Chapter Ten: True Beauty

The water was soaking through to her very soul, soothing it, just like the gentle rocking of the ship. However her mind was as turbulent as the sea during a violent storm. How could she let him kiss her like that? Let him stoke a fire within her she didn't even know she had? Perhaps, she thought, because she had longed for some kind of intimacy for so long that it made her so susceptible to his charms.

Adrianna knew better than to hope that he felt something other that lust for her. He was a pirate after all, and his love was the sea. Still it made her feel better to think that he did. Jack had been so kind to her, letting her sleep in his bed, do whatever she wanted to do for the most part, and he kept her from harms way where he could. She had learned to trust him. Still he was a pirate and could be doing all of it for his own ends.

The water was starting to get cold, so Adrianna quickly finished washing. Her body was relaxed, but her mind still consumed. The thing that she feared most was the trace of feelings within her that she had never had before. Feelings that she knew if she let continue to grow, would only cause her heartache in the end.

Adrianna stepped out of the tub and grabbed a drying towel and wrapping it around her she heard Jack's voice, "You are troubled." he stated simply from the corner he was sitting in. She froze in her spot unsure of what to do. Finally her temper won and she turned to face him.

"How long have you been in here?" She asked outraged. Trying to find something else to cover herself with. Where were her clothes?

Jack smirked, "Long enough to know you are in fact troubled. So tell Jack what it is and he will think about giving you these back." He said holding out her clothes.

Adrianna took a deep breath, mustering her courage and telling herself that he was not going to hurt her. She leaned toward caution and tried to cool her temper. Once under control she asked the first thing that came to her mind. "Why am I here Jack? Why have you seduced me? I am nothing special. I am not a wealthy women, I have no possessions of value, no one would care if I existed, and I am certainly not a beauty. Why Jack?" Adrianna finished holding back the tears in her eyes. she wondered where the tears came from. Anger? Hurt? Helplessness?

Jack held onto the little bit of control he had left and walked across the cabin to stand in front of her. He had to be careful not to frighten her, he knew she had never been with a man and if he wanted to succeed he would have to be his most patient. It was going to be a challenge.

The grip on her towel tightened as he approached her. "You are right that you may not be wealthy love, but you are wrong on all other accounts." Jack whispered to her.

"You are to sell me to slavery then?" Adrianna said flatly.

Jack looked at her shocked. "I would never participate in that love." he said indigently. Before she could question him any further he grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face a mirror on the wall nearest them.

Adrianna looked at herself in the mirror as he directed.

"There is beauty." Jack said. "Your hair shines with gold in the light and is as soft as silk." He said brushing a strand from her face. He was standing behind her as to not cloud her view and looking at her in the mirror as he talked to her. "Some women paint their faces to make them beautiful. You already have the startling eyes and lush lips that they paint." He placed his hands on her shoulders and started running them up and down her arms.

Adrianna's heart was beating so fast she knew Jack could feel it. "Jack I …" She watched him signal her to hush and she did. Anticipation was bidding her to listen to him.

"Lets see the rest of you." Jack said removing her towel. Adrianna made a feeble attempt to stop him, but he only had to frown and she stopped. Then she was standing naked before him and the mirror.

Jack had to swallow and compose himself before he could continue. "Your body is perfection Adrianna." Jack whispered. Adrianna only looked at him as he softly ran his hands along the sides of her body. She closed her eyes as he brushed the underside of her breast sending a shiver down her spine and causing her to release a soft sigh."You are special and have many things of value Adrianna." Jack whispered while kissing her neck.

Adrianna's arms acted of their own violation. One holding the back of his head to keep him at her neck and the other holding his arm around her waist. The voice of reason had completely faded and the only one left was the one governed by her body and possibly her heart.

"I care that you exist. As to why.." Jack said still kissing on her neck and collar bone, "Because I want you here with me." He realized that was the simple truth before his lips met hers.