Misconception

Chapter 30

Jack stomped down the stairs towards his cabin while wringing water out of his hat. He groaned and nodded a greeting at Grog before he opened the door to his quarters. He headed straight for his desk and placed his hat on it before he shrugged out of his coat. He grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head when a sound made him pause. He turned and looked at his bunk. He tensed as he spotted Joan reclining on it with a smirk on her face.
“What are you doing here, Joan? No, belay that; how did you get in here?” he asked as he rummaged through a chest for a dry shirt. Her presence didn’t manage to improve his sour mood; it only agitated him more for some reason.
“I thought we could talk. Among other things.” She added and he turned to face her.
“First of all, you’re trespassing and second of all, you’re sitting on me bunk.” He said slowly and she frowned.
“I let you sleep in mine.” She pointed out.
“Yes, but this is my ship. No one sleeps in my bunk.” He said and she sat up, genuinely curious.
“Hmm, I see. Does it bother you that I am sitting where she sat?” she asked with a raised eyebrow but Jack frowned.
“You’re being ridiculous.” He stated with a grimace but he still glared at her for not standing up.
“Am I? She used to sleep on this bed, right? Do the sheets remind you of her? Smell like her perhaps?” Joan’s voice was not angry but it was sharp at the same time.
“I knew it was a mistake.” He muttered with a brief sigh as he turned and walked to his desk, trying to ignore the fact Joan’s scent was going to indeed dominate Bella’s scent.
“What was?” she asked from the bunk and he snarled at her.
“Shagging you.” He replied bluntly and she narrowed her eyes at him, “It encourages you to meddle with my business when you specifically know that I hate it. And you’re still sitting on my bed.” He drawled and she stood up.
“I don’t meddle. I am just observing.” She smirked nonplussed.
“I don’t care what you call it. Just stop doing it.” He snapped as he collapsed in his chair.
“She threw you out, didn’t she?’ Joan asked as she came to stand next to his desk.
“No, she didn’t. Not that it’s any of your business.” He added and she sighed.
“If you fancy her why don’t you just tell her?” she asked and he looked up at her thoughtfully.
“Since when did you stop being jealous of my affairs? If I recall correctly, you’ve accused me numerous times for my heinous misdeeds towards you.” He commented dryly.
“Well, you’re sulking and I detest it when you do it.” She said sweetly and he rolled his eyes.
“If she didn’t throw you out, we’re at an advantage then.” She continued cheerily and he looked up at her. Her smile made him suspicious and weary.
“What are you talking about?” he asked her suspiciously.
“The map that mutt gave you is a fake, right?” she started and he nodded.
“Aye.”
“Then the original must be somewhere in that house.” She smirked and he blinked up at her. He stared at her blankly for a while and she chuckled. Finally his eyes widened and he shook his head.
“Absolutely not!” he exclaimed, already knowing what was on her mind.
“Why not? I am sure she would help you. Let you in when they are not there so we can get the authentic one.”
“I am not using her that way.” He deadpanned.
“I am not telling you to use her. Just convince her to let you in. She owes you that much.” Joan frowned.
“She doesn’t owe me anything. I kidnapped her, I-…” he stopped himself before he could say more.
“You still owe me money, Jack.” She reminded him and he sighed, “I am sure that if you charm your way around her she will help you.”
“I am not doing it. And she’d never do it too. She probably hates my guts right now.” He muttered and Joan chuckled.
“No, she doesn’t. God, men are idiots.” She stated loudly before she headed for the door.
“Oi! What does that mean?” Jack called after her and she paused.
“If you don’t know, then I can’t tell you. Just think about it.” She called without looking back before she walked out of his cabin.

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A few weeks later…

The kitchen was dark when Bella walked in. There was light coming from the windows but it was not enough for her to make tea. Nellie had gone to bed hours ago so it wasn’t surprising that Mr. Stevenson asked her for some late evening tea. She was glad of the diversion though. It made her stop thinking about certain things.
She poured water in a pot for the tea and waited until it brewed before she placed a steaming cup on a tray and headed towards the door. She looked over her shoulder once to make sure the kitchen door that led to the back garden was closed before she walked away. She never checked to see if it was locked though.


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When she walked towards the door of her bedroom it was after midnight. She could hear the snores coming form James’ room and she smiled to herself because he always whined that he did not snore. It was funny how he could be offended by that and not by the fact that everyone called him petulant and selfish. Because he was but he could also be considerate; when he wanted at least.
She opened her door and entered her room, softly closing the door behind her, finally blocking out his snores. She walked blindly to her small closet and started removing her dress. She shivered and quickly put on her nightdress before she tiptoed to her bed. She reached for the matches and quickly lit one of the candles on her nightstand. As she turned to reach her bed she tripped over something and let out a loud yelp.
Her yelp was followed by a male low chuckle. Her head shot up at the sound and her eyes widened at the sight.
“Damn, those boots ruined it for me. I was eagerly waiting for the moment you’d lie on the bed and finally notice me.” Jack drawled as he looked up at her from her pillows.
Bella stared at him, not knowing what to say. She closed her mouth and pushed his boots away from her feet angrily.
“How long have you been in here? Why are you here? Were you watching me change?’ she exclaimed in a low voice and he grinned.
“Well, I couldn’t see much anyway. No need to panic, love.”
“Don’t call me that!” she snapped but he kept grinning, his eyes sparkling in a familiar way that made her heart ache. How could he come and go so easily was beyond her.
“Why not, love?” he asked like he was really curious.
“How did you get in here? I had locked the window.”
“I noticed that.” He said with a frown, “I had to use the door instead.”
“What door?” she asked with panic in her voice.
“Kitchen.” He said nonchalantly while inspecting his fingernails.
“You can’t do that, Jack! That’s trespassing.” She said quietly but he simply shrugged, “You can’t just come into my room whenever you like.” She specified and he looked up at her at that.
“Would you let me in if I knocked on the window then?” he asked not bothering to sit up from his reclined position.
“I don’t know. What I do know is that you have no right to insult me like that.” She said as she averted his eyes from his increasingly intense stare.
“Insult you? How do I insult you?” he asked angrily.
“By coming here like this! Who do you think I am? I am not like Joan.” She said as she balled her hands into fists.
“What does that mean?” he growled and she pursed her lips.
“You know exactly what it means. So I am going to ask again, why are you here?”
“To see you.” He said as he rolled onto his stomach and pushed towards her.
“To see me? The last time I saw you, you told me to rot.” She said just as he managed to grab the fabric of her dress in his hand.
“Come on, love.” He sighed as she yanked her nightdress out of his grip, “I didn’t mean it.” He murmured as he looked up at her sadly.
“You didn’t? Then why did you say it?” she asked and he turned his head slightly to the side. His scar was visible from that angle.
“You know that I usually say things I don’t mean. It shouldn’t surprise you.” He said quietly.
“It doesn’t. I am just wondering why you are here.”
He looked up at her in shock, “You knew I didn’t mean it.” He stated and she nodded, “Then why are you so mad that I am here?” he asked perplexed.
“Because I don’t want you here.” At her words his face hardened and an almost wounded expression took over his face.
“I see.”
“No, you don’t!” she snapped and she rubbed her temples, trying to find the right words, “You don’t understand. I don’t like you doing this.” She said at last and he seemed lost, too lost for his character.
“Sneaking into the house.”
“No!” she snapped again and she briefly wondered if she was being too loud.
“Then what? I am trying to understand you, Bella.” He sighed.
“You can’t just come back here, make me believe that you care and then leave me with a few cruel words. I haven’t done anything to you! I am trying to understand why you come here but I can’t.”
“Bella, you know why I am here.” He spoke quietly but she shook her head.
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, you do.” He said through gritted teeth as he stood up from her bed and came to stand in front of her.
“You know why I am here. And you know why I’ll keep coming back no matter what we say to each other.” His voice was hoarse as his hands reached out to grab her arms tightly.
“No, I don’t.” she shook her head weakly.
“Yes, you do.” He shook her slightly as he held her before he quickly reversed their positions and the back of her knees hit the bed. His voice had gained volume and it brought butterflies of both panic and excitement in Bella’s stomach. The last thing she wanted was for everyone to know that he was in the house.
“Keep your voice down.” She hissed as she tried to get his hands off her arms.
“You want me to keep my voice down?” he snapped behind his teeth as he suddenly pushed her on the bed and quickly let go of her. She landed on her back against the mattress and she gasped loudly when she felt his body covering hers. His legs forced themselves between her knees and he used them to pry her legs open. He settled between them and let his weight fall on her, pressing her hard against the mattress.
“I shall then.” He muttered before he placed his hand on her neck and used his grip to keep her face still. Bella’s eyes widened at the force of his grip and at the possessiveness she could see reflecting in his eyes. Before she had a chance to speak, to tell him to calm down he had pressed his lips against hers. She gasped against his mouth and at the sound, his lips parted and moved over hers, warm and wet, as his free hand fisted the covers next to her shoulder.
Bella’s hands grabbed the coat at his sides and held on as he deepened the kiss. The hand on her neck relaxed when she timidly responded to the kiss and reached up to cup her cheek instead. His fingers were warm and calloused against her cheek and she found herself leaning into his touch. He moaned low and deep against her lips and he pulled his hand from fisting the covers to fisting her hair instead. His fingers twisted into her locks almost painfully but she didn’t mind because his lips were still kissing her and he was there, pressing her hard into the mattress, anchoring her to him.
His lips pulled away and he gasped for air, his breath warm and moist hitting her red, from his kiss, lips. Her hand left his coat and slid up to his cheek before it slipped to the back of his neck. His eyes opened and he stared down at her before he leaned down and dragged his lips from the corner of her mouth to her cheek and then to her ear.
“I want you so much, love. Always have.” He murmured hoarsely as his lips found the spot beneath her ear. Bella’s chest heaved as she fought for breath and her fingers tightened against the back of his neck. His hand left her cheek and slid down to her hip and then to her thigh. It slipped lower and gripped her knee tightly.
“Jack.” She breathed his name and he shuddered when her lips pressed a kiss against his scarred cheek. His mouth parted and he groaned as he pressed it against her neck fleetingly. He found her lips with his own again and kissed her long and deep. He bit down on her lip and then soothed the sore skin with his tongue. Her hands gripped his back tightly and he moaned as the action brought his pelvis closer to hers.
With alarmingly rapid speed he rolled them over until she was resting on top of him, sitting on his thighs. His hands gripped her back and pulled her down against him as he continued kissing her. He pressed up against her, bucking under her in order to get closer and she groaned, breaking the kiss to gasp for air as his hands grabbed her hips, grinding her down onto him. His lips sought her neck again and he released her hip so he could reach for his shirt. He pulled it up and grabbed onto her hand. He laced her fingers with his and brought their joined hands beneath his shirt to his chest. He pressed her palm flat against the center of his chest and moaned when her fingers caressed his warm skin gently. His eyes squeezed shut and his back arched off the bed as he held onto her wrist like a lifeline.
“I burn for you, love.” He whispered against the skin of her neck as her fingers explored the long thin scar across his abdomen. She sucked in a sharp breath both at his words and at the feeling of the uneven skin under her fingertips and shook her head while at the same time burying her face into the crook of his neck.
“Will you tell me how this happened? Who did it?” she asked ignoring the blush his words brought onto her cheeks.
“No.” he murmured as he bit down on her shoulder and tugged at her nightdress, “It does not matter.”
“It matters to me.” She said as she pressed down against him, willing him to answer her.
“Are you still wondering why I am here?” he asked her instead, stubbornly ignoring the sweet ache her words brought into his belly.
“You…” she trailed off as he buried his face in her neck and gently sucked on her skin, “You wanted to see me.” She finished breathlessly and he grinned against her skin, not bothering to reply. He sucked harder and she wriggled in his lap as she gasped for air.
“Y-you can’t leave a mark!” she gasped as she grasped onto his arm and twisted her fingers around his loose shirt.
“Of course I can.” He murmured as he soothed the red skin with his tongue.
“Everybody will know what I was doing.” She gasped as his lips trailed kisses up her jaw.
“Good.” He smirked.
“Do you want me to loose my position?” she asked as she grabbed onto his shirt tighter.
“No.”
“Then stop biting and sucking!” she laughed as he did just that before he placed his lips on hers again.
“Say sucking again.” He murmured huskily and she went as red as a tomato.
“No.” she yelped and he let his head fall back onto the pillow as he bit his lip and looked up at her.
“There is indeed a mark appearing.” He teased as he brushed his finger over the red spot on her neck, “It will be rather obvious.” He said with a mischievous smile and she playfully pinched his stomach.
“I knew it!” she exclaimed in a hushed voice as she subconsciously touched her neck. He chuckled and grabbed her hand, stilling her movements, “Come here.” He breathed as he pulled her down towards him. Bella hesitated before she leaned into him. The movement of her body sliding against his brought a hiss to his lips and he grabbed her around the waist.
“I can’t stay long.” He started hoarsely and she swallowed hard before she nodded her in understanding.
“But before I leave…” he pressed a kiss to her parted lips and then traced the lower one with his thumb, “I want one of those…” he traced the mark on her neck softly before he smirked up at her, “On me.” He finished and she gulped.
“You want me to…” she trailed off and he nodded eagerly, his eyes ablaze.
“Aye.” He exhaled as he placed his hand at the back of her head and pulled her forward while he tilted his head invitingly, “Mark me. It’s only fair, eh?” he said as he looked at her sideways. Bella tried to control her breathing and as she kissed his lips first she realized that she wanted to touch his skin. He returned the kiss enthusiastically and her mouth left his to trail down his cheek. His breath hitched as her soft lips slid towards his neck. His hands clasped her hips as her mouth fell open over the pulse spot on his neck and sucked gently at first and then harder. His mouth fell open and he moaned as his nails bit into her hips through her clothing. His hips bucked wildly under her as sensation rushed through him from his neck to his belly and down to his toes.
“That’s it, sweetheart…” he groaned as her lips fisted onto his neck. When it became too much his hand delved into her hair and he reluctantly pulled her away from his skin. He pressed a hard kiss to her mouth and rolled them over before he broke from her lips to press his forehead against her own. They both breathed raggedly and he chuckled as he noticed her flushed face. He pressed a kiss onto the tip of his nose and then rolled away from her to rest onto his back.
“Mission accomplished?” he asked hoarsely as he turned to look at her with a smirk.
“I think so.” She whispered and he grinned widely.
“Got to go!” he exclaimed quickly as he stood up and fixed his shirt. He pulled on his boots while she watched him, cheeks still flushed and breathing still uneven.
“No sword?” she asked but then he winked and kneeled next to the bed. He disappeared from her view for a moment and then reappeared with his pistol and hat in hand.
“Ain’t going nowhere without me pistol.” He whispered conspiratorially and she smiled.
“Understandable.”
He grinned at her and then headed for the door. He paused just as she was ready to call him back.
“Wrong way. Doors are for visitors but I am trespassing, right?” he winked again as he walked to her window and pulled it open.
“Don’t lock the window again, savvy?”
He tipped his hat at her and blew her a kiss before he jumped out of the window. Bella hurried out of the bed and she had enough time to see him walking through the garden towards the back entrance of the house.


End of chapter 30