Richard lets the old man go

Richard released his grip and let the man go. He saw the desperation in the old man’s eyes and decided it was Abe’s decision. Old Abe gave Richard a big grin, then turned from him to the lady in the water. He jumped in with a splash. Richard looked around. The deck was still mostly deserted and No one around seemed to notice the man go overboard. He stared back into the deep waters. Nothing stirred. He continued to stare for several minutes. The old man did not surface. He started to worry that he let another man drown himself. After a half an hour, it became apparent the retired seaman was not returning.

A little shook, Richard left the deck. He wandered around the halls, pondering if he had made the right decision to let the man go. It was what the mariner had wanted, but nobody knew what that decision would entail. Then Richard started to wonder what had happened below the sealine. Did that sea creature eat him up? Or did she take him with her? There’s no way he would last that long underwater… unless she had a way for him to breathe… and withstand the cold temperatures… the underwater pressure… The more Richard thought about it, the more he realized that he had allowed the possibly mind-addled senior to sink into his own grim demise.

While in his deep contemplation, Richard had subconsciously led himself to his quarters. Inside was Aria, back from her own adventure.

“You’re back!” Aria said, standing up from her chair. She had been snacking on some fruits while watching television, after having taken a recent bath, based on her silk robes and towel on her head.

Richard approached his wife and wrapped his hands around her, giving her a deep, loving kiss. When they broke, Aria said, “Well good to see you too! What was that about?”

“I don’t know, I got to talking with someone and it made me appreciate what I have,” he replied, holding her tight.

Aria rested her head on his shoulder and said, “Why don’t you tell me about it?”

They sat on the king sized bed and Richard proceeded to go over his meeting with Abe at the bar and the ex captain’s sad tale. He let her know about the encounter on the side of the boat and Abe’s ultimate decision.

“Oh my God!” Aria exclaimed. “And you let him?”

“Who am I to deny a man his true desire?” Richard explained.

“I suppose… but still…”

“He seemed right in the head to me…”

“He was telling stories about mermaids…”

“I saw it too, Aria…”

Aria narrowed her eyes, “How much have you been drinking?”

“I didn’t imagine it,” Richard grumbled.

“You sure?”

“Pretty sure,” Richard admitted. Perhaps he did drink a little too much. Still, the experience haunted him. “Look, whatever happened tonight… well, if I didn’t say it enough before, I love you.”

Aria smiled and kissed him. “I love you too.”

The two embraced and Aria’s silk robe slipped down her shoulders. The sight of the partially naked woman caused Richard to stir. Aria, knowing her man, could tell that he was awakened and she happened to be in a mood as well. She crawled on top of him and lifted up his shirt. Her own top dangled like sheets off her elbows, exposing her bountiful breasts. Richard stared at the two mammaries, then when he was free of his shirt, leaned in and licked them. Aria leaned backward, arching her back, and moaned. With some light kisses and gentle sucking, Aria’s nipples were pointed, erect, toward the ceiling. She crawled backward to give Richard room to move his lips lower.

Richard kissed down Aria’s belly, playfully flicking his tongue at her belly button before inching down lower. Aria parted her legs and lifted her hip as Richard reached her mound. She gasped at his breath blowing over her skin and shivered as she felt his tongue.

Then, there was a knock at the door.