What Massage Therapy Taught A Man Like Me About Enthusiastic Consent

—

As the cruise ship “SS Dolphin IV” glided through the deep blue waters of the Sargasso Sea between Florida and the Bahamas, I made my way downstairs to the lowest deck, to meet her at the appointed hour. She was the Social Hostess – Brazilian, tall, beautiful, dark olive skin, curvy hips and waist, perfectly-formed C-cup breasts, long, long legs and a body that looked like it was born to fill a bikini. She had heard about the young, 27-year-old, kind-of-skinny British guy that worked on the Pursers’ desk. That lush-looking Polish girl with the dark hair and red lipstick who worked with him had raved about his shoulder massages and so she had decided to invite the guy down for a full-body massage.

Of course, that guy was me. I knocked on the door and was invited into a busy scene inside her cabin. Three other Latinas of similar but slightly lesser beauty were talking excitedly on the bed opposite. The Social Hostess was wearing a short skirt and denim jacket, under which she had on a white blouse, unbuttoned but with the ends casually tied in a lazy knot at her waist, which allowed a peekaboo glimpse of black bra, revealing a moderate cleavage and the bronzed outline of her breasts. Her long, brown hair was tied up in a bun and her oval face was made up with just a hint of mascara and a dark shade of pink lipstick. She was evidently in the middle of a conversation with the other girls because she immediately said, “So where did you go after I saw you with that other guy?”

“Oh, well, we were talking for a while and he took me off to the Lido, where we made out.”

“Was he any good?”

“Average – nothing special. Who did you meet?”

“Just some boring older guy. He had no chance. I did see this dark, tall guy in the lounge who looked OK.”

“Oh, me, too”, said another girl. “He was HAWT. I don’t know why you didn’t take a chance.”

The Social Hostess sniffed. “HUH! Because the Captain called me up to go and talk with this old, rich couple upstairs!” The girls laughed. She turned to me. “Oliver, sit down on the bed. Are you ready?”

“Er, yeah, sure. Whenever you are.”

“OK, let’s do it. Don’t worry about these girls. They’re just here to have fun and hang out.” She laid down on her bed face-down.

So I began. As is normal with massage, I started with her back. I wasn’t sure what she was expecting, so I just started immediately, kneading her shoulder blades. After a few seconds, she spoke.

“Well, I’ll just take this jacket off, that’ll be easier.”

“OK, whatever.”

She took it off and laid it down on a chair between the beds. I continued massaging her back, using firm, kneading motions and moving slowly down her back. I felt her relax as she continued talking with the other women. She said it felt good. This went on for about 5 minutes or so, until I decided that I would need to loosen up her muscles lower to get any further. I completely avoided her butt and the area of legs covered by her short skirt. I started on her calves, using long strokes from her ankles to the back of her knees. She seemed fine with that, so I began on the lower end of her thighs. I continued doing this until that area felt more relaxed. No way was I going to going to go any further – I felt scared to do that. I was afraid to offend her – after all, it was covered for a reason. Anyway, she seemed happy with where I was, so I remained there for some time. I was about to return to her back to do more, when suddenly she announced –

“You know, you can do the rest, it’s OK.” She wriggled out of her skirt somehow, revealing the rest of her thighs and the smooth curve of her butt, framed by her panties.

“That’s very good of you,” I replied, politely. I couldn’t believe that she had decided this – it was my first time doing a full-body massage and especially with a woman so beautiful as her. I looked down at the sight. She looked amazing. An intense physical desire swept through me, as I resumed working her thighs. The temptation to enjoy the feel of her legs assailed me. Before I even realised I had thought that, the temptation had communicated itself through my hands and she noticed. I felt her legs stiffen and her muscles tighten. I got back under control and resumed normal massage. I was here to relax her, not tighten her up, stupid!

I felt scared that I had blown it. I looked up at her face. Surprisingly, she looked normal. Her friends had also noticed but they were continuing to talk, pretending that they hadn’t seen.

I felt annoyed with myself. GET ON WITH THE JOB, I thought – I’m not here for this. Presently, I returned my attention to her back. This time I was more careful. I put my full concentration on what I was doing. I couldn’t afford to let that happen again. I massaged normally for a further two minutes. The Social Hostess continued relaxing. She looked like she was thinking about something.

“Here, let me help you,” she said, suddenly removing her blouse.

Huh? “Er, no, it’s OK, you don’t need to do that,” I blustered, remembering how I had already messed up. She looked back at me and smiled. Suddenly, I felt reassured. She didn’t mind. I continued massaging her back. Once again, the temptation to enjoy the feel of her skin rose up inside me. I didn’t want it to transmit to my hands. FOCUS, FOCUS, I thought, as I continued. I had a feeling she had felt that, too but she affected not to notice.

I remembered her smile. It meant she had liked what I was doing. Well, in that case, I should continue doing it. Why do I keep getting distracted? If she’s happy, give her what she wants! So, feeling more resolute, I ran my hands up her back as I worked her muscles near her spine.

“Mmmm,” she murmured. I felt encouraged. Actually, I like this girl a lot, I decided. She’s great! I felt warm towards her and felt a strong desire for service.

“It’s getting in the way, isn’t it?” she remarked.

“Er – what is?” I asked.

Still face-down, she unclipped her bra. The straps fell back flat on the bed. “There,” she smiled.

My hands now moved the full length of her back. Her body relaxed as I kneaded the smooth muscles. She was gorgeous – and she knew it. Now I felt more confident. I didn’t have to worry. I just concentrated on giving her what she wanted.

Immediately, she reacted. “Wow, this is great,” she said. I smiled. Presently, she turned and said, “Just do the sides, too, would you?”

“OK,” I replied. My hands glided up the sides of her body. My fingertips accidentally brushed past the beginning of her breast tissue on the underside. She didn’t flinch. I continued.

Finally, time was up. She had to get ready for the Captain’s Dinner. She smiled and said, “Thanks, Olly, that was great.”

I felt happy. “No problem. If you need me to do any more, I can.”

“Sure. I’m free Thursday night. Come back then.”

I smiled. “OK, I will.”

And I did.

Oliver Chapman, DipCPC, CPT

Certified Life Coach

—

This post is republished here with permission from the author.

—