Misconception

Chapter 32

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” Bella laughed as James once again pushed his cup of ale towards her, willing her to take sip.
“No.” he said a little too brightly. He was getting tipsy.
“Then what?”
“I am betting that you can’t drink this in one go.” He smirked and she sighed.
“I can but I don’t want to.” She pursed her lips stubbornly.
“Oh, come on.”
“Can we go yet?” she changed the subject but he was having none of it.
“We’ll go when you finish this.” He said as tapped his fingers against the table.
“It’s getting late.” She insisted and he narrowed his eyes.
“Are you expecting someone back at home?”
“No.” she said it a little too quickly and she wanted to smack herself.
“Huh.” He voiced, “Will you do it then?” he asked again with a smirk and she was reminded of Jack. She groaned before she reached for the cup. She looked at it apprehensively before she brought it to her lips. She took a small sip before she pulled it away from her mouth.
“There. Satisfied?” she asked and he cocked his head to the side.
“You didn’t finish it but fine.” He chuckled before he reached with his hand for her face. He brushed his thumb against the corner of her mouth and she pulled back startled.
“I, uh…There was some on your lip.” He stammered as he pulled his hand back and looked away.
“James…” Bella started and he immediately looked at her. His eyes were wide and his cheeks a bit pink.
“Hmm?”
“What is this?” she asked softly as she pointed between them.
“What do you mean?” he asked her as he blinked in confusion.
“You asked me out to come here. As...what? Friends?” she asked him and he shifted nervously in his seat.
“Um…I guess.” He shrugged.
“Because that’s what I see you as.” She said quietly and he looked away as he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck; an obvious sign of discomfort.
“Okay.” He murmured as he looked down at his lap.
“Is it okay?” she asked as she placed a hand on his arm. He looked down at it and he covered it with his own.
“If that’s what you want.” He whispered with a small smile, “I guess I’m okay. I still get to tease you right? As friends.” He asked and she laughed.
“Sure. Just don’t overdo it.” She smiled and he nodded.
“I’ll try.” He grinned before he stood up, “Ready to go?”
“Yes.” She nodded as she took his hand and stood up.

****************************
“Goodnight.” Bella called back at James as she shut her door and leaned against it.
A noise from her bed startled her and she let out a loud gasp when she heard it.
“Back so soon, love?”
Light illuminated Jack’s features as he lighted up a match and lit the candle that was on her nightstand.
“Jack.” She let out a sigh of relief at the sight of him.
“Where were you?” he deadpanned and she blinked.
“Um, out.”
“Out where? I’ve been waiting for an hour.” He stated and she noticed that he still had his coat and hat on. That meant he was on edge.
Why?
“For dinner. How did you enter?”
“Through the back door. The house is empty.” He shrugged but his gaze was sharp, suspicious.
“You knew that?” she frowned.
“Aye. You told me the last time I was here that it would be. What you did not tell me is that you wouldn’t be here.” He narrowed his eyes, “Dinner with who?”
“Uh…” she wasn’t sure if she should tell him about James, “Alone.” She lied and he startled her again when he stood up suddenly and made his way towards her.
“Really?” he asked with a raised eyebrow as his eyes darkened.
“Then who were you saying goodnight to just a minute ago?” he hissed and she swallowed hard. She wasn’t good at lying.
“Um…”
“Liar. You’re as red as me bandana.” He said lowly, “And here I thought that I was the only one with a proclivity to deception.” He stepped even closer and she tensed at his furious expression.
“Fine. I was saying goodnight to James. Happy?” she asked and his eyes flashed.
“James? The horse boy?”
“Yes.”
“And…?”
“And what?”
“Me eyesight’s as good as ever, you know. You on the other hand…” he trailed off as he placed his hands on either side of her head against the door. She was trapped.
“What?” she blinked and he sneered.
“You didn’t see me?” he asked her or more like growled at her.
“See you where?”
“Jesus, Bella. I was in that tavern. I saw you with what’s-his-face.”
“James.” She corrected and he rolled his eyes, “No, I didn’t see you. Did you follow me?” she asked him with a gasp and he grimaced.
“No, not really. I just happened to pass by.” He looked at her innocently.
“You did follow me.”
“Did not!”
“You did.”
“Did not!”
“Why did you ask me if you already knew where I had been.” She asked with a sigh.
“I just wanted to see if you’d tell me the truth. And you didn’t.” he pointed out and she sighed, “Why? Are you with him or something?” he wrinkled his nose in disgust.
“No. And would you care if I were?” she asked him and he tensed and relaxed at the same time.
“Do you care if I’m with Joan?” he asked her instead and it was her turn to tense up.
“I…”
“I’ll answer you if you do.” He said quickly and she bit her lip.
“You know I care.” She whispered at last and he inhaled deeply before he closed his eyes. His eyes squeezed shut as he spoke.
“So do I.” he opened his eyes and smiled a crooked grin at her, “So, do I have to turn him into a girl any time soon?” he did a scissor-like movement with his fingers and she gasped.
“You’re a brute but no.” she retorted and he grinned before he let his hand fall onto the shawl covering her.
“Good.” He tugged at the fabric until it pooled around their feet. He slipped an arm around her back and he brought her to his chest as he started backing away from the door.
His lips parted as he stared down at her mouth and a minute later they were crushing against her own. Her eyes slid shut as he pressed his mouth against her lips and her arms slipped around his neck reflexively. His fingers found the laces of her dress on her back and he started undoing them with ease. He broke the kiss and she almost whimpered but he brought his mouth to her ear instead.
“Why did you lie to me?” he asked her as his hot breath fanned over her ear, making her shiver.
“Why do you always lie to me?” she pointed out breathlessly.
“Am not.” He shook his head.
“Right.” She scoffed as his lips trailed down her neck and his fingers loosened her dress enough for him to tug it down her shoulders.
“Why?” he repeated as he slipped his hand in the empty space between her back and her dress. His touch was warm and she pressed back against it, causing him to moan softly.
“I don’t know why.” She answered as his tongue lavished attention to the skin of her throat, “I didn’t want to make you mad.” She gasped as he bit her softly and then pressed a kiss on the tender spot.
He groaned as he pulled his lips away from her neck and kissed her lips. His hands pushed the dress down her sides and off of her before he pushed her towards the bed and crawled in after her.
“Good answer.” He murmured hoarsely as he climbed on top of her and settled on his knees above her. He reached for his coat and took it off before he threw it unceremoniously to the ground. His vest was next and then his shirt. Bella’s eyes were wide by the time he had reached for the fastenings of his breeches and undid his belt. Her fingers twitched at her sides and without realizing it her hands reached up to touch the skin of his chest. Her fingers touched the long thick line that trailed down his chest and his hands suddenly seized hers. Bella’s eyes locked with his dark ones and he smirked down at her. He leaned down so he was within her reach without difficulty and placed her hands on his chest.
“I didn’t lock the door.” She stuttered suddenly and he shrugged.
“Is it really necessary?” he asked her as he pressed his lips on her forehead tightly.
“Yes.” She murmured even as her hands trailed down his chest to his taut stomach. His chest vibrated with his chuckles as he reluctantly pulled away and went to lock the door.
“Satisfied?” he asked with mirth dancing in his eyes and she nodded dazedly as he took his place over her again, this time by parting her legs in order to settle between them. His hands touched her shift and he pulled it up and over her head before he threw it behind his back. It landed on top of his own pile of clothes.
His eyes darkened at the sight of her and his lips covered hers again. Her hands slipped around to his back as his fingers brushed over the skin of her breasts. His lips slid down her chin as she gripped him tightly and arched against him. His parted mouth found her breast and he groaned while she gasped. His hands gripped her sides and he pulled her tighter to him. Bella’s eyes squeezed shut and his previously occupied mouth found her lips again as his hands started exploring the contours of her hips and stomach. They dipped lower and pressed against her inner thigh, forcing her leg to move and leave him more room for exploration.
His tongue delved into her mouth just as his fingers dipped between her legs and encountered heated skin. Bella gasped and he smothered her gasp with lips and tongue. Her legs parted wider on their own volition before they clamped around his thighs. He broke the kiss to groan and pant for breath before he buried his face into the crook of her neck.
“Bloody hell, love.” He gasped before he forcefully pulled his hand away from between her legs and reached for his loosened breeches; “I need…” he trailed off just as her hands gripped his back again.
“Yes.” She breathed as he pushed the last piece of clothing away and resumed his place between her thighs.
His lips found hers again as he gripped her legs in his hands and pulled them up and around his waist. He let his hands fall on the pillow on either side of her head as he adjusted his hips and started pushing inside her. Her breath hitched as he pushed in slowly and her fingers grasped at the flexing muscles on his back. He broke the kiss, but kept his lips brushing against hers as he finally pushed fully into her and paused. Bella’s eyes opened and she stared up at his face which was a mixture of concentration, pain and pleasure. Her hips shifted as he remained still and he groaned before he suddenly pulled back and thrust forward again. At her gasp his eyes opened in alarm and locked with hers.
“You have to tell me if I’m too rough, you understand me?” he said hoarsely and she nodded as he set up a rhythm and pressed his lips on her sweaty forehead. As his thrusts slowly picked up, his hands gradually left the pillow to thread in her loose curls instead.
Bella’s breathing quickened and soon her hips were pushing up against his thrusts. Jack moaned loudly at the action and his right hand left her hair to grasp her thigh instead. He let his cheek rest against hers as he pulled her leg higher around his waist. She groaned in surprise as the action pulled him in deeper and he chuckled against her ear; the sound so deep and hoarse that it brought butterflies to her stomach.
“You like that?” he murmured as he kissed her cheek and then her closed eyelids. At her quick nod, he chuckled again and brought his mouth to her lips in a deep kiss. His hips grinded harder and quicker against her and soon the fire burning in her abdomen exploded and sent her tumbling over the edge and into his arms.
She vaguely felt him shaking against her a few moments later and her eyes opened when he collapsed on top of her in a spent heap of limps and sweat.
“Bella…” he murmured as he fought to catch his breath while his hand played with her hair that was still clutched between his fingers.
A small smile formed on her face as she slid her own hand into his hair and fingered his dark mass of locks. She shivered when she felt him press his lips onto her neck in a soft kiss and shifted her body so it rested in a more comfortable position.
Their unearthly silence was shuttered minutes later when they head a door slamming downstairs and a loud shot that echoed in the house.


End of chapter 32