Judged by Him by Jaye Peaches

seek pleasure from me in other ways. I’m finding out, aren’t I?” She buried her face in her arms.
    “I shouldn’t tell you this, señora.” Maria bent low and whispered in her ear, “Yesterday, while you bathed, he came and found me. He asked to know if you were all right. He told me if I ever thought you were too distressed or upset, I should find him and bring him to you. My sweet señora, he never, never asked me to do that before. If the other girls, the previous ones, struggled, he let them have a break or time to themselves. But he offered no sympathy or true concern. If they couldn’t cope, he would send them back and choose another. On his first cruise, when there were several men, he did that. Sent one girl packing because she kept asking for mercy.”
    Gemma reflected on Maria’s words and took comfort. She would hold them in her mind as she returned each morning for her massage, manicures, and other treatments her husband specified, such as waxing or plucking her eyebrows. Depending on their schedule and his need to work, Jason might be there, too. His eyes would fixate on Maria’s talented fingers and kneading palms as she worked over Gemma’s fine body. The oils would glimmer and shine, and Jason wouldn’t permit Gemma to be covered, ensuring he would have full view of her nudity.
     
    ***
     
    Maria concentrated on massaging the beautifully body under her fingertips. Her señora had gone silent, no doubt pondering their conversation. Maria suspected she had gone too far, but her señora had been persuasive and Maria had sympathy for the woman’s circumstances, especially her ignorance.
    An experienced masseur, of both the therapeutic and sensual kind, Maria had noticed the faint scars on the other woman’s buttocks but knew not to comment. A thin line like a white scratch, and small, puckered spots. The latter appeared to be scars from small puncture wounds. Not a needle—too big to be a needle. Something else. The skin had healed smoothly about them, and the marks were only truly visible at close quarters.
    Señora Gemma had been the victim of a serious crime and suffered traumatic flashbacks. A syndrome of some kind. The information had been provided in a lengthy e-mail from the señor before she and Enrique joined the crew. Maria’s English wasn’t sophisticated enough to understand the medical aspects. All they had been told was strictly no blood or handcuffs. If she became unresponsive to words, extremely pale, or panic stricken, the señor was to be informed immediately.
    Maria didn’t regret her exposé of Señor Lucas’s past. It had settled Señora Lucas into the right frame of mind. Maria had learnt from previous cruises the señor liked watching her massage other women. She was expected to make Gemma aroused and drive her wild so she wriggled and squirmed under her hands. The señor had made the stipulation in a private e-mail.
    When Maria reported to the señor what happened to Señora Lucas during the massage, he gave a small nod.
    “Good. Keep at it. Don’t touch her. She has to come to me. This has to be her choice. You’re doing her a favour, Maria. Don’t feel guilty. In any case, you’re pleasing me and, if all goes well, Enrique will be able to witness you in action. You will be well rewarded by him.”
    Maria remained at Señor Lucas’ feet. She felt a stab of sympathy for the señora. Nevertheless,Maria suspected the señora would succumb and discover things she hadn’t dared to before the cruise.
    “May I speak freely, Señor Lucas?”
    Her heart told her to speak. She saw a vulnerability in the other woman.
    “Yes,” replied Señor Lucas, arching one eyebrow.
    “Her self-esteem, the señora’s belief in her abilities, is not good. For a submissive, she needs greater confidence in herself. I hope I haven’t spoken disrespectfully,” she added quickly.
    “Don’t worry, Maria. I’m well aware of my wife’s weaknesses. She has suffered terrible traumas at