Moving Forward - 24. Chapter 24 (6.1)

After lunch, the three men parted company on good terms, and with assurances that they would not let Dustin’s behavior color their enjoyment of the cruise.

“I think I’m going to check out the casino,” Denver said, “see how my luck’s holding. You’re welcome to join me.”

“Thanks, but I think we’re going to look around the ship some more,” Lee said, with a glance at Marshall, who nodded his agreement. “We have a few hours before the ship leaves, and there’s a lot we haven’t seen of it yet.”

“That’s cool. I’m sure we’ll run into each other again at some point.” Denver grinned at them. “See you around.” He turned and headed toward the elevators.

“You up for doing this?” Lee asked. He looked into Marshall’s eyes, and Marshall knew he was trying to gauge how upset he was over what had happened.

Marshall broke into a wide smile, surprising even himself. The Dustin situation was history now, no need to think about it anymore. Here they were, on the trip of a lifetime, and he sure as hell didn’t intend to waste it on thoughts of Denver’s cousin. “I sure am!” he replied with enthusiasm. “And later on, I figure we can explore that hot tub a little better.”

Lee’s smile was breathtaking. “I like the way you think,” he said. “Where you want to go next?”

“I dunno, why don’t we pick an elevator and choose a floor at random? See where we end up?” Marshall suggested. “We always have our guide to the ship if we want to find something in particular.”

“You got it,” Lee said, and pulled Marshall in for a long kiss.

Ironically, one of the first places they ran across was a casino, but there was no sign of Denver there at any of the gaming tables, and he wasn’t sitting at a slot machine either. “I’m willing to guess there’s more than one of these on the ship,” Lee said. “More than one of everything.”

“Only one of you, sexy,” Marshall said with what he hoped was a seductive wink.

“Keep that up,” Lee drawled, “and this ship tour might end up getting cut short.”

“And the problem with that is….?”

Lee laughed and pulled Marshall closer, sliding his hands down Marshall’s ass. “Not a thing. But sometimes anticipation can be the best foreplay of all.”

“Then anticipate this.”

Marshall turned in Lee’s embrace, his back to Lee’s front, and writhed seductively against him. For once, they were free to be themselves in public, a freedom they’d only experienced before at Partners. They were just another couple, like any other, on this ship, and no one found their behavior unusual or disturbing. In fact, as they’d moved about the ship, Marshall had observed a few things he’d only seen in porn films, never in the flesh, being blatantly performed out in the open. And no one batted an eyelash at any of it.

This place was heaven.

“Mmm, I surely will,” Lee moaned, pressing his growing erection against Marshall. “C’mon,” he said, putting his hands on Marshall’s hips and moving just out of harm’s reach, “let’s look around.”

They stopped to watch the play at the blackjack and roulette tables, but decided against putting down any of their hard-earned cash— despite the enticement to do so from the dealers— when it was clear the odds were stacked against them.

They spent a few minutes at another table watching an elegantly dressed man in a white evening jacket pit his card skills against the House. Marshall didn’t recognize the game he was playing, but he had to admit the man was easy on the eyes and seemed to be about Lee’s age. Whatever he was doing, he must have done it right, as the dealer pushed a pile of bills the man’s way. The player turned his head and regarded them with a knowing smile. “If you’re going to play, always play to win,” he advised them, “and know the odds ahead of time.” His voice held the trace of an accent. Maybe British.

“Good advice,” Lee agreed. “Think we’ll sit this one out.” They nodded at one another, and Lee and Marshall moved on. This was surely interesting, but it wasn’t really their style.

They ended up going into one of the many bars on the ship—they’d noticed at least one on every level. This particular lounge had a country flair to it which Marshall instantly liked. A big colorful jukebox sat against one wall, filled with some of their favorite songs, and near the jukebox was a dance floor just big enough to do some line dancing.

They stood together at the bar, waiting for the two draft beers they’d ordered. Marshall couldn’t keep from tapping his foot to the beat of the music. It was a musical invitation he was finding hard to resist. They thanked the bartender when he brought their beers and carried them to a table for two close to the dance floor.

“Want to?” Lee nodded toward the floor, where several other men had started to dance.

“Hot damn, yes!” Marshall said with alacrity, producing a smile from Lee.

They joined the other dancers and were soon wheeling and grapevining with the best of them. After about twenty minutes of high energy stepping, the tempo slowed to something a lot more romantic, and the line dancing became intimate two-stepping, each couple lost in their own world.

Marshall caught Lee’s eye as they swayed together. “What are you thinking?” he asked.

“Just thinking I’m with the sexiest guy in the room,” Lee said, “and thinking how much I love him.”

Marshall’s heart melted as their lips came together softly, then with a growing urgency. Dancing was becoming a secondary consideration at the moment.

“Want to go check out that hot tub now?” Lee asked.

“You know it,” Marshall said, “let’s go.”