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So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.
– I Dreamed a Dream, Les Misérables
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Summer 2015 – Somewhere in the Caribbean
The redheaded, forty year-old lay on her stomach basking in the Caribbean sun. The smell of coconut suntan lotion wafted off of her as small beads of sweat slowly dripped down her sides. The sounds of the harbor filled the air as Bree floated in her dream-like state.
She stretched and smiled to herself as she softly groaned.
Finally,
she thought,
I finally made it here.
Sighing deeply, she sank back into the lounge chair as she continued to sunbathe on their cabin's balcony.
The last ten years had been both good and bad. Shannon had grown from a cheerful little bundle of curls into a beautiful, fifteen-year-old drama queen, typical for that age.
Who am I kidding?
Bree chuckled to herself,
she's still a great kid and the fact she calls me 'Mom' is more than I'd ever hoped for.
Her marriage, like most, had its ups and downs. The beginning years were full of passion and joy as the three of them were woven into a family. Then the scandal at GBES turned their lives upside down. It'd been devastating to Zach. He had to watch those he cared about be torn apart as loyalties had been tested and broken. He'd spent countless extra hours working overtime with the remaining management, trying to stabilize the company.
She grimaced as she remembered the resentment she'd felt about the amount of overtime Zach put in during that time. Financially it had worked out well for them. Zach was now the VP of Engineering at the renamed Grymm Engineering Solutions, GES. His benefits package and increase in salary plus her promotion to Head Floor Nurse at the hospital had allowed them to take this tenth anniversary cruise.
They'd survived that crisis and to those looking from the outside, their marriage appeared to get even stronger. Appearances can be deceiving sometimes. This cruise was supposed to help them strengthen their marriage.
So why do this?
She thought absently to herself.
Is the thrill worth the risk? Does my life really need this little boost of excitement? Is it because I just turned forty or was it something else?
Perhaps revenge? Yes, I need to get even for that raven-haired bitch!
They'd recently befriended David and Sarah Jennings. While the families became close, there was always an unseen barrier between her and Sarah, especially when they revealed some of their past. Zach now had a hot brunette working with him, under him, for him... every day.
Yes, revenge.
A soft knocking brought her out of her dark thoughts. She felt her body start to tingle with anticipation and with a deep, sultry voice she replied.
"Come in."
She heard the cabin door open and a man called out in a heavy Spanish accent.
"Senorita Morgan?"
"Yes?" she called out, giggling nervously.
"Ship's steward. You had a complaint about room service?"
"Out here on the balcony, Ricardo."
He stepped out onto the balcony and gazed at the beautiful middle-aged woman stretched out before him.
"Ah, I see the senorita is... umm... resting. And how can I best serve you?"
"I believe I need help putting on some more suntan lotion. Would you be a dear and help me?"
"Si, senorita. I'm here to make your time on this ship most enjoyable."
"Well, you seem somewhat overdressed for that." She giggled. "But if you would be willing to do my front perhaps we could work something out."
"And where is your husband? Where is the one who should be here taking care of his beautiful wife?"
She snorted.
"He went on some on-shore, sight-seeing excursion. He'll be gone all afternoon."
"Stupid man," he said softly as he quickly removed his clothing.
Gently he began to work the suntan oil into the warm skin on her back. Bree groaned in pleasure at his touch. He noticed her freckles covered her shoulders but began to lessen as they ran down her back. He continued to massage the oil into her soft skin as he untied the string of her bikini top. Soon he traced the freckles down her lower back until they disappeared beneath her bikini bottoms.
Gingerly, he placed both thumbs on either side of her hips and hooked them underneath the silky, swimsuit material. She lifted her hips and allowed him to peel the bottoms off of her, revealing her pale white skin. He discarded the unwanted clothing as he peered at her beauty. His heavy breathing signaled his desire as he slowly caressed her exquisite rear end. He took extra care to make sure every crevice of white skin was coated with oil.
"Mustn't let this get sunburned," he chuckled. "It would be difficult to explain to Mr. Morgan, would it not?"
Bree groaned and rolled over exposing herself to his lustful gaze.
