Editor's note: There are references to scuba diving terms throughout this story because this is based on a recent scuba diving trip...
My mind is in a state of conflict and emotional pain. My marriage didn't last two years and I look back at it all with as a mixed blessing. Shortly after we were married, my husband became very controlling and as I learned later by comparison the sex was awful. When I revealed to my sister the details she was mortified. When she recounted some of her love making with her husband I was in tears. My ex didn't make love to me; he just fucked me once in a while. I thought it was me but I'm beginning to realize it was not. My head knows that, but I still feel a pain in my heart.
"You need to get away," my sister said one day during our frequent chats. "Why don't you come with Tim and me for a week in Cozumel. Some sun and sand beats the stuff around here plus you can get back to doing some scuba diving. We are planning the trip right now and it would be great for you to join us."
My sister Mary is five years older and has always looked after me and she is my best friend too. She has been wonderful and supportive through this whole divorce ordeal. Still I didn't want to be a third wheel on their vacation and said so but after some coaxing I agreed. When I hung up the phone I suddenly felt better. My sister is priceless.
My boss has been very supportive throughout my ordeal was pleased that I was requesting some vacation time. Of course there was some good humor envy about escaping the grips of a cold mid-West winter even if it is just for a week.
My sister had me figured out for when I received the paperwork for the air and all-inclusive resort it seems the whole trip had been booked a few days before I was invited. She had even arranged with the dive shop for my refresher and equipment so we could go scuba diving. I hand delivered a check to my sister to cover my cost and gave her a big hug. I couldn't thank her and Tim enough.
Less than two weeks later I was headed to the island of Cozumel. I had to pinch myself that it was really happening. We arrive to sun and 80 degrees as compared to the 10 degrees I just left a few hours ago. It actually felt hot and I was ready to checked in and get into something more comfortable. As we were checking in we were greeted by the Jennifer, the dive shop owner. She was there to do the paperwork and wanted to know when I wanted to do my refresher. I guess I was so excited by the trip that I asked if right now is ok and she said yes.
The four of us got into her car and headed to the shop. Jennifer and her husband Mike have owned their shop for over twenty years and I know Tim and Mary only dive with them.
The refresher went well and we were ready to start a week of morning dives. Jennifer told us there would be a boat to pick us up at the pier at our hotel at 8 AM and that another diver, a regular customer, would be joining us who is also staying at our resort.
The next morning the three of us were at the pier with plenty of time to spare when Mary noticed a guy moving our direction. Sure enough he walked up to us and asked if we were diving with Jennifer. At 5'5" I looked up at someone over 6' and when he shook my hand I swear it took my breath away. Nice looking, dark hair, brown eyes, broad shoulders, good body, and a killer smile. Fortunately Tim took over and responded that yes we were indeed the group. Introductions were exchanged and we learned his name is Gary; lives in Dallas, and has been diving with Jennifer and Mike for as many years as Tim and Mary.
Mary gave me a nudge and simply said, "Cute isn't he." Then she flashed her devilish grin. I looked at her and just smiled but my heart was beating a lot faster. I suddenly felt like a young school girl. I had to tell myself to just calm down and breathe.
Gary excused himself and went over to put on his wetsuit. When he removed his tee shirt and shorts he was wearing a Speedo! Now there are some men who should never wear briefs like that, Gary is not one of them. He looked so sexy it was all I could do not to stare. Unfortunately he soon had his wetsuit on and pulled up to his waist. Damn. He put on a tee shirt, grabbed his gear and joined us. From there on it was small talk about home, work, etc. He is a software engineer and one of the perks of his job is that he mostly works from his home. He decided that home can be anywhere so why not take advantage of it. From the way the way he talked I had the distinct impression he was single.
The boat arrived and we headed to another resort and picked up two more divers, a husband and wife from Minneapolis. Everyone wants to get away from the cold. When we were near the dive site the dive master told us to suit up. I felt so embarrassed struggling into my wetsuit. Of course it didn't help that the boat was moving but still, I was reminded that I needed to shed a few pounds. I suddenly became self-conscious about my body and was glad I chose to wear a one piece. I glanced a few times Gary's direction to see if he was watching me. He was chatting with the dive master so if he was I couldn't tell. Tomorrow I will put this wetsuit on like he does, at the pier before I get on the boat.
Once at the dive site Gary sat next to me and assisted me with my zipping up my wetsuit and helping me into the gear. Since we had never dived together, he took me through an equipment check. I was feeling very comfortable being around a competent and experienced diver. When he took my hand and gave it a squeeze I looked into his eyes, smiled, and squeezed back.
After a backward roll off the boat it I was descending into a whole new world. It was a beautiful dive and my first in Cozumel. Even though we dove with an excellent dive master, we stayed together in pairs with Gary staying near me. He was really good at finding small critters for me to see.
All too soon the dive was over and we headed to a nearby pier for our surface interval. Mary and I got out of the boat while Tim and Gary stayed behind. I didn't know then that Tim and my sister would fill Gary in on my recent past. They felt they were just trying to protect me and didn't want me to get hurt.
Mary did inform me that if anything were to develop, I would be the one to make it happen. That was troubling because I've never been in the role to be the aggressor. I decided I was down here for the week to enjoy myself and to throw caution to the wind and why not pursue something I have yet to experience.
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I was given an assignment for some code to perform certain functions. Not all that complicated but fairly tedious and lengthy. It looked like it would take me several weeks so I decided to do some of that writing in a warmer climate. I like Cozumel because I can be there in a couple of hours and any communications with the home office can be handled by phone and emails. I made my usual arrangements with a resort I like and set up a dive schedule with Mike and Jennifer. When I arrived at the resort, Jennifer was already there so we took care of the paperwork. Jennifer informed me she was there to greet three divers; Tim and Mary, plus Mary's sister Beth. Tim and Mary were regular customers like me and would it be ok if I dove with them. She said we would be the regular group for the week and from time to time we would pick up another couple at a different resort. I agreed and headed off to the pool and some adult beverages.
The next morning when I arrived at the pier I saw two women and a man standing together and thought that might be them. Two of them looked to be a couple close to my age and the other looked to be a bit younger. I walked up to them to see if they were the three I was to join and was pleased meet Tim and his wife Mary and Mary's sister Beth. I shook the hands of Tim and Mary but when I touched Beth I felt a shock run through me. She had auburn hair, hazel eyes, lovely face, and a nice petite body. She was wearing a tee shirt so all I could see were her lovely legs.
I excused myself and went over to some chairs so I could put on my wetsuit. Much easier to put it on when you are on the shore than on a moving boat. I like wearing my Speedo under the wetsuit but I am self-conscious about appearing in public in something that looks like my underwear. I don't take much time taking off my shorts and putting on the wetsuit.
We picked up two more divers and headed to the dive site. On the way I positioned myself so I could chat with the dive master and look over at Beth. When she removed her tee shirt I was treated to her nice body. Watching her wiggle her hips as she struggled into her wetsuit was downright sexy. This is going to be a great week.
