1.
Tom Walker awoke with a start. He looked around him, but found nothing amiss in the cabin of his boat. He slipped on shorts and a t-shirt and went up on deck. The bright sunlight caused him to blink painfully a few times, but his eyes soon became accustomed to the light. He looked toward the shore of the small island where he was anchored but saw nothing.
He stretched, then went below to the tiny galley and heated enough water for a cup of instant coffee. He nursed the coffee for twenty minutes then hauled up the anchor and started his engines. He moved slowly around the island, taking his time before heading for home.
Just around from his anchorage he saw a small outboard boat stranded on the rocks above the water. He moved toward it slowly.
There was a woman waving frantically at him from the shore. From what he could see from this distance, she was quite shapely and attractive. She wore a very brief bikini that left no doubt as to her femininity. He was impressed.
He steered toward the shore, cutting his engines. The boat drifted slowly up to the rocks. Tom jumped up to the bow with an oar to fend the boat off from the rocky shore.
The woman smiled, obviously relieved that someone had heard her cries. "I'm so glad you saw me! Can you help me? I'm stuck."
Tom was even more impressed as he neared her. She was definitely stacked. "Don't tell me," he said with a smile, "you're having a bit of trouble."
"No, I'm having a lot of trouble," she said, somewhat curtly. She caught the painter he tossed at her then pulled him in and held the line while he jumped onto the rocks.
Tom asked, "You're alright, aren't you?"
"Yes, I'm alright. But I seem to be stuck high and dry."
"So I see. My name's Tom Walker. I was anchored just around the point and was just starting for home."
"I'm Lisa Cartwright." She offered her hand and he shook it, briefly.
Lisa seemed genuinely reluctant to let go of his hand. She looked him over boldly, frankly approving of what she saw. His 6-foot, 180 pound frame was to her liking, as were his dark brown eyes.
Tom met and returned her stare. He decided quickly that he wouldn't kick her out of bed. "What were you doing way out here in that little thing? The weather can change pretty rapidly. You could get swamped and sink before you got a mile."
"I guess I was kind of crazy, but it was such a nice day. I didn't think anything could possibly happen on such calm water. I forgot that there are no gas stations out here. Fortunately, I did have sense enough paddle to this island. At least, I'd be on dry land."
"Good move. You're lucky there was land nearby." He looked at the boat, which was wedged between two large rocks. "The hull seems to be alright, but it's not going anywhere until high tide. That won't be for another three hours or so."
"Three hours!" Lisa cried. "What am I going to do?"
"Don't worry," Tom said. "Just come aboard my boat and I'll make some coffee and sandwiches. When the tide comes high enough, we'll free your boat and tow it in. I can't give you fuel because my boat's a diesel. Is there anyone I can call for you?"
Lisa shivered suddenly. "I just realized that no one knows I'm out here. No one would have missed me."
"Is there anything you need from your boat?"
Lisa said that she should get her purse and beach robe since that was all she had anyway.
Tom climbed down to the stranded boat, picked up her things and carried them over to Lisa, who by now climbed aboard his boat.
"Say, this is nice," Lisa said, looking around the cabin. "Do you get out often?"
"I practically live aboard. Actually, I do live aboard in the summer. I stay aboard when the weather permits from spring until fall and haul her out in the winter."
"It must be nice. What kind of work do you do?"
"I'm a computer engineer and a consultant. That's what gives me the freedom that I enjoy so much."
Lisa studied him as they chatted. She liked what she saw. He looked to be about forty, in good shape and nice looking, to boot. She admired the way he moved, just like a big cat, lithe and lean with no wasted motions. Her thoughts began to wander farther afield and she speculated about what it would be like to make love with him.
Tom put coffee on and put together a tray of bread and cold cuts and cheese. He knew she'd be hungry after her paddle to shore and from the emotional strain of being stranded.
"You're an excellent host, Tom," Lisa said appreciatively.
"Thank you, pretty lady." He looked at her and said, "Please, don't wait to be asked. Dig in and just make yourself at home. I need to get us away from the rocks while the tide is flooding. Be right back." He started the engines and moved the cruiser out about 20 feet from the shore and dropped the anchor.
Lisa dived into the food and ate ravenously. She poured coffee for the two of them, then heaved a big sigh.
Tom returned to the cabin and picked up his coffee. "It's beginning to cloud up and the wind is starting to blow." Tom and Lisa looked out the window. It did look ominous toward the west, but the tide was almost up to the small boat. In about a half-hour, they would be able to float it free. They should be back ashore by five, at the latest.
"I think I have time for a cup, anyway." He sat back and sipped the coffee.
They passed the time chatting amiably. Then, Tom went out and unstowed the dinghy and tied it alongside.
"Wait," Lisa said. "I'm coming along, too. You're going to need some help with that boat."
They climbed into the dinghy and Tom rowed back to the rocks where her boat was stranded. The water was already lapping at the bottom and waves were splashing against the sides.
Tom went to the bow and tugged whenever a wave broke against the boat. Lisa added her strength to the effort. It began to move slightly, then suddenly broke free. They cheered as the boat floated away from the rocks.
Tom held the painter and guided her boat toward the dinghy. "You row back in the dinghy and I'll paddle your boat."
They got back to Tom's cruiser just as the rain started falling. Tom made her boat fast and hauled his dinghy aboard and stowed it in its accustomed place at the stern.
Lisa shivered in the chill air and went inside to warm up. She put on her robe and poured coffee.
Tom hauled in the anchor and started the engines. He headed for the marina, glad to be in out of the rain. He took the cup of hot coffee that Lisa handed him then went below to get his shirt.
"It doesn't look like it will be a bad storm, just a rain squall. At least, the wind isn't too bad, yet."
Lisa stood close to Tom, her breast brushing his arm whenever the boat bounced in the light chop.
Tom felt Lisa's nearness and scratched 'stuck-up' off his appraisal list. From the way she was touching him, his cock began to stir in his shorts. The sudden interruption of his thoughts came as something of a shock. "What did you say?" he asked lamely.
"I asked you if you would like to have dinner with me, tonight. You can have anything that doesn't require a barbecue. I have a feeling this rain is going to keep up for a while."
"That's very kind of you. I'll eat anything except liver. I'm definitely not a liver lover."
"Nor I," Lisa said with feeling. "But what are you especially fond of?"
