Do It To Me
P.F. Kozak
KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com
Contents
Acknowledgments
Prologue
CRUISE SHIP CHARLIE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
SOUTHERN SEAMAN
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
MERCHANT MAUREEN
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Acknowledgments
Although fictionalized to protect the not-so-innocent, the stories in Do It to Me are based on the real-life adventures of sailors, a good number of them I am proud to call my friends.
These career merchant mariners are a breed apart. They sailed at a time in shipping history when the adage “men were men” rang true, and “Hello, Sailor!” resonated in ports around the world. They worked hard, played hard and stayed hard.
The female pioneers who had the courage and the strength to become part of this world deserve a special salute. To step on board a ship and work side by side with an all-male crew took grit and guts. These women had both.
It is impossible to mention everyone who helped make this book possible. But I have to give GL, RL, SR, JP, GW, and especially SC a nod and a sincere thank-you. Your stories and inspiration are at the heart of Do It to Me.
And, as always, ML and IK, thank you for your love and support. Alla famiglia! Ti amo!
This book is a work of fiction and is not intended to authentically reproduce actual events. Wherever possible, the author has attempted to keep to the known technical and historical facts, but literary license has been taken with context, motivation, and the dates of actual events.
Prologue
Why’s a Ship a “She”?
A ship is called a she because she is all decked out and usually pretty well stacked.
She has pleasing lines from stem to stern and there’s generally a gang of men around her.
It’s not her initial cost that breaks you; it’s the upkeep.
Her rigging costs you a fortune and she always looks her best in a new coat of paint.
There’s usually a lot of bustle about her, but she usually manages to show off her superstructure to advantage.
When entering the port, she heads straight to the buoys.
When you want to attract her attention, a whistle’s the appropriate signal.
Once you get to know her, you never want to leave her.
On a balmy night or on a calm moonlit night, she can make men forget their troubles.
Finally she has as many tricks and teases as any woman, and consequently it takes a very capable man to handle her properly.
—Author unknown
1
Charlie really needed a shower. His eight-to-twelve shift in the engine room had wrapped up at midnight. He wiped his grimy hands on his white boiler suit, now covered with grease, soot and sweat. He wasn’t fit to be seen, let alone enjoy some female company. Nonetheless, he made his way to the Monkey Bar at the stern of the ship, to see if his mate Morgy had come through for him again.
As he thought would be the case, the crowd at the bar had thinned. After midnight, most passengers inclined to late-night partying drifted to the Twilight Bar, where they could disco until the wee hours. The Monkey Bar closed at 1:00 A.M.
Morgy spotted him and waved him over. Charlie could tell by the expression on his face that the barman had a bit of business to share.
“Hey there, mate. How about a pint to wash the taste of soot out of my mouth?”
“Bloody hell, what happened to you? You’re filthy!”
Charlie propped his foot on the rail in front of the bar and watched Morgy draw his pint. “I had a run-in with a fan on the number four soot blower. Fuckin’ thing got stuck. I got it un-stuck and lubed, but not before I got covered with soot and grease.” He gratefully took the glass, then looked around. “Good thing there aren’t many passengers left. I shouldn’t be in here, looking like this.”
“Especially with your coveralls open to your navel.” Morgy eyed Charlie’s hairy chest. “There’s dirty sweat sliding down your treasure trail.”
“It’s hot as Hades next to the boiler!” Charlie chugged half the pint in one long drink, then wiped the foamy mustache on his sleeve. He noticed Morgy still looking at him. “You’re going to burn a hole in my chest if you keep staring at it.”
“You’re making me wish I’d lined up a bit of company for myself tonight.”
Charlie laughed. In a low voice, he poked some fun. “What, you couldn’t
