Misconception

Chapter 31


The wind blew through the window and Bella shivered as she turned onto her side. She pulled the covers up her shoulders and snuggled deeper into her pillow. She emitted a soft sigh and started falling asleep again. She frowned when she heard a soft thud and immediately after she felt the bed dip behind her. Her eyes flew open when an arm snaked around her waist and a warm body pressed against her own.
“You shouldn’t leave the windows open, love. Who knows what vile men will try and enter your room.” A voice drawled into her ear and she struggled to turn around. The arm around her waist tightened at her attempts and she scoffed.
“Men like you perhaps?” she gasped when she felt his lips against the side of her neck.
“Whatever do you mean, love?” he murmured against her skin and she chuckled when he slightly bit her.
“The ones that grope and…oh…squeeze!” she exclaimed and he chuckled before he turned her around to face him.
“I am rather fond of groping and…squeezing.” He grinned as he trailed his hand down her thigh and squeezed it hard.
“I can see that.” She smiled just before his lips covered hers in a deep kiss. Her arms slipped around his neck and she arched her back, trying to bring herself closer to him. His arm slid around her back and he pulled her up to his chest as he intensified the kiss and hummed contentedly into her mouth. His hair fell around them like a curtain as he pressed her harder into the pillow and tightened his grip around her back.
Bella broke the kiss and opened her eyes to look up at him.
“You shouldn’t come here like this.” She whispered and his eyes slowly opened. They were dark and intense as he licked his lips and grinned lopsidedly down at her.
“Why?” he asked her as he let his fingers trace her face softly.
“Because someone might see you.” She answered with a frown and he leaned down to place a warm openmouthed kiss on her forehead.
“So what? They won’t catch me again, love.” He said as he let his lips longer on her skin, seemingly reluctant to pull away.
“How can you be so sure? What if James sees you? What if one of the Stevensons see you?” she asked worriedly as she played with the collar of his shirt.
“I think that you’re underestimating my ability of inconspicuousness.” He told her with a small frown and she laughed softly.
“You think? Why are you here anyway? Aren’t you suppose to be…I don’t know pirating and pillaging or something? Haven’t you found anyone else to kidnap?” she raised her eyebrows at him and he seemed offended.
“Of course I am still pirating and doing all the…thingies pirates do.” He huffed before his eyes widened.
“Oh, that reminds me!” he quickly rolled off of her and slipped his hand into his inner coat pocket.
Bella rolled onto her side and looked at him curiously as he groped around his pocket with pursed lips.
“Aha!” he exclaimed once he found out what he was looking for.
“What?” she asked as he took her hand and dropped velvet pouch onto her open palm, “What is this, Jack?” she asked him and he smirked.
“For you. Open it.” He ordered and she cautiously opened the ouch and emptied the contents in her hand. Her eyes widened as she stared at the object.
“Touch it. I assure you it is not cursed.” He laughed at her hesitation to touch it.
“It’s…for my hair?” she asked quietly as she gazed at the silver comb with amazement.
“Aye. I thought that the small… blue-ish gems would suit your eyes.” He cleared his throat uncomfortably as her gaze shifted to his face.
“Thank you.” She murmured softly as she looked at his gift, “But why?” she asked and he shrugged.
“Because I wanted to. Do I need a reason to get me lass a gift?” he asked nonchalantly and her heartbeat quickened at his words.
“I…” she failed to speak and she quickly shook her head, “Is it stolen?” she asked instead as color flooded her cheeks.
“It is…discovered.” He replied and she chuckled at his words.
“So it’s stolen.” She stated.
“You, lass, are ungrateful.” He told her with narrowed eyes that shone with amusement.
“Hmm.” She smiled as she reached over and kissed his scarred cheek, “I am not.” She pulled back and he grabbed the back of her neck tightly, halting her movement.
“I think I deserve a proper kiss, eh?” he murmured with a smirk before he pulled her lips to his. Bella laughed between kisses and curled her fingers around the small comb securely.

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“Jack!” Joan’s voice called and Jack paused. He groaned and rolled his eyes before he turned to her.
“Aye?”
“Where have you been?” she asked breathlessly as she came to stand in front of him.
“Out.” He replied gruffly, “What are you doing here? I thought you’d leave.” He looked over at her ship with a raised eyebrow.
“I told you that I’d stay until you’d get that map.” She replied as she scrutinized his face, “You were there, weren’t you?” she asked him and he sighed.
“If I have any improvements I’ll let you know.” He said, ready to walk away.
“Did toy tell her?” Joan asked impatiently and Jack’s mouth curled in anger.
“No.”
“So, will you follow my plan?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“Listen, I’ll do what I decide. But I am not using her to get to the damn map, which by the way you can have as soon as I get it. I have no wish to get involved with Blackbeard’s leftovers.” He shuddered at the thought of the other pirate.
“You’re scared of Blackbeard?” Joan asked with a chuckle.
“Not scared exactly. Just…wary.”
“Then how do you plan on taking the map? “
“I’ll…find a way.”
“You have to tell her.”
“I will.” He snapped and Joan looked at him wearily.
“Fine.”
“Are you done questioning me?” he asked her with a fake curtsy.
“I am. I suppose you don’t want me to join you in bed?” she asked and at his glare she snickered and backed away, “Fine, fine, you lovesick bastard.” She murmured to herself as she walked away.
“I heard that!” he snapped behind her before he stormed to his cabin and slammed the door shut.

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“Bella!” James rushed into the kitchen and Bella looked up from stirring the soup.
“Yes?’
“Will you come help me with the horses?” he asked breathlessly and she frowned.
“Me?”
“Yes. I have no one to help me with the water. Usually Dave does but…his back hurts too much.” James shrugged and Bella nodded.
“Okay.” She approached him and smiled, “Let’s go then.”
They walked in silence towards the stables and then proceeded to fill buckets with water for the horses.
“What’s wrong with him?” Bella asked as she pointed to Christopher’s horse. It was lying down, looking sleepy.
“Cinnamon?” James asked and Bella frowned at the name, “He’s a bit sick. But he is doing better. Don’t let his laziness fool you.” He chuckled as he leaned down and petted the horse.
“Oh. Who named him?” Bella asked as she placed a bucket down in front of Cinnamon.
“I did. No one could come up with anything good.” James grinned and Bella looked at him incredulously.
“And Cinnamon is good?”
“Hey, don’t insult his name!” James pointed at her and the horse whined and huffed in response as well.
Bella laughed and leaned down to stroke his neck, “Sorry, boy.” She told him softly before she stood up.
“Um…Bella?” James asked her hesitantly and she looked at him.
“Hmm?”
“You have this Sunday free, right?” he asked her as he fidgeted nervously.
“Um, yes. We all do. Since the house will be empty we are free to do as we please. Do you know why the Stevensons will be gone?” she asked curiously and James blinked.
“I think they have business in the country.” He replied as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Oh.” She nodded and then looked at him curiously, “Why did you ask me if I have the day free?”
“Oh, yes that. Well I was wondering if you’d like to…” he trailed off and grimaced.
“What?” she seemed amused at his inability to finish his sentence.
“I was thinking that we could go and eat together somewhere…Outside.” He finally got out and his cheeks were the slightest bit flushed.
“On Sunday? Um…in the evening?” she asked nervously and he nodded, his eyes wide and hopeful.
She couldn’t just refuse because despite his faults he was a good friend to her. What harm would it do to accept, right? She had nothing better to do anyways.
“You won’t take me to one of those awful taverns, right?” she joked and he looked relieved.
“Not really. Just a first class pub.” He grinned and she chuckled, “Is that a yes then?” he asked her and she smiled.
“I guess it is.” She replied and his whole face lit up.
“Good.”


End of chapter 31