A/N ;)
Chapter 12
Laid Bare
"You're very quiet, Swan," Killian's low voice parted the silence which had descended around us moments after leaving the apartment. The steady hum of my car's engine had been the only noise aside from the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears. The rain which had been the excuse for driving him home in the first place had stopped five minutes into our trip.
"I know," I replied; figuring he deserved as obvious of a response as the statement he'd made.
"Any particular reason?" He drawled. I turned to look at him and smirked at the boyish grin on his voice.
"Just thinking." My smirk grew as I felt his frustration with my non-answers. "That was possibly the strangest, but nicest dinner I've ever had."
He chuckled. "Why did I get the sense I was the unknowing target of a jest between you and your parents?"
"Actually, I think I was the target. You were just the bait." I shook my head, thinking back to Mary Margaret's blatant efforts to bring us together. "They meant well," I conceded.
"If it's any consolation, the experience was just as odd for me. I've never been the sort one wishes to introduce to family, let alone be personally invited to dine with royalty."
"No, I imagine not." My face fell, not in pity, but in empathy. "You know I'll never really think of myself that way, don't you?"
He caressed the rounded edge of his hook over my knee. "Aye, love. I've met a fair share of princesses in my time, and you far surpass them in every manner."
I laughed. "Thanks, but I think you're biased."
"Absolutely," he agreed, "but still honest." I could just make out his wink from the light of the street lamps as I pulled into a spot at the marina. I put the car in park and cut the engine. "Home sweet home," he muttered. There was no mistaking the slight bitterness in his tone.
I reached over and wrapped my hand around his arm, just above where his hook attachment fastened. "Care to invite a princess aboard, Captain?"
He twisted his shoulders to look upon me fully. Once upon a time I would've shied away from the intensity shining in his eyes, no matter who he was. That he was a man who'd done just as he'd promised and won my heart would've been enough for me to push him away for good. I'd certainly tried. But he was also a man who didn't give up. Not on me. Not on us. "If that's what the lady wishes, then I would be most obliging."
Stepping out of the car, I expected to feel the fluttering of nervous anticipation, or even a twinge of hesitation. Instead, the desire which had likely started the moment I first laid eyes on Killian Jones mounted to such a degree that I was amazed I hadn't jumped him in his seat. We'd been stuck in the same dance for weeks. We'd experienced the sweet taste of relief only recently, but it was not enough. Now that I'd thrown up my white flag of surrender, my body was ready to claim him along with the bond my soul had forged.
He set the pace as we crossed the wooden docks to where the Jolly Roger was secured. I'm sure I wasn't imaging the extra sway he placed in his steps, though I wasn't about to complain. He'd yet to put his heavy coat back on, so I was treated to the decidedly wonderful view of his taut backside encased in dark denim.
He held his hand to me as he started up the stairs. It was an unexpected show of gallantry that once again revealed his original nature. I placed my hand in his and let him escort me across the deck, taking in the breath-taking view of the bay. Thousands of stars reflected in the water which seemed almost eerily calm after the tumultuous rainstorm. "Storms always reveal fair weather," he commented, as if reading my mind. I wondered if he knew the deeper meaning of his sentiment.
I turned to look at him and my heart literally ached. It felt too big to live in my chest as though it yearned to live in his, too. "Emma," he breathed. His fingers traced down my cheek. I caught his hand as he began to pull it back and placed it over my heart, just as I'd done once before.
"You win," I whispered. Awareness lit his face by degrees before it broke into the most stunning smile he'd ever bestowed upon me. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around his waist, tilting my face up to meet his lowering mouth. This kiss was different than those that had come before. While still as intoxicating, it felt charged with the words that may have been left unsaid, but were definitely felt.
My hands moved underneath his shirt to explore the planes of his back before slipping down to run appreciatively over his backside. He nipped at my bottom lip playfully and bucked his hips toward mine. "I am quite sure I've never heard of a princess taking such liberties, love."
"Well you shouldn't flaunt what you're not willing to share," I teased.
His hand stroked down my spine and came to rest on my own butt, squeezing it experimentally. "Good form, Swan," he remarked, his voice as tangible and rich as melted chocolate.
I curled my fingers into his hair and yanked his lips back into a hard kiss. Opening my mouth, my tongue prodded along the seam of his lips until he granted me access. His arms wrapped around my back, and I reveled in being encased by his body. But it wasn't enough. I wanted to feel his skin sliding against my own, to be fully consumed by him and to give him the same pleasure in return. Pulling away from the kiss, I said breathlessly, "This is the part where you take me to bed, Killian."
"As you wish," He rasped. Taking my hand, he led us below deck to his cabin without any further words or hesitation.
As soon as the door closed, I pulled my sweater off and tossed it over the chair by his table. My boots were next. When I moved to take off my shirt, his hand stopped me. "Wait, love. There's no need to rush." He brushed my hair behind my shoulder and touched his lips to my pulse point, then behind my ear. "I intend to fully savor this experience," he whispered as he took my earlobe between his teeth, biting gently and rolling it between his lips. My head fell backwards and he seized the opportunity to smooth kisses down one side of my neck then up the other before returning to my mouth.
My hands slipped underneath the hem of his shirt to stroke his smooth, warm skin. I felt almost desperate to remove all the barriers between us. My body started to tremble with the combination of desire and emotion I felt for him. "Please, I want to see you," I murmured into his ear. I grasped the edge of his shirt and tugged. He stepped back and locked his eyes with mine before taking my hand in his and guiding it to his hook. Together, we twisted it off and he set it aside. Holding his arms open, he simply said, "I'm yours, Emma."
If his eyes were intense before, his current expression nearly brought me to my knees. I love him, I thought and meant it. Reaching back to him, I gently lifted the borrowed shirt over his head and let it drop to the floor before setting my gaze on all I'd revealed.
I'd seen him nearly shirtless on two occasions, but this was different. This was a lover's reveal; exposing more than just flesh. His body wasn't perfect, but it was perfect for me. The scar on his ribs marred his skin, and his left arm was encased by the black leather brace used for his prosthetics. He had two tattoos: the heart and dagger I'd seen before, but the mariner's star on his left bicep was a secret surprise. He was real, and that made him beautiful.
Placing my hands on his shoulders, I traced down the defined muscles of his chest and abdomen, relishing in the contours he'd developed over centuries of hard work and the generous dark hair which only enhanced his masculinity. Touching the straps on his left shoulder, my eyes asked silent permission to truly strip him bare. He nodded slowly, perhaps cautiously, and I softly kissed the tattoo just below the leather straps. Loosening the fastenings, I eased the sheath off and caressed each new inch of skin with my fingertips as it was exposed.
I stepped closer and kissed along his collarbone and then his shoulders, letting my nails rake lightly down his naked back. He shivered and tilted my face back to his. Our lips met firmly, Killian's tongue thrusting forward to spar with mine. His hand wrapped around my thigh, lifting it to his waist to better align our hips, before he grunted. "Bloody modern inventions, absolutely unforgiving on my manhood," he grimaced playfully as he pressed said 'problem' against me.
"But so much easier to get off than leather," I sassed, reaching out to unzip his jeans and undo the single button-fly.
He bowed his hips away from my hands. "Easy there, Swan. I do believe it's time to even the score," he chuckled, his voice laced with sin and a hint of something close to amazement. I knew exactly how he was feeling. Adrenalin and need rioted through my veins. Mirroring his earlier motions, I placed a foot of distance between us and held my arms facing up. He smiled and slipped his hand and wrist just beneath the fabric of my shirt, sliding both up along my body and taking my shirt with them. His hand ghosted over my left breast before reaching my shoulder. "Arms up, love." Following his directions, my shirt was soon discarded next to his. His hungry gaze swept over my body much like I'd assessed him, setting tingles of desire marching over my skin as though his eyes were electric. He fondled my bra strap – snapping it against my skin – and his face seemed bemused. It certainly wasn't one my fanciest sets, but at least it was black.
"Next time I'll wear my good stuff," I joked.
He grinned. "Darling, the only care I have for the state of your frocks is how swiftly they reach my floor." His expression turned serious again as his hand trailed from my neck to my navel. "You are truly beautiful, Emma. I have no idea what I've done to deserve to see you this way."
I caught his hand and kissed his fingers. "You didn't give up." I reached behind my back and unclasped my bra, letting it drop without any uncertainty. Taking his hand again, I placed it on my naked chest, feeling my nipple harden against his palm. The blue of his eyes was eclipsed by dark desire as his hand worked to massage first one breast, then the other. I moaned as flames of pure need burned through my body and settled between my increasingly shaky legs.
I returned to my task at getting him fully naked, pushing him none-too gently to the bed so I could remove his boots and socks. That done, I reached for the waist of his jeans and eased them over his hips, his erection springing free from its denim confines. "Commando, huh?" I smirked. Honestly, I'd expected nothing less.
"Whatever you say, love," he chuckled, for once too distracted to question my modern slang. I wrapped my fingers around his shaft and stroked him once from base to tip before he shifted away with a slight laugh. He peered at me from beneath his thick, black lashes. "We seem to be unmatched again, love; how shall we remedy this situation?"
My heart raced, but I held his gaze as I removed my own jeans. Standing in front of him in nothing but black panties, I was surprised only to feel a sense of pride and not a shred of doubt. "Bloody hell," he murmured to himself, his fingers reaching out to tuck underneath the thin fabric. He peeled them from my body inch by inch before leaning toward me and placing a kiss on my stomach, circling his tongue into my navel.
He stood slowly, sliding his naked body against mine and kissed me once more. We wrapped our arms around each other – finally skin to skin – and my trembling returned, or had it never stopped? His mouth lowered to take one of my nipples between his lips and he sucked hard before swirling his tongue around the peak. "Killian…" His name escaped me in a whimper.
Turning us, he urged me to stretch out across his mattress then settled next to me, nudging one of his legs between mine. His erection was hard and hot against the naked skin of my hip and I squirmed unconsciously, feeling more than desperate for his touch. His questing fingers trailed across my waist before slipping between my thighs. At their first graze, I gasped and my hips writhed. "Shh, love, I've got you," he murmured while rubbing his thumb in firm motions against me. He knew exactly how to touch me, and I was completely helpless to fight the sensations. Each flick of his fingers caused the fire to burn hotter, and the ache to be filled by him was almost too much to bear. He pressed two long fingers inside of me and pumped twice, growling, "Ah love, you're so ready for me."
I reached out – grabbing his backside with both hands – and tried to force him to cover my body. "Please, Killian…" I sighed. As lovely as the foreplay was, I'd been ready for him for longer than I cared to admit. I was going insane with want.
His breath panted in my ear. "If we do this, you'll never be rid of me," he warned. I knew what he was trying to say. I knew what this meant to him. It meant the same to me.
"Good," I replied before turning my head to claim his mouth again, but he held his face back.
"Bloody hell," he cursed, shaking his head, "I don't wish to be crude…but, love, neither of us is quite ready for a ch – "
"– I've got an I.U.D," I interrupted, knowing exactly where his thoughts were heading.
"A what?"
I groaned, and not in pleasure. "It's a type of birth control. Do you really want me to explain it right now?"
"Perhaps not," he exhaled, chuckling softly. The temporary concern in his eyes melted back into twin pools of liquid desire. "If you're sure?"
While I loved that he was still thinking about me rather than his own need, I really just wanted him to shut up. Tugging on his hair, I finally succeeded in fusing his lips to mine. Without breaking the kiss, he shifted to lie between my legs, propping himself up on his left arm. The tip of his erection prodded my entrance and he flexed his hips a few times, rubbing directly over that spot which was desperate for completion. His fingers laced with my left hand and he rested his forehead against my brow. "Mine," he whispered.
"Yours," I echoed as he pushed forward and joined our bodies as one. We moaned in unison as he finally filled me. I'd never felt this way before; this total completion of body, heart, and soul. Tears stung the corner of my eyes as he moved, that rhythmic give and take that was as old as time. He was all around me, but I couldn't get close enough. I wrapped my legs around his waist and tilted my hips to meet each of his thrusts. The nails of my free hand gripped his shoulder so tightly I was afraid I was drawing blood.
He circled his hips and my breath came in small gasps as the motion caused him to slide over that sensitive spot within me. I felt my body clench around him tightly. "Emma," he groaned; his pace increasing. My hand moved to grab his hair, pulling his face down. Noises of pleasure were swallowed by our kiss as I stroked my tongue against his. Our sweat-slickened skin slid against one another; his chest hair causing delicious friction against my breasts.
He wrenched his head back, face contorted in an expression between pain and pleasure. "Emma, love, what you do to me…I've wanted you, waited for you for so long." His hips moved erratically and a drowning wave of raw need pulsed across our bond. He wasn't talking about sex, he was talking about love. He'd waited centuries to find love again.
"I'm so close," I cried. That feeling in my chest swelled to join the heavy need in my lower body, threatening to break me apart.
"Aye love, together," he vowed. His hand loosened from mine and slipped between our bodies. He pressed his thumb against me in tight circles as his thrusts became more forceful.
Those confronting emotions within me coiled together – love against desire, passion against hope, want against fulfillment – and twisted until I was a writhing mass of feeling without consciousness. And then, I did break apart. His name was as heartfelt as a prayer when it escaped my lips. The words, "I love you" pounded through my head in perfect rhythm with my racing heartbeat.
"I love you, too, Emma," he exhaled as he thrust once more then stilled, his muscles tensing as he rode out his own completion. My arms tightened around him even as my mind froze. What did he just say? Too? I'd only thought my confession, not said it. At least, that's how I remembered it.
After several moments, he slipped out of me and moved to his side, pulling me alongside his body. Spreading feather-light kisses along my brow, he said, "Talk to me. I can feel you. You know that."
I stared into his deep blue eyes. A bible verse I'd heard as child – one of my foster parents had been a Reverend at a Methodist church – flitted through my memory. Love is patient, love is kind…it rejoices with the truth. It always protects. It always trusts, always hopes…I'd never been a spiritual person, but for some reason, that definition of love had always stuck with me. Ages ago, I'd believed in true love, and believed that it was all those things. And all those things were shining in Killian's eyes.
"You said too," I whispered.
"Aye, love." His warm hand smoothed over my back in gentle patterns. "Does that surprise you?"
"I didn't say it out loud. I only thought it."
"Truly?" His brow raised. "Must have been one hell of a loud thought." He cupped my face, ensuring that I focused solely on him. "Do not fear this, Swan. Trust in it."
Strangely, I did trust in it, in him. Our nakedness in that moment was characterized by more than just a lack of clothes. Studying his face, I let the calm acceptance quiet any rising fears. I lifted my fingers to touch the faint scar on his cheek. "You've never told me how you got this," I commented before dropping my hand to the more prominent mark on his ribs. "Or this?"
"I've lived a hard life and fought many foes. Some who deserved it and some who admittedly did not," his lips twitched.
"And yet you're still here." My palm drifted to cover his heart, taking comfort in the steady beating that I had helped to spark.
"For as long as you'll have me." His voice still held that slightly rough quality I'd come to attribute to his satisfaction. Intimate and honest. He leaned forward and kissed me – a chaste brush of lips meant to comfort rather than arouse – and whispered those words again. "I do love you, Emma Swan."
My pulse tripped, and I took a deep breath. "I know. And I…I love you, too." An overwhelming feeling of what could only be classified as contented fulfillment – like completing the final touches of a mosaic masterpiece – surged across our connection, stealing my breath and momentarily flooding my vision with a shimmering white light, just as it had when I first bound him to me.
"What the bloody hell was that?" He exclaimed, a slight edge of unease coloring his voice.
I blinked rapidly, clearing the magic haze from my vision before settling on his face. "I don't know. I think…I think I might have just sealed our fate?" I said the last words in a rush, feeling stupid for even thinking them. But that's exactly what it had felt like.
He was quiet. We both were. His fingers brushed through my hair in a soothing fashion. "Well, if that's the case, love, I suppose there's no harm done. As far as I'm concerned, my fate was sealed some time ago." He kissed my forehead and continued his caresses.
My attention drifted to the heart and dagger tattoo on his wrist. Despite its age, the colors were still bright and clear with Milah's name emblazoned across the center. I traced it lightly with my fingertips. I felt no malice or jealousy – I could not fault him for loving before, just as I had – though I was sad as I remembered my dream. "Milah…you told me you watched her die. I think I dreamt about it. I saw it…felt it, or felt you." I swallowed and met his eyes. "And your brother…I dreamt about that just this morning. Your heart was broken."
His face fell. "Aye, love. As was yours when the officers arrested you for Baelfire's crime, and the moment you refused to allow yourself to hold your newborn son."
I gasped. "You know about that?"
His answering smile was faint and didn't reach his eyes. "Only so far as you know of my own tragedies." His palm moved to cover my heart. "It seems there is a lot more to this bond than the crocodile let on."
"And now you can hear my thoughts," I grumbled.
This time his smile was more genuine. "Only the most important one."
I rolled onto my back, needing a respite from all the intense intimacy. "So where do we go from here?"
"I believe I told you before that I am at your service," he said, his voice a bit drawn.
I turned my head. "This is your life, too, Killian. You do get a say."
He leaned over and let his hand gently skim over my naked torso. "Then, I say this is not a one-time thing, Swan."
I snorted. "It better not be." I slapped his hand away. "Don't get distracted. I have to go soon."
"You really don't," he started to say as his fingers crept along my breast.
"Yes, I do. Much as I'd like to stay right here for the rest of the night, I have to go home. But there will be other nights," I promised and meant it. I captured his fingers and brought them to my lips. "This is only our beginning."
With great reluctance, I slipped from the bed and began gathering my clothes. Tugging on my underwear and then pants, I said, "So, my family already knows about us. It's not some secret anymore. I guess that means we're a couple?" I didn't mean for it to come out as a question, but when it came to relationships I was as clueless as they came.
"I would be most honored to be recognized as yours, love. You know this."
I nodded. "Then we'll take it as it comes. People will get used to the idea. I mean, we've already been seen together."
"I really don't bloody care what anyone else thinks, Swan, but I will endeavor to make myself worthy of being yours." He sat up and reached for his own pants.
"What are you doing?" I asked as I refastened my bra.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" He laughed lightly.
I yanked my shirt and sweater into place. "It's late; aren't you going to bed?"
"Yes, darling, but first I'd like to accompany my love safely to her vessel, if not to her home." He stood to fasten his jeans, and I marveled at his incredible dexterity. Moving to the table, he picked up his leather brace and handed it to me. "Help me with this, won't you love?"
I considered the device in my hands; this was Killian's armor. A vestige of the harsh life he'd told me about, and the signature piece to his Captain Hook persona. "Do you really need it just to walk me to my car?"
To his credit he didn't dismiss my point straight away. A hint of something akin to shame mixed with fierce resolution flickered across our bond. "I would not escort you unprepared." He met my gaze head on, and held his bare arm out to me. Wordlessly, I slipped the sheath over his skin and fastened the straps, once again stopping to kiss the star on his shoulder. He pulled on his shirt before picking up his gleaming hook and twisting it into place. "Shall we?"
We walked side-by-side to my yellow car, exchanging glances rather than words. About halfway down the pier, he linked his fingers with mine, and I let him. While I had headed toward his ship with every intention of surrendering, I left it feeling as though I were the victor. I'd scoffed at the notion of love for almost as long as I could remember. To feel it burning in my heart, and more importantly, matched in his was nothing short of a miracle.
He flicked my hair playfully with his hook when we arrived at the driver's door. "Thank you for an incredible evening, milady," he grinned.
"Likewise, Captain," I saluted, returning his smile. He pulled me against his chest and captured my mouth in a searing kiss. I poured every emotion he'd inspired into our bond and he moaned, his fingers tangling in my hair. Pulling back slowly I beamed at him. "I'll call you in the morning."
The sudden sounding of a voice caused both of us to jump. "Well, isn't this a charming scene."
Killian spun to face the intruder and attempted to place me between his back and my car. "Crocodile," he growled under his breath.
"Gold!" I exclaimed, pushing to stand beside Killian. "Is there a reason you're lurking by the docks at this time of night?"
He tilted his head and smirked. "I could ask the same of you, Dearie; though, judging from that fond farewell, I'm certain I can draw my own conclusions." He eyed Killian with all the warmth of a snowball.
I felt Killian tense beside me, though he kept his tone fairly neutral. "What do you want?"
"Oh, I had some business this way. But, now that you mention it, have you taken care of the matter we discussed, Sheriff? It seems clear that you've made your choice." He swept a hand mockingly toward Killian.
I crossed my arms and leveled my gaze on him. "The opportunity hasn't really come up, yet."
"What the devil are you speaking of?" Killian asked, his distrust and frustration clear.
"Nothing to concern yourself with, Captain." He smirked again. "I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand common decency at any rate."
Killian shifted forward and I grasped his arm to stop him. Gold grinned. "My, my, it appears I've struck a nerve. And here I thought we'd set our differences aside." His attention returned to me. "My son deserves an answer."
"And he'll get it," I replied sharply, feeling a bit tired of being told what to do. Not to mention, Gold's intentions hadn't sat right with me since the entire bonding incident had begun. In what world was Rumpelstiltskin okay with me choosing the pirate over his precious Baelfire?
Gold stepped closer to me, near enough to touch me if he wanted to. I held my ground, refusing to be intimidated. "Your magic seems different. Have you noticed any changes?" He lifted his hand and passed it over my chest. I felt a warm tingle of power wash over my skin.
Killian's hook stopped him before he could make contact. "Just what do you think you're doing?" His tone was as threatening as I'd ever heard.
Gold dropped his hand immediately and adopted that harmless expression he used to entice. "Assessing the variation to her magical aura, nothing more." He narrowed his eyes at the hook. "I see some habits never change." His gaze traveled over Killian before he tilted his head again. "Well now isn't this interesting. It appears some of Miss Swan's magic is now imprinted on you, as well."
"And what does that mean?" I asked, getting impatient with whatever game he was playing.
"I told you before there's no reported history for the bond you've created. We'll just have to continue monitoring its progress. If I can be of any assistance –"
"–We're doing fine on our own, thank you just the same," Killian interjected.
Gold smiled to himself, placing both of his hands atop of his cane. "Well, the offer stands. I wish you both a good evening."
We were both silent as we watched Gold walk out of sight. As soon as he was gone, Killian's frame relaxed and he pulled me loosely into his embrace with his hook anchored to my back and his hand resting over my heart. "Not the best ending to our evening, but I suppose it could've been worse," he commented.
My thoughts drifted back to Milah almost as easily as if he'd steered them there. Placing my palm over his hand, I said, "You know, I discovered something interesting back at Lake Nostos." A puzzled expression clouded his face. "After I knocked you out Cora tried to take my heart, but she couldn't. My magic stopped her. Apparently, I'm protected by true love."
A sense of clarity overtook him and he smiled. "Thank the gods for that," he murmured.
Our hands dropped and I opened the car door. "Gold's up to something."
"He always is."
"As long as we agree," I chuckled, though honestly, I was getting sick and tired of battling everyone's ulterior motives. I kissed Killian's lips softly – quickly – and stepped away. "I've got to go. I'll talk to you soon."
He smiled that shy smile that I loved. "Sweet dreams, Swan."
"I hope so," I winked. Closing my door, he stepped back and waited for me to back out. He held my eyes and waved as I shifted gears. It took all of my willpower to press down on the gas pedal to drive away from him. For the second night in a row, I travelled in the opposite direction of my heart, though this time, I left filled with hope rather than remorse. I was in love.
And now the real fun begins...
A/N: Thank you again to my partner in writing-crime, Yettoseeyoufail, and to those who continue to read, review and support this journey. I hope it was worth the wait ;)
I treasure your reviews almost as much as Killian treasures Emma. Who will be my lucky 100? Next update – probably this weekend. TTFN!
