Chapter One: The Barmaid and the Sailor
Emma was bored out of her brain as she wiped down the tavern bench. It was mid-week, so business was slow, but that was a relief to her. Maybe she could finally finish that book she'd been meaning to read for far too long.
She wasn't a fast reader. Having taught herself to read her own wanted posters as a child, her vocabulary wasn't the largest in the world. And don't even get her started on reading aloud.
She was just setting down to read when a rush of people came in through the door. She heard Ruby coming down the stairs once the sound was heard.
They were uniformed men; belonging to some navy that she didn't recognize. But that didn't matter. They were usually free with their coins for any manner of services – or some of them were. It depended upon whose navy it was.
These men had obviously just fulfilled a mission or captured a pirate ship for they were in high spirits. Ruby and Emma quickly grabbed their trays of ale and headed out, taking one group each. Maybe if they got drunk quickly enough, they'd leave and she'd finally be able to read.
But as she handed out their mugs of ale, they greeted her with wide grins. Many were quite good-looking, she realized with a start, her keen eyes perusing the group with interest. Perhaps, if there was a little extra money to be made…
Emma sat back and watched them for a while. She wasn't as obvious as Ruby, who kept fluttering her eyelashes at a handsome man at her table, her dress decidedly lower than it should be. She had one goal and one goal only.
She bit down on her lip as she considered it, her eyes glazing over. Maybe she shouldn't. It was always good while it lasted, but then there were those who came back and expected repeat performances; like she owed them something. But she owed them nothing. This was her place.
So she should have been paying attention when a young man came up to the counter. She'd missed his arrival, but when he shot her a wide smile, she was definitely attentive.
"What can I do for you?" she enquired, taking in his appearance with a smooth once over. He had luscious dark hair, pulled back into a ponytail at the back of his head and his eyes were the most astonishing shade of blue – reminiscent of the sea upon which he sailed. She didn't realize he'd been speaking – eyes fixated on his lips for too long. She finally heard him saying, "Hello…"
"Sorry!" Emma answered, her face flushing in embarrassment. She noticed his head ducking as he hid his own flush. Oh. An innocent. This would be interesting.
"Not to worry love," he answered. Oh gods, his voice. It was like smooth silk. She could only imagine what that would sound like whispered in her ear as he hovered over her, her body on fire from his touches…
For gods' sake you just met the man, Emma.
"My friends and I were wondering if we could get another round?"
"I'll be right out," Emma said with a smile – her best if she did say so herself. The young man left just as quickly as he had come, leaving Emma to quickly bustle around behind the counter in search of more mugs.
"Emma!" Ruby hissed, ducking beneath the counter with her. "Who's Blue Eyes?"
"Dunno," Emma answered, avoiding looking at her friend as the cups clinked against each other. "I have a book to finish."
"Emma," Ruby groaned. "C'mon. You haven't loosened up in ages. You deserve a night off."
"Someone has to close up, and you my friend already have your eyes set on a conquest for the night."
"He's dreamy, isn't he?" Ruby was gazing at the man doey-eyed and Emma chuckled absently.
"Go," she finally ordered, "Have your fun. I'll close up tonight if you're otherwise occupied."
"I love you, Emma," Ruby grinned, kissing her cheek before scampering off, her apron left on the bench. Emma was out serving again a few moments later, taking a quick look at the clock as she did. It was nearing midnight. Customers didn't normally stay long after one. Then it was back to the book.
She tried to avoid Blue Eyes until last because she did not need to be distracted by his handsome face. What she needed was to finish her book.
But as she smiled at them all, she heard the distinct sound of them goading the boy. Perhaps he was new – young he was, most definitely.
The young man seemed flustered as his crew members goaded him. Emma smiled. It was all in good fun. Of course, she wouldn't easily refuse his face, but he seemed quite adamant to keep propriety. A shame. She would have loved to see what he could do.
Maybe on another night.
Shit.
She wasn't sure what she had tripped over, probably the edge of her scarlet dress, or a stray nail on the floor that she'd have to fix later, but she found herself in a warm embrace, charming whoops erupting around her as she found Blue Eyes staring at her with wide and worries eyes.
"Are you alright, lass?"
Good gods, his voice.
It had to be from the Eastern Border because the way his tongue rolled around words had her feeling a little drunk even through she had imbibed nothing.
"Erm, fine," Emma said hurriedly, scrambling to her feet as she pulled his warm hands from her waist. "Thank you."
"Are you sure you're okay?" the man said, following after her as she quickly went back to the bar, brushing her hair from her face in embarrassment. She was the most badass barmaid ever, so how did she get tripped up by something as stupid as a dress?
"I'm fine, sir," she answered, her head ducked to avoid him. Gods, why did he have to be nice.
"Not sir," he answered and she felt a hand tugging on her wrist, swinging her body back to face him, "Killian. My name's Killian."
"Well, thank you Killian," Emma answered, carefully disentangling her hand. "But I really should get back to work."
"We're your only patrons, love," he said with a raised brow, "You could just stay and talk to me?"
"Because talking is all that's on your mind," Emma rolled her eyes. It certainly wasn't all that was on her mind. Especially after feeling his hands…
"It is, actually," Killian pointed out, throwing a dismissive glance over his shoulder. "They seem to think I need de-flowering –"
A choked sound left her throat. So it was true, that innocent vibe she'd gathered off him. He was a virgin.
She wanted him.
"Fine," she continued, rather quickly, rounding the bar and grabbing a bottle of rum and two glasses. "We can talk."
She led him into a corner away from the very interested eyes of his companions. She wasn't intending to get drunk with him, or let this lead to any sort of dubious activites – after all, Ruby had charged her with closing up the bar. But it was no sin to linger her eyes upon a fine specimen for a while.
As she poured them both a small glass of rum, she noticed Killian eyeing the bottle apprehensively.
"Can't hold your rum, Jones?"
"It's not exactly my er, drink of choice. Leads to poor form," he explained a little nervously. Emma chuckled, handing him the glass.
"Well tonight," she answered, "Your ideas of poor form are getting rewritten."
His first mouthful was met with a blanched face, but seeing the smirk on Emma's face, he continued, swallowing it all in one gulp before the glass was put down with a loud clank.
"So, with your radiant face, why are you here?" Jones began, leaning back in his stair, curiously awaiting her response.
"Working," she answered honestly. "Got to pay the bills somehow. We aren't all as lucky as some people, Officer Jones."
"Lucky to escape with out lives," he murmured, reaching for the bottle again.
"So it's been a tough day?" Emma said sympathetically. It had been a particularly boring day for her. She'd done a little varnishing outside, dusted the rooms upstairs. A regular day in the life of an orphaned barmaid.
"Pirates just offshore," Killian answered, taking another sip. "They were attacking merchant ships in and out of the region. We've put a stop to it."
"A regular hero," Emma continued, sidling closer as she did. "So whose navy would you belong to, Master Jones?"
"Far from here," he answered with a wave of his hand, "King Frais sent us out here to map the unknown islands in this region and a list of known offenders to the crown."
His voice was amazing. She wished she could just give him her book and have him read it to her. Although, she'd probably ignore the content in favour of listening to the way his tongue molded around vowels.
"How long have you been…here," he waved his hand around, eyes fixated upon her face even as she leant forward, purposely showing him her generous cleavage.
"A few years," she answered with a shrug, "Ruby's Grandma found me, took me in. I've been here ever since."
"Found you?"
Shit.
He must have seen the apprehension on her face because he said sympathetically, "Rough childhood?"
"Hit the nail on the head," she whispered with a soft smile, reaching for her drinking and taking her first sip. She wasn't willing to share her life story with a stranger; she'd share other things, but not that.
"Me too," he answered, moving to pour himself another glass. Emma could see the light flush upon his cheeks; it appears that Lieutenant Jones wasn't too used to alcohol. Or women for that matter. Emma didn't think he'd glanced at her boobs, once.
Oh. Wait…
She smirked at the sly glance he gave her figure as he poured his drink. A few more and he'd be putty in her hands.
"You know, Erais is thinking of making this a frequent port of ours. There are a few uninhabited islands which could work in our favour."
Emma chuckled lowly, "My my, Killian Jones. Is this your way of saying you want to see me again?"
"Well, I find you intriguing lass," he answered, surveying her closely. "Perhaps, if you would like…"
"Do you know what you're asking, sailor?" she enquired, moving even closer around the table. Her hand that had previously been resting on her knee shuffled onto his knee and she felt him seizing up next to her.
"Erm, Miss. Swan…" He gulped as his eyes glanced down at her lips, Emma's body sidling closing until they were pressed leg to leg.
"Emma," she whispered, leaning in to press her lips against his jaw. "Call me Emma."
Emma was running her hand along his leg beneath the table, watching the side of his mouth clench and unclench quickly as she traced patterns over his thigh.
"Miss. Swan," he whispered again, sounding pained, "What are you doing?"
"Hmm?" She answered innocently, her free hand holding up her head. "Nothing."
"You're touching…oh."
Her hand brushed over the slight bulge in his pants and she her lips lifted in a smirk, continuing to rub her thumb lightly over him and noticing him growing harder beneath her hand.
"This isn't proper," he continued, flushing as he pulled his hand down to push her away. But Emma merely moved in closer to him so that her knee was rubbing against his and if her looked down he would get a very generous view of her cleavage.
"Why?" Emma whispered, leaning in to his neck as she continued to palm him. "Because you want me."
"That's bad form," he began, a choking sound cutting him off at the end as Emma slipped her hand beneath his breeches, watching his mouth fall open in shock, "Gods above, lass. Please."
"Please, what, Killian," she whispered, her breath coming hot against his neck. She flicked her tongue out to taste the skin of his neck, tasting the salty sweat that covered his skin. The effect she was having on him excited her to no end. "What do you want?"
"I don't know," he breathed, hissing as she grasped his length, feeling the weight of it appreciatively.
"Do you want me to bring you to pleasure," she whispered against his ear, listening to his panting breaths in their secluded corner. "Sink to my knees and take you into my mouth? Or do you want to take me upstairs and turn me into the wall – fucking me into oblivion."
He groaned when he heard her curse; a sound that sent arousal straight to her core. She didn't even want to know how wet she was – trying to ignore the heat between her legs.
"Emma," he whispered brokenly, eyes finding hers, "Please."
He jerked in her hand and she squeezed him a little tighter, speeding up her fisting as his head fell back. His hips thrust into her hand and she felt the warmth of his come spurting over her hand. He let out a low groan of pleasure as Emma continued to stroke him, feeling him going limp before she pulled her hand out, wiping it on the back of her apron and viewing his completely wrecked expression through hooded eyes.
"I hope I'll see you again, Killian Jones," Emma breathed, her voice low, as she placed a chaste kiss to his cheek, glancing at his glazed expression as he panted, trying to retrieve his breath. Just as she moved to stand, she felt his hand wrapping around her wrist.
A choked, 'Thank you?" came from his lips, as though he was unsure of what to say after such a strange event.
"My pleasure," Emma answered with a smirk before returning to the bar. She watched the rest of the night from that perch. It was only twenty more minutes before the entire crew had vacated the premises. Killian delayed, to the hearty guffaws of the crew. Emma was tucking away the stools and grabbing the keys to shut up shop when Killian hesitated at the door.
"Did you need something?" Emma enquired kindly at the door. She barely saw his slight hesitation before he was bounding across the room, his arm snaking around her waist as he pulled her forward, his demanding lips crushing against hers. It took Emma a moment to respond, but when she did, it was to skide her hand up around his neck and press herself into him. He was warm and almost needy in the way he slipped his tongue into her mouth, fighting her to be the one to pull away and say goodbye.
Eventually, they had to come up for air, and Emma tugged on his lip as they pulled away, a gentle smile gracing her face. Killian brushed the hair away from her face neatly before
"I'm very much looking forward to getting to know you, Miss Emma Swan," Killian Jones whispered, his breath hinted with rum.
"I'll see you next time, Jones," she grinned, one final kiss to his lips before pushing him playfully out the door. "Go save the world."
"Don't miss me too much, lass," he called back as he followed his crew further off down the road.
She wasn't sure if she would. But she knew that she'd be thinking of him. A lot.
A/N: New Fic! Still need to finish Where I Am Ice; She is Fire, but hopefully I will soon. I've been quite off lately - mentally - and I've dropped out of Uni until the end of the year to figure out what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. In the meantime, I will try and get a job, write Fanfiction and work on my original Novels. :)
This story will span time lapses as it will mostly follow whenever Killian makes Port in Emma's town. More story will be revealed in future. Thanks for reading!
Hugs and Butterfly kisses.
Annie.
