Misconception

Chapter 21

Isabella’s hands were sweating as she looked at the darkening sky. It was getting dark and that meant that night was coming. And that meant that she had to play cards. With Jack.
Could someone just grab her and toss her in the sea? What was she thinking accepting such a bet? She was insane. She was sure of it. She knew that it was more than possible for Jack to cheat. No, correction. He would definitely cheat. He would never give up on the money for her. It was ridiculous. But then again, she did win the first time, didn’t she? Perhaps he was not going to trick her.
At that thought she looked up and found Jack with her eyes. Gibbs was at the helm and Jack was next to him, talking to him quietly. She swallowed hard for the mere sight of him caused her fear and excitement. Along with the excitement came the shame and he chose that precise moment to look down at her.
He paused talking and cocked his head to the side at her almost terrified expression. He slowly grinned, his golden teeth shining in the dark and he reminded her of a shark. A quite handsome shark but dangerous all the same. She straightened and scowled at him but he just threw his head back and laughed before he waved at her, completely unfazed by her obvious irritation. She huffed and looked away before she stormed inside the cabin, slamming the door behind her.
She stomped towards the only bed available-Jack’s bed- and sat down angrily. She placed her hands on her lap and tapped her foot against the floor rhythmically. After a few moments she stopped and ran a hand through her hair. She found it tangled and it felt alarmingly oily. She dropped her hand and sighed. Of course it was oily. She hadn’t washed it in days. An idea popped into her head and stood up abruptly. She walked with purpose to the door and flung it open only to collide with someone’s chin.
“Ow!” she heard Jack’s familiar voice exclaim and she raised her eyes to look at him. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment as she saw him rubbing his chin.
“Jesus Christ, Bella. What a strong head you have.” He muttered and her blush deepened.
“Yes, it’s quite hard.” She said before she could think twice and he chuckled while she covered her face with her hands.
“You tell me about hard…Anyway, what idea popped into your head and you were walking in such a hurry?” he asked and she straightened her posture.
“Not an idea. Just a need.” She said and she almost groaned at the innuendo. Jack’s eyebrow rose and she sighed, “I need a bath, Jack. Perhaps you don’t find it necessary to bathe but I do.”
“Are you saying I’m dirty?” he asked with narrowed eyes and she looked at him.
“Well, your clothes have seen better times.” She said when she didn’t find anything else to say.
“So have your hair.” He shot back and he straightened his coat before he proceeded to brush imaginary dust from his lapels.
“That’s why I need to wash it. Can I do it now?” she asked hopefully and he looked at her with suspicion.
“Now? But it’s time for our card game.” He said as he closed the door and stepped closer, “You’re not trying to avoid our game, are you, love?” he asked as he inspected her face.
“Um, no. I certainly am not! I gave you my word, didn’t I?” she said even though that was her exact goal.
“Yes, you did. And I gave you mine.” He said seriously as he looked her over slowly, “The bath can wait after our game.” He said at last and Isabella stifled a groan of dread.
“But-…”
“I said after, Bella. Besides it’ll take some time for the water to heat, won’t it?” he asked with glimmering eyes and she shrugged.
“I can use cold water instead.”
“No, you must use hot.” He said dismissively as he placed a hand on her back and steered her towards his desk.
“Sit and I’ll go inform them for the water.” He said as he briefly disappeared out of the cabin.
He returned shortly after and removed his coat and vest in silence. He sat down and placed a bottle of rum on the table between them.
“To warm us up.” He winked and she shook her head.
“I’m warm enough.” She said crisply.
“I doubt that.” He murmured huskily as he took the deck of cards and shuffled them before he set them in front of her, “Cut.” He instructed and she did while he uncorked the bottle and took a long sip.
He offered it to her but she shook her head, “Suit yourself.” He shrugged as he placed the bottle down and reached for the cards. And so the game began.

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Jack looked at her from behind his cards and smirked, “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” He said and she hesitated before she slowly placed the last card on the desk in front of her.
“Queen. Queen is high.” She stated before she proceeded to bite her lip.
Jack grinned and nodded in agreement, “Queen is indeed high, love. Very well done. But I am sure is not as high as King…?” he posed his last sentence as a question before he revealed his own card. Isabella sighed and dropped her head against his desk.
“Youwon.” Her voice was muffled by the table and he turned his head.
“What was that, Bella? I didn’t quite catch that, love.” He said with a wide grin and she looked at him with a glare.
“I said you won.” He repeated and he nodded eagerly.
“It appears so.” He gathered the cards and she sighed.
“And I lost.” She muttered and he looked up at her, “May I?” she asked as she pointed at the rum.
He grinned and pushed the bottle towards her, “Be my guest, darlin’. As long as you have no problem drinking from the same bottle as me. I’m quite dirty after all.” He said and she sighed.
“Is that your way of asking for an apology? Fine. I’m sorry I called you dirty. It appears that you are but you aren’t. Satisfied?” she asked as she took a small sip and looked away.
“Wow, love, I asked for an apology not a love confession.” He grinned widely and she rolled her eyes.
“Can I have my bath now? The water’s been there for a while. It’ll grow cold.” She pointed towards the tub.
“You may.” He nodded before he added, “You did play good though.”
“Right,” she mumbled as she headed for the tub.
As she leaned over to check the water temperature she heard him standing up from his chair. She listened as he walked towards the door but instead of leaving, like she thought he would, she heard him bolting the door. She slowly turned and watched him as he grabbed the hem of his shirt and slowly pulled it over his head.
“What are you doing?” she asked terrified as he started approaching her.
“I won, didn’t I? So, I am going to receive me reward.” He said simply as he stopped in front of her and reached for her. He pulled her closer by tugging on her dress.
“Isn’t it enough that you won?” she asked as her chest collided with his.
“That wasn’t our agreement.” He said in her ear as his hands started pulling free the laces of her dress, “So, I will help you wash. Doesn’t that sound lovely?” he asked and she shivered as his warm breath hit the exposed skin of her neck.
“No! You can’t wash me!” she said as she wiggled in his arms, “We need to have some boundaries! I can’t just let you-…Jesus!” she exclaimed as his lips closed over the sensitive skin of her neck and his hands pushed away the heavy dress, leaving her only in her shift.
“Let me what?” he murmured against her neck as his calloused hands slid down her hips. His fingers curled around the fabric and he pulled it upwards so he could remove it.
“Jack, stop.” She snapped as she pushed at his chest. He pulled back slightly and watched as her eyes flashed with anger. He let go of her shift and it pulled around her hips again.
“Just…Just turn around, alright? I’ll do it myself.” She snapped and he looked at her carefully, his breathing slightly uneven as he slowly turned.
Isabella removed the rest of her clothes and lowered herself into the tub.
Jack heard the splash and slowly turned, “What did I do? I thought we were past this.” He said quietly as he kneeled next to the tub and looked at her.
“What’s this?’ she asked as she turned to look at him, pulling her knees up against her chest in the process, concealing herself from him.
“I just kissed you, love. Like last time.” He said as he leaned over and handed her a bar of soap along with a washing cloth.
“I am just…You have to realize that I am uncomfortable with this. I might have agreed but it’s still strange.” She said quietly and he cocked his head to the side.
“Does it seem so strange to you to have a man want you?” he deadpanned and she blinked at the admission.
“I…It is just…I never know what you’re really thinking.” She tried to explain and he took a deep breath.
“What I am thinking right now is that a pretty girl is in me tub and all I want is to help her wash her back. That’s all. I ain’t thinking anything else.” He said as he exhaled slowly before he met her eyes with his own.
Isabella blinked and she couldn’t help the blush that darkened her cheeks and neck again.
“Alright.” She said softly before she extended the cloth and soap towards him, “You can help.” She said albeit a little reluctantly.
Jack took the items from her hand and slowly smiled before he lowered his hand into the water. He lathered the cloth before he proceeded to wash her back. Isabella stood stiffly while he touched her with the washing cloth and when his hand accidentally touched her skin she shivered. Jack smiled slowly to himself when he saw it but kept his mouth shut, not wanting to push his luck.
“We’ll make a stop early in the morning. There’s an island with sweet waters so we’ll stop for some supplies.” He said as he finished with her back and dropped the soap and cloth in her lap. Before he pulled back he leaned down and kissed her back, just underneath the base of her neck. Isabella twitched at the openmouthed kiss he placed there and she watched as he pulled back and stood. The skin tingled from his lips but she made no comment. He gave her a last long look before he stepped back and reached down for his shirt. She watched in shock as he pulled it over his head and tucked it in his breeches.
“Since you think me so wicked, I will leave you to your thoughts.” He said coolly as he picked up his coat and dropped it loosely around his shoulders; “I wouldn’t want to take advantage of you now, would I?” he gave a tight smile before he unbolted the door and exited, closing it with a soft thud.
Isabella stared at the door before she slowly looked at the soap and cloth he had dropped in her lap. She heard his retreating footsteps and sighed.
Could she possibly be wrong about him? Could he really…fancy her? She winced at the word but she thought it all the same. And was she supposed to feel as bad as she did?

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When she woke up the next morning, she realized that he hadn’t come back inside.
At all.
The space next to her was empty and neat and the sheets cold. She sat up and she realized that they were no longer moving. They had docked like he had said. She tried to listen for any sounds and then heard it. A female voice and laughter. She winced and plopped down on the mattress again.
Joan. Great.
Well, he certainly had found a way to entertain himself after all. Isabella sighed and pulled the covers over her head. Let him have his fun. She’d take the bed.

End of chapter 21

Author’s note: Liked it? Hated it? Drop me a review and let me know! Please?
Xxx Lina :)