“If Andrea isn’t a prude. She might join you, who knows?”
“Do I have to? Nude?”
“Yes. I said, no white patches. The alternative is to stick to the shade.” Jason stood and flicked her cheek. “Don’t be shy.” He left the salon, and she lingered a few moments then wandered outside.
Gemma watched from the main deck as the powerboat hit the water. Ted ran through his obligatory checks and handed life vests to Jason and John, both attired in sleeveless wet suits. Lubinsky’s similar outfit showed his Navy tattoos covering his arms. Esteban handed down flasks of water, and Ted took the wheel and, at a slow pace, took the powerboat out away from Sublime. Once they were in open water, Lubinsky took over and cranked up the throttle. The boat shot off, bouncing on the crests of the waves at high speed, heading away from the yacht.
Andrea joined her, armed with a pair of binoculars.
“They will be all right?” Andrea peered through the lenses.
“I’m sure. Let’s go and sunbathe. Leave the boys with their toys.”
***
“Naked!” Andrea guffawed. “You sun bathe in the nude?”
“Yes,” squeaked Gemma. “Even tan, all over. Jason insists.”
“So, you do it?”
“Yes. It’s not as if there is anyone to see. Except Maria. I’ve asked Enrique to stay away. I wouldn’t do it when we’re in port. Jason won’t let anyone else see me naked. He doesn’t mind you. You’re nearly family.”
“I think I will stick to my bikini. Sorry. I’m a bit self-conscious.” Andrea laid her towel on the sun bed.
“Okay. I don’t know why. You’ve got a lovely body.”
“You think so?” Andrea started to rub suntan lotion into her pale freckled skin.
“You’re curvy and, well, pretty.”
“You’ve seen a lot of naked women, then?”
“Yes, as it happens. At the parties I use to go to, nudity was acceptable.” Gemma slipped off her shorts and top.
Andrea settled down on her sun bed and pulled her hat low over her face as Gemma stripped off all her clothes. But she peeked and gaped. “Gosh, your boobs. Sorry didn’t mean to stare. That’s henna again?”
“Yep. Pretty, isn’t it?”
“Did you choose the pattern?”
“No, Jason did. The pattern is based on his initials linked together. See?” Gemma held out her hands.
“Oh, yes. Why?”
“Because I’m his.” Gemma shrugged and put on her floppy sun hat. “Don’t tell John about the tattoos. I don’t know what he would make of them.” She lay back and soaked up the sunrays.
“Gin and tonic for you, señora, ice and no lemon.” Maria set the drink on the little table next to her sun bed.
“Thank you, Maria.”
Andrea wriggled on her sun bed, not knowing where to put her eyes. She had a book with her, and every few minutes, she would pick it up and try to concentrate on the words. Eventually, she tossed it away and sipped on her Bacardi and Coke. She was probably wondering why Gemma did what Jason told her to do without questioning him. Andrea should have chosen a career that reflected her natural curiosity instead of watering rows of seedlings at a nursery. Gemma let out a loud sigh, turned on her side to face her, and propped herself up on an elbow. “Go on, penny for them.”
Andrea went slightly red, matching her freckles for a few seconds. “I know you don’t talk about you and Jason....”
“No. I don’t. We don’t talk about what we do together with anyone, including others like us. It’s very private to us.”
The sun shone directly on her face, so Gemma tipped the brim of her hat down. Andrea adjusted her bikini top, and the colourful sequins glimmered in the sunlight.