Smuggler : Night Tides Turning

Chapter 2

Leaning against the wall he was able to view the length of her bed. Sarah was curled tightly under the sheets, yet was unsettled, she turned fitfully from side to side. He remained quiet in the shadows, watching her.

He had returned to English shores a few hours before, arriving at his home he had noticed the wilted flowers littered across the neatly stacked plates. Sarah had been here, her gentle touch apparent.

He had thought to wait until the morning before visiting The Hall – a roll of deep blue silk to be delivered as a gift. Standing in his doorway, sensing her presence, an overwhelming need pressed upon him to see her.

It was not the first time that he had climbed into her window; previously he had entered to accuse her of betrayal. As soon as the words had left his lips, the widening of her eyes had answered him. It had not been her, could never have been her.

As he remained pressed into the wall he considered their situation – which was impossible. Against all reason he had grown to need her within his life, she was a lady of standing in the community her grandfather respected and moneyed. He was a smuggler, a spy, more than that a disgraced naval officer, living hand to mouth.

"Jack" his name escaped her lips, though she remained asleep.

Reason walked away as Jack moved toward her bed, sitting at her side he held her shoulder, settling her body.

"Sarah", whispering close to her face, "sleep, I will visit the Hall tomorrow, please sleep"

"Jack", she moaned again, slightly smiling though still wrapped in sleep. She stretched her body to roll into his grip upon her shoulder. The covers fell slightly to reveal her neck, smooth and vulnerable. Temptation washed over him, the paleness of her skin inviting him to her. Leaning down he pressed his lips upon her, inhaling her scent as he moved briefly into the warm comfort of her neck. They had kissed before, chastely at his door, in the corridor of the Hall, but this, now in her room, he wanted more – she woke.

"Jack!" turning into him, he stood quickly from her bed, turning almost ashamed at his momentary eagerness.

"When did you get back?" he stumbled slightly in response, still embarrassed by his actions.

"Tonight…I was bringing you this", leaning over to the table he reached for the package to hand to her. Then stood back, heading towards the window.

"Where are you going?" she demanded as he continued to step away. Forgetting modesty the sheets had fallen from covering her night gown. Firelight framed her as she sat upright.

"Sarah its late, I will return tomorrow – please go back to sleep"

"Don't go"

"What?"

"Don't go, you have been gone so long – I've missed you" she held her hand outstretched towards him "I want you to stay, at least awhile, please stay with me"

"Sarah its not…it's not right"

With this she smiled, partly removed herself from the bed to lean forward so as to take him by the hand. Pulling him back to her.

He allowed himself to be sat back upon the bed, truth be known he did not want to fight her; he did not want to leave. The taste of her still lingered upon his lips.

She sat before him, smiling sweetly, leaning into him. So innocent, he almost felt uncomfortable with the unquestioned trust she put in him. If only she knew the thoughts, which flooded through his mind at that moment, she would blush and throw him from the room. Instead, she gently traced his cheek with her finger, running down his neck to the opening of his shirt. At this point she leaned in further, kissing his chest, he groaned, her hands moved lower.

"Sarah stop!" he snapped her back – holding each shoulder pushed her to arms length. Looking straight into her eyes.

"Jack", she pushed forward against him, what little resistance existed, was lost as her lips reached up to his, her tongue gently teasing his. At first unsure, she was encouraged as his arms moved around her waist to pull her tight against him. Chaste kisses were forgotten, as over a week of waiting, wondering was lost in urgency and rising desire. Thought escaped them both as Jack's body moved to cover hers, his weight holding her beneath him as he resumed the exploration of her neck started only moments before – this time he did not stop, moving further down, pulling her gown from her shoulder, he wanted to consume her. Her body rose under his in eager response.

Pausing briefly for breath, he pulled his shirt from his body. She had not seen him like his before, trembling her hands ran upon his chest, feeling each groove and muscle. Her hand stopped at ill wrapped bandage about his waist.

"An accident" he mumbled "on the boat". She pressed a little into the wound, causing a grimace.

He pushed himself above her, so as to allow him full sight of her face. Smiling inanely at her beauty and willingness, he momentarily forgot his recent injury.

"I want you", he mumbled into her ear, whilst nibbling just behind.

"And I you" she managed to groan, as Jack's hand slowly moved to lift her gown, to run along her naked hip.

She could feel the truth of his words in the pressure that was pushing into her thigh. Fumbling for his belt, she giggled, causing him to pause.

"This isn't right, not … not like this"

She frowned "not like what!" her hand rested upon his belt.

So beautiful, he thought, and so innocent – so wrong for her to give all of herself to him. "Sarah, we can talk, tomorrow – you, we are not thinking straight tonight"

The slap was unexpected; being pushed from the bed, clothes thrown at his head was a surprise. The mug hurled at his head was bewildering.

"Get out! Get out! How dare you GET OUT"

"Shhhh, you'll wake the whole house" he realized as he clambered from the window, various crockery items being pummeled towards him, that this amy not been the right thing to say.

He would wait a day, then visit again – running across the grounds his need for her still firm within his trousers, he smiled. She wanted him and he her, it was impossible, yet desirable beyond reason.