Chapter Nine: Enticing Invitation

"How could you forget you are wanted?! Anywhere!" Clara demanded crossing her arms. Hook really wished she had not crossed her arms as she did not cross them over her breasts, but under showing them off even more.

"I have not visited Agrabah since I accidently stole from the wrong treasure cave." Hook shrugged.

"And who did you steal from?"

"The former sultan."

"Really?" Clara shook her head. "Men!" Clara turned on her heels marching back to his room looking none to please.

"I take it Madame Shahira dressed Miss Clara?" Smee asked watching Clara storm off.

"Yes." Hook leaned against the rail.

"You know." Smee joined Hook, "If you are not going to invite her to share your bed for more than just sleep I just might have too." Smee smirked at Hook. "In that outfit she is far too tempting."

With a growl Hook grabbed Smee by his coat throwing him overboard. Smee hit the water with a loud splash. After a moment he surfaced laughing. Smee swam to the part of the ship that had a wooden ladder built onto the side. Climbing up Smee continued laughing as he walked over to a still displeased Hook.

"You take me to seriously captain." Glaring at his first mate Hook walked away.

Hook was well aware that Smee had been joking, but the thought of another man placing a hand on Clara made his blood boil, she was his. Calming himself he entered his room. The sight before him was not what he expected. Hook had figured Clara would have changed into her usual attire. Instead she lying on the bed still in the outfit Shahira had given her. Clara had curled up on her side so her skirt just barely covered her.

Hook tossed his coat onto the floor. Gently he climb onto the bed. Leaning over Clara Hook kissed her neck running his hand up her thigh to her waist taking one of the skirt panels with him. Clara murmured as Hook's lips made their way from her neck to her chin than her lips.

"Mmm…" Clara lips slowly began moving with His. Hook slowly intensified their kiss moving his hand up her side pausing below her breast. His lips left hers traveling back down her neck. Hook's kisses and nips were met with soft gasp and moans from Clara.

Clara's mind was racing trying to catch up with the rush her body was feeling. His hand continued to trace a path between her hip and breast always stopping just shy of actually touching her breast. She was starting to feel a wanting need for his hand to venture there. As Hook's lips travelled back down her neck Clara rolled onto her back. Hook moved with her straddling her waist. Clara moaned arching her back as he came to the hollow of her neck.

"James." Clara said breathlessly. If he heard her Clara was not sure as he continued down to her chest. "James." She said once more a little louder.

Hook looked up licking his lips. The look in his eyes was so intense Clara wondered if this was what romance stories called smoldering. "Yes?" His voice was deeper than usual.

"I…I…" Clara did not know how to say what she was feeling.

Hook leaned in kissing her forehead than her lips. "You will be the death of me love."

"Sorry." Clara said adverting her eyes. Hook took her chin in his hand making her look at him once again.

"Never say you are sorry for being honest." He kissed her lips once more before getting up off the bed.

Needing air Clara got off the bed heading outside without a thought of changing. Up on the top deck Clara found Smee at the wheel. She quickly made her way to him when she saw the looks she was getting from the men. As she ascending the steeps to the wheel Clara noted that Smee's hair and clothing were wet.

"Did we pass through a patch of rain?"

"No."

"Then why are you wet?"

"Oh the captain pushed me overboard."

"He what!?"

"To be honest I deserved it."

"Why?"

"I made of comment about you."

"Me?" Clara gave Smee a confused look. "What did you say?"

"That if he was not going to invite you to share his bed that I would."

"Wha…I…" Clara could not form a coherent sentence. She was sure her face was a brilliant shade of red.

"Don't worry Miss Clara I have no intention of asking you to sleep with me. I was simply antagonizing the captain."

"And he took a swim for it." Hook came up behind Clara draping his coat over her shoulders. "Might I suggest you change your attire? I would like not to have to blind all my men."

"How could you throw him overboard for a joke?!" Clara demanding ignoring Hook's request. "Are you really that jealous of a man?"

"I do not like others touching what is mine." Hook growled.

"I am not some object you can claim! You think you can just put a ring on my finger, take me on a carpet ride, and kiss me than turn around and say you are my property! Like hell you will!" Fuming Clara spun on the spot marching right back to the room. She slammed the door so hard they could hear it on the deck.

"So how are you going to make up for that one?" Smee asked a stunned Hook.

"At what point did I call her property?"

"I believe she got that from 'mine'."

"Women are strange creatures." Hook rubbed his temples.

"That they are." Smee paused for a moment. "So you kissed her and she didn't slap you. Next time I court a woman I shall have to call on Fathi first thing."

"That's if I don't feed you to the fish first."

"Miss Clara will calm down. I would suggest flowers but we are sorely lacking in those."

"I will take over Smee."

"Do we have a heading?"

"For the time we shall make for the Enchanted Sea."

Hook waited until the sun had set before he allowed himself to retire to his room. Clara had not been seen since the afternoon. Upon entering his room Hook nearly burst out laughing. He knew Clara was very fond of reading, but normally she would curl up in bed or at the window seat. Instead he found her at his desk, feet propped up, and the chair leaned back much like his usual relaxing position.

"Slowly commandeering my room one spot at a time?" Hook chuckled moving to his clothing trunks. Hook did not actually bother open any of the trunks. Instead he removed his coat and vast tossing them on top of one trunk.

"I was curious to see how comfortable this actually is."

"And what have you discovered?" Hook asked half sitting on his desk.

"The chair is rather comfortable."

"You are still displeased with me?"

"I dislike overly jealous men."

"If you are to stay with me you will have to forgive my jealous side. I may have been raised a gentleman, but I am a pirate and we easily get jealous when anyone eyes our treasure." Clara opened her mouth to speak, but Hook held up his hand silencing her. "I do not claim to own you, but to me you are, as I have said before, a treasure."

"I want to be annoyed with you for that, yet I find it strangely romantic."

Hook leaned forward placing his hand of the arm of the chair for support. Leaning further in he whispered in her ear, "I believe you find my roughish charm irresistible my lady." Hook gently traced the curve of his hook down the side of her face. He smiled as her breathing quickened. "Why do you not fear my hook?" Hook held her chin up with the hook.

"Why should I? You wouldn't hurt me." Hook could not find the words. No woman, no person had ever put such faith in him. Without another word his placed a kiss on her lips.

The crew was three days into their seven day journey back to the Enchanted Seas when a messenger hawk landed next to the wheel. Smee and Clara had been in the middle of their morning sword lessons when Hook hollered for Smee to join him below deck. Curious Clara followed after Smee.

"Something amiss captain?" Smee asked as Clara closed the door behind them.

"A royal messenger hawk." Hook nodded to the bird perched on his desk.

"From who?"

"King Adam and Queen Belle."

"Are you in trouble again?" Clara asked with a slight smirk.

"No. I have been invited to a ball."

"Really?" That was not the answer Clara had expected.

"A ball captain?" The tone of Smee's question made Clara think there was something more to the invitation than being asked to come to a ball. Hook handed the invitation to Smee who read it over quickly. "I set our heading for Kingdom of the Rose." Smee quickly exited the room.

"Are we really going to a ball?" Clara had a hard time not being slightly excited.

"Yes and no."

"No?"

"No as in we are going to a ball, but not just for that reason."

"I'm lost."

"Come over here." Clara walked around the desk as Hook smoothed the paper out. "Look at the filigree design what do you see?"

"Roses and vines."

"Look at the right hand corner. Now what do you see?"

"Are those arrows?"

"Yes. A secret message hidden carefully in the design. Something is amiss and they are asking for help."

"Now I am really confused."

"Why?"

"You're a pirate."

"Yes."

"You don't act like a normal pirate. You don't steal from royalty you help them."

"I guess I can understand your confusion. What you have to understand about me Clara is I was raised a gentleman. I was also a commander in the King's Royal Navy. I may no longer wish to follow traditional rules, and I certainly enjoy treasure, but I am no common thief."

"A pirate with standards." Clara laughed.

That night the pirates were all in a festive mood. Although only Hook and Clara would be attending the ball there were always parties to attend in town when the royal threw a ball. There would be plenty of food, drink, and lovely woman to make swoon. The music from the crew could be heard throughout the ship. Normally Hook and Clara ate in Hook's room, but that night they joined the crew for dinner. Clara danced and clapped along with the pirates as they played music, sang, and drank.

"I thought mermaids were supposed to be singers!" One man called out. "We want a song!"

"Song! Song! Song!" The men chanted together including Smee.

"I'll make them stop." Hook made to stand, but Clara put a hand on his arm.

"I can handle this." Standing Clara climbed onto the bench than up on to the table. Taking a deep breath and thinking quickly Clara started to sing 'Under the Sea'. After the first few lines of the song the men with instruments quickly caught on and began to play along with her. Clara danced around the table smiling as she sang. Every now and then she would catch Hook's eye. He was smiling and clapping with the rest.

"Another!" The men demanded quickly as she finished singing.

"Alright!" Clara was enjoying herself. "This one is about pirates!" The men gave a cheer as she began to sing 'A Pirates Life For Me'. Clara had imagined what the scene would be like if someone really sang the song aboard a ship and know she knew. The pirates loved the song. Many of the men got out of their seats stomping and dancing around. Wild cheers met her ears as she finished. Clara reached her hand out to Hook for help down from the table. Sitting back down she took a big drink from her stein.

After some time Clara began to feel over heated in the room filled with some many bodies. Quietly she stood slipping out to the upper deck.

Hook watched Clara sneak away from the party. He wondered if she was upset. She seemed to have been enjoying herself. He took a drink contemplating if he should go after her or not. Look around the room he saw Smee who quickly nodded towards the door. Hook took the hint and followed Clara. As Hook ascended the stairs to the upper deck he heard Smee yell at the men for singing about their loves.

The night was cool summer's night with clear skies. Hook stepped lightly as he crossed the deck. Clara was down by the bow her arms held up as if she were holding a dance partner and was humming a turn to herself occasionally counting.

"A lady should never dance alone." Hook smiled catching Clara by surprise. "May I have this dance my lady?" Hook bowed offering Clara his hand.

"Of course Captain." Clara smiled taking his hand. "Though I must confess I am not very good at this kind of dancing."

"I am sure we can remedy that." Hook placed his hand on her waist and held up his hook for her to take. "Now you will want to hold the skirt of your dress so you do not trip over it. Than just follow my lead." They danced around the deck as Clara continued to hum a song again. "What are you humming?"

"A song from one of my favorite stories about a mermaid who wants to be part of the human world. She ends up falling in love with a prince she saves from drowning in a storm."

"Do they end up with one another?"

"Yes."

"Do you have anyone waiting for you?"

"No. Once I did, but I guess that was not meant to be. How about you? Surely there had to be someone."

"A very long time ago before I came here. I meant to marry her, but she turned out to be different than I thought her to be. She would not have a pirate."

"Even a pirate with morals and standards?"

"Even a pirate with those." Hook leaned in next to her ear, "Would you have a pirate?"

"Possibly one with morals and standards." Clara's said in a breathy voice.

Hook's lips met Clara's the sweet taste of ale lingering on her lips.

Clara's hand left his finding their way into his hair. His good hand snaked its way around her waist pulling her firmly against his body. Hook's hand did not rest on her back. He continued up her back tracing up her spin as he went. Entangling his hands in her hair Hook lightly pulled Clara's head back giving him full access to her neck. Clara moaned softly as Hook's lips made their way up and down her neck occasionally pausing when they discovered a particularly sensitive spot.

Clara felt a barrel behind her, when they had moved next to them she did not know. Placing her hands behind her onto the barrel Clara lifted herself up. Wrapping her legs around Hook's waist she slide her hands under his vest and shirt feeling his sculpted muscles.

Carefully Hook glided the tip of his hook up her leg taking her skirt along with it. Clara gasped feeling the coolness of the hook against her skin. He continued to run his hook up and down her thigh as he did Clara's breathing quickened. She tilted her head back allowing him access to her neck once again. This time Hook did not stop when he reached the hollows of her neck, he contained down to the tops of her breasts. As he kissed each side Clara lost the ability to think all that existed was his touch.

The sound of load laughing alerted them to the men who had joined them on the deck. Hook stepped back to see who had come on to the deck. As he did Clara quickly hopped off the barrel quickly straightening her dress and combing her fingers through her tangled hair. The fear of how strongly felt for Hook and how much she wanted him took a hold of her again. Taking a deep breath Clara made for the dining area.

Hook watched her go he. As much as he wanted to stop her he held back. Clara deserved better than been sprawled out on the deck of the ship. Besides he did not wish to share such a sight with his men. Clara would come to him of that he was sure.

Clara stopped on the last step confused by the music that met her ears. No longer was the sound happy, instead the music had become slow and mournful. Even stranger was Smee was leading the singing. Clara tried to make out what he was saying, but his words were slurred. She caught something about a love and leaving.

"What's going on here?" Hook asked joining her.

"I think they are broken."

"No they are drunk."

"What is Smee singing about?"

"A woman he left behind when we came here." Hook made his way back to the table.

"He must have loved her a lot." Clara sat down next to Hook still somewhat disturbed by all the sobbing pirates.

"She was his wife." Clara had no words for how badly she felt for Smee. "ALRIGHT YOU SORRY LOT! ENOUGH OF YOUR BLUBBERING!"

Quickly the music livened up once again. The men were drinking and laughing as if the brief moment of depressing song had never happened. Clara drank, danced, and song along with them until she was too drunk to stand. Hook carried her back to his room. Placing her on the bed he gently removed her boots. Pulling the blankets around her he turned to make for his desk.

"Stay." Clara's voice was soft and sleep heavy. "Stay with me."

"Alright." Hook removed his clothing replacing his leather pants with a pair of cotton ones. Removing his hook and placing it on his desk Hook climbed into bed with Clara.

"Good night." Clara murmured snuggling as close as she could to him.

"Sleep well my love." Hook kissed the top of her head. Wrapping his arm around her he drifted off to sleep.

A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. Thank you to all of you who continue to review, favorite, and follow my story! Thank you to those who have been reading since I first posted and thank you to those who have recently discovered my story. You are all awesome! Don't forget to let me know what you thought of this chapter!