Sail With the Devil

Sail With the Devil

A Novel

Smashwords

by Richard Porter Ray

ISBN: 9781310121968

Copyright 2016 Richard Porter Ray

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Other EBooks by Richard Porter Ray

Hacked

Underground

Implant

Available at most bookstores

Coming Soon

After We’re Gone

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Planning Ahead

Chapter 2 The Drug Lord

Chapter 3 Getting Wet

Chapter 4 The Other Second Best Day

Chapter 5 The New Boat

Chapter 6 The Shakedown Cruise

Chapter 7 Let The Voyage Begin

Chapter 8 Another Cruise

Chapter 9 Skull and Crossbones

Chapter 10 Almost Safe

Chapter 11 A Cork in the Water

Chapter 12 Return to Base

Chapter 13 Naples to Bermuda

Chapter 14 The Sixteen Day Ordeal

Chapter 15 The Ordeal

Chapter 16 The Rich Get Richer

Chapter 17 The Weak Get Weaker

Chapter 18 Recovery Room

Chapter 19 Business Expansion

Chapter 20 High Profits

Chapter 21 Flight of Discovery

Chapter 22 Happy Birthday

Chapter 23 Into the Jaws of Fate

Chapter 24 Deadly Warning

Chapter 25 The Devil’s Due

Chapter 26 The Storm Before the Calm

Richard Porter Ray’s Other Books

Sail with the Devil

Chapter 1 Planning Ahead

It was more than a month before the impossible happened, but for now, everything was going as smooth as silk. Business was good; the new marriage was good. Tomorrow, he would get his first look at the new boat. He lay fast asleep in the big king size bed, next to his beautiful and shapely wife, Lisa. His dream was about a period in his life many years ago.

In his dream, Brad Staples helplessly watched the spider crawling up his bare arm. He was strapped to a stiff wooden chair, sitting in the interrogation building of the large prisone of war camp in North Vietnam. The third one to try to break him was a Viet Cong Captain standing almost in front of him. The captain smiled as he watched the poisonous arachnid slowly make his way up Brad's forearm. A strobe light was flashing directly in his eyes irritating him and the spider. Suddenly a ringing started, and the spider raised his forelegs to the attack position. The ringing stopped, but started again and kept its incessant irritation in a rhythm that heightened his fear.

He awoke and looked around. Next to him, Lisa was reaching for the hotel phone, which was signaling their wake-up call. Thank you. Lisa sleepily responded to the computer-generated voice. She lay back and curved her body against Brad. He was moist with perspiration.

It was, at least, twenty-five years since his ordeal in Viet Nam. Using all his strength, his left arm had broken the straps, and the momentum hurled the enormous spider at the Captain. In the melee, a gas lantern spilled and ignited. Dragging the broken chair, still partially tied to him, he had fled the fire and ended up in the woods.

Dampness, shouting men, baying dogs, all sought him through the night and into the next day. He found a river and floated toward the sea for the rest of the day and the next evening. Weary, full of cuts and bruises, he finally pulled himself from the river. He was out of the territory, but not free, not yet, not now. Three miserable months later, Brad walked into the special force's camp and asked for a cup of coffee.

He had not dreamed about that for years and wondered why now. Everything was going so well. Even though a couple of years back, he had been unjustly fired from one of the top jobs in the country, the result was an extremely profitable business that was all his. Well, it was all his and Lisa's.

Staples and Associates had almost gone down the tubes. If he hadn't caught the hacker, who was getting into the main computer system of his ex-employer, no telling what might have happened. He might have lost his company, his girlfriend, and his separation pay from General Automotive. Now it was Staples and Danahey, although the Danahey had changed recently to Staples when Brad and Lisa got married.

Throwing off the covers, he turned his body and kissed Lisa a soft good morning kiss. It lasted a long time and almost turned into what they started calling a mourner. She had told him, It's a nooner, but sooner. They played little name games like that. Sometimes instead of saying Morning, when they greeted each other, they would say, I'm Horney. To others, it sounded the same, but to them, it was their little secret.

They lay in each other’s arms for a while, not speaking, not moving. It was their way. Even when they were late, those few minutes had to be there every morning.

When the ‘me’ time was over, they got out of opposite sides of the big king size bed and started another ritual. It's universal throughout the world. You get up, you wander around, you eat, you bathe, and you dress and go somewhere. Some go sit on the pot and write books with a laptop computer on their legs. Others vary the sequence, eating, bathing, dressing, or bathing, dressing, eating but it's all done every morning. Brad and Lisa eat, bathe, and dress. Except for this morning, its bathe, dress and eat. The hotels make many people change their ritual.

Lisa asked, Would you like to go to Bermuda?

If you like, but I thought you wanted to go to Key West then to the Virgins. Brad took Lisa's hand as they neared the restaurant.

Oh, I'm just thinking out loud, Lisa, explained as they were escorted to a table next to a large picture window overlooking the pool. An exposed gravel walkway led to a blue, bean-shaped pool. Brad wondered if anyone would be swimming this early.

They're a little early for a swim aren't they? Lisa commented as Brad looked up and saw two scantily clad young women walk by. The one on the right took a second glance and Brad smiled his special come-hither smile.

It's a little early to flirt too, Mr. Staples, but you enjoy it while I take a better look at the beautiful blonde hunk behind you.

Huh?

It says very clearly in paragraph 8C that I can look all I want. Brad smiled, this time at his lovely wife. You could see the difference even if you didn't look closely. The smile for Lisa was full of tenderness and warmth while the smile for the two girls was hey, look at me, babe"

You know I enjoy your flirting. It reminds me that I'm with a very attractive man.

You have terrific taste in men. His smile was warm and contented.

Oh! Ho-ho! You got me that time. I'm hungry, let's eat. He grabbed the auburn colored menus and handed one to Lisa. He opened it and was greeted with plain, but elegant linen looking pages with bold blue blotches of Old English type.

They looked at the menu for a while, and Brad asked, What are you going to have? It was his old-fashioned way to order for his lady. He knew some of the waiters were not used to it and would still ask Lisa for the options. She would remain silent until Brad would ask her or if he already knew, she would just remain silent and not look at the waiter or waitress. Waitresses caught on quicker, but some of the waiters were young and had never been taught the old manners.

Brad thought that's what it was today, manners. It used to be etiquette. The man walked on the street side of the lady; the spoons were outside the knives on the right; the forks were outside on the left. The first fork was usually the fruit fork, small and dainty for the melon balls or strawberries. Emily Post was the First Lady of Etiquette. If you had class, you had her book.

Today, most don't even dress for dinner, casually is in, and Miss Manners is the source of all civilized behavior. We’re less formal in our conversations and our social activities. Some say it's not good because it takes away the rituals that make our life safe and structured; others say it gives us more freedom. Not a very good argument as we always had the freedom to not be proper, so maybe the real reason is it makes slobs more socially acceptable. At least, that was Brad's picture of the whole thing.

Brad announced, I'll have a scrambled egg, with dry rye toast almost burned and a cup of regular coffee, no cream or sugar.

Lisa said, I'm going to have the omelet, with rye toast and coffee. She looked out the picture window to the pool. Maybe tonight they could take a swim. The menu was folded and laid on the edge of the table. It sat on the white heavy starched fabric signaling the waiter that they were ready to order.

When the waiter came over, Brad gave him the order, and when he asked Lisa whether she wanted potatoes, Brad answered, No thank you that will be all. Brad reached over and straightened his spoon. A little detail that was typical of his personality.

He wondered if the old etiquette would die out when the older generation did. Probably, you can tell when you go to the more exclusive restaurants. It's slowly changing.

Do you really want to go to Naples? He reached out and touched her hand that was resting comfortably on the table.

It would be fun. I looked it up on the chart and sailing from Key West to Naples and back, then up the east coast would be just as far as the Virgins. The great thing is we would be close to marine service if something critical broke. She felt the warmth of his hand spreading like a big blast of warm air traveling down her arm.

That's not a bad idea. There's the Thousand Islands and Marco Island, it might be fun. Why don't you show me on the chart this afternoon and if you want to we'll change?

Brad you're so sweet, thank you. She blew him a kiss across the table. It bounced off the porcelain china plate, a delicate coffee cup and ricocheted off a tall glass filled with dainty ice cubes to hit him right on the lips. A smile was produced by the little kiss.

Today they were going to visit Performance Cruising to finalize the design of their new 36 foot Gemini sailboat. They were naming the boat Mindy, a contractive name. The MI came from Mike, Lisa's husband who died of lung cancer and the NDY came from Cyndy, Brad's wife who had also died of cancer.

Lisa still wasn't used to having the kind of money they had. She and Mike had done well, but Brad was what she considered rich. There was this fabulous home outside of Detroit and almost a whole island on one of the great lakes. He had boats, airplanes and all manner of men's toys. Their relatively new company already was doing well. Well enough to take a three-month vacation. They had built it up over the last few months to over fifty people. The revenue projection for the next twelve months was over seventy million. There was more than enough profit to buy this sailboat. Also, the money from General Automotive was a freebie.

General Automotive had canned Brad because they thought he was breaking in and sabotaging their computer system. In addition, they had called in the FBI and showed them false evidence that linked him to the intrusions. The evidence had been planted by Wild Willie, a scheming fellow employee. Because of this, the board of directors had taken away his separation pay and his pension.

To Brad, it was a nightmare. He was finally vindicated, and even though the press printed his story, the true one, many people still thought he was guilty. It's human nature, he thought. Maybe it'll go away after a time. He wondered how other people who were unjustly accused, reacted.

Dwayne Totten, his attorney, had wanted him to sue. This case is the most flagrant violation of law I have seen a company do in a long time.

Brad had answered, I know Dwayne, but it wasn't the company it was just a couple of individuals. The company as a whole is a great company. Brad Staples was tough, but he wasn't unfair. To most people, he was as meek as a prince and his manners were those of a gentleman. It was the underlying personality that only came out during times of stress. You had to try hard to see the part that he almost always kept in check.

It was a great company, General Automotive, the new president had reinstated everything and given him a contract that was lucrative enough that he didn't have to do anything else, but he did. It was Brad's way.

They got in their rented car and headed for Performance Cruising. In a few hours, they would own the boat that would house them for three months, and Performance Cruising would be a half million dollars to the good. Some old salt said, The second best day of your life is the day you buy your new boat. The best day is the day you sell it. This was the second best day.

Brad made a lot of minor changes to the boat, This last one didn't make sense, not to Bob, the boat company’s engineer. Brad had added a Lo-Jack system. Those little transmitters that were generally used for expensive luxury automobiles; they only had a range of ten miles. The police would use them to recover stolen vehicles. The police would send out a unique code that belonged only to that one car. When the car received the code, it would transmit back a signal. The police could use that signal to track down the car and quite often the unsuspecting car thief too.

The coast guard and a lot of towns didn't have the equipment. It only paid if you had enough subscriptions to buy the expensive tracking equipment. Oh well, Bob thought. The DC generator didn't make sense either. If the guy wants to waste his money on these gadgets; that's up to him. Little did Bob know what part that little device would play a few months from now

Chapter 2 The Drug Lord

It was more than a month before the impossible happened, but for now, everything was going as smooth as silk. Business was good; the new marriage was good. Tomorrow, he would get his first look at the new boat. He lay fast asleep in the big king size bed, next to his beautiful and shapely wife, Lisa. His dream was about a period in his life many years ago.

In his dream, Brad Staples helplessly watched the spider crawling up his bare arm. He was strapped to a stiff wooden chair, sitting in the interrogation building of the large prisoner of war camp in North Vietnam. The third one to try to break him was a Viet Cong Captain standing almost in front of him. The captain smiled as he watched the poisonous arachnid slowly make his way up Brad's forearm. A strobe light was flashing directly in his eyes irritating him and the spider. Suddenly a ringing started, and the spider raised his forelegs to the attack position. The ringing stopped, but started again and kept its incessant irritation in a rhythm that heightened his fear.

He awoke and looked around. Next to him, Lisa was reaching for the hotel phone, which was signaling their wake-up call. Thank you. Lisa sleepily responded to the computer-generated voice. She lay back and curved her body against Brad. He was moist with perspiration.

It was, at least, twenty-five years since his ordeal in Viet Nam. Using all his strength, his left arm had broken the straps, and the momentum hurled the enormous spider at the Captain. In the melee, a gas lantern spilled and ignited. Dragging the broken chair, still partially tied to him, he had fled the fire and ended up in the woods.

Dampness, shouting men, baying dogs, all sought him through the night and into the next day. He found a river and floated toward the sea for the rest of the day and the next evening. Weary, full of cuts and bruises, he finally pulled himself from the river. He was out of the territory, but not free, not yet, not now. Three miserable months later, Brad walked into the special force's camp and asked for a cup of coffee.

He had not dreamed about that for years and wondered why now. Everything was going so well. Even though a couple of years back, he had been unjustly fired from one of the top jobs in the country, the result was an extremely profitable business that was all his. Well, it was all his and Lisa's.

Staples and Associates had almost gone down the tubes. If he hadn't caught the hacker, who was getting into the main computer system of his ex-employer, no telling what might have happened. He might have lost his company, his girlfriend, and his separation pay from General Automotive. Now it was Staples and Danahey, although the Danahey had changed recently to Staples when Brad and Lisa got married.

Throwing off the covers, he turned his body and kissed Lisa a soft good morning kiss. It lasted a long time and almost turned into what they started calling a mourner. She had told him, It's a nooner, but sooner. They played little name games like that. Sometimes instead of saying Morning, when they greeted each other, they would say, I'm Horney. To others, it sounded the same, but to them, it was their little secret.

They lay in each other’s arms for a while, not speaking, not moving. It was their way. Even when they were late, those few minutes had to be there every morning.

When the ‘me’ time was over, they got out of opposite sides of the big king size bed and started another ritual. It's universal throughout the world. You get up, you wander around, you eat, you bathe, and you dress and go somewhere. Some go sit on the pot and write books with a laptop computer on their legs. Others vary the sequence, eating, bathing, dressing, or bathing, dressing, eating but it's all done every morning. Brad and Lisa eat, bathe, and dress. Except for this morning, its bathe, dress and eat. The hotels make many people change their ritual.

Lisa asked, Would you like to go to Bermuda?

If you like, but I thought you wanted to go to Key West then to the Virgins. Brad took Lisa's hand as they neared the restaurant.

Oh, I'm just thinking out loud, Lisa, explained as they were escorted to a table next to a large picture window overlooking the pool. An exposed gravel walkway led to a blue, bean-shaped pool. Brad wondered if anyone would be swimming this early.

They're a little early for a swim aren't they? Lisa commented as Brad looked up and saw two scantily clad young women walk by. The one on the right took a second glance and Brad smiled his special come-hither smile.

It's a little early to flirt too, Mr. Staples, but you enjoy it while I take a better look at the beautiful blonde hunk behind you.

Huh?

It says very clearly in paragraph 8C that I can look all I want. Brad smiled, this time at his lovely wife. You could see the difference even if you didn't look closely. The smile for Lisa was full of tenderness and warmth while the smile for the two girls was hey, look at me, babe"

You know I enjoy your flirting. It reminds me that I'm with a very attractive man.

You have terrific taste in men. His smile was warm and contented.

Oh! Ho-ho! You got me that time. I'm hungry, let's eat. He grabbed the auburn colored menus and handed one to Lisa. He opened it and was greeted with plain, but elegant linen looking pages with bold blue blotches of Old English type.

They looked at the menu for a while, and Brad asked, What are you going to have? It was his old-fashioned way to order for his lady. He knew some of the waiters were not used to it and would still ask Lisa for the options. She would remain silent until Brad would ask her or if he already knew, she would just remain silent and not look at the waiter or waitress. Waitresses caught on quicker, but some of the waiters were young and had never been taught the old manners.

Brad thought that's what it was today, manners. It used to be etiquette. The man walked on the street side of the lady; the spoons were outside the knives on the right; the forks were outside on the left. The first fork was usually the fruit fork, small and dainty for the melon balls or strawberries. Emily Post was the First Lady of Etiquette. If you had class, you had her book.

Today, most don't even dress for dinner, casually is in, and Miss Manners is the source of all civilized behavior. We’re less formal in our conversations and our social activities. Some say it's not good because it takes away the rituals that make our life safe and structured; others say it gives us more freedom. Not a very good argument as we always had the freedom to not be proper, so maybe the real reason is it makes slobs more socially acceptable. At least, that was Brad's picture of the whole thing.

Brad announced, I'll have a scrambled egg, with dry rye toast almost burned and a cup of regular coffee, no cream or sugar.

Lisa said, I'm going to have the omelet, with rye toast and coffee. She looked out the picture window to the pool. Maybe tonight they could take a swim. The menu was folded and laid on the edge of the table. It sat on the white heavy starched fabric signaling the waiter that they were ready to order.

When the waiter came over, Brad gave him the order, and when he asked Lisa whether she wanted potatoes, Brad answered, No thank you that will be all. Brad reached over and straightened his spoon. A little detail that was typical of his personality.

He wondered if the old etiquette would die out when the older generation did. Probably, you can tell when you go to the more exclusive restaurants. It's slowly changing.

Do you really want to go to Naples? He reached out and touched her hand that was resting comfortably on the table.

It would be fun. I looked it up on the chart and sailing from Key West to Naples and back, then up the east coast would be just as far as the Virgins. The great thing is we would be close to marine service if something critical broke. She felt the warmth of his hand spreading like a big blast of warm air traveling down her arm.

That's not a bad idea. There's the Thousand Islands and Marco Island, it might be fun. Why don't you show me on the chart this afternoon and if you want to we'll change?

Brad you're so sweet, thank you. She blew him a kiss across the table. It bounced off the porcelain china plate, a delicate coffee cup and ricocheted off a tall glass filled with dainty ice cubes to hit him right on the lips. A smile was produced by the little kiss.

Today they were going to visit Performance Cruising to finalize the design of their new 36 foot Gemini sailboat. They were naming the boat Mindy, a contractive name. The MI came from Mike, Lisa's husband who died of lung cancer and the NDY came from Cyndy, Brad's wife who had also died of cancer.

Lisa still wasn't used to having the kind of money they had. She and Mike had done well, but Brad was what she considered rich. There was this fabulous home outside of Detroit and almost a whole island on one of the great lakes. He had boats, airplanes and all manner of men's toys. Their relatively new company already was doing well. Well enough to take a three-month vacation. They had built it up over the last few months to over fifty people. The revenue projection for the next twelve months was over seventy million. There was more than enough profit to buy this sailboat. Also, the money from General Automotive was a freebie.

General Automotive had canned Brad because they thought he was breaking in and sabotaging their computer system. In addition, they had called in the FBI and showed them false evidence that linked him to the intrusions. The evidence had been planted by Wild Willie, a scheming fellow employee. Because of this, the board of directors had taken away his separation pay and his pension.

To Brad, it was a nightmare. He was finally vindicated, and even though the press printed his story, the true one, many people still thought he was guilty. It's human nature, he thought. Maybe it'll go away after a time. He wondered how other people who were unjustly accused, reacted.

Dwayne Totten, his attorney, had wanted him to sue. This case is the most flagrant violation of law I have seen a company do in a long time.

Brad had answered, I know Dwayne, but it wasn't the company it was just a couple of individuals. The company as a whole is a great company. Brad Staples was tough, but he wasn't unfair. To most people, he was as meek as a prince and his manners were those of a gentleman. It was the underlying personality that only came out during times of stress. You had to try hard to see the part that he almost always kept in check.

It was a great company, General Automotive, the new president had reinstated everything and given him a contract that was lucrative enough that he didn't have to do anything else, but he did. It was Brad's way.

They got in their rented car and headed for Performance Cruising. In a few hours, they would own the boat that would house them for three months, and Performance Cruising would be a half million dollars to the good. Some old salt said, The second best day of your life is the day you buy your new boat. The best day is the day you sell it. This was the second best day.

Brad made a lot of minor changes to the boat, This last one didn't make sense, not to Bob, the boat company’s engineer. Brad had added a Lo-Jack system. Those little transmitters that were generally used for expensive luxury automobiles; they only had a range of ten miles. The police would use them to recover stolen vehicles. The police would send out a unique code that belonged only to that one car. When the car received the code, it would transmit back a signal. The police could use that signal to track down the car and quite often the unsuspecting car thief too.

The coast guard and a lot of towns didn't have the equipment. It only paid if you had enough subscriptions to buy the expensive tracking equipment. Oh well, Bob thought. The DC generator didn't make sense either. If the guy wants to waste his money on these gadgets; that's up to him. Little did Bob know what part that little device would play a few months from now?

Chapter 3 Getting Wet

The communication system was in place in Detroit. Staples, Danahey, and Associates were now linked by satellite, radio and the Internet to the Mindy. The preliminary tests worked flawlessly. There were a few dead spots in the Caribbean, but it would only be a few hours until they would sail back to the communication area. If they really needed communication, there was the sat-phone. Brad commented to Clif, "We’ll find one of those dead spots and just circle around for a while, just to get you to panic a little.

What me panic, nothing of the sort? I'll just scratch you off as being killed by pirates and take over the company myself. As he was saying it, he wondered to himself, if it did happen, was he ready? Was anybody ever ready?

You could do that Clif; you’re just as capable as I am and the customers like you. Brad picked up his cup which was empty and for the third time tried to empty the last drop into his thirsty mouth.

I like them too, especially that gal in Sausalito. Too bad she's married. You want some more coffee or do you enjoy drinking air? Clif reached for the cup.

Hell, Clif, she's not married, she just wears the rings, so guys like you won't hit on her all the time. She told Lisa that and I forgot to tell you. I think she wanted you to know, hint, hint. Brad put his hand on the top of the cup and Clif withdrew his.

Thanks a lot, boss, when did you find this out, last year? Clif had no idea the girl was single, and he had crossed her off his short list.

No, it was just last month when Lisa went over there to check on Harold's new filter.

It probably needs checking again, real soon, don't you think? Clif mentally went over his schedule for the next few weeks and looked for a small hole that would get him back to Sausalito.

It's your call Clif; you're running this disorganized monster for the next three months, so have at it. Clif thought, That cinches it, even Brad wants me to go.

What about the Nabisco account? Should we start the plant installations now or wait until you get back? The Nabisco plant was in northern California, not very far from Sausalito.

Start them now; I'll be back just about the time to collect the dough.

Oh, this is not a freebie? Are you sure you don't want any more coffee, cause I'm thirsty for some?

Very well, Cilla? Brad called out to his long time secretary.

I'd scarcely call thirty-three million a freebie, Clif responded

Cilla popped her head into his office and said, I know, two more coffees, one black decaf with sweet and low and the other with cream, no sugar, and hi-test. She strolled in wearing a clinging purple skirt that clung to her like a koala bear when she walked. To Brad, it was incredibly sexy, and he liked when she wore it.

The cups were whisked up from the desk, and the sexy skirt wriggled its way out of the office.

Just kidding, I know it's our biggest one yet. Clif watched Brad's eyes follow Cilla out the door.

Wait until Gerry gets back from Germany. He promised the Mercedes order would top Nabisco. Brad had gotten word from Gerry that Mercedes wanted a worldwide firewall, even bigger than Nabisco.

I hope it does, I need a new T-shirt, and there may be enough dough in it to buy one.

Or a T-shirt factory.

Are you still leaving this Friday? Clif was getting nervous about having to make decisions on his own. Although he knew Brad trusted him to do whatever he felt was the right thing.

Unless something goes wrong; Lisa checked this morning, and everything is ready. Mindy is sitting at the boat company dock, and the guys are running the final quality control checks for the third time.

Cilla came back into the office carrying two steaming cups of freshly brewed coffee and laid them in front of the two men.

Clif took a sip and glanced at the clock on the wall to his left. If he didn't get moving, he might miss his plane. He grabbed his cup and stood up. Enjoy your little vacation. I'm on the way to the airport. When I get to New York, I'll call you.

Ok, Clif straighten out that little mess will you? Brad was referring to the problem when one of his men installed the wrong code and locked up the whole system for a major clothing manufacturer.

It's already fixed; I'm just checking it out. See ya in three months.

See ya Clif. He thought about the next three months with mixed emotions. He looked forward to resting a bit but also was concerned about the company while he would be gone.

The next two days seemed to go slower than a snail up a greased pole. Finally, Friday arrived, and they were on their way to Baltimore. The next morning they would inspect the Mindy and hopefully find nothing wrong.

Are you as excited as I am? Lisa asked as she pushed the button on her armrest. The first class seat back tilted slightly to the rear.

As excited as a hop toad on the freeway, He replied. He put his hand on her thigh and squeezed a little. Just think we'll have the whole afternoon and evening to ourselves. What do you wanna do?

Just what you're doing now would be fun. Lisa looked at him with that special smile that she had when she wanted to be a little playful.

He moved his hand up her thigh a little. Yes, it might. Would you like another vodka gimlet, they're free?

Well if they're free then why not? Wine makes me feel fine, but whiskey makes me frisky.

He squeezed her thigh again. I love frisky, so I'll have another scotch to get me in the mood.

You’re always in the mood.

Only when I'm with someone as lovely as you. He looked at her beautiful blue eyes; they were bright with mischief right now and seemed to sparkle.

When they reached the hotel, it was a race to see who could undress first. Brad won, but Lisa wanted it that way. She watched him lying on the bed. Lisa slowed down and modeled for him. Still, in panties and bra, she made slow sensual movements watching for his reaction. A slow rhythm developed as she danced to the soft music coming from the radio. She peeled her straps off one shoulder at a time. Reaching down, she rolled the top of her panties down until only a tiny triangle of red satin covered her female parts. As she danced over to the side of the bed, she watched the reaction she was causing.

He watched her remove her bra. It was like watching the sand in an hour glass, so slow, so sensual, and so sexy. The little pink rosettes came up like the sun, glowing and burning. It took an eternity, butt the small garments finally hit the floor, and her warm body moved over him. She was moist like pudding. He twisted around maneuvering her beneath him and started the slow movement that they both enjoyed.

It was like ice-cream, one lick at a time. Slow licks savoring the full flavor, the texture, the feelings spread throughout their bodies and entered their souls. The rhythm stayed the same, slow, very slow, not changing, not even when it seemed impossible to not rush to completion. It became almost unbearable until after an eternity of pleasure the ground opened up and swallowed them like quicksand.

Sleeping like two kittens, arms and legs entwined, they awoke slowly. Stirring, languidly, softly, a hand caressed, a leg moved, eyes opened and looked at other eyes. Simultaneously their eyes met and locked. Two pairs of lips mouthed the same phrase. I love you. Contented smiles appeared on two faces, and the embrace tightened.

It was Brad who got up first and headed for the bathroom. Tossing a pillow under her head, Lisa lay there and listened to the soft music coming from the little clock radio. It was morning, and after a leisurely breakfast, they would meet Roy King, the Gemini sales manager. He would take them to the plant where they would see the Mindy in the water for the first time.

As they arrived at Performance Marine, the sun was just over the top of Mindy's main mast. Roy in his Alabama accent said, Looka heah isn’t that somthin. Mindy looked spectacular. The changes made by Brad and Lisa added to the sexy looks of the big cat. Lisa stood there for quite a while and admired Mindy's lines. It would be home for a long time, longer than she or Brad had ever spent on a boat. The longest for her was two weeks, and that was about the same for Brad.

Roy pointed out, The change in the arch made the canvas top fit a lot better. Barry went ahead and added the side curtains at no charge. Wha do ya think?

Lisa remarked, It looks beautiful, almost everybody else has blue or green, and I think yellow stands out. She was talking about the color of the canvas. The top was rolled up and tucked neatly inside its matching cover. Mindy was mostly white but had her accents in a butter-colored yellow.

Do ya want me to put up the top? Roy asked.

No, it's such a spectacular day that I want to enjoy the sun, Lisa replied.

You'll get more sun than you want in the next three months, Brad commented as he emerged from the companionway. You should see your upholstery. They even matched the patterns on everything.

Sliding past, she left Brad and Roy on deck and went into the main salon. The fabric was from Pakistan; A bright yellow, with splashes of red and light green. It was mostly yellow roses, with a thin green vine twisting around the stems. Little