had expected. 
They checked out the buffet and pool, dealt with the inevitable lifeboat
drill, and took a spot at their balcony rail to watch the Sunshine Skyway
bridge pass overhead.  The sea was moving with a gentle swell as they
entered the open Gulf.  She and Jenelle were pleased to see that there was
a nicemix of families and young singles, as well as the grey-haired
retirees she'd expected.  She felt a moment of sadness that her mother
would never join her on a trip like this, but decided that she was watching
in spirit, and reminded herself of Mom's admonitions to move forward.  That
was what this would be then--Bon Voyage old life...time to start a new
adventure.

   For their first day at sea, the young women decided that their first sea
day would be spent entirely on the pool deck.  They donned their skimpiest
swimsuits and light coverups and had filled up on the generous buffet
brunch, then headed out to into the sun.  The experience wouldn't be
complete without something fruity and rummy with an umbrella in it, Libby
thought, and happily sipped on her first such beverage while taking in the
sights.  Soon the ever-solicitous waiter had been back for a second, and a
third round.  Her eyes grew heavy and she rolled over onto her stomach and
dozed off.  Jenelle went for a dip, met up with Ron and Lisa, and headed
off to play some blackjack in the casino.  She was back in their cabin when
Libby staggered in on the arm of a steward.

   "Is this your cabin, Miss?" Libby nodded and stumbled toward the bed. 
Jenelle thanked the steward, who waved off her offered tip, then turned to
tend to her roommate.

   "Oh my gosh, Lib!  You really got baked!"

   "In more ways than one.  I know.  I've got a hell of a sunburn, and I'm
really not feeling so good right now..."

   "Look, lie down and let me put some aloe gel on it.  Do you have some
tylenol or something?"

   "Advil."

   "Probably better given how much you had to drink.  How many did you
have, anyway?"

   "I don't know...he just kept coming by, and I kept drinking them.  Four
that I remember...but...ugh." The room was spinning now.  She hoped she
wasn't going to get sick, though maybe it would be better if she did.

   "Aw Libby...  You'd better drink some water.  You'll be dehydrated,
too." Libby complied and laid down prone on her bed.  "It would help if
you'd get out of your suit, girl." Libby reached behind herself and undid
her top, tossing it to the side.  The clean sheets felt cool against her
skin as she moaned into the pillow.  "OK, hon.  This might feel cold at
first." Jenelle began rubbing the cooling gel over angry red patches of
skin broken by the glaring white stripes where her top had been.  Libby
squirmed at the first touch, but sighed and moaned as the aloe soothed the
burning.  "Not to be too intimate here, but it would probably be best if
you took off the bottom as well so I can cover the back of your legs.  It
really looks painful down in those creases." Libby just grunted and pushed
one side of her suit down.  Jenelle took that as assent and pulled it the
rest of the way off, then spread the gel up and down each leg and deeply
into the creases between thigh and buttock.  The angry red sunburn looked
all the worse contrasting with her pale bottom.  Libby spread her legs
slightly more and hummed happily as Jenelle's hands stroked her inner
thighs.  "Nope--sorry, girl, I'm hoping you won't remember this
conversation tomorrow, but I'm really not here to take advantage of you."
She finished spreading the aloe across Libby's reddened lower back, touched
up the neck and shoulders, and covered her lightly with a sheet.  "I'll
check in on you through the evening.  Try to stay on your stomach so you
don't choke if you do barf, OK?" Libby grunted slightly and Jenelle
finished changing for dinner.

   She kept her word and checked back every couple of hours that evening to
make sure Libby was still breathing comfortably.  She enjoyed the dinner,
show, and dancing with Ron and Lisa.  But since her escorts were excusing
themselves early to go do what young married folks do, she decided the best
defense against becoming a target of advances from single men would be to
retire early.  She stopped at the bar for a vodka tonic to go, then headed
quietly back to the cabin.  Libby still hadn't moved, but she was
breathing, and hadn't been sick.  Poor girl.  Probably a hell of a headache
tomorrow.  She thought about checking the TV for a movie or something, but
felt uncomfortable about making noise.  She stripped out of her clothes and
pulled on some loose shorts and a tank top, picked up her drink and stepped
onto the balcony to watch the Caribbean slip past in the moonlight.  It was
a romantic scene, lacking only a lover to share it with.  She sighed.  She
imagined Ron and Lisa enjoying their lovemaking bathed in moonlight.  Then
she thought of Sarah, how she'd booked this cruise a year ago in a vain
attempt to keep them together.  Silly idea--as if she could compete with a
full ride to Georgetown law school.  As if she *should* compete.  Staying
together would have merely prolonged the pain.  Anyway, she was just a
diversion and stress relief for Sarah's driven career pursuits.  If they
hadn't broken up then, it would have happened a year later during law
school, or a bit later in the pursuit of a partnership.  Jenelle had found
some consolation in her research, but unlike Sarah, she wanted more.  She
wanted a life outside of her career.  Her advisor encouraged her to take
this break, to relax and be refreshed.  She was looking forward immensely
to communing with some fish recreationally on her snorkeling excursions. 
She leaned back in the lounge and sipped her drink, feeling the vodka warm
her mouth.  She let her muscles relax as the soft breeze tickled her
exposed skin.  There was a steady hum of ship noise--a balcony door opening
above her, a murmured conversation a few balconies forward, laughter and
music from the deck far above--but beneath them all she could hear the sea
rushing by.  She keyed in on that sound and let her thoughts drift...it
would be lovely to feel a lover's arms around her again.  She thought of
how smooth Libby's skin had felt under her hands.  She visualized them
sliding across her back, along the side of her heavy breasts.  Oh my. 
Libby did have a very nice pair.  Maybe that was why the waiter kept coming
by so regularly this afternoon.  She'd caught him looking, but she'd
admired them as well.  And pulling off her suit bottom...  Jenelle's hand
slipped beneath her shorts and stroked her own thatch as her mind pictured
Lydia's puffy mound topped with blonde curls...how her legs had
instinctively parted further as Jenelle stroked her thighs.  At the time it
seemed more embarassing than arousing, but now...  Now it was safe to let
her imagination run.  Her feet slid to the floor and her legs spread apart.
She looked around, but sightlines were well sheltered by the balcony
dividers.  She lifted her tank top over her head and tossed it aside,
baring her breasts to the sea air.  She cupped each one in turn with her
right hand, as her left continued to circle her pubic mound.  It was
getting damp down there.  Her nipples tightened as she slid a single finger
between her labia.

   Inside, Libby stirred quietly.  She felt disoriented.  Naked.  Uh
oh--how had that happened?  Movement stretched burned skin and she felt her
stomach churn.  Oh god, that was right.  She vaguely remembered Jenelle
helping her into bed.  Unsteadily she padded to the bathroom to pee.  She
opened another bottle of water and drained it, washing down more ibuprofen
and an antacid.  She'd live till morning, but she might not feel so hot...
Jen's bed was empty.  Out late?  She squinted at the bright moonlight
outside the window--oh, there she was, enjoying the balcony, relaxing on
the lounge.  Libby moved toward the door slowly, her brain foggy.  What was
that on the floor?  A shirt?  She stopped short, fortunately still in the
shadows of the room.  What was going on?  She could make out Jen's
movements on the balcony, the flexing of thighs, back arching.  Hands were
moving vigorously inside her shorts.  Oh!  Libby instinctively looked away
at first, but there was something about it that stirred her curiosity.  She
could guess what Jen was feeling, though she'd never seen another woman
enter that private zone of pleasure.  She hung back and watched as Jen
stroked herself, finally arching upward, offering a climax to the moon and
ocean.  When she slumped contentedly back into the lounge chair, Libby
stealthily slipped into her bed and recovered herself with the sheet.  She
touched her own mound lightly, feeling the moisture of early arousal, but
still too woozy with alcohol to proceed.

   A minute later she heard Jen tiptoe back in through the door.  "Libby?",
she whispered.

   "I''m alive.  Thanks, Jen," she replied drowsily.

   "OK.  I was worried about you." She slid into her own bed and was soon
sleeping peacefully.

   The next morning's port of call was Roatan.  Libby decided to stick to
dry toast and lots of black coffee for breakfast, but still wanted to go
ashore with her friends.  She brought extra sunscreen, and lounged in the
shade of a beachside gazebo--drinking iced tea as the others snorkeled just
offshore.  Palm trees swayed above her as she drifted in and out of sleep.
She was just waking from one of these catnaps when she saw Jen emerging
from the water in front of her.  The girl really was a striking beauty. 
Why had she not noticed that before?  Her black bikini clung wetly to
perfectly proportioned firm breasts and softly curved hips.  She was
wringing out her long black hair as she strode confidently up the beach.  A
group of college-aged men playing football paused in their huddle to stare
at her as she passed near them, but she didn't seem to notice.  Libby
wondered if any of them would recognize her if she was wearing her white
coat and teaching their biology lab next term.  "You have admirers, Jen."

   Jen laughed.  "I think they might be a bit young for me, but who knows.
Some women like 'young and stupid', I guess.  You know, if you wanted to be
the 'cougar' type, I bet they'd take an interest in you, too." She waved
down a passing waiter and obtained two Coronas.  Libby decided she was
sober enough to accept one.

   "No.  Age might not matter, but I'm definitely not looking for stupid. I
had enough of that ten years ago at Eastern..."

   "Yeah, when I was their age I probably didn't care so much either.  To
be honest, if they were able, I was willing.  I mean it's only been five or
six years, but I look at some of the undergrads now, and it's 'what are
they THINKING?' "

   "It's perspective, not age.  You get a bit further out and you start
thinking more long term about love, a life partner, all of that."

   "Have you been in love?"

   Libby had to pause at the bluntness of that question.  "Well...  No,
don't think so.  There was one guy back in Ypsi that actually proposed to
me, but I turned him down.  Of course, Dad had just died, and Mom was
getting ready to move to Tampa.  And I wanted to get out of the Rust Belt,
you know?  I think he might have been in love with me.  And he was good in
bed!  But when it came to spending the rest of my life with him..." She
shook her head.  "...just wasn't feeling it." She stopped again,
considering the Might Have Beens, but shook it off.  "Nope.  It was the
right thing.  But the dating scene wasn't exactly great after that, so I
don't know how I'd even approach a relationship again.  So what about you?
Is it the career that's keeping you single?"

   Jenelle sighed.  "Not mine..." Her voice caught.  She was surprised at
the need to stifle a sob.  Libby looked over to see her chin quivering, and
reached across to take her hand as tears began to flow freely.

   "Let it go, hon," she whispered.

   "This cruise was supposed to be for US!  Dammit...." She took a swallow
of beer and wiped at her eyes with her towel.  "I...  I can't really talk
about it, Libby..." They sat silently for a few more moments, then Jenelle
finished off her beer and squeezed Libby's hand and smiled at her. 
"Thanks." She lifted Libby's hand to her lips and kissed the back of it. 
"I'm afraid the wound's just a bit raw still..."

   "It's quite alright.  If you want to talk again..." Jen nodded in
response and rose to gather her things.  Libby followed her back to the
ship.  They admired the tropical foliage as Jen raved about the fish she'd
seen snorkeling.  Her sadness had been forgotten by the time they walked up
the gangway, and Jenelle had succeeded in talking Libby into snorkeling at
their next stop tomorrow in Belize.  They met up with Lisa and Ron, who
teased Jen mercilessly through dinner regarding the moral contradictions of
loving fish as both subject matter and as entree.  They took in a show,
then hung out at the club awhile.  Libby was surprised that single men kept
approaching her and offering drinks, but she suspected that at least one of
her "suitors" was acting as a wingman to try to clear a friend's path to
Jen.  After the first free drink and the shallow conversation that
followed, she followed Jen's lead and turned the rest down.  Jen was quite
direct with her young fan--since she had NO intention of continuing the
process, she was not going to cheat them by leading them on at the expense
of their bar tab.  Eventually they got the message, and dispersed.  The
bartender grumbled at the loss of business and moved to the other end of
the bar, but his female counterpart, a cute younger redhead, took their
nightcap orders and served them doubles with a wink and knowing smile.

   Returning to their cabin, they changed into their sleepwear and
proceeded out onto the balcony to enjoy their drinks in peace.  Libby
closed her eyes and let herself relax slowly.  "How's the sunburn?" asked
Jenelle quietly.

   "Better.  I've taken good care of it today.  Probably would be good to
take more Advil before bed, though.  Some aloe would feel good again,
though, if you wouldn't mind..."

   "No problem.  Let me know when you're ready to turn in, ok?" She reached
out for Libby's hand.  "Thanks for listening today..."

   "That's what friends are for.  It's been really great having you for a
friend this week.  I've been pretty lonely lately...  Guess I'm having to
re-learn social skills."

   "I've been lonely, too.  And I guess with the semester and everything, I
really wasn't giving myself a chance to think about the break-up, or to
feel the hurt of it all." They held hands in silence for awhile. 
"Umm...there is something I guess you should know.  The relationship that
ended...  Well, *her* name was Sarah, she's a law student now."

   "And you wanted to make sure I knew that she's a woman, right?" Libby
squeezed Jen's hand reassuringly as she nodded.  "I kind of wondered...I
guess it was how you handled those guys, actually," she chuckled.  "Anyway,
it's OK...I guess I'm 'straight, but not narrow' as they say..."

   "So, you're not worried that I'm trying to hit on you, right?"

   Libby laughed heartily.  "Honestly, it didn't cross my mind!  Though I
think I'd be flattered if you were, come to think of it.  I think you could
have your pick of any single person, guy or gal, on this cruise--or
anywhere else for that matter.  Actually, that lady bartender..."

   Jen smiled.  "Good.  It really wasn't on my mind when I invited you to
share the cabin.  Though if you don't mind me saying, you were looking
pretty hot in that swimsuit yesterday."

   "Well, at the moment, I'm afraid that that 'hotness' is really just
sunburn, but assuming that's not just that double vodka talking, I will
allow you to enjoy rubbing it down.  " Libby rose to enter the cabin and
finished preparing for bed.  She didn't hesitate to strip down in front of
Jen and laid down to have her sunburn tended to.  Jen understood it as a
gesture of trust and respect, and focused her thoughts on the clinical care
of the fading sunburn.  Libby felt amazingly relaxed beneath her hands,
even as she tended to her inner thighs and bottom.  As Jen covered her with
the sheet, Libby turned to her side and beckoned to her.  Jen leaned close
and Libby reached up to kiss her cheek.  "Thank you, hon.  Feels real nice.
Maybe tomorrow I can return the favor." Jen smiled, returned the kiss
softly, and turned to retire.

   Libby's dreaming was vivid that night.  She was in the ship's dining
room, where palm trees were dancing over muscled men wearing speedos.  The
lobster on her plate began to glow a fluorescent green.  Suddenly she was
floating underwater but not drowning.  Sparkling zebrafish surrounded her,
glowing pink, green, and blue.  Slowly someone approached though the
dimness.  The glowing fish encircled the stranger and illuminated her--it
was clearly Jenelle, long black hair floating behind her, beautiful breasts
uncovered, and her lower half...she was a mermaid!  They drifted closer
together and the mermaid embraced her.  She felt her swimsuit being removed
by unseen hands and their lips met.  Her legs were tingling and she looked
down to find herself being transformed into a mermaid as well.  She drifted
hands upward to caress Jenelle's breasts.  She heard her name being
whispered..."Libby, libby...!" She woke to find the real Jenelle hovering
over her bed.  "Are you ok?  You were moaning..."

   Libby shook her head and checked herself over.  "No, I'm fine.  My legs
are kind of tingly and sore...maybe I was having a cramp..."

   "OK...do you need anything?"

   "Probably some water.  Thanks.  It's ok--I should get up and pee." She
stumbled toward the bathroom as Jenelle got her a bottle of water from the
fridge.  "Ow.  I think I do have a charley horse."

   "Well, just rub it out, as my mom would say."

   "Yeah, thanks." She fell back into bed, massaging her calf.  "Man. 
Weird dreams."

   "Tell me about it?"

   "Uhh...Maybe later...I need to think about it a little." The thoughts
she was having were distinctly erotic.  Under the sheet she touched her
vulva and found it swollen and moist.  Rub it out, indeed.  She checked
Jenelle's bed--she had turned away and was breathing evenly, hopefully
asleep.  Libby let her legs fall open and touched herself again.  She tried
to picture the mermaid again, the small, firm breasts, soft lips opening to
kiss.  She thought back to seeing Jenelle on the balcony the night before,
how convulsions of pleasure shook her body.  She tried thinking of the
muscular males and their hard cocks, but it wasn't connecting somehow.  Her
fingers played across her clit and she thought of a tongue lapping at her.
She imagined wrapping her hands in long black hair as she pressed Jenelle's
face against her need.  Her fingers became that tongue, her hand the
pressure she craved on her vulva, her juices flowing and sliding...  She
turned to one side and pressed her face into the pillow to muffle any
sound. She wanted to cry out, but...OH.  OH oh oh oh oh Oh GOD!  Her groin
quaked with pleasure, her legs and arms convulsed in spasms as waves of
warmth rushed across her abdomen and into her breasts.  She gasped and
shivered, struggling to keep her moans silent.  Oh god...she hoped Jen
hadn't seen or heard...but would she have cared?  Maybe if she had known
what images were held in her mind...would she be pleased?  Or repulsed?

   The next morning found them pulling into Belize.  Ron had been here
before, so he shepherded them off the ship, past the tourist market and up
to the agency where he'd booked their snorkeling trip.  Soon they were
boarding the water taxi which sped them to a remote cay.  Spending the day
chasing bright fish among the corals was all as lovely as Jenelle had said.
Jen stayed close to Libby, pointing out various things and enjoying Libby's
discoveries even more than her own explorations.  Ron and Lisa were making
themselves scarce, but Jen wasn't concerned.  A few minutes after one
disappearance she beckoned Libby to follow her behind some large coral
formations which protruded above the water.  Holding her finger up for
silence, they peeked into a closet-sized mini-cove and saw Lisa kneeling in
front of a very pleased Ron, lavishing wet kisses on his erect cock.  Libby
giggled silently, and pulled the voyeuristic Jen away to allow the
lovebirds their privacy.  Once the group was back together, the guide
suggested a side trip to another nearby cay, one rarely frequented by tour
groups.  He had some beer and rum, and the ladies could sunbathe without
their suits, if they wanted.  Libby was a bit suspicious of his intentions,
but decided that if the others were ok with it, she could let her 'girls'
see a bit of natural sunshine.  It was no big deal, really--she and Jenelle
even joined Lisa in posing for Ron--they knew Lisa would never let those
shots get beyond their home computer.  Reboarding the launch, they decided
to go topless as long as they could.  Libby stretched out in the back of
the boat, relishing the caress of a soft breeze across her breasts. 
Jenelle was dozing across from her, and Libby found herself stealing long
glances at her body.  Jen's nipples stood out alertly from dark aureloae.
Libby became aware of her nipples tightening, too, and of a warmth
spreading in her groin.  Near them she heard Lisa moaning softly as Ron
nibbled at her neck and caressed her beneath her suit.  None of them were
happy to hear their guide warn them that Belize City was nearing, and that
they should cover up again.  Back at the pier, their guide waved goodbye
with a toothy smile.  Libby was sure that he'd be regaling his buddies
later with tales of the hot, horny gringo women he'd seen that day, but she
tipped him generously, and bent over in the process to add a flash of deep
cleavage to his wages.

   Back aboard the ship, Ron and Lisa hastily excused themselves to their
cabin.  Jen called dibs on the shower and nap, so Libby opted for a dip in
the pool.  It was less crowded than she expected for such a nice afternoon.
Kids played happily on the slide and sprinklers.  A pair of teenaged girls
flirted openly with a group of boys who enjoyed the attention.  Over in the
corner of the hot tub, a chubby middle-aged couple cuddled together.  Libby
saw the woman's arm move in the direction of the man's waist, then she
whispered something in his ear before climbing out.  He grinned and
followed her a minute later, apparently needing to adjust his trunks first.
She caught people watching her as well.  As she climbed out, she noted one
young man ogling her breasts.  She smirked a bit when his female companion
caught him looking--placing a hand on his chin and turning his head to look
at her scolding expression.  They were gone when she walked back their way.
Libby hoped that perhaps the young lady had convinced him to give his full
attention to her in private.

   When she got back to the cabin, Jen was already sleeping soundly,
exposed breasts softly rising and falling with her breath.  The lower half
of her body was partially covered by the cool bedsheet, but from the
position of her legs and hands, Libby assumed that she had enjoyed some
special relaxation before her nap.  She studied her cabinmate intently as
she removed her own suit.  Her vulva was damp and hot, her clit swelling.
She backed slowly into the shower and washed away the sweat, sun, and sand.
She caressed herself with slippery, soapy hands.  As the cool water ran
over her breasts and made her nipples firm, she squeezed gently.  She
remembered how Paul would take them in his mouth, sucking on and tonguing
each nipple in turn.  She imagined herself kissing Jen's breast, and how
those nipples might feel against her lips and tongue.  She soaped her legs
and bottom, circling her vulva slowly, savoring the arousal that was
building.  At last she held herself in her hands, pressing inward, letting
her fingers glide over her swollen center.  Cool water rinsed over her back
and shoulders, soothing the places that had burned, reminding her again of
Jen's soft touch.  She rubbed herself harder and faster, moaning for
release.  If she had ever felt this way alone at home, she might have
screamed aloud in privacy, but that would be too much here.  Tension built
intensely between her legs, spreading upward through her inmost parts.  She
was driven to this now, compelled--stopping would be impossible.  She
needed, needed, needed...UUUHHH!  Finally it crashed upon her.  She braced
herself against the shower stall as quivering thighs struggled to support
her weight.  Oh God...maybe once or twice before she'd felt it this
strongly, stunned with the inability to move, barely able to stand...she
let herself slide carefully down to the floor as the water coursed over
her. Her arms felt weak now.  She literally could not feel her legs.  But
oh, what she was feeling...the pounding beat of her heart that echoed
throbbing in the depths of her womb, spasms of heat clenching her vagina.
She touched her clit and gasped again...she needed to rub, to press it
again.  It quivered, pulsed, hardened....ahhAHH!  OH.  oohhhhhhhh.  She
inhaled deeply and sighed.  Oh my.  That had been a long time coming...had
she had more than one in, how long?  She curled up, head on knees, and let
the water wash off the last of her tension, the last of her arousal.  She
was awake, alive, but somewhere else, floating out of consciousness into a
better reality.  Her mind wandered through the ship, imagining Jen
contentedly masturbating beneath the sheet, picturing Lisa riding Ron to
peaks of pleasure, watching random couples caressing, sucking, fucking.  It
was as though they were all joined together in some great cosmic orgasm and
she had tapped into the very energy of life along with them.  Slowly she
uncurled herself and staggered out of the shower.  She blotted herself dry
and collapsed onto her bed for a nap, with Jen still sleeping soundly
nearby.

   It was almost sunset when Libby woke to the sound of Jen getting up to
use the bathroom.  She tried shaking herself awake, but her body still felt
like a limp rag.  "Hey there, partner," greeted Jen, "don't you think we
should get something to eat?"

   "I suppose so...but I'm feeling pretty comfortable.  In fact, I'm not
sure I can move.  I almost just want to stay naked all evening."

   Jen laughed.  "That might be nice.  I'm sure we'd have no problem
getting attention in the dining room."

   "No seriously...if it's OK with you, I think I'd be happy with just
ordering-in from room service.  I could cover up at least enough to be
decent eating on the balcony, though."

   "We could, I suppose.  There's nothing that interesting to me party-wise
on the ship tonight.  I suppose a "quiet night in" would be alright.  I
doubt that Lisa and Ron will miss us!  What sounds good to you?" She read
out the room service options.  They agreed on splitting a burger with fries
and a large caesar salad with grilled chicken.  They couldn't agree on a
dessert to split, so they ordered three, and added on a bottle of pinot
grigio to wash it all down.  The process of ordering had awakened their
appetites, so Jen impulsively asked for an order of wings as a starter as
well.  They tossed on robes so as to be presentable when the food arrived,
tipped the steward, and proceeded to their balcony.  The moonlit evening
and soft breeze perfectly accompanied the food and laughter they shared. 
Anyone watching would have seen nothing more than two friends chatting,
though each of them was feeling something a little more inside.  Soon the
plates were cleaned and set aside.  Libby poured out the last of the wine
into their glasses and set the empty bottle aside.  Jenelle leaned forward,
heedless of the exposure of her breasts.  She lifted her glass to Libby. 
"To you--for ears of understanding and a heart of caring.  Wishing you a
happy return home and new beginnings".

   "That's sweet." Libby smiled and clinked her glass against Jen's.  "And
to you--healing hands and inquiring mind...success, happiness, and love
always." She smiled and leaned back in her chair, letting her robe fall
open.  She enjoyed feeling the caress of the warm breeze across her chest.
She sighed contentedly and reached for Jen's hand.  "This is just what I
needed, in oh so many ways..." Jen squeezed her agreement.  "Are you
feeling okay, Jen?"

   "Perfect.  Thanks.  It was a great day of sea and sun.  My tummy's full,
I'm clean and warm, and I'm just getting a comfy buzz on from this wine.  I
don't feel like I need one thing right now...except maybe a good night's
sleep soon."

   They sat in quiet, sipping the crisp, cool wine.  There was one other
thing, thought Libby; a spark in her brain that was being kindled in the
soft sensuality of Caribbean night air.  It was feeding on memories of last
night's dream, sights and feelings from the afternoon, and stirring into a
visceral need in her depths.  She closed her eyes and squeezed the soft
hand in hers.  It was this moment...or maybe never.  "There might be one
other thing I need, Jenelle..."

   "Yeah?  what?"

   Libby took a deep breath.  "I think I need to get laid."

   Jenelle paused, then giggled.  "Are you going up to the nightclub in
search of some 'young and stupid', then?"

   "Well, no.  Actually..." OK, Jen had missed the point, or maybe
deflected it.  She'd need to be more direct.  Libby drew in another breath.
"Actually, Jen...I was hoping I wouldn't have to leave the cabin..."

   Jenelle turned slowly to look at her, betraying no response.  She locked
her eyes on Lydia's, as though trying to telepathically discern something.
Lydia held her gaze, trying to keep her expression as neutral as she could.
The eye contact didn't feel threatening to her, and Jenelle's face seemed
more concerned and questioning than shocked--a good sign, perhaps?  "What's
that mean to you, hon?...'Getting laid'...especially if I'm the only other
person in this cabin?"

   "I guess it means that I'd very much like to go to bed with you.  That I
want to feel your skin against mine.  That I'd like to kiss you, touch you,
and let that lead wherever...  I'd like to come with you.  And no, I've
never done it with a woman before.  And I probably wouldn't be looking to,
really...except that I'm here with you right now..."

   "Oh Libby..." Jen closed her eyes and leaned back.  This might be wrong
in a million different ways.  On the other hand, at worst it would be a
shipboard fling, a youthful indiscretion.  She'd done that before.  At
best...she let her mind drift back to her memory of Libby's generous
breasts afternoon.  She remembered the rounded ass she'd smoothed lotion
on...those soft thighs.  She imagined brushing against the soft blonde
curls that had been dampened with unintended arousal...  The hand in hers
had relaxed, but she chose to not let go.  "Lib..." She opened her eyes
again to see Libby studying her face.  She responded with a smile, and
Libby smiled back.  "Seriously, Lib?  Is it just the wine talking?  Or are
you really wanting this?"

   "I want YOU, Jenelle.  I don't know if this is just a one time thing or
...  oh anyway.  I LIKE you.  And I think you're gorgeous.  And I've just
...  felt something for you.  And yeah, I'm sleepy, horny, and just tipsy
enough...but I also respect you.  I want to be your friend.  And
I...I...umm...."

   "...Want to fuck my brains out?" Jen grinned.

   "Oh Jen.  Oh my God, yes!  I do!" A door in a nearby balcony slid open.

   "Maybe we'd better go inside?"

   Libby nodded.  They gathered up their dishes and Libby placed them out
in the corridor.  It occurred to her to hang a "Do not disturb" sign, too.
Jen was brushing her teeth.  Such mundane stuff entwining with the romantic
feelings she was having in that moment.  She joined Jen at the sink and
took care of her own bedtime routine as they smiled at each other in the
mirror.  Libby's heart started racing--was she really doing this?  It was
unusual enough for her to share her bed after a date, and now she was about
to bed down with a woman for the first time.

   She watched in the mirror as Jen turned off the remaining lights and
slipped the robe off her shoulders.  What a gorgeous, trim body.  She hoped
Jen would see her as desirable, too.  She finished at the sink and turned
off the vanity light.  The cabin was lit only by the light filtering in
through the balcony door.  Jen had turned down her bed and reclined there
on her side, watching her.  She felt suddenly shy, holding her robe closed
with one hand.  Jen patted the mattress in front of her.  "Come lie down
with me, hon." Libby smiled and let her robe fall to the floor.

   --------------------

   Libby woke the next morning in a bit of a haze.  She was on the wrong
side of the room and her bed hadn't been slept in.  She felt GOOD though.
Rested.  Relaxed.  Sated.  What was it that Paul used to say?  'Freshly
Fucked'.  That was it.  She heard Jenelle humming happily in the shower and
replayed the moment--sliding into Jen's arms and melting into a long wet
kiss.  How they took turns at each other's breasts, tonguing and sucking
engorged nipples, while their fingers explored hidden recesses.  She was in
awe of how hot and slippery Jen's pussy had felt, and delighted that her
inexperienced touch could elicit moans of pleasure from her.  Jen had
arched her back and climaxed so quickly at her touch!  And then how she had
teased and stroked and caressed her in return--sucking hungrily at her
breasts and immersing her face in her deep cleavage.  She was as ardent a
lover as any man had ever been, yet handled her differently somehow, with
some sort of gentle intensity that acknowledged both as women.  Jen's
fingers had plunged boldly and deeply into her, causing her whole body to
shake with passion.  She remembered screaming and moaning as she came, and
feeling Jen's breath panting against her neck, how her hot pussy pressed
into her thigh riding to another climax.  Libby was getting wet just
thinking of it, and leapt up to embrace Jen as she stepped from the shower.
Jen smiled and grabbed Libby's ass.  "As hot as I am for your body, babe,
we have an excursion scheduled in 20 minutes...  I don't want to miss out
on seeing the country, girl.  But when we get back..." Jenelle punctuated
her statement with a hot, deep kiss.  Libby moaned with desire as she felt
Jenelle's tongue penetrating and pressing against hers.  Her pussy and clit
instinctively throbbed, begging to receive the same treatment.  She
clutched Jen's firm ass, then sighed heavily and slowly pulled back.

   "When we get back...  Oh Jen.  You're so good to me.  God, I can't
wait." She showered quickly and dressed to go.  As they left, they met
their cabin steward.  Jen stopped to say something to her, but Libby
couldn't make out what it was as the steward smiled and nodded in response.


   Their excursion was to Mayan ruins that day.  The surrounding jungle was
thick and steamy and added to the air of excitement and discovery Libby
felt inside.  A sudden downpour drenched them as they clambered over the
ancient stones, but neither one cared.  As they raced back to the tour bus,
Lisa gave them a questioning look, but Ron was quite oblivious.  "You two
are up to something...there's something different with you today, Jen." Jen
grinned, and gave Libby a surreptitious squeeze.

   "No comment--but don't wait for us at dinner", Jen replied, earning a
scolding raised eyebrow from Lisa.

   Reboarding the ship, they hurried back to the cabin.  "I need to get out
of these wet clothes", exclaimed Jen.

   Libby closed the door and locked it behind her.  "I need to get YOU out
of those wet clothes!" Jen resisted briefly and tried to squirm away, but
Libby quickly pressed her against the wall and lifted Jen's shirt over her
head, effectively binding her wrists together above her head, and pinning
her back into a passionate kiss.

   "Oh...  I never had you pegged as a dominatrix, but maybe if that's how
you want to play..." She grinned and yielded to Libby's advances.

   "Mmm...it really wasn't my intent, but...maybe you should just stand
that way for a bit." Libby unfastened Jen's bra and tongued her protruding
nipples while pushing down her shorts.  Jen moaned as Libby's mouth kissed
lower to nuzzle at her waiting mound.  They finished stripping Jen's lower
half and Libby stepped back to pull off her own clothes and turn on the
shower.  Jen stood obediently with her arms stretched overhead, lightly
bound by shirt and bra.  Libby rolled Jen's nipples roughly between her
fingers and thumbs as she pressed their bodies passionately together and
assaulted Jen's mouth with a deep kiss.

   "Unnnhmm...oh Libby...oh god that's good." Libby reached up to pull
Jen's remaining clothing away, and wrapped her arms around her, much more
gently this time.

   "Oh babe...you turn me on so...  I was watching that beautiful ass all
day and dreaming of getting you alone again..." She stepped into the shower
and pulled Jen in with her.  They happily shampooed each other and let
soapy hands roam over each other at will.  "Turn around and let me soap
your back".  Jen turned and faced the wall as Libby lathered shower gel
over her, first with hands, then with soft breasts.  Jen moaned happily and
wiggled her firm buttocks against Libby's groin.  Libby reached under Jen's
arms and began massaging her breasts, nibbling at the nape of her neck. 
Her hands wandered lower, across her soft belly to brush at the margin of
her pubic hair.  She began kissing down her spine, massaging Jen's muscular
thighs, and squeezing her deliciously firm ass.  "Such a fine ass...I
couldn't take my eyes off of it all afternoon, especially following you up
that pyramid.  And it feels even better than it looks." Jen hummed her
pleasure.  "It's so new--to see another woman sexually.  But you're
beautiful, Jen." She kissed Jen's ass softly as her hands stroked upward
between soapy thighs.  Jen parted her legs slightly.  Libby devoured her,
kissing and licking at smooth skin, and nuzzling into her creases.  Her
hands glided upward to caress her mound.  Jen parted her legs, and Libby
found the opening to her slippery, warm center.  Her fingers wandered and
explored, much to Jen's pleasure.

   "Oh God, Libby.  Do whatever you want with me!"

   "I may need some help to know what to do..." She kissed her way back up
Jen's back, sliding her hands over her breasts, squeezing the rubbery firm
nipples.  "...What do you like?"

   Jen moaned.  "I need ...  Oh god ...  oh fuck.  Touch me again, do
me..." Libby stroked inside Jen's cleft.  She found the hard ridge of her
clit, thinner than her own, yet from Jen's groans, equally sensitive.  She
felt Jen's ass pressing back into her.  Libby let her fingers slide further
into the slick center as it yielded and opened to her.  "Yess...oh
Lib...yes...unnhh".  Suddenly Jen turned around, fiercely grabbing Libby's
head and pulling her into another deep kiss.  She seized Libby's hand and
pressed it against herself.  Libby penetrated her with one, then two
fingers.  Jen moaned loudly and responded with equally deep thrusts of her
tongue into Libby's mouth.  "God yes.  Yes!  Oh fuck, FUCK ME Libby!" Urged
on by Jen's cries, Libby pressed her fingers in, then dragged them back out
over her throbbing clit, then firmly back in again.  Jen pushed back with
each thrust, pulling at Libby's hair with one hand and squeezing her tit
with the other.  In other circumstances it might have felt uncomfortable,
but Jen's passionate response was building her own arousal.  She grabbed
Jen's ass firmly and ground her own groin against Jen's thigh.  Another
deep thrust and Jen screamed into her mouth and stiffened.  Libby could
feel Jen's channel pulsing around her fingers as her body shook, then went
limp.  "Oooohhuuhhhhh....oh libbeee....oh don't...oh fffuck" She surged
again against Libby's hand and quivered.  "I don't know...if I can stand
up..." Libby held her up as best she could as they slid gently to the
shower floor.  She cradled Jen's head against her breast, letting her
softly kiss and suckle.  Jen's hand caressed Libby's thigh and traced its
way to cup her vulva.  "Oh Libby...take me to bed, please."

   Libby smiled and struggled to her feet, then reached to help Jen up. 
They embraced with a kiss, then Libby made sure Jen was rinsed off before
wrapping her in a towel and leading her to bed.  She tenderly blotted her
dry, then admired her as she stood by drying off.  Beautiful Jen lay
invitingly across their bed--hey, when had that happened?  The steward had
converted the twins to a double.  So that's what Jen had been talking to
her about.  She shifted her attention back to the lovely girl in front of
her, wearing nothing but a post-orgasmic glow.  She studied the swollen
vulva that now lay open before her, leaking arousal.  Libby knew that what
she most wanted at that moment was to kneel down and kiss and taste that.
Jen moaned as Libby trailed kisses up her thighs to finally kiss her labia.
"Oh...oh Libby...I...OOOHHH!" Jen shivered as Libby's tongue contacted her
clit.  She wanted to protest that she had already come once...and it should
be Libby's turn, but the relentless stroking of that tongue, and her own
post-climactic lethargy were too much.  She opened her legs wider and
stroked Libby's damp hair.  "Oh...oh Hon...are you sure you've never done
this before?" She could feel Libby's lips crease into a smile as she shook
her head side to side.  Oh god, that felt good too!  Jen moaned again and
Libby sucked at the little nubbin and shook her head sideways again.  Jen
began gasping and thrusting her hips in response.  "Don't stop.  Oh god oh
don't stop, Libby!" She kept up her oral ministrations, exploring Jen's
juicy mound from top to bottom.  She placed her hands on Jen's thighs and
gently spread them further.  Her tongue probed between the labia and lapped
at the juices, then flicked up to swirl over her clit.  Every pass on that
nub brought a louder moan, and more pressure of Jen's hands against her
head.  "Oh Libby.  Oh hon...oh please...oh oh god...oh fuck me." Jen's hips
thrust hungrily against her face, causing Libby to remember her lover's
response in the shower.  She raised fingers up once again to her entrance
and penetrated firmly.  "Oh GOD YES!" Her hip thrusting was now surging in
time with Libby's penetrating fingers.  She was unbelievably wet and hot
inside.  Still Libby kept licking and sucking on the hard ridge of her
love's clit as Jen urged her on desperately.  "Oh oh oh oH OHHH FUCK!  OH!
COMMMING!!!" Another thrust and she convulsed, thighs and stomach tensed
and quivering, then went limp.  Her hands were now trying to push Libby
away from her sex.  Libby recognized this as the feeling she knew sometimes
as well, of being just too sensitive to go on for the moment.  She kissed
her way gently up Jen's belly, across the heaving breasts, and snuggled
against her neck.  Jen was shaking in her arms, then sobbed for a moment
before composing herself and breathing deeply.

   "You're wonderful, my Jenelle..." Libby whispered at Jen's ear.  Jen
managed a pat at her shoulder, then another gasping sob.  She turned to hug
Libby and dissolved into tears.

   "Oh Libby...I'm sorry...Oh hon...don't leave me..." Libby just held her
more tightly and kissed softly at her neck until the spasms of emotion
finally passed.  Another deep breath, a sigh, another moan.  "Oh
Libbeee..."

   "Are you alright?"

   "Never better.  Ever.  Just...too much...Oh God.  Oh god I needed that."

   "More where that came from..."

   Jen laughed.  "Are there some kleenex around here?"

   Libby turned and stretched to the bedside stand to retrive them.  "Nice
move getting the beds together, by the way".

   "Oh yeah...I guess she did that.  I hadn't noticed." She giggled.  "Oh
Libby...oh god that felt good.  You don't know how good that was."

   "I'm glad.  I mean, I'm not exactly an expert."

   "Fuck that--you are now!" Jen laughed again and pulled her into a sloppy
kiss.  "Mmm.  You taste like pussy juice.  I love that." She rubbed her
face against Libby's and kissed deeply.  "I owe you, you know..."

   "Can I collect now?"

   "Oh yes...  Oh lovely Libby..." Jen kissed at her lips again, savoring
her own scent there, then moved lower to lavish attention on her full
breasts.  "You know...I wouldn't have done anything to you then, but that
first night, rubbing lotion on you...I wanted you then..."

   "Really?  Tell me...were you thinking of me when you were on the balcony
that night?"

   "You saw that, huh?  Well, a little bit, yes."

   "Thanks for waiting, anyway..." She smiled.  Jen was sucking gently at
her left breast as a hand now stroked at the edges of her curly pubes. 
"That dream I had by the way...well, you were in it." She felt Jen's smile
against her breast.  "And it wasn't just a cramp I had to rub out..."

   "I know...I heard you.  I didn't want to bother you, or I probably
would've joined you.  Thought I should let you at least believe you were in
private.  But I was thinking of you when I got off yesterday afternoon."

   "Oh Jen." A finger slipped into her cleft.  "OOHH.  Oh JEN!" She scooted
herself higher on the bed and spread her legs.  "I want you there, Jen.  Oh
please..." Jen needed no more urging.  It thrilled her to know that she was
the first woman to kiss at Libby's most private place, and she was
determined to make it a moment to remember.  Soon Libby was moaning and
gasping through her first of several climaxes, until finally she begged Jen
to stop and let her sleep.  She embraced Jen and held her close to her
breast as Jen pulled the sheet over both of them.

   "Do you mind if I cuddle up close?" asked Jen.

   "I wouldn't have it any other way." Libby wrapped her arms around her
lover and soon both slept.  It was four or five hours before Jen stirred
and rose to go to the bathroom.  Libby took her turn next and returned to
find Jen at the balcony rail.  She slid up behind her and hugged her from
behind.

   "Are you hungry?  We kind of missed dinner again."

   "I am, kind of.  Room service again?"

   "No--it's a bit late for the buffet, but Ron said one of the bars had
24-hour food service.  Feel like pulling on some shorts and heading down?"

   "Sure." Jen turned to hug Libby back.  "You OK with everything?"

   "Delighted.  Don't worry.  I feel better than I have in months.  Years,
maybe."

   Jen kissed her lightly.  "Let's go then."

   They washed up quickly and dressed.  They found the central pub relaxed
and cheery for the time of night.  Scattered diners had spilled over from
other bars, but the nightclub hadn't yet closed, so the real revellers were
safely elsewhere.  This was a place for insomniacs with nowhere else to go,
apparently.  There was a family in PJs enjoying some midnight ice cream and
chatting with a formally dressed elderly woman who was celebrating a
successful run at the slot machines.  They were surprised to see Ron and
Lisa in a corner booth--she was dressed in a pajama top and sweats, and he
was in khakis and a polo.  "Hey guys.  What are you doing up so late?  Or
early?"

   Lisa shook her head and nibbled on a french fry.  Her speech was slurry.
"Mr.  Card Shark here got a bit caught up in Texas Hold-em.  After they
cleaned him out of his recreation budget he called me to come down and
console him.  He's buying me cosmos so I might not remember this in the
morning.  Good thing I keep his finances on a tight leash, or he might be
rowing home from Cozumel tomorrow!  What about you two...  Just getting to
dinner?" she added with a raised eyebrow.

   "Something like that..." Jen replied, with a sideways glance at a
blushing Libby.

   "Omigod, Jen." She leaned over the table and lowered her voice.  "You
FUCKED her, didn't you, you naughty vixen, you!"

   "I'm not sure who did the fucking and who was the fuck-ee, Lisa", Libby
chimed in.  "But I'd say we both are well-fucked at the moment.  And maybe
Ron should've focused on 'getting lucky' with you instead of trying the
casino tonight!" They all laughed, except Ron, who pouted until Lisa gave
him a quick kiss and reassuring pat.

   "C'mon Mr.  High Roller..." she beckoned.  "I think I can still help you
get lucky at least once tonight, if you're up for it." She led her grinning
husband away, waving goodnight to the girls with a saucy wiggle of her hips
and a blown kiss.  Jen smiled and shook her head.

   "Sorry--I didn't mean for you to get 'outed' like that.  "

   Libby laughed.  "No problem.  She was suspecting us already.  And I
don't mind being your 'conquest'.  Not at all." Jen leaned in and gave her
a quick kiss, then excused herself for the restroom.  No sooner had she
left than a server appeared, the redheaded young woman who had admired Jen
two nights ago at the club bar.

   "Hi--what can I get you guys tonight?  Drinks or dinner or an early
breakfast?"

   "I think we'll go for a couple of those cosmos that she was having.  And
we'll definitely need food with it, but we haven't looked at the menu yet."


   "Great.  I'll get those drinks and you can order when your girlfriend
gets back."

   "Oh---Jen?  Well, I'm not really sure she's my girlfriend..." The
server's eyebrows raised.  Libby smiled.  "Well, friend at least.  With
benefits," adding a wink.

   "Ahh, of course.  The benefits." She sighed.  "I shouldn't have let
myself get my hopes up..." She winked back and turned away to the bar as
Jen returned.

   "The waitress was totally checking you out, Jen.  I knew she was
interested in you the other night."

   "Yeah I know.  Good thing I have you here or I might get her in trouble
for fraternization with a guest.  "

   "Well, you've made no promises to me to be exclusive or anything.  If
this is just a shipboard romance, then..."

   "I want to spend some more time getting to know you, Libby.  And I don't
want to rush you into anything either.  But the same goes for you." She
grinned conspriatorially.  "And if she turns out to have a 'thing' for
buxom blondes, I wouldn't stand in your way if you wanted to taste a little
ginger, too!"

   "You are a naughty vixen!  Maybe we should both invite her up..."

   "Threesome?  My goodness, how quickly I've corrupted you!  What would
your mother say?"

   "Probably something like 'Get it while the gettin's good, honey!',
but... Oh never mind."

   "What?" Jen studied Libby's face.

   "We are just kidding around, right?"

   "Yeah.  But it can be fun to be naughty, too.  Don't worry, hon."

   "I'm not worried.  But to be honest...the idea was actually starting to
get me turned on!"

   Jen smiled.  "I've created a monster!  But selfishly...I'd like to keep
you all to myself for awhile before I start sharing." Libby blushed again.
Jen spied the waitress approaching.  "We might have some fun flirting,
though..."

   "Your cosmopolitans, ladies.  Have you had a chance to look at the
menu?"

   "Umm, no, sorry, Allison" responded Jen, reading her name plate quickly.
"We were too busy having a discussion about your hair".

   "My hair?"

   "Yeah...well, my friend Libby & I were debating whether it was your
natural color, or whether you like to change it to match your mood.  She
thinks it's your natural color, but I think it's too perfect!"

   Allison blushed.  "I'm not sure anyone would think it's perfect, but
actually, you're both right.  I've been a 'crazy redhead' my whole life,
but I did have a little 'enhancement' added when I got it cut and styled
last week in Cozumel."

   "Well it's super cute on you.  So you're a natural redhead?  The carpet
matches the drapes?"

   Libby gasped at Jen's forwardness, but Allison wasn't taken aback at
all. "Well, Jenelle--the carpet did match awhile ago.  But there's nothing
but nice bare floor there at the moment, if you're interested." Jen gulped
and reached quickly for her drink.  Libby coughed and did the same. 
Allison just grinned.  "So--were you planning to eat here, or take
something up to your cabin to eat out?"

   Jen stared mutely up at Allison.  "I...uh....."

   Libby interrupted.  "I think I'll have a veggie wrap.  And a scoop of
the banana ice cream.  A little hot fudge on the side.  Jen?"

   "Um--the same..." stammered Jen, "but chicken.  And chocolate ice
cream."

   "OK then.  I'll be right back.  Feel free to ask if you have any other
questions for me!" She wriggled her bottom pleasantly as she turned back to
the kitchen.

   "Oh holy shit!" exclaimed Jen quietly, burying her face in her hands.

   "Yeah.  You kinda got out-flirted there..."

   "Out-flirted and instantaneously damp in my panties, Hon.  You have no
idea!"

   "Yeah?" Libby slipped a foot out of her flip-flop and ran her toes along
the inside of Jen's calf.  "What are you thinking?"

   Allison reappeared with their wraps before she could answer.  "I'll
bring your desserts in a couple of minutes.  Can I get you anything else?"

   "You can tell us when you get off tonight..."

   She smiled sadly.  "Sorry Jen.  Pretty strict No-Dating-the-Guests
policy.  On board anyway..." she added, with a glance at Libby.  "Anyway,
I'm on till 6 AM tonight, and I will need to sleep sometime.  Are you going
ashore tomorrow?"

   "Well, probably later, " she replied, with a questioning look at Libby.

   "That's what I was thinking.  Sleep in, brunch...beach?" Jen nodded
back.

   "Well listen, if you two are interested in getting together--just
socially a bit--we could meet and share a taxi to one of the beaches, at
let's say, around 2?  I burn easily, so it will be good to know that there
might be someone to help me put on sunscreen..."

   "Oh Jen's very good at that task, I can assure you," Libby volunteered.
"Though I discovered it a little after the fact." She reached across the
table and stroked the back of Jen's hand.  Jen smiled back.

   "Well hey...I'd better keep looking busy.  But here's my cell number. 
Drop me a text around 2, OK?" Jen took the slip of paper and nodded,
watching her leave with an appreciative gaze.  Libby watched her facial
expressions.  Her usual air of cool confidence had given way to a mixture
of lust and embarassment that she found quite endearing.

   "You're sweet."

   "What?"

   "Nothing...I just like your face..." Libby smiled and kept further
thoughts to herself as they ate.  Allison was back shortly with their
desserts.  She was breezy and chipper, as a good server should be, but
there was a certain intensity of eye contact with Jen.  Libby added an
excessively generous tip to the charge slip, and suggested to Jen that they
take their ice cream back up to the balcony.  They both gave Allison a
quick hug.  "See you this afternoon, I hope." Allison nodded.

   Back in the room, Jen melted into Libby's arms faster than her untouched
sundae.  They didn't make it out to the balcony at all, but tumbled
directly into bed, shedding their clothes and kissing passionately.  "Sweet
Jen...let me satisfy you..." Libby reached for Jen's pussy and found it
dripping with arousal.  She frigged at the hot clit as Jen's tongue thrust
urgently into her mouth and moaned into climax.  Libby kissed her softly as
she came down from the peak.  "Tell me what you want to do to her."

   "Oh Libby...  You both turn me on so!"

   "I know.  It's crazy how hot this makes me, too.  Already I'm thinking
about watching you make love to her..."

   "And you with her, too.  Tell me, what did you think when you went down
on me?  Did you enjoy your first taste of pussy?"

   "Oh yes!  When I saw you laying there, open to me, I just wanted to bury
my face in you and climb inside.  I almost came from feeling you come
around me!  And you were really good to me too."

   "Mmm.  I'm going to do you again before you sleep, too.  Your pussy was
soft and sweet and juicy." Jen moved lower in the bed to kiss gently at
Libby's breasts.  She stroked at her pubic curls, and felt the softness of
her vulva as her thighs opened for her.

   "Oh Jen...tell me what you think Allison would be like.  Tell me what
you'd do to her..."

   "The same thing I'm doing to you now.  Don't you want to share her with
me?"

   "mmm...but she's different than me...so slender...young.  And bare down
there, she said.  Do you like that?"

   "There's nothing wrong with you.  I love the way your curls dampen when
you're turned on.  It was one of the first things that got me wanting
you... And I like going down on you, and can't wait to get down there
again. But a bare pussy...well it's something amazing...like kissing
another mouth, or sucking the juice from a smooth, succulent plum.  I have
to admit, I would love to get her in bed if I could--even for one night."

   "Uhhnnngh...it turns me on, too.  I picture little pink nipples on those
tiny tits and just want to ...  omigod--look at me!  I can't believe I'm
lusting after a girl!  Oh god Jen..."

   "Mmmm.  You've got a couple of girls lusting after you, too.  I bet
she's going to slide into her bed this morning after work with nothing on
under her sleepshirt...  and she'll think of us like we are right now. 
She'll touch herself, and slide her own slippery juices over that smooth
pussy.  I can see her spreading her legs wide and rubbing herself hard with
both hands until she's shaking and coming and biting her lip to keep from
screaming..."

   "Ohhhh God, Jen...unnnnnh...oh please..." Libby slid upward on the bed,
and pushed Jen further down.  Jen wasted no time, lavishing kisses on her
puffy labia, and sucking eagerly on the sensitive folds within.  Her tongue
probed between them and slid upward to swirl over the erect clitoris. 
Libby moaned and thrust her hips upward.  Her arms reached out for Jen. 
"Come around...I want to taste you, too." Jen obliged.  She was past
needing another climax herself, but knew how the sight and smell of warm
pussy would add to Libby's arousal.  She straddled Libby's head and
adjusted their position so that she could keep up a steady tonguing on her
clit, while stimulating her labia with her fingers.  Libby had to crane her
neck slightly to reach Jen's sex, but she squirmed a pillow into position
under her neck and began nuzzling at Jen's wet fur.  Jen could feel her hot
breathing intensify, as her moans vibrated into her crotch.  She sucked at
Libby's clit harder and the muffled moans increased.  Finally she slid two
fingers into Libby's vagina and pressed upward.  Libby's body arched and
stiffened beneath her as she crashed over in a powerful orgasm.  She
trembled with shivering aftershocks, as Jen felt the waves of contractions
clenching at her penetrating fingers.  Libby moaned and closed her thighs,
trying to writhe away from the intense sensations.  Jen gently lifted
herself away, and turned to lie alongside her once again.  Libby greeted
her with grateful, tender kisses, which she softly returned until both fell
into restful sleep.  Perhaps tomorrow or the next day they would sort out
whether they had stumbled into something lasting, but for this moment, she
needed nothing more.