The Captain's Cabin Boy

 

Chapter 25

Josette’s hands were clammy with sweat as she stepped foot aboard the deck of the Black Pearl. Her mouth was dry and she felt like her stomach was twisted into a thousand little knots. Her brain was screaming at her to turn around and walk back but her heart was beating faster at the familiar sight of Jack’s ship. The floorboards were solid and familiar under her feet and the air seemed so much lighter there. Of course this was just her imagination and her huge relief to be on familiar grounds but she couldn’t help but feel like she had retuned…home.

“What did you say, love?” Jack’s surprised voice asked her and she startled.

She turned to look at him and she noticed his wide eyed expression, “Um…What?” she dislodged her tongue from the roof of her mouth and swallowed hard.

“You said home.” He said and then grinned, “I knew you loved my ship.” he chuckled as he playfully tugged at her low ponytail.

“Jesus, is there something you don’t know?” she murmured but her cheeks flushed all the same.

“’Course!” he exclaimed and winked, “I don’t know lots of things.” He said with a lopsided grin and she rolled her eyes.

“Lass!” Gibbs’ voice was loud and shocked and Jack’s eyes widened comically.

“Shut the hell up, Gibbs!” he hissed and his first mate clumped his mouth shut as he made his way over.

“Mr. Gibbs.” Josette greeted and the older man smiled.

“I always knew there was something different about you…Well, welcome back.” The older man smiled and then looked at his Captain, “I take it no one else will know?” he asked and Jack paused.

“Aye. It’d be no good for the men to know there’s a woman among them…I don’t want trouble.” He shot a poignant look at Josette who raised her eyebrows.

“I don’t always cause trouble…” she told him and he stared at her a moment longer before he looked at Gibbs.

“We set sail in the morning. Are the men still ashore?”

“Aye. They’ll be back in a few hours.” Gibbs inclined his head and Jack nodded.

“Good.”

“You need anything?” Gibbs asked while Josette’s eyes perused the Pearl. Her heart swelled at the sight of the vessel and a small smile grazed her lips as she gazed at her grand sails.

“Josette?” another voice made her look away from the mast and she met the exciting eyes of John. She felt a smile forming on her face and before she knew it she was in his arms.

Jack made a funny noise at the back of his throat as John’s arms wrapped themselves around her back and his fingers twitched over his pistol before he caught himself and placed his hands on his hips instead.

Gibbs watched the exchange amused and he smirked at Jack who grimaced and huffed.

“You’re back.” John said as he pulled back and Josette nodded.

“Keep it in your breeches, mate.” Jack told him dryly and Josette glared at him. He glared right back and she sighed.

“I am. How are you?” she asked John and he smiled.

“I’m good.” He answered.

“And he’s on watch.” Jack cut in as he stepped between them and smiled with tight lips at John, “Come.” He told Josette and she smiled apologetically at John before she followed Jack to the cabin.

Jack looked at Gibbs and nodded his head as if delivering a silent order and his first names quickly headed for the hold.

Jack opened the cabin door and Josette hesitantly stepped in. Everything was the same except that it was messier than usual. He hadn’t done much tidying up.

“I see you’ve brought no more clothes.” Jack told her as he removed his hat, sword and coat.

“Um…I don’t have any other clothes. Someone stole them from my room…” she trailed off and Jack scowled.

“Bloody thieves.” He muttered as he headed for the side cabin.

“Uh, we are thieves as well…”she informed and he stopped. He slowly whirled around to face her with wide eyes.

“Love, we ain’t thieves. We’re pirates. There’s a difference.” He grinned and his gaze made her wonder about something.

“What should I call you now?” she blurted out and he frowned, “I mean, are you my Captain again or…” she trailed off and he paused, his eyes intense.

“Sure I am.” He said as he nodded his head, “I promised to forget what you did…This the first step forward I suppose.” He murmured and she felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her chest.

“Alright.” She felt a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips and when he smirked at her she let it spread.

They stared at each other for a while until Jack cleared his throat and headed for the side cabin again.

Once they were in Josette gasped, “Where’s my hammock?” she asked and Jack winced.

“Oh that.” He started, “I uh, got rid of it when you left.” He admitted and she felt as if he had punched her stomach, “I ripped it apart.” He looked at the place where her hammock had been and frowned.

“Why?” she asked him quietly.

“Because I was angry.” He shrugged and she swallowed thickly, “But,” he smirked as he raised a finger, “I got you something better.” He waved his hand towards the door.

Gibbs and John appeared, carrying something that looked like a mattress.

Josette’s eyes widened, “Oh God.”

“It’s the latest fashion.” Jack proudly informed her, “I got one for meself…well, stole it but hey, I think we did pretty well eh?” he grinned and Josette looked up at him.

“A mattress?” she was still shocked.

“Aye. Stuffed with cotton. Can you believe that? The Europeans are great craftsmen.” He said as Gibbs and John placed the mattress on the ground, close to the small window.

“Anything else?” Gibbs asked while John gazed between Jack and Josette with increasing amusement.

“No…Something to say, John?” Jack asked and John looked at him.

“Eh, no…” he smiled and then chuckled, “I’ll be going out now.” He shook his head and quickly exited the side cabin with Gibbs on his heels.

“How did you know I’d come back? I mean, why did you buy it since I was gone?” Josette asked and Jack frowned.

“I always knew you’d come back at some point.” He told her and she was once again astounded by his certainty.

“You did.”

Jack shrugged again and he suddenly looked uncomfortable. Josette decided to change the subject because obviously it would take them nowhere.

“Um…I’ll need a sheet.” She whispered and he looked up, his shoulders slumping in relief.

“You can find one in the chest where we keep the sheets…I am sure you remember.” He told her and then stepped back.

She nodded and he left the side cabin in silence.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

A day later…

Josette sat up in the mattress and groaned. She reached for the hem of her shirt and quickly pulled it up until she could slip her hands under it. She went for the bindings around her chest and started undoing the knot, seeing no reason to wear them while in bed.

“Still bounded I see. I don’t see the reason, lass.” Jack’s voice made her jump. She quickly turned her head and noticed him by the door, a blanket in his hands.

“I thought you were at the helm.”

“That does not answer my musing…And you should be more aware of your surroundings. I’ve been standing here for the past few minutes.” He grinned and she went red.

“That’s rude.”

“Aye.” He smirked and she quickly pulled her shirt down, “You need help?” he asked as he leaned down and slipped a knife from inside his boot.

Josette’s eyes widened, “I can’t undo the knot.” She said and then added, “But I am fine.”

“I can undo knots.” He grinned as he entered and threw the blanket at her. She caught it and glared up at him, “And if I can’t undo them I can always cut them.” He looked down at her while shaking his knife at her, “May I?” he asked and she bit her lip.

“No. But I can do it if you hand me the knife.” She outstretched her hand and he chuckled.

“You can play well, Josh. I like that.” He handed her the knife and then proceeded to sit down next to her on the mattress, his boots just outside the edge of it.

“What are you doing?” she asked him alarmed.

“I sat down.” He replied innocently, “My breeches are clean.” He added with a wink and she huffed.

“Turn around.” She ordered him and when he didn’t she smirked, “if you don’t I won’t tidy your chaotic cabin and I will tell everyone that you kissed your cabin boy. More than once.” She said and his eyes widened.

“You wouldn’t dare.” He told her and she smiled.

“I would. That is if you continue to invade my personal space.” She nodded and he pursed his lips, his eyes dark and glimmering with flames in the candlelight.

“Wench.” He stuck his tongue out at her and then proceeded to turn his eyes elsewhere, proving her with some privacy.

Josette smiled and slipped her hand under the shirt. The sharp blade cut through the bandage and it fell away. She sighed in relief and quickly pulled the material from under her shirt.

When she looked up he was already facing her. He grinned when she scowled.

“Pirate, love. Besides I don’t see any difference.” He looked down at her chest and she flushed.

“You think I care what you think of my chest?” she snapped and he cocked an eyebrow in surprise, “Of course I lack the assets the ladies of Tortuga possess. You would know, right?” she said with derision and he stared at her wide eyed.

“Whoa, easy there, lass.” He said and then grinned, “Size does not count, eh Freckles? It’s the technique that does.” he wiggled his eyebrows and she gaped at him.

“Don’t call me that!”

“Why?”

“Because.” She snapped.

Because you called Brenda that as well. She wanted to tell him but bit her tongue instead.

“That is not an answer.” He pointed a ringed finger at her and she scowled as she handed him his knife back.

“Yes, it is.” She muttered and she tried to fight the urge to shiver when his fingers brushed over hers as he took the knife from her hand.

“Look,” she started as she looked up at him, “If you wish for me to be uncomfortable around you, you can keep making jokes and comments about my appearance.”

“I did not make comments about your-…Sorry.” He raised his hands up in surrender when he saw the look she was giving him.

“I want to be comfortable around you…Like before.” She said quietly and his face fell, his eyes softening.

“I want that too.” He murmured and his knuckles tightened around the handle of the knife.

“I want…” she paused and then sighed, “I want my Captain back.” She whispered as she looked up at him beseechingly.

Jack bit the inside of his cheek and gazed at her for a while before he sighed, “And I want my mate back but I no longer see you as one.” He muttered as he looked away.

Josette flushed, “I know…But that was before too. When you…” she trailed off and he smirked.

“True. But still…”

“Can’t we…can’t we be friends again? Can’t you be the man to whom I spoke about my childhood and scars again?” she asked quietly and his eyes darkened.

“I could but this time I’d want to kiss the marks away…among other things.” He said hoarsely and she tensed.

“I…”

“But yes, I’ll try. You have my word.” He reached out and extended his hand for a shake. Josette eyed it before she took it and gently shook it.

“Thank you.” She said softly and he grinned.

"I can still tease you about your hands, aye?” he said suddenly and she covered her face with her hands in defeat.

“What?” he pouted and the only thing he received was a shove. He landed on the ground on his arse.

“That bloody hurt!” he exclaimed as he stood up and looked down at her.

Josette lay down and looked up at him with an innocent smile.

“You can swab the cabin tomorrow.” He pointed a finger down at her before he leaned down to flick her nose, “For your cheek.” He smirked before he sauntered out of her small cabin.

Josette chuckled to herself and turned onto her side with a much lighter heart.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Two weeks later, Tortuga…

“Do I have to come?” Josette asked with a groan as she followed Jack and the rest of the crew towards the town.

“Aye.”

“Is that an order?” she quipped and he looked down at her with a smirk.

“Aye, Josh.” He said sweetly and she frowned.

“I am tired.”

“Sure you are.” Jack nodded, “Been doing laundry for these two idiots all day.” He pointed at Gibbs and John who were on either side of them.

“No, I am tired because someone asked me to mend all their shirts in one day.” She hissed at him and he grinned.

“And that was the thrill of your day.” He said as they entered the closest tavern, “Touching my clothes, I mean.” He said and she rolled her eyes.

They found a table and they sat down, Josette next to Jack, John next to her and Gibbs next to Jack.

Gibbs waved a tavern girl over and she took their order before she headed back to the bar.

Josette looked around her with increasing nervousness. She didn’t like taverns. Well, she didn’t like crowded places in general but taverns had lately become her most severe dislike.

Jack gazed at Josette and chuckled, “Relax, lass. No one’s going to eat you.” He said and she frowned.

“I just don’t feel very well…” she muttered and John patted her back sympathetically.

I have a bad feeling…She thought silently as the tavern girl brought their drinks. Hesitantly she reached for a mug and took a small sip.

“Are you sick?” John asked her as he leaned close to her ear. Jack glared at him but neither noticed.

“No.” she smiled at him and gently bumped her shoulder with his, “Thank you.”

“For what?” he asked her with puzzlement.

“For being here.” She shrugged and Jack rolled his eyes and looked into his mug with a sneer. No one noticed that either.

“Do any of you nice gents need some company?” a feminine voice purred and Josette almost choked on her drink as a curvy blonde arrived at their table, her breasts almost spilling over the neckline of her dark red dress.

Jack looked up and his eyes were immediately drawn to her breasts but as soon as he saw how dirty and rugged she was he wrinkled his nose.

“Eh, no.” he declined but then almost choked on his drink as the woman slipped between his arms.

“I think you do, Captain Sparrow.” She whispered and Gibbs’ eyes widened while John tried to keep his laughter in check.

Jack grimaced as the woman plopped herself straight onto his lap and shot a quick look towards Josette who was silently staring at her mug, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“Good heavens, boy.” Jack teased as he leaned back in his chair while the obnoxious woman tried to peck his cheek. He sidestepped her attempt by pulling his face away, “Are you blushing?” he chuckled and Josette glared at him but remained silent.

No, I am not.  And what I am definitely not is a boy, Captain. Surely you know that by now. She thought as she shrugged and took a sip from her rum. Jack’s face fell when he got no response from her and he scowled before he unceremoniously pushed the woman off his lap with a grimace. The blonde fell on the floor with a thud and she gasped.

Josette snorted but she felt a little bit sorry for the woman.

“Hey, mister!” the wench complained but Jack merely waved her away before he grabbed his mug.

“You’re no fun at all.” He pouted and Gibbs laughed but at Jack’s glare he fell silent again.

“And you’re rude.” Josette told him and he grinned as he leaned closer to her.

“Am I really?” he smirked as his eyes fell momentarily to her lips.

“Of course you are.” Another female voice spoke up and Josette froze. She knew that voice.

Adele.

“Adele?” Jack straightened and looked at the French woman in complete puzzlement, “What are you doing here?” he asked suspiciously and Josette stared at the woman with confusion as well.

“I need to talk to you. Now.” Adele said in her thick accent and her gaze spoke of trouble; big trouble.

“How did you get here?” he asked her angrily as his eyes darted between her and Josette who was watching with mild surprise.

“That is not important. I knew you’d get here eventually. You seem very fond of this place.” Adele’s eyes went on Josette then, “You’re back with them then? Apparently the trouble you caused was not enough.” She hissed and Josette looked at Jack.

“Trouble?”

“Adele!” Jack hissed as he slapped his hand against the table and glared at her in warning.

“You didn’t come back.” She told him as her expression changed and she looked at him like a small puppy, looking for his owner.

“I was busy.” He told her shortly.

“Getting her back?” Adele’s eyes flashed and Josette shrunk back in her seat. John placed his hand on her knee for support.

“None of your Business. Say what you have to say.” Jack snapped at her.

“I love you.” She whispered and Josette inhaled sharply while Jack abruptly stood up and walked around the table to her.

“If that’s all you had to say then we can go. I’ll find you a ship to take you back to Calais.” He told her tightly.

“I’m with child.” She said quietly and everyone froze.

Josette gasped, Gibbs’ mouth fell open and John’s eyes were as wide as saucers.

Jack on the other hand went as still as stone, “Impossible.” He told her and she frowned.

“Totally possible.” She argued as she grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly. He snatched it back as if burned.

“What are you trying to get out of this lie, Adele?” Jack asked her in a deadly quiet voice.

“Nothing. I am telling the truth.” The woman said and he looked at her in disbelief.

“You know I wouldn’t let that happen-…”

“You were drunk.”

“I…” he trailed off as he suddenly faltered.

Josette gazed at him as he fell deep in thought and tried to understand. He had been with Adele? When? How? Hadn’t he left her?

Her head was throbbing with tension all of a sudden and she reached up to rub at the back of her neck.

John’s hand tightened over her knee and she placed her hand on top of his own in response.

“This…is just…” Jack spoke up again and shook his head roughly, “I can’t deal with this, Adele.” He told her and her eyes widened when he stepped back and turned on his heel, ready to bolt.

“Josette.” He hissed and Josette looked up and hurriedly stood. Gibbs followed them out of the tavern while John remained behind.

“Captain!” Gibbs called but Jack didn’t stop to listen. He just kept on walking at a frantic pace until only Josette was able to keep up with him.

The floorboards of the Pearl’s deck creaked loudly as Jack stepped heavily towards the cabin. Josette tried hard to keep up with him while Gibbs had given up just before they reached the ship.

“Sir.” Josette called but he kept going until he opened the door, letting it slam against the wall.

“Bugger, bugger.” He cursed as he jerkily removed his sword and shrugged out of his coat.

“How can you leave like that?” Josette asked as soon as she was inside the cabin, “She…You don’t know if she’s telling the truth.” She told him and he suddenly froze and turned to her, his expression wild.

“She is probably telling the truth.” He said and Josette froze.

“But…but how? You haven’t seen her in…Oh.” Realization hit her hard. He had seen her while she was at Port au Prince, working at the tavern.

“Oh.” She echoed again as she lowered her gaze and stared at the floor.

“I didn’t think about that back then when-…Fuck.” He hissed as he leaned heavily against his desk, his palms pressing hard against the old wood.

“Obviously.” Josette murmured and he turned to look at her sharply.

“I was angry.”

“Right.” She whispered.

“It was a mistake.” his voice was harsh but held a sliver of regret and maybe just a hint of an apology but she only shrugged.

“A mistake you have to pay now.”

“She could be lying. Something doesn’t add up…” he murmured as he pushed away from the desk and started pacing, his boots stepping harshly over the floor, scraping it.

“Why would she lie?” Josette looked up, trying to ignore the little voice in her head that screamed at her to get away from him and his clandestine life.

“Isn’t it obvious?” he snapped as his burning gaze focused on her, “To tie me to her.”

“Are you sure that you didn’t…” she trailed off thickly and he smoothed a hand over his mustache and beard in a show of aggravation.

“I was too drunk to recall if I pulled out or not.” He told her bluntly and she winced.

“Do you have to be so crass, Captain?” she whispered and his eyes narrowed.

“Would you stop calling me that?” he asked her angrily, “We’re alone. No need for formalities.”

Josette bit her lip. Couldn’t he understand that the word grounded her? Made her remember what he was and what he shouldn’t be to her?

“I need the formality.” She whispered before she could stop herself and now she really had his attention.

“What?”

“I need the formality.” She repeated louder and he blinked as he took a few steps closer.

“What for, love?” he murmured as he stopped in front of her.

“So that I don’t end up like Adele.”

At that he scoffed, “What? Spewing lies so she could keep me? She never did, lass. I was never going to let her. And now…” his lips formed a thin line as he looked away, “Bloody hell, I don’t want to have any connection with her!” he exploded and Josette flinched, “This has to be a very bad dream. Her? With child again? My child…I don’t want a bloody child with her!”

“Jack-…”

“This has never happened with anyone before. Why does it keep happening with her? She has to be lying.” He muttered mostly to himself.

“What if she is not?” she asked him and he closed his eyes in defeat.

“Nothing I can do…” he murmured as he opened them again and looked at her, his expression hard, strained but at the same time soft.

“You shouldn’t have talked to her like that.” Josette told him as he walked closer to her.

“It is cheap, her attitude. She shouldn’t have used me in the first place.” He said darkly and Josette tensed.

“You did too.”

Jack gazed at her as if he had just realized their close proximity. His breathing suddenly hitched.

“Perhaps.” He murmured as he raised his hand and took the hat off her head. Josette startled as his fingers went to the thin cord that held her hair together.

“What are you doing?” she asked him with alarm as his body slid closer to her until their chests were touching.

“There’s a dress in my chest.” He said quietly, “Will you wear it for me?” he breathed and she looked up at him so sharply that she got dizzy.

What? How can his mood change like that? Isn’t he upset? He just learned that he’s going to be a father.

Oh my God. He is going to have a child. Someone else’s child…

The realization hit her hard and she suddenly panicked. She quickly shook her head.

“No. You said you’d be my friend.”  She said as she stepped back or tried to anyway. His hands reached out and grasped her waist.

“I did. But I don’t want to be your friend, love.” He said as he pulled her to him and locked his arms around her, “Not only your friend, I mean, If I were your friend could I do this without receiving a slap?” he asked softly before he leaned down and captured her lips between his own.

Josette pulled away, “No.” she gasped and he licked his lips as if savoring the taste of their kiss.

“What if I were your Captain?” he grinned and she blinked, “What if I ordered you to?”

“That would not be consensual.” She whispered as she took a step back. He followed her immediately.

“Yes, it would be. I know it.” He smirked and she frowned.

How? Was she obvious?

“You’re very arrogant.” She murmured and his smile widened.

“I know. And you’re pretty.” He whispered as he grasped her hand and pulled her close again.

Josette stiffened at the blatant lie, “I am not.” She whispered as his right hand trailed up her back until it reached her still braided hair. He used his fingers and shook her hair out until it fell free down her back.

“Says who?” he asked as he tangled his hand in her hair and pulled her head back. His dark chocolate eyes bore into her light green ones until his breath hitched and his gaze burned, “You have such deep eyes, love.” He murmured and her heart fluttered, “Always did.” He breathed as he leaned down and brushed his lips against her gasping mouth. Her breath left her as his lips touched hers more firmly and she placed her hands against his chest, ready to push him away but his murmured words against her lips make her freeze.

“Don’t fight me.” He whispered as his tongue brushed lightly over her bottom lip and then his lips closed around it with gentle suction, “Not this time.” He breathed as he covered her lips with his own again and crushed her to his chest.

Josette’s eyes drifted shut and under her fingertips she could feel his sweat slicked skin even through his shirt. Her body felt warm as his hands ran up and down her back and for a moment she thought that she was going to combust into flames.

She had fought this off for so long, since he thought she was a man, but as his hands traveled south and squeezed every inch of her flesh she felt her resolve weakening.

Her fingers which had been idly resting on his chest, twisted themselves around his shirt and he groaned as he deepened the kiss, plunging his tongue into her mouth and bringing her closer still.

In one swift move he swiveled them around and almost blindly walked them towards the bunk; his bunk. Their feet collided with a chair and he growled against her lips before he slipped his hands down to her thighs.

He broke away from her lips to rasp out, “Jump up.” He murmured as he gave her thighs a firm squeeze.

Josette obeyed and soon he had his hands under the back of her thighs while she locked her ankles around his hips. The position brought them closer and Josette gasped as she felt his hardness under her.

A moment later he kneeled on the bed and released her. She fell back onto the mattress with a thud and her eyes snapped open as his hands went to her coat.

“Hush.” He murmured and with that leaned down over her.

He undid the few buttons and then pulled her up while still kneeling between her thighs. He threw the garment somewhere behind him and quickly un-tucked her shirt from her breeches.

Josette stiffened and raised her hands but he hushed her before he clasped the hem of the shirt and lifted it slightly up until he could slip his hand underneath.

His nostrils flared as he encountered warm flesh, “No bindings?” he murmured and she gulped.

“You said that there was nothing to hide anyway.” She said and as his hand moved and cupped her breast he moaned softly and slid down to her.

“How wrong and rude was I.” he whispered just before he kissed her again and let his fingers explore the tender flesh. His free hand slipped under her back and pulled her up to his chest so he could tug the shirt higher until he pulled it off. His eyes dark and clouded with desire swept over her abdomen before he pulled back and grabbed his own shirt. He pulled it off in one sharp movement and let his body cover hers.

“I still have to fight the urge to call you Josh.” He murmured as he skimmed his nose up and down her cheek.

Josette’s chest heaved with her labored breaths and she had to fight with her reflexes in order not to hide herself from him.

“Then do so.” She spoke quietly as his mouth found the skin of her neck.

“That’s a very manly name and not fitted to describe such a delicate creature, love.” He chuckled and she bit her lip as his teeth nipped lightly at her throat while his hands found her breasts again.

“There’s no need to flatter me. I am already under you.” She whispered and he paused.

He looked up at her and his eyes narrowed, “I’ll say whatever the hell I please.” He growled as his hands slipped down her sides to her breeches. His hands almost tore at the fastenings and Josette’s eyes widened when he tugged them down her hips.

“I don’t like it when you talk back at me. Especially when I know I am right.” He hissed as he pulled the breeches from her legs and let them fall on the floor.

His bejeweled hands came to rest on her thighs for a moment before they headed for her undergarments. His fingers hooked at the waistband and he started pulling them down just as he leaned down to her collarbone. His hands run up the length of her legs from her calves up to her thighs as his lips and tongue traced her collarbone. His dark eyes stared at her as he slid downwards towards her breast.

Josette’s breath hitched and her legs convulsed around his hips as his sinfully sculpted mouth found the tip of her breast and enveloped it in its heat. Her back arched as his tongue joined his lips and her hands grasped at the sheets under her for anchor. His left hand cupped her other breast and he used the right one to grasp her thigh. He pulled it firmly over his hip and rocked against her once. Her eyes widened as the action brought them flush together and she whimpered. He growled around her flesh and rocked again, more roughly as with a last suck on her tender flesh he pulled back and crushed his lips against hers. His hands slipped under her back and he pulled her up before he plunged one of his hands deep in her hair. He used his grip as leverage to press her more firmly to his mouth almost cutting off her oxygen but she didn’t fight him. She just let him deepen the kiss while her own hands slipped up and tentatively grasped his back. His back muscles flexed at her touch and his tongue plundered her mouth more hungrily in response. He pressed his pelvis harder against her before he pulled back with a grunt.

With dark hooded eyes and slick lips he looked down at her while he kneeled back and placed his hands at the fastenings of his breeches. He unfastened them quickly and when the material didn’t cooperate with his harsh tugging he snarled and growled.

Josette gazed up at him and then down at her nakedness. This was her chance. She could pull away from him while he was fighting against his clothing but as her eyes slid up his body from his slim hips to his broader tattooed chest she felt herself melting against the mattress. Her limbs, which had been tense and stiff, gradually loosened until she was lying comfortably on the bed. Her eyes shifted towards his face and she saw that he was staring at her as he pushed his breeches down his hips. He knew what she had been thinking because his beautiful lips pulled back in a grin and his posture relaxed as he stretched over her like a cat.

“I’d care for some help, love.” He murmured as he wiggled out of the breeches and she briefly turned her head into the mattress which smelled of him before she looked up. Her fingers twitched before she reached down his sides, down to his hips and thighs and helped him push the material from his legs. He kicked them away and then leaned down to kiss and nibble on her ear. His hands found her locks again and he tugged gently before he turned his face and captured her lips again.

His bare chest collided with hers as he pressed down on her and he briefly supported his weight on his elbows as he kissed her nose. He smirked when she opened her eyes and looked at him and holding her gaze he slid down her body towards her parted legs.

Josette’s eyes widened when she realized his intend and she panicked. His hand wedged itself between her thighs just as she attempted to close them and he clicked his tongue.

“Ah, ah.” He murmured with dark glittering eyes, “Obey your Captain now, love.” He grinned and she gulped. At his insistent nudging she relaxed her legs and reluctantly allowed him to part them for his viewing pleasure. His gaze fed on her while his hands gently reached under her thighs and grasped them. She gasped when he tugged her forward with his grip on them and her eyes widened when he bit his lower lip and then smirked. His eyes left her face and focused at that spot between her parted legs. In a flash he had his head buried between her thighs and she jumped at the first contact of his lips upon her quivering flesh. Her eyes squeezed shut as sensation shot through her in waves and her mouth parted when he added his tongue to the torture. As she wiggled and arched under his talented mouth, his fingers flexed around her thighs in silent warning. She forced her body to still and as she opened her eyes and looked at him, positioned so sinfully between her thighs she briefly wondered if he did this to everyone else before. The thought disgruntled her and she stiffened under him, her body no longer compliant. His ministrations stopped and he looked up at her, a small frown on his face before he quickly replaced his mouth with his fingers and slid up her body. His wild mane of hair fell around their faces as he settled above her and her eyes fell immediately to his glistening lips. Her breathing turned shallow as he dipped his head and kissed her while at the same time keeping his hand between her thighs.

“You need to stop thinking, darlin’.” He drawled against her lips as he lifted her leg and curled it around his hip, his hard length hot and insistent against her smooth inner thigh, “This is between you and me.” He murmured as he trailed kisses down her neck, “No one else.”

His mouth found hers again and the hand that was between her legs left that place to cup her breast instead. His fingers kneaded her flesh and she shivered as the coldness of his rings bit into her skin. His hand that was clasping her thigh left her and slipped between their bodies again. Even with her eyes closed she knew what he was doing and she gasped when he brushed against her.

He moaned low in his throat and his kiss intensified to an almost frantic pace as he positioned himself and slowly pushed in.

Josette didn’t know what she was expecting but as he moved she tensed and stiffened under him. Her body coiled in on itself at the intrusion and he felt it.

“Bloody hell.” He groaned as he let his face fall in the crook of her neck. His hips gave a small experimental shallow thrust and she gasped. His lips parted in a barely audible curse and his hand quickly slid down between their bodies just above that spot where they were connected. His fingers pressed and rubbed in a way that he knew would relax her and they succeeded. Her body unwound from the tightness she had forced it into and her legs relaxed on either side of his hips. His hips moved again, in another shallow swirl and it was still uncomfortable but the touch of his warm fingers made her forget about it. His lips ghosted over her forehead but he didn’t allow himself to kiss her there. Instead he looked down at her with unfathomable eyes and then pressed his lips to hers.

Her hands, which had been idly lying on the sheets, moved and she let her fingers curl around his biceps. Her breathing hitched as he moved again, more sharply this time and something inside of her shattered. Her fingers tightened around the flexing muscles of his arms and her whimper was silenced by his claiming lips. He paused and she thought that he would wait but after a few seconds he began moving again until his lower belly was flush with hers.

He pulled back abruptly and gasped for breath and she could only watch, mesmerized, as he threw his head back and groaned quietly, his eyes shut and his lips parted in barely concealed ecstasy. His hands traveled down her body quickly and he grasped her knees.

“Up.” He groaned as he pushed into her again, his deep thrust effectively sliding her up the bed until her head was lying comfortably on his pillows. The movement made her groan in both pain and a tiny spark of a pleasurable tightening but it was too quick for her to judge.

“Shh.” His lips were hovering above hers as he reverently squeezed her thighs and moved his hands up her body so he could cup her face, “Better, isn’t it?” he murmured as he placed his hands on the pillow by her head, his elbows supporting his weight as he moved. Josette tried but failed to answer so she simply nodded as he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and swiveled his hips again in a slow grind. He groaned and she gasped and he did it again until she could feel that small joyous tightening at the pit of her belly. His breath was hot and heavy and damp against her lips as he set up a rhythm and it touched her face and neck from time to time. Her hands moved from his arms and traveled to the back of his neck and down his back until she let them rest on his lower back, just a few breaths away from his rocking hips. His tanned skin was covered in sweat and she could feel it under her fingertips as she grasped at his back. His lips touched hers, clumsy in the intensity of his movements and she parted her mouth for him even as his change of pace and depth bordered on pain.

Her noises alerted him of her predicament and his hand was sliding between their bodies again, intent on its purpose of uncoiling her body once more. Her small moan of gratification fell into his parted lips and he pulled back so he could watch her as she slowly came undone. His breathing quickened and became rugged as his eyes burned into hers while she writhed and convulsed under him.

“Fuck.” He hissed as his eyes closed and his hips pushed against hers one more time before he pulled back and out of her. He shifted a bit lower and buried his face to the pillow next to her head as his body jerked and writhed against hers.

Josette’s fingers delved into the darkness of his hair as he spilled himself on the sheets between her thighs and she groaned when he never stopped the motion of his fingers against her hypersensitive flesh. Her body arched off the bed just as his hips stilled and her eyes squeezed shut before she fell back on the bed with a gasp.

Jack’s hand stopped caressing her and slowly he pulled it from between her legs before he collapsed on top of her breathless. He turned his head so his cheek was resting on top of her breast and let out a hoarse chuckle.

“I prided myself in my ability to pleasure my partners, love, but I think you just ruined my reputation.” He murmured and she slowly opened her eyes, still dizzy.

“What?” she whispered and his laughter vibrate against her belly.

Slowly he looked up at her and smirked, “But then again, I don’t think I’ve ever been with someone like you before.” He told her as he propped himself up on his elbow and looked down at her.

“Meaning?” she blinked and his fingertip caressed her lips as he gazed down at her before his hand slipped down between her legs. Josette stiffened when his fingers retuned with smidges of crimson on them.

“This. I never really believed you were untouched until now.” He murmured as his hand went back at the apex of her thighs, “But now…” he breathed a small sigh and gazed at her with dark, possessive eyes, “Now, this belongs to me.” He whispered lowly before his lips covered hers.

Despite her shock Josette gave into the kiss and tried to push her fear away when a little voice in her head whispered two small words.

Yours, always.

End of chapter 25

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Xxx Lina :)