After Mena had returned to Zeta and Phoenix’s cabin for something to wear the Captain rung the Wind Serpents bell alerting the crew bringing everyone up onto the deck. Mena followed Zeta nervous as she was surrounded by the curious crew members. “As you well know, we are headed to Barbados to pick up cargo bound for Havana. We have a new crew member on board her name is Mena and she is Mrs. Prescott’s new ladies maid. I expect her to be treated with respect; she has won her freedom and is paid for her services just like the rest of you. Alright, that being said let’s get back to work.” Mena shyly smiled at the men as they passed by seeing Bo walking up she found herself checking to make sure she looked all right. “Are you ready for that tour now Mena?” Mena smiled “Yes.” Bo smiled “Let’s head to the galley first, Hector runs it, he’s the cook and Kenny and Francis help him.” Mena followed him down below, the galley was large with men lined up against the wall waiting for food while others sat at long tables eating fast to make room for the next wave of men coming through the door. Bo smiled at the shock on Mena’s face as she watched all of them as if she had never been around so many people in her life. “I’ll grab us some food and you and I can eat in the pantry before we start working alright?” Mena stared in shock and nodded as she stared off into the crowd of loud and hungry men. Mena was quiet as they ate as if in deep thought, Bo laughed “What has you so quiet over there?” Mena shrugged “This is all so weird for me, on any other day I’d be alone with Lord Wessing’s right now, he kept me close at all times. I’d spend hours alone in his coach waiting for him while he was doing his errands around town or at his club and locked in his closet when he was at home.” Bo frowned “Is all of this too much for you?” Mena shrugged “Yes, I mean it is overwhelming but I’m glad to be here all the same. I must admit I like the company, I like your company, and just hearing the sound of you breathing last night as you slept was comforting.” Bo held back his amusement “Let’s get started, has Zeta told you what she expects from you?” Mena shook her head “No.” Bo smiled “Well I’ll show you what I do for the Captain then you can ask Zeta what she wants later.” Mena stood ready to learn the ropes, “Alright.” Bo walked out Mena followed “The Captain wakes up at dawn so I have fresh water waiting in his basin to bathe, deal with his toiletries and twice a week I set out a clean set of clothes for him to change into and I groom him, shave his face, trim his hair whatever is needed , Zeta will require clean clothing’s daily I’m sure, I will show you where you can wash clothes, the Captain doesn’t dine with the crew so I serve him all of his meals in his cabin. Zeta will be different you’ll have to discuss that with her as well. After the Captain heads to the helm, I clean his room; make his bed whatever needs to be done. During the day I serve him however he feels fit and while on land I escort him and do his bidding.” Mena looked to be taking her new job seriously “So where is it exactly, that I wash clothes?” Bo smiled as he stood to show her, Mena followed “I guess after this I should ask Zeta what she asks of me?” Bo smiled “It’s a start.” After showing Mena around Bo went about his own work and Mena headed to Zeta’s cabin. Hearing a knock Zeta answered paint brush in hand “Mena come on in.” Mena bowed “Good morning, I wanted to come and find out what it is you expect from me. Bo has shown me what he does for the Captain but I’m sure your request will be different being a lady and all.” Zeta sat down and continued to paint “I’ve never had a maid so I’m not sure actually, what do you suggest?” Mena shrugged “Fresh water to bathe with in the morning. I can set out your clothes, serve you your meals if you like, clean your cabin, wash your clothes, assist you however you want, escort you on land as your servant.” Zeta frowned “I’m used to doing all that myself, but that sounds good and if you have any problems doing something just say so I don’t want you doing anything you don’t want to do understood?” Mena smiled “Yes, thank you would you like some breakfast this morning?” Zeta shook her head “No but some coffee sounds good, then if you don’t mind I’d like if you could set up my easel and paints up on the deck. I think I’d like to paint with some sunlight on my face today.” Mena gave a curt nod “I’ll get right on it.” Mena’s first day aboard went well the crew seemed welcoming no one was mean or abusive in any way and Mena didn’t seem to have any trouble getting her sea legs. After finishing up and having dinner, she headed to the pantry with a bucket of hot water and soap to wash up before going to bed. Bo hadn’t returned yet so she pulled the curtain and lit a candle hoping to be done by the time he showed up. When Bo showed up, the pantry was lit only by a single candle and the curtain dividing him and Mena’s hammocks had been pulled. By her silhouette it was obvious she was bathing so he tried to be quiet as he came in and laid down, her every curve visible through the tattered sheet. “Bo is that you?” Bo smiled “Yes I just got in, would you like me to leave you alone?” Mena smiled as she peeked around the curtain. “No, I’m almost done here.” Grabbing her night gown she lifted it over her head. Bo couldn’t help but watch her the outline of her full breasts and flat stomach and her nice rounded backside made him hard just watching her as the gown fell down to cover it all then the sheet was pulled open. “Sorry, I was just washing up.” Seeing Bo holding a book Mena eyes grew big “You know how to read?” Bo smiled at her excitement “Yes, Captain Crumb taught me years ago.” Mena smiled “What are you reading about?” Bo smiled “It’s about a ship wreck; if you like I can read it to you and maybe even teach you how to read.” Mena looked excited “I’d love that, are you sure that wouldn’t be too much to ask?” Bo gave a sexy grin “I don’t think I’d mind having to spend time with you.” Mena began to chew on her bottom lip “Really?” Bo smiled as he reached out and touched her cheek “In fact, I’m looking forward to it.” Phoenix started on his map, he had only begun the outline but it was a start and seemed to be going well so far. The crew had known Zeta was an artist when Phoenix had loaded all of her art supplies on board and they had even seen some of her work when she had come above deck to paint on occasion. But it wasn’t until they caught a glimpse of Lovers Lust that their interests peeked to the point of no return. Mena had been cleaning the cabin and Zeta had hung Lovers Lust on the wall to dry. Gabriel a long time crew member in his mid-fifties walked down the hall toward the barracks when he heard Mena singing while she cleaned, looking into the opened door he froze at the sight. The painting was over whelming, the colors vivid, the beauty of naked flesh intertwined with naked flesh, flowing vibrantly long luxuriously raven colored hair, curves that would make a grown man cry. Flowing fabrics of silks and satins wrapped around cream colored supple skin exposing every detail of her forbidden flesh, it’s raw sexuality seemed to reach out and grab you pulling you in. Mena turned to find Gabriel in a daze staring at the painting. “Gabriel are you alright?” Gabriel didn’t look at her he only nodded “By the Gods, Mena did Mrs. Prescott paint this?” Mena nodded as she made the bed “Yes, it’s called Lovers Lust.” Gabriel stared in awe “Where is she?” Mena shrugged “On deck, I think.” Gabriel nodded then walked out, heading to deck he saw Zeta and approached her “Mrs. Prescott” Zeta smiled shielding her eyes from the sun “Call me Zeta.” Gabriel smiled “Zeta, your cabin door was open just now and I saw your painting, Mena said you call it Lovers Lust.” Zeta nodded “Yes” Gabriel nervously tucked his hands in his pockets “I’ve never seen anything like it, I think if you were to show the crew it might boost our moral.” Zeta laughed “Oh really.” Gabriel smiled “It’s too awesome a sight to be stuck on a wall in your cabin.” Phoenix laughed “Well then Gabriel go get it and hang it on the mast, I’m curious to see what the other men think.” Zeta laughed “The Captain might not like that; it might be too much temptation so far from land.” The Captain walked up and placed his hand on Zeta’s shoulder and laughed “Now I want to see it as well.” Gabriel laughed with excitement as he ran below when he returned he had it covered. As he hung it, the crew had gathered wondering what was going on. Once it was up he whistled “This is Mrs. Prescott’s new painting Lover Lust.” The men whistled at the name then went silent when Gabriel uncovered it. The Captain uttered a sigh “By the Gods.” No one spoke they just stood awe struck, after a few minutes Zeta laughed “You would think you men had never seen a naked woman before.” Hector laughed “Not a naked woman looking like that.” The other men nodded in agreement then they all started discussing it, Jimbo walked up and smiled at Zeta “Is that you?” Phoenix frowned “No my Zeta looks ten times better than that naked not that it’s any of your concern so get that out of your head right now.” Jimbo shrugged “No harm in asking, I was just wondering?” The Captain laughed as he looked around at his crew standing in stunned amazement “Bo can you take the painting back to Zeta’s cabin please.” Bo smiled as he took it down and headed below deck. Mena was straightening Zeta’s wardrobe and singing when he walked in “I always love to hear you sing.” Mena turned and smiled “So the crew liked the painting?” Bo smiled “Oh yeah maybe a little too much.” After hanging the painting back up Bo watched Mena as she moved about the room. “I told the Captain you and I are almost done reading the book he let me borrow and he said he would buy us a few more when we get on land again.” Mena turned and gave an excited smile “Really I can’t wait, did you tell him you're trying to teach me as well?” Bo smiled “Yes, I’m looking forward to finding out what happens in the end, we only have three more chapters to go.” Mena stopped and sat down next to him “If we finish our work early we should be able to finish it tonight.” Bo nodded their closeness making them both go silent, Bo laughed at the silence “See you later.” Mena smiled “Bye.” Bo walked out and shut the door behind him, leaning against the wall he closed his eyes, damn he wanted Mena but after what she had been through he didn’t want to rush things or scare her away. Mena sat on Zeta’s bed and smiled Bo was everything she ever wanted before she even knew what she wanted she could only hope he felt the same yet with her past she knew she must look like used goods only time could tell at this point. That night after finishing their work and having dinner Mena and Bo sat in the pantry and finished their book both excited and surprised with how it ended. Standing up Mena walked over to her hammock and picked up a small red book “Zeta let me borrow this; she says it’s a love story.” Bo smiled as he took it and looked at it “A love story you say?” Mena shrugged “If you’d rather not I understand maybe the Captain has something better.” Bo held out his arm welcoming Mena into his embrace “Come and sit with me Mena, I cannot think of anything better than reading a love story with you.” Mena bit her bottom lip as she curled up next to him anxious to hear his deep and sexy voice. Unable to sleep Zeta got up out of bed and left Phoenix and the boys and headed above deck to find only the Captain at the helm. The moon looked so full it seemed as if it was filling up half the sky. “Evening Captain.” Captain Crumb smiled a bit unnerved at the sight of Zeta wearing her black leather pants and one of Phoenix’s shirt’s untucked and unbuttoned showing off an ample amount of cleavage her long black locks lightly blowing in the warm evening breeze. “Zeta what brings you out so late?” Zeta shrugged as she walked out leaning over the side looking out into the distance. “If I were back at home at my cottage right now I’d be all alone and naked dancing to the full moon by now. Funny since I’ve been married I’ve given up lots of my old ways.” Crumb couldn’t help but focus on the curves of her hips and ass as she leaned over the edge, the thought of her naked dancing in the moonlight giving him all the more reason to let his imagination wander. “I doubt your husband would want you telling other men that.” Zeta turned wearing a playful smile “And why is that do you think?” Crumb groaned running his hands through his hair “It’s hard enough to look at you day in and day out without wishing you were mine, but to hear you talk about dancing naked in the moonlight and to see you now standing in the moonlight looking irresistible is like torture to my very soul. I respect Phoenix but I knew the day I met you this voyage would be a test. Hell Zeta I’m a happily married man and even if I stay faithful to my wife when we pull into Havana and she sees the way I look at you she will know what’s in my heart.” Zeta looked confused “You have been nothing but a gentleman to me and have never done or said anything to make me question your loyalty to your wife.” Crumb smiled as he walked to join her “That won’t stop my wife from seeing the love that has grown for you in my heart. I may not act on it but I cannot stop it either.” Zeta was shocked “I don’t want to cause problems between you, I will stay away when we reach Havana. I’m sure Shannon is a good woman and I’m sure she’s looking forward to seeing you as much as you are her, and I’ll not let some mild infatuation get in the way of that.” Crumb reached out and caressed her cheek “I have not mentioned this to no one else and I don’t plan to, in fact, I hadn’t planned to mention it to you yet here we are and I guess I couldn’t help myself.” Zeta smiled “I too will keep this between us.” Looking around to make sure they were alone Zeta smiled “Let this be the end of it.” Lifting herself up onto her toes she lightly kissed him on the lips then turned to walk away. Crumb stood in stunned amazement then caught her arm and pulled her back into his arms kissing her passionately long and hard taking her breath away; when he was through he gazed down into her eyes. “Let that be the end of it, and what a memory I’ll be left with.” Zeta returned to her and Phoenix cabin still a bit shocked to find Phoenix asleep, crawling in bed she smiled as Phoenix pulled her in close and whispered “Did the fresh air help?” Zeta smiled “Yes honey now go back to sleep.”