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Eventually, David dragged himself out leaving the ladies entangled and had no idea what the time was. He suggested that the ladies join him for something to eat but they seemed happy with what they were already eating, so he made his way to the breakfast room hoping he was in time. Strangely only he was there from his party, he decided that right now he didn't need to know anything about anyone else. He took the easiest edible of the food offered and dragged himself back to their room to change into swimwear, he needed to come around quickly from his fogged brain.
Regardless of his expectation of water temperature, David dove straight in and the shock worked well, just a quick swim had his brain was working again. Quickly out of the water, he took a well-positioned sunbed where he laid back with an audiobook running on his earphones and eyes closed. Sometime later he tipped on to his side to watch the comings and goings but became bored and decided to make a visit to the gym. There he came across Olivia's dance partner from the night before and was challenged to Squash.
"Did you enjoy your evening?" David asked.
"Very much, it was a long night."
"I'm hoping you are too tired to beat me."
"My bed partner kept me very busy," he implied but David decided to ignore him for now.
David's opponent took an early lead, as David was out of practice, but soon David got into his stride and he began to take more and more points before the opponent claimed he needed to rest. He was still harping on about being too tired from the previous night. Allowing him the excuse rather than find out yet who he slept with. David headed off to explore the decks to see which of his ladies he could find, but wasn't successful after one quick circuit
David felt that the trip so far had been hectic and it was time to relax more with the other people on the cruise, he explored and found the games room. There were people hanging around looking for checkers, backgammon, and chess games amongst others. He was more than ready for something different and it wasn't long before David lost track of time. Then he found himself entering competitions and having a great day, the ladies found him from time to time and some enjoyed games with him but he often forgot to ask about anything that was going on elsewhere.
At one point, he came across the four people they disputed with and eventually invited the ladies to play. In company he found them engaging and soon forgot his grievance with them. Jo visited and she joined to make a four, much to the relief of Fay and Diana with whom he was now better acquainted. As the day wore on their little group became more intimate and Jo didn't seem to want to leave, he had a feeling of where this was going and eventually whispered to Jo "Still want to get in their panties?" Her flush would have been enough to answer but she admitted it was true by nodding. "Go to our room, not theirs" he added and again received an answering nod. Eventually he put them all out of their misery by boldly suggesting "Ladies why don't you let Jo show you our cabin."
The Ladies looked suitably surprised but didn't take long to agree with a little persuasion from him. As they passed, each of them kissed him, Jo particularly showed her appreciation. Halfway to the door, Jo's favourite, Fay, came back and said to him "Why don't you join us?" He thought for a second before saying "I might just do that, but why don't you get acquainted with Jo first, she's a very enthusiastic lover and we have lots of toys for you to play with." Fay looked surprised by that. "You really do look after your women don't you?" He became bold and his eyes swept over her generous body and she saw the heat in his eyes. Despite the boldness she found herself enjoying his appraisal and the tingles of anticipation it engendered. "I do," he said huskily and it was enough for her to want him to join her now. "Don't be too long," she teased.
David just needed to get something off his mind, he knew his Squash opponent's name was Victor and he wanted to find out why he kept on about his bed partner the night before. He went to see the purser and asked for the room number, fortunately there was only one Victor on board. He decided to track him down and started at his cabin where there was no response to his knocking, so he began to systematically search all the public areas. He noticed the ladies at the pool, but not Olivia. He came upon his quarries in the coffee shop, they were sitting facing each other across a table seemingly in deep conversation. He waited trying to judge their level of acquaintance but sensing nothing but an intense conversation he strode into the shop and slid into the seat beside Olivia.
Victor looked surprised and David saw some disappointment in the man's eyes as he made himself comfortable. David took her hand, sending out a strong message that she was his. "Glad I've run into you," David said to Victor, "you kept mentioning a woman you slept with last night and I wanted to check that it wasn't one of those in our group."
Victor visibly baulked at this question, "Why? Are you their guardian or something?"
"That's pretty much right on the mark, friend." David said, turning to Olivia and adding "Isn't that right love?" She nodded, not knowing where he was going with this.
Victor's downturned mouth showed how he felt and David was fast coming to the conclusion that this man was a jealous, possessive type and it was no wonder he was on his own. So he continued "Yes, all the ladies have suffered in some way, usually at the hands of some arsehole man and they come to us for sanctuary." 'Stuff that up your pipe and smoke it,' thought David seeing the man's face drop. "We haven't been going long so there's only 3 men in hospital so far but I'm sure there will be more before our holiday is over." He finished.
David continued, "So who was the lucky lady?" Out of the corner of his eye he saw Olivia look up at the man and their eyes met." There was something for sure. "You might as well tell me," he followed up. "If it's one of mine they are bound to tell me when I catch up with them, we have this bond of honesty, don't we Olivia?" He saw that she nodded only when he looked into her eyes.
"I'm sure you wouldn't know her." Victor said.
"Fair enough, but why tell me this morning, it was like you were getting one over on me, not just once either."
"I don't recall," he hedged.
David had a feeling he could waste a lot of time on this but he pushed one step further. "Why are you talking to my wife alone? I don't remember you asking me."
"Since when do I need someone's permission to talk to their wife?"
"Since if you don't, I will injure you for life."
Having disarmed them, he suddenly said. "I'd love to talk to you more but I have an appointment with Fay in my cabins." at which he got up with the air of one who expects to be followed. "I'm sure I'll be talking to you again" David said with a penetrating look at Victor.
Olivia was in too minds who to be with as her earlier conversation wasn't over but she followed and asked, "What appointment?"
"Right now Jo has those two women naked in our cabin and I have an invite to join them but I had to check up on that shithead first. Want to come and watch?" he arched a questioning eyebrow.
"I can't say I'm actually in the mood right now," she said.
"I know what you mean, I'm going off the boil myself after finding you talking to that scumbag."
"Why do you call him that, is it because he was showing interest in me?"
"No it's because he's the possessive, jealous type who thinks he has the right to ignore other people's feelings if it suits him."
"How can you say that? You've hardly met him."
"Well for one he is jealous of me, because I am surrounded by beautiful women and number two he ignores the fact that we are a couple. Number three, he tried to rub it in this morning telling me multiple times how one of my ladies kept him awake all night." He took a breath "Do I need to go on? Just let me know if you plan to move out."
"I suppose not," she conceded, somewhat disappointed.
"Given that you were entranced with him all evening, it doesn't take much guessing who he spent the night with, I just haven't fathomed how you did it. But that's not the problem. I am sorry if you like him, we wouldn't be having this conversation if he hadn't mouthed off this morning and then used it as his excuse when I was beating him."
