Our Nude Cruise

The 38 GLSI/O yacht features a drop-down beach door, hydraulic swim platform, a spacious bow-lounge and mid-ship L-shaped dinettes. The 37'3" x 12' 6" craft is made of fiberglass and holds 234 gallons of fuel, plenty for killing a few hours far from land.

Our friends the Drakes had owned the boat for 8 years, having purchased it used.

Edward Drake took his seat at the helm and manuvered it away from its pier while the three of us_his wife Jane, my husband Ronny, myself_gazed at the boats and people on land.

We're taking a long awaited vacation away from the corporate office, the conferences and the stress.

Now in our upper thirties, my husband has known the Drakes since he and Edward shared a dorm at OSU. Back in the day owning a yacht was just a dream, but then so was climbing the corporate ladder. My husband Ron has become a VP in finance while I work in HR, not in the same firm.

The sun was at high noon over Lake Michigan. The thermometer registered 85 degrees. A breeze over the lake made the heat tolerable. We had been cruising north keeping the Michigan shore in sight. A leisurely speed of 12 knots was set intentionally to ensure being at sea for most of the afternoon.

Jane and I are gym rats, the elliptical being our workout of choice. In fact, we met at the gym before either of us got married.

The notion to get an all-over tan had popped into my head days before embarking on this cruise. I kept the idea to myself.

They won't go for it. They'll consider it absurd, even harebrained. In the final minutes before going aboard "Red Wing"_ the name chosen because Edward loves hockey_the notion to go to sea naked was becoming an obsession.

We had put to sea out of Elisabeth Park Marina in Trenton and had cruised north for 5 miles. Ten miles separated us from the Michigan shore off the starboard side. Jane had engaged me in girl talk while our husbands chatted about guy stiff: sports, fishing,

Emboldened by knowledge of nudist resorts and being the only boat for miles around, I unfastened the backband and nudged the shoulder straps causing the top to slip to my feet. Jane who had once confessed to being curious fixed her gaze onto my breasts.

"Do you like them," I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

She blushed and nodded.

My own latent sexual desires had surfaced, Seconds after my swimsuit top hit the deck I pulled the high-rise waist bikini off.

"Oh my God," Jane murmured.

"Take yours off and we'll give the boys a show."

Jane giggled so I quipped, "off with it.'

Emboldened by her own curiosity, she shed her swimsuit. I pulled her into a French kiss, my hands pressing into her buttocks. We broke away slightly winded then kissed again, this time my fingers sliding to her vulva.

She reciprocated, her touch making me moan softly. The local muscles tensed. My impending orgasm would be toe-curling. After just seconds we lay entwined, caresses finding each other's erogenous zones. It was as though we had the boat and all of Lake Muchigan to ourselves.

Our lovemaking lasted just minutes but the satisfaction would last a long time. After recuperating we took seats side by side in the bow lounge.

"OH MY God," said Ronny. "My wife is part lesbian."

The two men gave one another a look then turned their gaze back to us.

Ron spoke again, this time candidly. "Honey if I wasn't married to you I would've paid to see that action."

Neither Jane nor I replied.

Jane draped her arm around my shoulders.

Edward finally voiced his dismay. "I want a divorce."

Jane did not reply.

The weeks passed quickly. Ron and I ended up splitting the proceeds for our house. I moved into an apartment.

Edward and Jane reached a similar legal agreement.

A brisk day in early autumn saw Jane and me together in public for the first time without our soon to be X husbands. The trees were casting long shadows. High fluffy clouds partially cover the blue sky. Very large flocks of birds were flying south.

Having fully accepted our sexuality I made a remark that gave her pause.

"I never thought we would wind up like this."

A few seconds passed in silence as my words hung in the air.

"On a boat in front of our husbands is NOT what I imagined would be my first gay experience."

"Neither did I but I had to go for it."

The remark made both of us laugh.

"Let's go for coffee some place."

"It's kind of late for coffee hon. How about dinner some place?"

"Good idea," I replied.

After some thought we returned to my apartment and I called a pizza place. While we waited we settled into my sofa and engaged in a long chat about stuff only girls find interesting. We also talked about what the future might have in store for us.

She made a statement that was not unexpected. Even so, it touched my heart.

"I know that I'm in love you."

I responded by giving her a kiss and draping my arms over her shoulders. The kiss deepened. Neither of us were in a hurry to break it off. Her hands found my waist then slid inside the hem of my sweater_ a gray chunky cable-knit pullover.

As her hand crept upward toward the cups of my Maidenform I encouraged her to "go for it."

The telephone interrupted our lovemaking.

"Hello," I said.

A voice said, "pizza delivery."

Within a minute after accepting the delivery Jane and I took seats t my dining table to share a large pepper and sausage pizza. Splitting a pizza in my new apartment had always been in the back of my mind. I brought a bottle of red wine which I had on hand for just such an occasion. We each sipped as we swallowed.

It was a question that had been on my mind ever since that day at the lawyer's office.

"Do you think we can ever be friends with our X husbands?"

"I don't know. I just know I don't hate Ed."