It was their first night at sea, and after Larry and Pete finished their dinner, they went their separate ways, Larry to the casino and Pete to the bar.
It was still early when Pete walked in so he had his choice of seats and chose to take advantage of one of his favorite pastimes: people-watching.
Cruises are excellent for observing, especially in the evening. Some guests wear their finest while others opt for shorts and flip-flops.
Pete wore tan slacks, sandals and a Tommy Bahama shirt covered with colorful exotic birds. As he sat sipping his Scotch, two middle-aged women entered, smiled and sat a few stools away. The first was short, maybe five feet, with close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair, wearing a bright red blouse and white slacks.
The other was taller by half a foot, with shoulder-length auburn hair and a full-length, floral dress that hugged her curves, accenting her ample chest and round rump.
They both wore their make-up in the modern style, with smoky eye-shadow and brightly colored lips. All in all, they were both attractive and eye-catching. They ordered their drinks and Pete noticed them looking at him and smiling.
When he caught them looking, the shorter one said, "Oh, sorry, we were just commenting on your shirt. Very colorful!" The taller one nodded in agreement.
Pete looked down self-consciously and smiled. "Thanks. I only get to wear this stuff on cruises. Back home it looks out of place."
"Where's home," they asked.
"New York City," he replied.
"Really? What part?" the tall one asked.
"Queens."
"Funny, so are we."
The conversation continued with them comparing notes about neighborhoods and restaurants. Pete introduced himself and he learned the short one was Leslie and the tall one was Fay. Within minutes they were conversing like old friends, despite their age differences. Pete had just turned thirty and he estimated the ladies to be late-forties to early-fifties.
They were both living in Florida now, where the cruise originated, so they were curious about how things had changed up north. When they asked Pete about cruising alone, he told them about Larry, his friend who enjoyed gambling and was doing just that as they spoke.
Time and drinks went by and the bar filled so the ladies moved down next to Pete so they could continue chatting. Now Fay, the tall one was next to Pete and he sensed a subtle vibe coming from them, almost a flirt. While flattered, he and Larry had expected to find women their age, not old enough to be their mothers. Fay was particularly friendly, lightly touching his arm when he made a joke, and gazing at him, hanging on every word.
They asked if he'd been to any of the clubs, and he admitted he hadn't, since it was the first night at sea.
"We were thinking of taking in the Calypso Club, care to join us?" Leslie asked.
If they were leaving, he wouldn't have had anyone to talk to, and he was enjoying their company, so he agreed. The club was one deck down and dark, but the music pulsed with black lights and flashing strobes. They found a space at the bar and Fay was pressed against him. In her heels, she was almost as tall as him, and they had to lean close to hear each other. Her lips almost touched his ear whenever she spoke and Pete felt aroused by this mature woman who was obviously on the make. In fact, it took him a minute to realize that Leslie was gone.
At one point, Fay leaned in and said, "You smell as good as you look." She leaned back and smiled. It was his turn to speak and told her, "I was just thinking the same thing about you."
This time her lips brushed his ear as she licked his lobe. "Hmm, it's getting pretty hot in here, don't you think?"
He turned his head to face her and voice his agreement but she pressed forward and their lips met. After they separated, she said, "My cabin's a lot cooler," and when he nodded, she took his hand and led him out of the club.
Pete's mind raced. As a teen, he had every boy's fantasy about friend's moms, but had never actually been with anyone more and a few years older. Now, he was going to this woman's cabin and he barely knew her. What he did know was he had a hard time walking with half a Woodie in his pants.
