A high pitched shrieking of some sort rattles obnoxiously against my ear drum. My body instinctively jumps off the warm mattress in search of the sound, ignoring my pounding temples and inability to actually open my eyes. That's when I realize I'm falling and I'm fucked.
"Oooooof," I groan involuntarily as my bare back smacks against the ice cold wooden floor.
My eyes squeeze together tightly as the shooting pain disperses violently against my spine all while that damn shrieking still rings loudly through the room. I scramble quickly to my knees and finally pry open my eyes, squinting terribly against the warm morning sun beating through the windows.
My very naked breasts press into the mattress as my hands drag against the cool white linen in search for my phone that insists on screaming just to agitate this deadly hangover. I lift the thin sheet and find my phone lighting up against a smooth pale back. The long exposed flesh is still rhythmically rising and falling at a slow and steady pace, informing me that my one night stand is still very much asleep.
My nose crinkles out of fear of being caught as I slowly reach out and snatch my phone back. I quickly answer the call to insure that the person won't call back immediately. I pull away from the bed and abruptly jump to my feet. I cradle the phone between my shoulder and my cheek as I rummage the hardwood floor for my discarded clothes from last night.
"Hello? Hold on one sec," I whisper into the phone as I gather my sundress and flimsy flip flops.
I glance over my shoulder to find the messy blonde bun still firmly pressed into the pillow, drawing out a slow and deep exhale from my lips. The sheet is barely clinging to her prominent hip bone, covering up her cute little bottom. Her spine is slowly making itself known with every breath she takes.
Thank god she's still asleep.
"Why are you whispering? What is going on over there? Are you behaving or am I going to have to drag you back home?" My father's stern voice interrupts my trance that's so fixated on the cute blonde still miraculously asleep.
I smile one last time in Tink's direction before I slip out of her bedroom and softly close the door behind me. Now that I'm completely sober I'm fairly certain that woman fake named me. I mean what the hell kind of name is Tink anyhow?
"I'm fine dad," I insist as I slip my legs back into my dress and wiggle my body hazardously until I'm fully dressed. "Why are you calling so early?" I demand as I toss my sandals onto the floor and slide my feet into position.
From the other side of the door, I hear a groan informing me that the blonde is beginning to wake up. My eyes double in size as my feet instinctively scurry toward the front door. I know my father is on one of his rants in my ear but all I can hear is the pounding of blood in my ears from the fear of being caught sneaking out at six o'clock in the morning.
My hand slowly reaches out for the doorknob and at a snail like pace, I open the door just far enough for me to slip out. I softly close the door, jump off the deck and run as fast as my feet can carry me.
"Dammit Emma, answer me!"
"What?" I snap back, fully annoyed from my nosy father and his insistent ways while I'm practically dying from a hangover.
My temples are beating harder than any drum in a rock band and my mouth tastes as though I inhaled a dumpster truck last night. My heart is racing faster than my feet, in a marathon to my first heart attack. I can smell the alcohol seeping through my pours along with sweat and sex from my one night stand. I can only assume what my hair looks like right now. Instantly, my hand reaches out to force my unruly waves back down even though I know there's no taming these locks from the sex I encountered last night.
"Emma, I don't feel comfortable with this trip, will you please come home now?" My dad tenderly requests once again causing me to sigh heavily and slow down my pace.
I glance up through my thick eyelashes and stare out into the ocean. I kick off my flip flops and bend down to pick them up with my free hand. I step cautiously over the thick ropes and allow my feet to sink into the sand, still cool from the night.
"Dad, it's only been two weeks since I left. I told you this is something I need to do," I explain for what feels like the millionth time since I left home. "I mean it, I'm staying for the entire summer."
My feet absorb the tiny sand particles as I drag them slowly across the beach. The tranquil sounds of the waves crashing against the shore is enough to wash away all my stress. My shoulders slump as I exhale slowly and finally relax for the first time since I was awoken fifteen minutes ago.
My father's frustrated sigh resonates loudly through the line and despite our many miles apart, I feel as though he's right here with me.
"Neal stopped by," he announces with a hint of hope perking up his tone.
"Why?" I deadpan and furrow my eyebrows as I approach the shoreline.
"He misses you Emma. You two have been together since you were sixteen," my father softly speaks and I know it's to keep me from lashing out irrationally.
"Correction, we were together. Both of you should probably come to terms with this by now. We are no longer together," I scoff as I drop to my bottom, molding my ass into the sand below.
I pull my knees up and bury my toes into the wet sand. I drop my sandals next to me and watch intently as the waves roll in. The white caps slowly riding the top of the lazy wave, the ocean still calm from the night. The warm sun is just hovering above the horizon, the rays kissing my face gently and sending a rush of heat to warm up my tired limbs.
"I don't see why you just didn't take him along on the trip," my dad replies with his annoyance lacing each word, further agitating me.
"I told you why. I needed time and space. I needed to see the world and explore my freedom before I settle down. I-I don't want to..." I pause and swallow hard to clear the lump slowly building in the back of my throat. My vision immediately blurs as thick tears fill my eyes, but I fight them back. I find a stick nearby and distract myself with drawing random patterns into the sand. "I'm done explaining myself dad. Either you get it or you don't, but I'm done trying to convince you this is the right choice for me."
"I understand Emma. I do...I'm sorry, I shouldn't be relying on you so much. You're twenty four years old, you should experience life while you are young and free."
I smile in response even though he can't see my face through the phone. My hand drags the stick against the wet sand as another wave creeps toward my feet. The water tickles my toes as it pulls back and sweeps away some of the sand beneath my feet.
"Just please tell me you are safe," my father pleads when the silence has finally stretched on too far.
My hand releases the stick before my arms wrap around my knees. I drop my chin to my forearm and sharply inhale the salty morning air.
"I promise I'm safe. I'm in Greece right now, but I think I'm leaving later this morning to Sicily," I reiterate my schedule yet again.
Even though I cannot see my father's face, I can hear the smile breaking across his lips. "How was Greece? Your mother and I always wanted to go."
My chest tightens but I ignore the unwanted pain and bury my face into my lap. "It's beautiful," I admit and allow my eyes to flutter closed.
"I'm proud of you Emma," he whispers into the phone, sending a warm tingle to fill my broken heart, mending all those cracked pieces back together...for now.
"I love you dad, but I really need to get a move on if I'm going to make that ferry."
"Alright. Stay safe and have fun. I love you Ems."
"I'll talk to you soon. Bye."
My dad mutters his goodbye as well before I hang up the phone. A warm gentle breeze blows around me and I swear it wraps around my body like an old familiar hug. My throat tightens and those damn tears are back again because I know I can feel her. She's whispering into the wind that everything is going to be just fine, but more importantly, she's here with me.
I close my eyes and allow the presence to engulf me in a loving hug. When the wind dies down and my messy locks stop blowing, I push myself up and begin walking back to my hotel room.
XXXXXXXXX
"What do you mean?" I whine as I stand in front of the ticket booth, I glance at the rather small ferry rocking slowly against the dock. "There's absolutely no ferries from here to Sicily?"
"Like I said, if you want to go to Sicily, you have to take this ferry to Italy and then another one from Italy to Sicily."
"Ugh," I groan and stomp my foot against the wooden planks below. "Dammit!"
With every purchase I make on this spontaneous trip, I have to be well aware of my money. I only have so much and I really need it to last, I already know sometime during this vacation I will need to find a part time job to continue until the middle of August. So having to purchase two ferry tickets instead of one does not bode well for me.
"Excuse me," a sweet familiar voice murmurs behind my shoulder, stirring an unsettling sensation in my chest. I quickly whip around and instantly panic when I discover Tink lingering behind me. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," she chuckles softly with a shy smile gracing her lips.
I swallow my anxious nerves because I truly thought I'd never have to see her again. "Tink," I screech in a tone that expresses just how uncomfortable I am. My cheeks flush from embarrassment and I try desperately to maintain eye contact so I don't further embarrass myself. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to say goodbye...you did tell me you were leaving to Sicily this afternoon. Besides, you snuck off rather early this morning," she calls me out without a moment for me to even breathe through my initial shock of just her presence alone.
"I...well...yes, um..." I fumble through my words to my own mortification and scrape the back of my mind for some coherent sentence.
"Relax," she drawls through her thick Australian accent that does more to my body than I care to admit. "I'm just teasing, you look like a runner anyways, especially after you confessed it was your first time with a woman right before...well you know," she smirks proudly as a burst of heat surges through my chest, up my neck, paints my cheeks and burns my ears.
My eyes shift nervously around to make sure nobody heard her carefree admission and of course there are a few strangers gawking with amusement dancing in their eyes. I clear my throat and try my very best to seem unaffected even though I'm sure my body is about to burst into flames from this uncomfortable heat.
"I just needed to go back to my hotel and pack so I could make this ferry." I nod my head toward the end of the dock and watch as Tink's stunning blue eyes drift in the direction of the ferry.
She smirks and breathes out a small laugh through her nose. "You mean the ferry that's already leaving?" Her blue irises dance maliciously as she nods her head toward the end of the dock.
My head snaps to its own accord to find my ride leaving without me. "No!" I whine and drop my duffel bag on the dock below. "This is just my luck! Why am I jinxed?" My head falls back and I just stare aimlessly at the blue sky above, hoping to keep any tears from springing to life and further embarrassing me.
Suddenly I feel a soft caress against my bicep. "Hey, don't worry." Her gentle hands sweeps up my arm and squeezes with purpose. "I know a guy."
"You know a guy," I breathe out, but keep my eyes strained to the endless blue above.
"Yeah, he's a bit annoying and comes on too strong, but I promise he's a nice guy and he will take you to Sicily."
"Just like that?" I question suspiciously as my head slowly falls to meet her concerned gaze.
"I mean you'll probably owe him a blowy, but.." my face instantly scrunches painfully in distaste. "I'm kidding!" She shrieks with a playful grin while her thumb strokes across my heated flesh. "Come on, his boat is just on the other side of the dock." Her hand falls from my arm as she spins around, barefoot, and begins leading me toward her friend. I reluctantly snatch my bag and hoist it over my shoulder as I stomp behind my fling.
I don't normally sleep with random strangers, because I was with Neal, my high school sweetheart, since I was sixteen. Now I'm twenty four and can't help but feel like maybe I missed out on life. There was always a nagging, whispering thought in the back of my mind, wondering what it would feel like to be tangled up with a cute girl. So last night when Tink approached me in some dive bar, I easily flirted back and followed her home like a lost puppy.
I never thought an adorable girl like her would ever give me the time of day, but she offered her full attention, with those gorgeous blue eyes staring deeply into mine as I spoke and I was putty in her hands. Especially that accent, the moment she mumbled her first word, a switch was flipped in my head, turning on my arousal state to its max, forcing my thighs to clench painfully together.
Even though I found her utterly attractive, that's all this fling was, attraction. We both were searching for a good time knowing we would both be leaving Greece today. She was headed to New Zealand and I was deporting to my next destination on my bucket list, Sicily.
"So are you okay?" Tink sheepishly questions when the silence has stretched on for far too long.
We pad across the dock as the water crashes below us and I sigh heavily. "I'm just fine," I lie and hike my bag higher upon my shoulder.
"Are you confused about last night? Being your first time and all?"
"No," I quickly blurt out because I'm truthfully not. "I just wasn't expecting to see you again."
"No worries, I won't be stalking you or anything. I leave for New Zealand tonight," she casually explains as we approach a rather small looking boat.
I stop dead in my tracks and examine this rickety boat that's suppose to travel six hours in the ocean with me aboard. The small white boat bobs up and down with each motion of the ocean. The large white sails are flapping in the wind causing the ropes to slap against the poles.
"Killy!" Tink yells playfully to summon her friend as she steps onto the boat. My feet remain glued to the dock as I attempt to hold down my sundress that's blowing obnoxiously in the wind.
"Aye! Tink, is that you?" A man with an adorable British accent pops his head out from under his deck below.
My first response is for my jaw to pop open from his obvious handsome good looks, but I refrain. His bright blue eyes sparkle, matching the ocean behind him. His jet black hair contrasts beautifully against the thin white button down that's overly see through. The moment he spots me standing awkwardly behind Tink, he flashes me his most charming smile.
"Killian," Tink begins with a smug smirk, "This is my friend Emma Swan. She needs a ride to Sicily, you think you can help her out?"
Killian climbs out from his hole and instantly engulfs the tiny blonde into a friendly hug. She squeezes him tight showing off her affection for the man and quickly pecks his cheek. He sets Tink down gently and hooks an arm around her shoulders.
"This your friend, mate?" He questions through a wide goofy grin as his eyes scan my body shamelessly. I squirm under his scrutiny and wish I had chosen shorts instead of a flowing dress.
"Yup," Tink confirms and slaps her palm against his scruffy chest.
"She's cute. How friendly were you with her last night?" He asks teasingly earning himself a sharp slap from the smaller woman. "Hey, I'm just teasing," he laughs as he rubs the inflicted area. He untangles himself from his friend and takes a few steps toward the edge of his boat. His hand pokes out toward me and he smiles kindly in my direction. "Killian Jones."
My lips twist as I eye the man suspiciously, deciding if I want to trust not only him, but his shitty boat as well. I roll my eyes at my own hesitation because this is my vacation and I promised myself that I was going to live it up to the fullest. My hand quickly jerks outward as I accept his gesture and shake his hand.
"Emma Swan."
"Nice to meet you, Emma." I retract my hand but his palm is still open and waiting for something. "Your bag," he kindly states, but I shake my head rejecting his offer.
"I got it," I confirm and carefully step onto his boat, provoking Killian to take a step back.
"And this here is the Jolly Roger," he smiles proudly as he gestures around the boat.
My lips press firmly together to keep my snarky comments at bay. I nod along but I don't trust myself to open my mouth, knowing my luck I'll say something stupid and be kicked to the curb before I even have a chance at my ride.
"Alright, well I should be heading back," Tink announces as her bare feet pad across the boat. She leans into my personal space and quickly pecks my cheek. "Nice meeting you," she whispers seductively in my ear, instantly making me blush once again.
"You too," I croak out before she hops off the boat and waves goodbye to Killian and I. "So," I drag out the simple word and nervously hitch the bag higher upon my shoulder again.
"So," he smirks and spins around on his tip toes. "Right this way Swan, you can put your bag down here."
I gulp down all my trepidation about this awkward situation and take a deep steady breath before I follow the stranger. I cautiously step down the wooden stairs into a very tight area with only one bed and a door jammed into the corner.
"Bed," Killian blatantly points out. "Bathroom," he says as he points to the door I know I will have to squeeze through to fit inside. "My humble abode," he states happily. "Toss your bag next to the bed and make yourself at home while I set sail."
"Okay," I whisper as he begins climbing the stairs again. "Thanks Killian," I quickly shout, suddenly remembering my manners.
"Don't mention it," he winks before he completely disappears.
I toss my bag aimlessly to the floor as I was instructed to do and slump down onto the strange man's bed. I did exactly what every parent and teacher beats into each child's head, never follow a stranger into their creepy van, except this time it's a rickety boat. I didn't even ask if this man is a pervert, I just blindly followed him onto his boat. A boat in which will probably fall apart the moment we hit a small wave.
I groan and fall back onto the bed, berating myself for my naive thoughts. I sling my arm over my face and hide my shame because I just promised my dad I was going to be safe.
Idiot!
XXXXXXXXX
After some convincing, I joined Killian up top for lunch. I sat quietly with my legs crisscrossed, near the front of the boat while Killian sat across from me. His baby blue eyes were burning a hole right through me and I honestly couldn't take his longing looks any more. I tossed my sandwich down onto my plate and brushed my hands to clear the crumbs.
"Why do you keep looking at me like that?"
"Like what?" He quickly defends but holds my stern gaze.
"You know..." I gesture toward his face hoping he will understand what I'm trying to explain. "Like that," I demand coldly causing him to burst out into laughter.
"You're a feisty one, aren't you Swan?" He smiles, too proud and too full of himself, inspiring my eyes to roll in annoyance. He takes a giant bite out of his sandwich and continues to stare.
"You're annoying," I snap as I pick up my sandwich and take a generous bite.
"So I'm told," he laughs, completely unaffected by my words. "And you're cute." He takes another bite as I fight every desire itching my fingertips to push him overboard. "So tell me little pirate, how come Sicily?"
"Pirate?" I question as I cork up one eyebrow.
"Yeah," he chuckles to himself and leans forward. "You made yourself at home on my ship and stole the precious jewel," I continue to stare in confusion, never responding verbally as his face grows serious. "You stole my heart."
I roll my eyes again and throw my sandwich at his face. "You are so cheesy. Tink was right about you. You come on way too strong."
Killian only laughs in response while he gathers my lunch that fell apart in his face. He quickly stacks the ingredients back together and places it gently upon my plate.
"So little pirate, how come Sicily?" He asks again.
"I don't know," I shrug because truthfully I haven't a clue. "I just need a break from home and I knew I wanted to travel around these little islands. I started off in England which was was fun, Greece was beautiful but Sicily," I shrug again still unsure where I'm headed with this conversation. "It just calls to me."
"I understand. These parts are absolutely breathtaking," he softly admits, grasping my full attention from the sincerity in his voice. My eyes flick toward his but he's no longer staring like a creep, his eyes are fixated to the endless ocean that surrounds us. "I'm from England, but ever since I turned eighteen, I've been traveling all around by my boat."
"Is that why you were so willing to take me?"
"Yeah, I take people all around. I never decline an opportunity to set sail to a new destination."
"That must be so..." the words die on my tongue as I try to come up with a word that would justify the feeling warming my heart.
"Exhilarating. Freeing. Satisfying," Killian rambles off his choice of words as he continues to stare off into the distance.
"Yes, all of those things."
XXXXXXXXX
I take a shaky step off the boat and groan from the ache between my legs. Two nights in a row each with a different person, I'm officially a slut and this secret shall die with me.
I stumble onto the dock because of the klutz that I am and flush crimson, hoping Killian didn't see me almost eat shit.
"You alright there Swan?" He asks in a concerned tone eliciting another groan from my throat.
"Yeah I'm all good," I mumble as I turn around to face him.
I wince when I notice his appearance in broad daylight. His bathing suit bottoms are hanging rather low off the side of his hip while his button up shirt is only being held together by one button that's so obviously in the wrong spot. My eyes wander up to his jet black hair that is sticking out in every which way and anyone would be stupid if they didn't know that was just fucked hair.
"Well I wish you luck Swan. I have to be heading back before the storms roll in."
"Storms?" I question as I peer up into the baby blue sky, not a cloud above. "Uh Killian, the sky is clear."
"Just you wait," he smiles confidently and begins steering his boat away from the dock. "Nice meeting you Swan," he shouts with a proud smile, just like Tink. I should probably just throw myself off this dock right now to hide away from another embarrassing one night stand.
"Bye Killian," I say instead and turn on my heels.
I'm surrounded by the most stunning blue-green ocean that allows me to see straight to the bottom, but my eyes are somehow drawn to the old cream colored buildings, hovering over me. My breath actually floats away as I'm caught in this trance of beauty.
My lips slowly curl into a smile as a warm gentle breeze passes by me and I know I'm where I need to be. An overwhelming amount of energy surges through my body and my feet take off toward the quant little town.
I trek through the village of Catania, completely enthralled by all the old buildings and the buzz of people shuffling around. I'm not exactly sure how long I walk for before I find a place that appears to be a hotel of some sort.
"Excuse me," I softly speak as I enter the run down building. An elderly Sicilian woman with big brown eyes and a head full of silver hair, glances up from behind the counter. I timidly place my hands down on the counter and smile sweetly because she's eyeing me very suspiciously. "Do you have any available rooms here?"
"Scusami," the woman replies with one eyebrow raised in questioning.
I twist my lips wondering if she speaks English at all. "Um..." I nervously bite my lip as her cold hard gaze stares upon me and I feel like I'm about to crack under the pressure and dart out of this place.
"Do you only speak English, dear?" A soft voice stirs behind me.
I quickly whip around to discover a rather small woman peering up at me. She's old enough to be my mother, I notice right away from the very few gray hairs peeking through her chestnut brown hair. Her brown eyes are watching me carefully, waiting patiently for me to reply.
"Uh yes," I weakly answer, completely ashamed by my American culture. Now I know why they call us stupid Americans.
"Most people speak English here, but Rosalie is very old and set in her ways," the older woman smiles as her eyes drift passed me and land fondly upon the very old woman. I peek over my shoulder and watch with great interest as both women speak beautifully in Italian. The foreign language rolling graciously off their tongues in what only sounds like music to my ears. The younger of the two, smiles and turns her attention toward me yet again. "Rosalie's son usually runs this bed and breakfast but he's not in today. A room is about sixty five dollars a night."
"Oh...uh, that's a little bit much for me right now," I nervously answer but the kind woman is still smiling making me feel a little more at ease. "You're American," I comment as the woman nods in response. "Do you know any places I could work part time for the summer?"
The woman's grin spreads from ear to ear and reaches her big enchanting eyes. "I do," she spins around and heads toward the door, her finger curling, motioning for me to follow. "This way, dear."
I sigh and turn back around to Rosalie, "thank you," I mutter even though she probably doesn't understand a damn word.
"Medigan," Rosalie mutters under her breathe provoking my nose to crinkle in confusion, but I ignore the older woman and follow the strange lady out the door.
Another stranger I'm so blindly following.
I stumble back outside into the warm evening air and rush to follow along. "Um excuse me? What's your name?"
"It's Cora Mills my dear," the woman replies as her little legs walk at a pace that I don't believe is actually walking. "I have a barn up the hill, above the village. I need someone to help around the farm for the summer because my daughter isn't coming home like I anticipated to help out."
"Oh, cool." I pick up my pace upon the gravel pathway that's leading up a very steep hill. My eyes follow the beaten path and inhale sharply as I realize this is going to be a bitch to climb.
"Are you alright back there?" Cora calls over her shoulder as she is practically jogging with ease up the hill.
"Yeah, I'm good," I lie and push my body to climb this damn thing so I don't appear as a total idiot. This woman is probably double my age and is breathing like she's sitting down sipping tea. Fuck I'm out of shape. "So how old is your daughter?"
If Cora didn't want me to hear her or not, I still heard the soft sound of a giggle. "She's twenty six. Regina is in New York right now studying to be a doctor," the woman proudly states as we continue this path that the devil himself created.
"That's...nice," I pant as I gasp for air. "So...you live here, now...where are you originally...from," I stammer through my winded pipes.
"Maine." Cora abruptly stops and spins around looking calm and collective while I'm struggling for a single breath and sweat is starting to soak the back of my shirt. "Are you sure you are alright, dear?"
"Yeah," I fib again and wave off her concern, prompting the older woman to spin around and continue our journey.
"My husband and I traveled Europe when Regina turned eighteen, it was our twentieth wedding anniversary trip. We spent the entire summer visiting every country until our passports were full," she giggles softly as she reminisces about her past. "Anyway, I realized that life was too short and I wanted the simple life. Regina was moving to New York for school and our house was empty. At first we moved to Greece, but my ancestors are from Sicily and I simply just fell in love."
"I totally...understand..." I gasp as we reach the top of the hill. My arm drags across my forehead, wiping away the sticky sweat that's clinging to my hairline.
"You'll get used to the climb dear, it just takes time. This way, I'll show you to the barn and the attached room you will be staying in."
A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed the first chapter! If you have read my work before, you know Swanqueen is always end game, so please no negative comments about Emma or Regina sleeping with men when they are not together. I won't be describing those particular scenes, but there is no need for hate on heterosexual relationships. I do not condone hate of any kind. I don't mind constructive criticism but saying it's gross or makes you physically sick that they slept with a man is unnecessary. This story took a lot of time, dedication and research so I really hope everyone loves this story. Please let me know what you all think!