Jason smiled. “Why would I?”
As the crew secured Sublime in its berth, the disembarking couple gave their appreciation for the crew’s hospitality, shaking a few hands as they departed. Their stewardess, Jada, also said her good-byes. Her duties completed, she would catch a ferry back to Barcelona.
John embraced Gemma, holding her tight to his thumping chest. Tears had formed in his eyes. She rarely saw him moved to tears. “Take care, little sis. Look after yourself. You know what I mean. I’ve put my trust in Jason, and I’m going to let go now. Don’t make me regret my decision.”
“I won’t, John,” said Gemma softly. “Thank you for being a good brother. Still being a good brother, I should say.” She reached up and kissed his cheek.
***
Gemma wiped a tear from her face. She stood by the railings and waved as the couple climbed into their limo.
The moment of despondency had arrived. The excitement of having guests was replaced with an empty feeling. Gemma sighed and wondered what the rest of the holiday was going to be like. They still had a little under two weeks to go. Part of her missed home, her garden, and the routine of a normal life. Seeing her brother depart had made her wonder if she wanted to leave, too, and not continue the cruise or maybe not continue to be Jason’s submissive for the duration of the cruise.
“Are we staying in Naples?” she asked Jason as he approached her from behind, allowing her to lean back into his arms. He kissed her neck.
“No. Moving on south. Towards Sicily and Malta.”
“Malta! I’d loved to go there,” admitted Gemma, brightening at the idea.
His kisses turned into tiny bites, and he hardened against her bottom.
“God, I need to fuck you,” he murmured in her ear. “First, though, we have unfinished business from this morning.” He drew away.
Gemma shut her eyes. Little Maria’s punishment was due.
“Do I have to witness it?” she asked solemnly.
“No. The yacht will depart once the crew has taken on fuel and fresh food. Enrique will administer the punishment to Maria. Then, when I have seen her dealt with, I will be expecting what you promised at lunch, remember?” He ran a finger down her spine.
“Yes, Sir. I remember.”
***
Enrique wanted to show Señor Jason his ability to subjugate his little Maria. He insulted her in Spanish and berated her for breaking the señor’s strict rule about privacy. He waited for Jason to give the command to have her stripped and then allow him to demonstrate his prowess with the whip.
It didn’t come. To his amazement, Jason changed the nature of the punishment, and it wasn’t simply about Maria’s negligence.
“Enough!” he snarled. “Where were you, Enrique? You were supposed to keep guard and not only was the door left open, you failed to monitor us. Your duty was to be our eyes and ears.”
Jason’s attack stunned him into silence. Taking a step back, away from the weeping Maria, he rocked on his feet. He had slipped away, not simply for a comfort break, but to fetch his sketchpad and pencils. In the brief moment he had been absent, the other two had wandered up to the sundeck. He couldn’t believe their timing and the consequences of their ill-considered curiosity.
Jason paced about the room as Enrique helped Maria to her feet. She now clutched his arm, and he wondered what fate awaited them both.
Jason halted, stood with his hands on his hips and gave them his judgement. “You both will remain in your room and, apart from fetching food, you will not stray to any other part of this vessel. You are suspended from my services, including your pay. If you wish to leave at the next port of call, you may. Otherwise, you will be reinstated in three days and be absolutely focused on pleasing my wife and me. Nobody else.”
Jason’s blue eyes tore into Enrique. He had forgotten how those eyes could inflict so much on their chosen prey.
“Sí. Señor, I apologise. I will do as you ask, and I beg we may be your dutiful servants once more.” Enrique swallowed hard.
If they left the yacht, their reputation would be in shreds. To be dismissed by a wealthy patron was too dangerous, especially given their immigration status in Spain.
“Very well. Out of my sight,” snapped Jason.
***
Jason suspected Enrique’s tirade at his lover was due to the man’s trying to impress him. Listening to the fiery man rant at the shrivelled Maria, Jason made a decision. There would be no physical chastisement and no opportunity for Enrique to bestow his whipping. When he reached down and slapped his lover about the face, Jason had filled with fury. Enrique had vanished from the sundeck at a critical moment, and his transgression had been as bad as Maria’s.
Jason paced the stateroom. The Mexicans had left, Maria held tight in Enrique’s arms. The man seemed to be genuinely remorseful. He held Maria tight to him, kissing her black hair. Jason was angry with himself for underestimating the man’s increasing obsession to capture the kinky scenes. Maria had simply been negligent and thoughtless. Enrique had forgotten his place and assumed he could draw when and as he wished. Spending three days out of sight and