I like the loving wives category but it can be difficult to come up with something different and the comments are often ruthless. I try to explore alternate realities or situations with angst.
I do spell and grammar checks and proof read but bound to miss some. If that bothers you too much maybe think about reading something else.
Please check the tags, don't read it if it's not your thing. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy it, they are free and they are just stories.
Best Wishes, Satin
***
They were finally aboard, on their retirement cruise. It wasn't Jack's first choice of holiday but he thought Stacy would love it... a month long voyage around the Mediterranean. His retirement gift from work colleagues contributed to the cost. Married for 27 years, their two children Luke and Kelly were adults and leading their own lives, allowing Jack to take early retirement before reaching 50.
Jack thought the prancing about and official functions were a bit of a pain on cruises, but the fact they were in a new port almost every day and would be able to explore would be perfect. There were over 20 ports spread across 8 countries including Spain, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece.
Jack had enjoyed watching his wife choose outfits for the cruise. At 48 Stacy remained a very attractive woman. He thought she got better with age, both beautiful and elegant. Her long auburn hair was pinned and braided up in a constantly changing disarray of bangles, twists and curls but always managing to look stunning. It framed an attractive lightly tanned oval face and sparkling green eyes.
Work had kept Jack fit and he had plans to cycle and exercise more in his retirement. They handled the impending retirement differently; Jack was looking to rekindle all of his hobbies and delighting in the extra time available, aiming to get fitter. Stacy seemed a bit worried about it all and thought it was a sign they were getting old. Jack hoped the trip would incorporate a sense of adventure and excitement; there was an endless list of interesting places waiting for them to explore after all.
***
They were preparing for the welcome dinner on the cruise, Jack thought Stacy looked stunning in a close-fitting satin dress that accentuated her figure and he told her so.
She smiled sweetly, "Thank you, I feel a bit self-conscious in the dress, but you've just made me feel good about it. That's a gift you have; making the people around you feel good, you're always so kind and understanding, I love you."
Jack's warm reflection on her comments was suddenly interrupted as Stacy looked over his shoulder, "Oh my God, that's Steve Dexter the film star!"
Jack turned to look, "Oh yeah, although 'star' is stretching it these days, he hasn't had a major film in years."
"He was my crush when I was younger; my friends and I were so obsessed by him. I wonder if I can meet him, Jen would be so jealous."
"Jesus calm down Stacy... he is just another guy, not a God. Anyway it looks like you will get you wish, he is in the line with the Captain and crew for the intros. He must be on a freebie, a minor celebrity endorsement of some sort."
"They is nothing minor about him, he was one of the biggest stars of the 90s."
They stood in line making introductions, when Stacy finally reached Steve Dexter, she wasted no time in saying how much of a fan she was, "It's fantastic to meet you, I am a fan... I even had your poster up on my bedroom wall when I was a teenager."
Dexter lapped it up and thanked her for all the support. It balanced the brief "Hello" he got from Jack.
They were invited to the Captains table, Jack wasn't sure why. Usually far more important people would sit there, or pay for the honour. It was probably Stacy's over the top welcome that resulted in the invite. Stacy ended up perched between Jack and Steve Dexter, with Dexter's business assistant Patricia Jones on the other side of Jack.
Dexter monopolised Stacy, she thought he was absolutely charming and wasn't used to so many compliments, especially from someone so famous. Jack was left talking to Patricia or 'Trish' as she preferred. She was a stunning raven haired beauty but remarkably easy to talk to.
Later Steve asked Jack if he objected to him having a dance with Stacy. He nodded it was fine, amused to see Stacy so excitable; she was almost giddy with it. Dexter was eating it up, obviously in his element. A second dance followed, Steve didn't mind too much, it wasn't every day you got to meet an idol and it was a nice treat for his wife. He continued his conversation with Trish; she had a great sense of humour, which wasn't always associated with someone who was so attractive. They all shared further drinks afterward before finally parting company.
***
They settled into their room and planned excursions and time on board. Jack was keen to see as much as possible at each of the ports. Stacy signed up for Spa and dance lessons saying it was something she had always wanted to do. Jack agreed to try but said he couldn't promise not to step on her toes.
The first lesson was after an excursion to Athens at the start of the cruise. It was a long trip from the port Piraeus to the city. Jack endured long queues for tickets and the mass crowds at the acropolis, while Stacy enjoyed coffee and a stroll shopping. By the time they got back to the ship, she could see he was exhausted and knew he would struggle with a lesson. She offered him the out, saying they had options for singles and that she would be fine going alone.
She got back in really a good mood and assured Jack there was no to apologise, "It's fine, you are excused duty, singles get paired up, and it will probably save my toes from damage. Anyway it would be hard for you to catch up after missing the basic steps."
That was fine by Jack; he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
They had a fabulous start to the cruise: Crete, Santorini and Corfu were highlights. The services and facilities, food and entertainment on the ship were amazing. Stacy was in the mood more than usual and they enjoyed passionate nights together. It was so nice to be totally focused on each other.
It was the fifth dance lesson when Jack felt guilty and went to check on Stacy. He looked into the auditorium to see her dancing with Steve Dexter. It bothered him but not overly much, they were in there with 20 other couples.
"How was your lesson?"
"Great I really enjoyed it, still getting a lot of steps wrong though."
"Who did you get partnered with?"
"Oh... a few different people."
"Really, I thought they would keep you with the same partner to make learning the steps easier."
"No, well not all of the time."
"So who did you dance with?"
"Well Steve Dexter was there, I danced with him a bit."
At least she didn't lie, "Oh that must be nice for you, he being your idol and all."
Stacy hesitated, "He isn't my idol any more, you are...the best husband in the world."
"I hope you always think that."
"Of course I will, nothing will ever change that. I think we will be paired up for the competition though, is that OK? It will mean dancing with Steve, everyone is practicing hard for the moon light ball, there are prizes for best dancers and most improved."
"Yeah I guess, just watch yourself with him, he is a player."
"Honestly, he has been fine, the perfect gentleman in fact."
***
The following night Stacy dressed to the nines in a flowing elegant gown and sling back heels. They enjoyed another sumptuous meal, thankfully not at the Captains table, the guests there were rotated, no doubt to maximise profit. Stacy was certainly more comfortable dressing to impress and started liking the attention she was receiving especially from the young officers.
Dexter appeared in the bar afterwards and made a beeline towards them, "Hey Stacy, you look absolutely ravishing, you are a lucky man Jack."
"Thanks, I know it."
"And I appreciate you letting me borrow your wife for the dance competition. I learned some steps for filming but should have practiced more."
Dexter sat with them and they launched into conversations about their classes and the people in it. Jack started to feel ignored as Dexter enthralled Stacy by reciting tales from his movie career and the famous people he knew.
When Dexter finally went to the washrooms, Jack turned to Stacy. "Are you having a nice time with your dance partner?"
Stacy looked bemused and answered honestly, "Yeah he is lovely and so interesting, his life has been amazing."
"So it seems."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well you've spent more time talking to him than to me tonight!"
"Don't be ridiculous, I am just being polite in company. We were just chatting and the conversation flowed. You need to grow up!"
"I am pleased we paid a fortune for this holiday so you could spend it with your idol."
"Don't be like that, I didn't realise you felt left out. You seemed to be talking to Trish happily enough the other night and I didn't complain."
"I am going... stay if you like!"
"Don't be stupid, I'm coming with you, I'll make our excuses when he returns."
Dexter seemed disappointed but covered it in his usual easy manner. The walk back to the room was more a silent trudge until they got to the door, and Stacy muttered, "Happy now we've had to cut our night short because of your petty jealousy."
"You're welcome to go back to him!"
"Maybe I should, if you're going to be like this."
***
Their spat was mostly over by the next morning and they began talking again while skirting around the tetchy topic of Steve Dexter. They'd always planned a couple of days where Jack would go on an excursion and leave Stacy on board relaxing. The following day he had a fantastic time checking out Dubrovnik in Croatia, and was excited to show Stacy the photographs of the old town.
She wasn't in the cabin when he got back on board, so he did a couple of circuits of the ship to find her without any luck. He tried the Spa but couldn't gain access without paying an extortionate entrance fee. Just as he was leaving he caught a glance of Stacy. She was in his favourite swim suit, relaxing on a sun lounger with Steve fucking Dexter sat next to her, looking irritatingly fit and tanned. Their body language suggested she was more than liking his attention.
Jack thought about jumping the gate and confronting them but didn't want to create a scene, any accusation would look childish, and they weren't doing anything inappropriate... except the look in their eyes suggested something more.
A crew member asked him to clear access to the gate.
Jack moved off muttering, "Fuck fuck fuck!"
He was stewing on his thoughts back in their cabin. What was she up to; she knew he was already unhappy and that look they shared. He tried telling himself to calm down... it might all be innocent.
Stacy returned to the cabin an hour later with her a breezy greeting, "Hi honey, how was Dubrovnik?"
"Fine."
"Just fine... really! It was something you had pre booked and were really looking forward to; it's such a shame if it disappointing."
"Actually the trip was awesome and I rushed back to show you the photos and get ready for dinner but you weren't here."
"You knew I was going to the Spa."
"I did, but didn't think you would be there all day, how was it?
