A change in the winds

Chapter 18: Progress

Kenna sat by Jack's desk, drawing symbols on a piece of paper. It had been hours since Christian's visit and she hadn't heard from him since, a fact she considered enjoyable, even though her mind wondered what he was doing. Too much silence could be bad, just like calm before a storm. Kenna pushed those worries away from her mind. There was nothing he could do. Jack was unconscious, so her secret was safe for now. She knew that eventually it would come down to either her telling Jack the truth or Christian would. And Jack's reaction to that news would definitely be based on who it was who would tell him. She knew she had to tell him before Christian could, but her fear of Jack disavowing her was too strong. She loved him more than anything in this world and he had told her his feelings were mutual. Losing him would destroy her and her chances of saving her grandmother from her grim fate.

Kenna snapped out of her worries when she heard some movement behind her. She turned around and saw the sheets moving. She quickly got up from the chair and climbed up on the bed.

Jack opened his eyes slightly, closing them back again almost as soon as he had opened them. Kenna took his face in her hands, checking his temperature with one hand.

'' Jack, Jack. Can you hear me?''

Jack gave a low grunt and his eyelids fluttered, trying to open.

'' Jack, honey. Can you hear me?''

Jack's breathing was shallow as he tried to speak.

'' Kenna…''

'' Yes, I'm here.'' She grabbed his hand, squeezing it gently.

'' What…what happened?'' he breathed out.

'' The storm. You were hit by a wave. You knocked your head on the steering wheel.''

Jack managed to open his eyes again. '' How's the ship?''

'' It's a mess, but you don't have to worry about that.''

'' And the crew?''

'' We lost a few men. I don't know how many.''

Jack tried to raise his hand up, but didn't have the strength to. Kenna raised his hand up to her face, rubbing her cheek against it affectionately. Jack gave her a week smile and closed his eyes again.

'' You should rest. I will be watching over you,'' Kenna said as she lowered his hand to his side. She bent down and gently brushed her lips against his, feeling his weak attempt to kiss her back.

'' Gather your strength, we can take care of the ship.'' She felt Jack's hold on her hand fade until sleep took over and he let go. She kissed him on the fore head and snuggled up against him. This was good. He was alive.

***

Kenna went down to the galley after her stomach revolted against her, demanding food immediately or it would start devouring itself. She found an apple, a loaf of bread and a pitcher of goat milk and sat down by the table to eat. Jack hadn't awoken again but she wasn't worried. His body needed to rest to be able to heal. She was eating her food contently when Christian entered the galley.

'' What do we 'ave here? I see that ye were finally able ta tear yerself away from Jack,'' Christian said with a smirk.

'' Oh dear Lord, I thought I had told you to stay away from me,'' Kenna said annoyed.

'' Ye did, but that doesn't mean I will. With Jack out cold there be no one here ta help ye.''

Kenna turned her head towards him. '' Why would I need help? Your face is the only thing I need help avoiding, it makes me lose my appetite,'' she said with a disgusted frown.

'' Harsh. I love it when ye talk dirty.'' Christian growled sensually at her.

Kenna pretended she had to vomit and covered her mouth with her hand. '' I can't stand this, I have to go before I really need to puke.'' She stood up from the chair and walked past him.

'' Keep runnin' away from me, but ye know ye can't win. I have the upper hand.''

Kenna sent him a poisonous glare and slammed the door behind her. She went straight to the main deck, feeling the warm, but cooling air rush towards her as she ascended the stairs. Christian wasn't human, he was a natural force. Every time she moved he was there, stalking her like her own shadow.

***

It had been two days since the accident and Jack still hadn't regained full consciousness. He awoke occasionally for a short period of time, enough for Kenna to give him some water to drink. His fever was gradually getting lower and the colour was coming back to his face. Kenna spent night and day beside him, only leaving him for meals and bathroom breaks. They couldn't communicate much but seeing her there when he woke up gave him immense joy. The security of someone watching over him at all times helped him rest and heal. Whenever he would wake up again she would be there. He could count on that.

It was nightfall and Kenna lay beside Jack, staring at the ceiling. She was listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing while contemplating her angelic problem. Suddenly she heard a whisper and rolled over to her side. She saw that Jack had opened up his eyes and quickly raised herself up to a sitting position beside him.

'' Jack, you're awake!'' she beamed. Jack smiled at her warmly and raised his head up from the pillow. She helped him up to a sitting position and fetched the wooden water bowl and some cloth.

'' How are you feeling?'' she asked as she dipped the cloth into the water and washed his neck.

'' Better. Thanks for takin' care of me. I will be indebted ta ye for life.''

'' Nonsense, you would have done the same thing for me.''

'' Yeah I would.'' Jack raised his hand up to her face and gently caressed it with the back of his hand.

'' Ye're so beautiful. I must've pleased the gods since they sent ye ta me.''

Kenna blushed. '' Don't be silly. It's just your fever talking.''

'' No, I'm really fortunate ta have met ye.''

'' You're not the fortunate one. You saved me from being enslaved. It's I who's in your debt.''

'' Why won't we call it a draw then,'' Jack grinned.

'' Agreed. Let's call it a draw. I don't owe you anything and vice versa.''

Jack chuckled. '' Ye always brighten up me day.''

'' I wouldn't say that. Remember our argument before the storm?''

'' Everyone has arguments. Agreein' on everythin' would be borin'.''

'' You're right. But I am sorry. I had no right to order you around.''

'' I wasn't mad at ye for that. It was Christian I was angry at.''

'' What did he do?'' Kenna said annoyed. This man certainly knew how to get on the bad side of people.

'' It doesn't matter. It's in the past.''

'' I want to know. If it's anything severe I'll punish him for you.''

Jack laughed. '' Ye? Ye couldn't hurt a fly, luv.''

'' If the fly hurt you I would. I would do anything for you.''

Jack smiled at her and caressed her cheek with his thumb. '' And so would I.''

'' So will you tell me?''

'' How about I just show ye?'' Jack asked as he slid his hand under her hair and pulled her closer for a kiss. Kenna placed one hand on his cheek and kissed him back, being careful not to fall on him. When they broke apart, Kenna stared at him confused.

'' I don't understand.'' Then it dawned on her. '' Oh…you mean you're mad at him for interrupting us earlier?''

'' I'm only a man luv.''

Kenna started to giggle and Jack cocked a brow.

'' I'm sorry, I just thought it was something serious.''

'' Ta me it was. Quality time with ye is precious ta me, and whoever who dares ta interrupt shall ‘ave me vengeance upon him.''

Kenna tried to keep her giggles down but was unsuccessful. '' I'm sorry. You're just too cute. I had no idea you valued our time together this much.''

'' Evidently it's one sided,'' Jack said with a hint of hurt in his voice.

'' No, no. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy our time together. If I could I would want to spend all my time with you.''

'' What's stoppin' ye?''

'' I can't be seen hanging on your hip all day long. That's just embarrassing.''

Now it was Jack's time to laugh. '' Well then we must find another way ta satisfy yer needs.''

'' My needs? It was you who didn't want our precious moments to be ruined,''

'' Well I wasn't the one who wanted ta spend all me time with ye. Those were yer words luv.''

'' I'm sure you would have nothing against spending every minute with me,'' Kenna huffed.

'' Of course not, '' Jack said with a grin.

'' Then why did you start this argument?''

'' I didn't. Ye did. Besides, ye're sexy when ye're angry.''

Kenna tried to be mad at him, but couldn't. He was so manipulative but somehow it wasn't a bad thing. It was just a part of his character.

'' So you used me for your own entertainment?''

'' Aye, and I'm not ashamed ta admit it.'' Jack grinned mischievously.

'' Then I think you need to be punished.'' Kenna sat down in his lap, straddling him. Jack felt his excitement rise and grinned at her.

'' What do ye have in mind?''

'' You'll see.'' She smirked and lowered her mouth to the base of his neck. She started sucking on the flesh on his collarbone, biting it gently. Jack gave out a moan, which made Kenna smirk against his skin. She moved her lips to his neck, kissing a wet path up to his ear. Her hands traced his chest through his shirt, feeling his muscles beneath her fingers.

'' You like that don't you?'' Kenna whispered into his ear as another moan escaped his lips. Jack closed his eyes and leaned his head back onto the headboard. He was still weak after the accident and her ministrations were sucking the energy out of him.

His breath quickened as he felt her push her pelvis into him and nibbled on his ear lobe. Her fingers went to the shirt collar and unbuttoned the shirt in no time. She let her hands roam over his tanned chest, which seemed a bit paler than usual. Her tongue licked a path up his jaw line where she sensually nibbled at the flesh under his ear. Jack's breathing was rapid and shallow. His consciousness was fading but he didn't dare stop her. Her ministrations felt too good.

She moved her lips to his face, kissing him on the corner of his lips. She planted another kiss on the other side of his lips. She felt him open his mouth and try to kiss her back, but she was too quick. She enjoyed teasing him, the opportunity didn't present itself often since he was usually the one to take the lead. She bent her head so that her lips barely touched his, running them slowly over his. She pressed them more firmly against his, sticking her tongue out to lick his lower lip.

Jack tried his hardest to keep consciousness while she taunted him with her mouth and fingers. She saw no signs of this struggle, thinking he only leaned his head back and closed his eyes in pleasure.

Her fingers travelled down his chest and stopped at the top of his breeches. She fumbled with the buttons as her lips crashed against his in a slow but sensual kiss. Jack, sensing what she was about to do, raised his hands up to hers on his breeches and pulled them gently off.

'' What's wrong?'' Kenna asked baffled.

'' We can't do this luv. Not now.''

'' Oh...I'm sorry. I got a little carried away.'' Kenna blushed and looked down in shame.

Jack raised her chin up with his hand. '' Ye don't 'ave ta apologize. I should've stopped ye sooner.'' He caressed her cheek with his thumb. '' It's not that I don't want ta…''

'' No, I get it. You need to rest.'' She forced a smile and climbed off him. '' I'll let you sleep.'' She stood up from the bed but he caught her arm.

'' Don't leave. Stay with me. We can talk and ye can tell me what I missed while I was out.''

Kenna nodded her head and curled up against his chest. Jack put his arm around her and pulled her close.

'' So what did I miss?''