Disclaimer. Still not mine!
Warning. Smut in this chapter! (Not loads though!)
Petal of a Rose
Chapter 10 – The Morning After The Night Before
Elizabeth awoke, wrapped in the peaceful rocking motion of The Pearl. Outside the windows, she could see the gold-orange sunlight and could tell it must be almost noon. She didn't want to stir though. Her limbs were heavy, totally relaxed. She smiled as she remembered the rapture of the previous night, lifted her hand and looked at her wedding ring. She wiggled her fingers to see the ring catch the light.
Jack. Nothing, she thought, could compare to the feeling of belonging to him. They had been one last night, their joining soul deep. She wondered if he felt it too?
She stared up at the sunlit ceiling, thinking of all the ways he had touched her in the night. She had dissolved under and around him, had let her body take over under the pure possessiveness of his. Even now, she could feel the slight soreness in her thighs and deep inside herself, where she had received Jacks full, hard thrusts. A flush burned her cheeks as she remembered how wildly her body had responded to his. And she knew she would let him in again, for his lovemaking was nothing short of exquisite – and soo additictive.
She stretched her limbs and wriggled down into the luxurious covers. She felt sated and lazy. The cabin smelt of candlewax and the fragrant bouquet of champagne and roses, of man and woman… She remembered how she and jack had talked for a while after their lovemaking – murmured endearments, breathless sounds – and how he had bathed her all over with a soft sponge, most gently the delicate flesh between her thighs. She had wanted to stay awake, to talk about the wonder of it all, but the gentle rock and sway of The Pearl and Jacks strong arms around her had willed her into a deep, dreamless sleep. The last thing she remembered was the flickering candlelight upon their bare skin, his kiss in her tangled hair.
Her gaze idly drifted around her new home and she caught sight of Jack sprawled in a chair at the table. His rugged, dishevelled appearance was an almost violent contrast to the elegant Bridegroom of the previous day.
He was bare-chested, and bare footed, wearing only breeches. Her gaze flew to his face and she found he was staring at her.
"Ye look," he said, his voice deep and sensual in the fragrant air, "like an angel when ye sleep, Mrs Sparrow."
She sat up suddenly, and pink rose petals floated to the silk sheets. She saw Jacks eyes focus on her bare breasts, then lift again to hers.
"I want'd to take ye again in the night,", he said, "but I know yer body needs time to get used t' lovemakin'."
Heat singed her face. He seemed to assume that once wouldn't be enough. She thought back. He was right. Once couldn't be enough, would never be enough. As she watched him, she wondered at the contrasts in him. Despite his vast experience and sexual appetite, he had been achingly tender and considerate with her. \he had held back when she sensed that another man might have just climbed on and satisfied his need. Jack had been concerned with her satisfaction. He had seemed to enjoy it all too, despite her lack of experience. And he wanted her again.
"Darlin'," he said. "We're settin' sail this evenin'. The crew are re-supplyin' us as we speak. Is there anythin in particular ye want brought on board – apart from ye personal effects?"
"No, Jack", she whispered, "I have everything I need just here!"
He stood up and came to her, leaned down and brushed her lips with his own. "Aye, 'Lizzie, luv. That we do!" , he whispered against her lips, and she caught her breath as his calloused fingers rasped against her skin.
"I've b'n dyin' to put me hands on ye again.", and pushed her back on the pillows. He pushed the covers away from her, her naked body dappled with sunlight, her nipples tight and eager. He fell on her, his aching body needing relief, needing only his 'Lizzie. She arched to him, holding his head to her as he caressed her nipples with his tongue, until they were wet and straining and aching for more…more…
Elizabeth felt drugged. She ached for him to come inside her, just once more – only once. Maybe then she could be free of this terrible, consuming hunger. His hunger was equally as raw. Their mouths met rapturously, as if they had spent long nights in the desert and now were quenching their thirst.
He lifted his head to gaze down at her, and his breath was hot and damp, beating fast against her skin.
"'m in pain." He said,his voice guttural and thick, "Heal me." He brought her hand to his heated flesh and groaned as her fingers closed around him, grasping him so he thought he would die of the pleasure. He parted her thighs, looking down at her with his heart in his eyes. "Are ye ready luv? I need ye now."
She needed him now. She felt the tip of him against her hot tightness, then he thrust into her, meltingly hot and lush and wet. She was so ready for him, Jack almost lost control.
"Oh Jack…Jack…", she moaned, tears slipping unheeded from her eyes.
He began to move, slowly at first, drawing out the ecstasy with long, slow strokes. Ribbons of pleasure rippled through her.
"Yer mine for always.", he whispered, and she wondered if she'd imagined the words, for he was driving harder now, deeper, as he took her with an urgent, savage need.
"Lizzie."" He smoothed the hair off her hot face, and the power of his thrusts made her consciousness dim. Still she clung to him, begging him not to stop. Jack couldn't. He was buried so deep inside her it was torment to pull back, but he did, then thrust even deeper.
Fiery white heat exploded through her, carrying her to him in seething waves of passion. He drove hard against her, the pleasure so sharp and exquisite, he could not hold back. As his body erupted in powerful, shuddering release, he cried out, "I luv ye Lizzie. I'll luv ye forever."
Slowly they stilled. The tiniest of breezes puffed into the cabin, cooling their flesh. Jack rested with his jaw against her temple, and Elizabeth's fingers stroked his chest. The words hung between them.
Jack felt an incredible liberation. The emptiness that has plagued him for years was gone, replaced with incomparable peace. He lifted his head and looked down at her. \he saw the glint of tears in her eyes and cursed himself. Before he could jerk away, she tightened her arms, cradling him close.
"You do?", she asked.
"Ye sound like ye don't believe me."
She hesitated, "I love you, Jack. So much it hurts to think about you not being here."
"An' why, missy, would I not be here?", he whispered, puzzled.
"There have been so many women for you, Jack, many that you have needed –"
She stopped as he took her face in his hands.
"As if there could be others afta ye, Lizzie, my luv." The expression in his eyes grew soft, tender. "All these years I've bin searchin' for somethin' in all those women, an' I didn't find it til' I found ye. Yer rememb'r sayin' how ye wanted to travel an' see the world? Ye can do that now – at me side – with me."
"Oh…Jack.", she sighed and sealed his words with a kiss.
Right, that's it for now. Only 2 chapters to go and these are the ones with a twist.
Now hurry off and go and review……I've had some brilliant comments from you all and I need to say thanks to every single one of you! I'll try to update over the next couple of days.