“That is indeed a fact. That’s why I want to give you this.” Petula opened her clutch bag and gave Charlie a key.
“Is this what I think it is?”
“That’s an extra key to my cabin. I’m on Deck B, cabin 232.”
“Hell, Pet, B232 isn’t a cabin, that’s a suite with a balcony. Those digs cost a friggin’ fortune!”
“I can afford it, so why not?”
“I know you’re British. What are you, royalty or something?”
“No, not royalty, just lucky.”
Charlie gave her back the key. “Don’t know why you’re givin’ that to me. I’m an engineer on the Ortensia. You’re a first-class passenger on her.”
Petula put the key on his desk. “Your mate Morgy told me about you, about how you know more about a ship than anyone else he’s ever known. He also told me you’re good at making keys.”
“He told you that?”
“He told me you’re the one that copied the special key that opens the door between the passengers’ cabins and the crew’s. You could copy my extra key, and then give it back to me.”
“Your knowin’ that could get my arse put off the ship, let alone your being in here with me.”
Petula wrapped her arms around Charlie’s neck. “Getting cold feet, Charles?”
“Why me, Pet? Why are you keen on me?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“That’s an easy one. You’re a good-looking woman. You gave me a boner this arvo, and you’re giving me another one now.” Charlie cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. Don’t usually use such coarse talk with a woman.”
“And I don’t offer the key to my room to just anyone. I saw you the other day. I made it a point to find out your name when I saw you again on the Lido Deck this afternoon.”
Charlie slid his hand up Petula’s bare back to her neck. “I don’t remember seeing you before today.”
“I was bored, so I wandered around the ship. You were busy checking the lifeboats.”
“Friggin’ ’ell, you watched the lifeboat inspection? You must have been bloody bored.”
“I was. You entertained me.”
“Is that what I’m doing tonight?”
“I hope so. I need to be entertained.”
“I can see that.” Charlie leaned over and kissed her, hoping Petula would return the kiss. Not only did she return his kiss, but she held on to him like a drowning woman clinging to driftwood.
When he pulled away, she whispered, “What are we waiting for?”
Charlie reached under her hair and tugged at the string that held her halter top in place. “Not a damn thing. Let’s get on with the job.” The tie came loose. Just like a bib falling from a baby’s neck, the halter top covering her breasts fell to her waist.
Without Charlie having to ask, Petula unbuttoned his shirt. “Do you remember how hot it was the day you inspected the lifeboats?”
“Sure I do. It was cooler in the engine room than it was on deck.”
Petula pulled his shirt open. “Your coveralls were open like this, and I could see your chest. I wanted to touch it so much.” She rubbed his pectorals with both hands.
“Well, Pet, when I saw your bathing togs today, I wanted to rub yours, too.” He filled each hand with a soft breast. “And that’s not all I wanted to rub.”
“Tell me what else.”
“Better to show you, I think.”
He stepped backward toward his bunk, taking Petula with him. “I don’t want to muss up your dress. Maybe you should take it off.”
“Perhaps I should. Will you help me? You’re an engineer, you should be able to manage a zipper.” She turned around and waited.
Knowing his way around an engine didn’t help him one iota in this situation. All he saw were folds of poofy blue chiffon. He didn’t see even the slightest hint of a zipper. “Where exactly is it, Pet?”
“It’s back there. You’ll find it.”
Charlie sat down on the edge of the bunk. He figured the easiest way to find it, and the best way to get things rolling, was feeling under her skirt. He heard her breath catch as he slid his hands up the back of her legs, but she didn’t stop him.
When his fingers grazed the bare flesh of her bum, he nearly pulled his hand away, startled that she didn’t have any underpants on. He paused, and got his bearings. This one wanted it as much as he did. It had been a while since he’d had a sheila so willing, and ready for it.
Letting one hand rest on her bare arse cheek, he reached up with the other to feel the inside of her dress. He felt the zipper teeth with his fingers, but still couldn’t see the damn thing.
Reluctantly he pulled his other hand out from under her dress and felt for the zipper from the outside. After he traced the line of the teeth, he finally discovered the small tab wrapped in blue cloth at the waist of the skirt. He slid it down in one smooth motion to the bottom of her bum.
“Christ, Pet, it’s easier to tear an engine apart than it is to open this friggin’ zipper.”
“That’s why I asked for help. I knew you’d figure it out.”
The dress hung precariously on her hips, her bum crack now partially visible. On impulse, Charlie leaned forward and licked her lower back. Petula shivered.
Not wasting any time, he pushed the dress down her legs to her ankles. As he suspected, she had nothing on underneath. He kissed each arse cheek and then reached around and tickled her pubic hair. Petula sighed.
“Pet, you shouldn’t walk around the ship wearing nothing underneath your dress. My mates are good blokes, but not one of them would think twice about reaching under and copping a feel, and maybe even doing a private lifeboat inspection with you.”
“Charlie, maybe that’s what I’ve been hoping would happen.”
He gently lifted each foot, took off her shoes and untangled her dress. Then he turned her around and tickled her pubes again. “You want it bad, don’t ya, Pet?”
“You’re the first man I’ve met on this ship who seems to be more than just talk. Yes, Charlie, I want it bad, and I want someone who’s man enough to give it to me.”
Even with his erection throbbing in his trousers, Charlie decided not to take her just yet. He wanted to make her want it even more. He pulled her closer and buried his face in the golden curls between her legs. Petula gasped when his tongue connected with her sensitive flesh, and she moaned when he sucked her clitoris into his mouth.
Charlie sucked his prize until he had Petula squirming to get away. She pushed at his head and gasped. “I can’t stand it. Stop!”
When he let her go, he fully expected Petula to collapse on the bed beside him. She didn’t. Instead, she knelt between his legs. Before he fully grasped what she meant to do, she leaned forward and licked his knob through his trousers. “Pet, aren’t you ready to get a leg over?” He wanted to screw her, badly.
“Not yet, dear Charles. It’s your turn.” She tried to undo his trousers. Not wanting to get his willy nicked in his fly, he stopped her and undid it himself. He’d never had a sheila go after him like a hungry wombat. He rather fancied it.
Charlie lifted his arse so Pet could drag his trousers down and off. He doffed his shirt and tossed it onto the floor. That left