Cruising Altitude

"So, who's your second pick?"

Bella glanced at her friend, puzzled over what was happening, but went along and picked her second favorite. They continued, and eventually even Bella started to see what Lena was going for. Bella's picks tended to be tall and sporty, or if not tall at least slim and almost androgynous. Lena preferred curvier women, often with some amount of excess weight to their rack. Eventually Bella turned the tables by offering to guess Lena's next pick, instead of making her own, and guessed correctly. Lena smiled at her.

"So you see it now?" Lena asked quietly. "You were always my type. You're still my type. I was crazy about your body when we were young."

"You were? But... but I didn't... you never told me."

"I did. I believe I did tell you how much I loved your body. And you know... I was in love with you once. Not just your body."

"What? You never told me!"

Lena lay down on her towel, propping her chin on her forearms. Bella stared at the small mole between her shoulder blades suspiciously.

"Nope, I never told you. You weren't as gay as I was. I was jealous but happy when you experimented with women, because I hoped that maybe... but then you started with Eli and got into all the business with getting married and talking about kids and all that. So I just... got over it. "

Lena sighed. She poked at the perfect white sand, digging little holes and letting them fill again.

"It's not like I've been pining over you for all these years. I really did get over it. But in some way... I didn't. So, you see, I do know you need a plaster relationship to get your confidence up after what that jerk Eli did to you, or at least have some rejuvenating no strings sex. But I don't know if I can do that. Because I don't think I could handle it if it changed something between us. If you didn't want to be friends afterwards. Or if I fell in love with you again and you didn't feel the same. But..."

Lena's slim back looked tense and she kept poking the sand with her index finger.

Bella looked around at the women each of them had picked as beautiful. Some were with their husbands and some with their wives. One couple was even such that they had both picked one of them. Bella looked at them and thought back to their youth. Could they have been like that? But Lena was right, Bella was more flexible than gay, and she'd had her mind set on husband and kids when they were young.

"But what?" Bella prompted.

"But I'll do that for you if you want me to."

"Be my plaster relationship?"

Lena sighed. "No, not that. But I'll do what I can to make you feel better about yourself again. Sexually. I have a few aces up my sleeve."

Bella didn't know how to answer. They were silent, watching others swim and play in the shallow water. Sun was warm but not piercing. Salt dried on their skin, bringing memories of childhood vacations. Cruise personnel circulated, offering refreshments.

Gradually, the conversation turned to more mundane topics.

—#—#—#—#—#—

After returning to the ship, Bella spent a while before dinner reading in their cabin. Or pretending to read. All she could focus on was Lena's offer of helping relieve her sexual frustration. The book she was reading didn't help: it described female sexuality, and even it's thoroughly scientific approach seemed to make her hot and bothered.

Lena returned in time to dress for dinner. She had been spending time in the ship's boutiques, and Bella felt a twinge of annoyance at her shopping bags. No doubt she had found some delightful new clothes, and no doubt she would look perfect in them. She tried to stifle her envy and didn't ask what she had bought.

Dinner was pleasant. The newlyweds were so delightfully happy and loving that their company improved even Bella's mood. So what if she was doomed to be alone? Her children were next in line to experience that bliss. In a way, it felt appropriate.

Lena surprised Bella by asking if they could share the bed.

"Not for sex," she said. "I think you could use the comfort. You've had a difficult day."

"Um..."

Bella looked at the beds, which were easily wide enough for two. "Well... I guess? I mean, if I kick or something, you can switch back to yours."

They settled into bed and Lena curled right next to Bella, spooning her. Bella was tense at first, feeling how the taller woman pressed against her back, all the way around her bum, along the back of her thighs to the crook of her knee. How her arm circled hers and she felt surrounded by Lena. She could feel her breath on her shoulder. Lena sighed and relaxed, and Bella couldn't help but to relax with her.

She thought Lena had fallen asleep, but then she muttered, "So, have you thought about it?"

"Thought about what?"

The cabin was very dark. They could hear the engines, the never-ending soft whir that echoed through the ship. It was not discernible in daytime, and even in the quiet of the night it was barely there.

"Making love."

"Oh."

Bella had known what she meant. And she had thought about it. She hadn't thought about anything else since it came up. But she still didn't know if she wanted it or not.

"I'm reading this book," she blurted. "Have you read it? It's called 'Come as you are', and it's about female sexuality, and it's got this, like, it talks about responsive desire, and I think that might be me. Because I didn't... I don't remember if I ever initiated it with Eli... I mean, maybe, but I can't..."

She trailed off. Her reasoning sounded clumsy, and she didn't know what her point was.

"Are you saying you want me to seduce you?" Lena asked and nuzzled her cheek against Bella's back. Bella shivered.

"I... might be."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay, I will," Lena repeated and kissed her shoulder. "Hush now and sleep."

"But..."

"But you wanted it now?" Lena chuckled in the dark. "No, honey. Sleep now. I'll seduce you when the time is right."

Bella felt conflicted. Had she really wanted it to happen right at that moment? Her disappointment made it clear to her she did, in fact, want it. She tried to sort out her feelings, but Lena's warm and heavy proximity was so lulling she couldn't help but relax into it and fall asleep.

—#—#—#—#—#—

The next day was cruising day, and Bella bristled with anticipation right from the moment she woke up. She had the first turn showering and kept waiting for Lena to slip in with her. She didn't. Bella was disappointed but elated and tingly when she dressed for breakfast. They ate, and Lena kept touching her. Small touches, taking hold of her hand when they walked to the dining hall. Touching her neck when serving her the breakfast plate. Smiling at her every time their eyes met.

After breakfast, Lena said, "I think we should go sunbathe."

Bella bit her lip, then nodded and started to rummage around for her new bikini.

"Oh, you don't need those," Lena said. "Let's go to the nudist deck."

Lena entwined her fingers with hers when they waited for the elevator. Bella still thought her hand felt pudgy compared to Lena's, but it was getting easier to focus on the sensation rather than herself. Lena's grip was assuring and yet light. Her hand wasn't sweaty.

The nudist deck was nearly empty. Lena chose chairs that were near the now vacant pool and gestured for Bella to lie down. She undressed and did as she was told, settling on her tummy first. Lena started to spread the sunscreen on her skin with gentle, slow, deliberate motions. It wasn't overtly sexual, but Bella could feel her body responding to it.

Bella's gaze focused on a gay couple settling on chairs further away. She recognized the hanging balls guy from their first visit to the deck and was embarrassed to remember such a detail. His partner didn't have the same issue. He was tall and blond, and from the distance it looked like his balls, high and firm, were as hairless as the rest of his body. Bella wondered idly if he shaved or if his hair was just so light and sparse it couldn't be seen from this distance. Eli had always—

Wait! What were they doing?

The tall, blond guy stretched on his lounger, and his friend sat at the end, stroking his balls. The nerve of some people! But it didn't look quite right—the blond guy wasn't erect, was he?

The dark guy with hanging balls caught Bella's eye and winked at her. Bella looked away, mortified. What was she doing, staring at other people like that, no matter what they were doing?

When Bella turned around to let Lena apply sunscreen to her front, the swingy ball guy walked past them on his way to the bar. He winked again and whispered theatrically, "Don't worry sweetie, I'm not jerking him off! He's been a bit worried about being nude in public, and it relaxes him when I stroke his balls!"

Bella let out a small giggle and Lena grinned.

"Gabriel!" shouted the blond man in a cautionary manner.

"Coming, dear," the low-ball-guy answered. He winked at the women again and proceeded to the bar.

Bella settled down. She and Lena smiled at each other, their eyes twinkling.

"Okay, let's see if this relaxes you," Lena said in a low voice, and began touching her friend.

Bella's breath caught at the first touch of Lena's hands, and fought not to squirm and guide her to touch her in more intimate places. And when Lena finally did, caressing her boobs, Bella shivered and had to suppress a moan.

Lena caressed and massaged all of her, spending a long, unhurried moment spreading lotion on her labia, and Bella bit her lip and closed her eyes.

"Okay," Lena said and pressed her hand on Bella's vulva. "All done."

Bella moaned quietly and looked up.

Lena smiled and pressed a little with her hand. "You want to do me now?"

Bella did. She had forgotten where they were, forgotten they were naked outside in public as she spread lotion on Lena with as much sexual teasing as she could.

She wondered about her intense, revengeful attitude, and it took some mental gymnastics before she realized she was really aroused. Her desire simmered, getting more urgent with every blob of lotion she spread over Lena's warm, soft skin. She found herself rocking her own hips gently as she worked and forced herself to stop.

Was this Lena's plan? Let her simmer so that she would really want it when they got to it? Oh god, what if she was going to make her wait until the evening? Or even longer than that? What if she wasn't going to make her move all day?

Laying in the sun unstimulated helped Bella calm down a little. The sun felt excellent on her skin, and every caress of the tropical breeze made the hair on her arms stand up and her nipples harden. She tried to think unsexy thoughts, but everything seemed to lead to sex now. Would Lena really be able to make her come? She was really turned on, but that wasn't unusual. It still took a long time and some serious trying for her to orgasm, and in the end it hardly felt worth the hassle.

After an indeterminable time, Lena suggested dipping in the pool. The water felt cool on their sunbaked skin, and they squealed and giggled when sliding in. It felt different to swim with not even a bikini on. Bella floated, feeling the cool water caress her heated pussy, and how her boobs broke the surface and her nipples felt the warm kiss of the sun again. Lena floated beside her, and when they bumped into each other she slid her hand to hold Bella's. The sky was flawlessly blue, ridiculously clear baby blue, and stretched to infinity above them.

When they got up from the pool, Bella looked at Lena for cues of what was to happen now. She tried to prepare herself for another round of sunscreen and lounging. Lena smiled and said, "I think it might be a good time to rest in the cabin before lunch, don't you?"

Bella nodded vigorously, hoping it meant what she hoped. Lena laughed and pulled her back when she tried to leave. She was so worked up she had almost walked off without putting clothes back on.

Bella blushed and focused on strapping her breast armour into place. Her underwear was so sturdy it felt ridiculous how thin and flimsy her summer dress was in comparison.

In the cabin, Lena stopped her.

"Stand here, wait a little."

Lena drew the block out curtains, letting just a small sliver of light to cascade inside. In the shadowy cool of their air-conditioned cabin, she faced Bella and stroked her face. They exchanged a look. Bella's heart accelerated to a galloping thump. Was this it?

Lena cupped her cheeks and smiled down on her. Then she met her lips in a long, slow, soft, lingering kiss. Bella felt breathless and exhilarated. She wanted to press into Lena's arms and ask her to hurry, but she stood and shivered in place instead, feeling uncertain like it was her first time all over again.

"Do you trust me?" Lena asked softly.

Bella nodded. Lena nodded in response and started to slowly undress Bella. Every inch of exposed skin made her shiver, and by the time she was naked her breathing was great, gulping gasps.

"Okay, darling," Lena said. "I know we have a history together, but I don't want to just do what we always did. You said your body has changed, so I want to try a few things to see how you respond, okay? I need you to tell me if I do something you don't like."

Bella whispered, hoarsely, "I will."

Lena nodded again. She stepped away to grab a silken scarf and tied it over Bella's eyes.

"This is for you," she explained. "I want you to focus on how you feel, not on how you look. But if you find it uncomfortable, you can take it off any time you want."

Bella, blindfolded, nodded again and stood trembling, trying to guess what Lena was doing based on sound alone. She heard her move around the cabin, but Bella lost the feel of her then heard faint music from the opposite direction of where she thought Lena was.

...Change address and draw a line...Show my friends the silver line...

Lena took Bella's hand then pulled her into her arms. Bella was excited to realize Lena had undressed too.

Together they danced, slowly swaying to the music, their bodies pressing together.

Lena caressed her skin, slowly tracing her back and buttocks, then back up again. Her touch was light and purposeful. Bella turned her face upwards, and was rewarded with a slow, gentle kiss.

...Open my heart like I used to... Making out long like I used to... Holding hands openly, rights to... Taking what's mine like I used to...

As the song neared the end, Lena led Bella backwards to the bed. Lena helped her settle on the sheets and lay on top of her, kissing and caressing her face, her body warm and lean against hers. And yet it was soft, so soft, Lena's skin was like suede. Bella shivered when Lena moved, letting her skin sweep along Bella's, when she gradually kissed down her body. The tops of Bella's boobs were still slightly sunburned, but she was so turned on now that even touching that tender skin felt exciting.

Lena pressed her firm thigh against Bella's vulva, and Bella whimpered when a teasing mouth closed in on her nipple. Lena spent a long time caressing her boobs. Massaging, suckling, biting gently. Eli had never been that interested in Bella's breasts, and after the kids, the attention he spent on them had been infrequent and uninspired.

Lena lavished her attention on them, and soon Bella felt like she was nothing but two pulsing, aching nipples. She whimpered and moaned, pressing and grinding against Lena's thigh. She would have wanted to touch herself, go for her clit already, but Lena's leg blocked her access.

Lena ventured lower. Not wanting to leave her boobs unattended, Bella cupped them herself, pinching and rolling her nipples. Her chest heaved and she tried to lift her pelvis to Lena's mouth. A thought of her full bush of pubes flashed through her mind, but she was so turned on now she let it go straight away.

Lena took her time, kissing her abdomen gently, and Bella thought she might explode the moment Lena finally touched her pussy.

She did not. When Lena's mouth ascended over her mons to her clit, simultaneously with her fingers that had somehow circled down to spread her labia open and touch her opening, Bella was surprised by two things: One, how wet she already was. She felt like a ripe peach, or a fountain, her vulva ridiculously swollen and pulsing. Lena met no resistance as she gently slid a finger into her. Two, how far she was from orgasm. She was so aroused, so extremely expectant, and yet when Lena's tongue circled over and under her clitoral hood, she felt like it would take forever, if she even would get there at all.

She let out an exasperated moan, rocking her hip to Lena's hand and mouth while Lena lightly suckled her clit and introduced another finger inside her. She moved in her, spreading Bella open. She crooked her fingers and Bella jolted. Lena kissed her clit and moved away, keeping her fingers inside, and Bella moved her hips, wondering why she had stopped. The music still played, but Bella had lost interest in it and didn't recognize the song.

Lena spread something on her labia. Lubricant? Wasn't she wet enough? She felt like she was making a puddle under her as it was. Apparently Lena didn't think so, because she spread the lube faithfully on and inside her, including her clit. She pulled her fingers out and soon they were replaced by something else.

A dildo? Had Lena brought a dildo with her on this trip? The smooth silicone slid in easily, and Bella pressed her head back to the pillow when she felt it gradually fill her. She lifted her hips to the rhythm Lena began imposing on her. It felt good, really good, and got better when Lena massaged her mons just over her clit. Bella huffed, letting herself enjoy the sensation. A thought of what her tummy must look like when she moved like that flashed through her head, but she pushed it out determinately. It was almost dark, and Lena had wanted for her to focus on the feeling anyway.

Bella let out a disappointed groan when she felt the dildo being withdrawn.

"Hush," Lena whispered and kissed Bella's clit. "That was good, huh? Let's see..."

Before Bella could complain, she felt a different dildo pressing into her. It wasn't as wide, but when it first slid all the way in, she let a spontaneous hiss of "Yesssss," bringing a soft chuckle from Lena.

The toy hit something wonderful inside her. Lena set the vibrations on a slow continuous rumble, and kept on an even rhythm moving the toy in and out. The insistent, steady rubbing inside her made her feel like she melted. Her insides squirmed and twitched around the welcomed intruder as it poked and massaged the front wall of her pussy relentlessly. Lena stroked Bella's tummy, her thighs, her breasts, and kept on the steady movement. Bella lifted her hips, rocking with the toy, and started to pant.

This was amazing! This was beyond amazing! This was... this was...

Lena pressed down on her clit unexpectedly, pressing it against her pubic bone and making a small movement. It was intense, and when she increased the speed of the toy, Bella tensed up and realized she was seconds from coming. She felt doubt, she felt uncertainty, she felt the sweat break on her skin. Lena was assiduous and persistent, and suddenly Bella crashed over the edge.

Her hips had a mind of their own, trashing on the bed, but Lena's fingers kept contact with her clit. Lena chased her, keeping her coming, still fucking her with the toy. Bella wanted her to stop, wanted to say it was enough, but all that came out of her mouth was an unintelligent "Uu-uu-uu" sound, and Lena kept at it for just a few moments too long. Bella felt her pelvis explode into a pool of lava, and to her horror she could feel something surging from inside her. Lena slowed down, easing the pressure on her clit and turning off the toy. Finally, she slid it out and stroked Bella's thighs and tummy slowly.