Short, but sweet chapter. Enjoy! Sorry about the cruel and heartless delay. XP

Also - I'm writing Beckett's P.O.V. in 3rd person narration from now on.

The Magic Porthole.

CHAPTER 14 - Awkwardness

You are BUSTED! You are SO BUSTED! An evil, cackling voice crowed in my head as I slowly turned around to see him sitting up, with the bed drape pulled aside, wide awake.

He'd been faking all this time? How could he? Why are men like this? What the hell am I doing in his room, putting myself at risk for losing my-Don't you even think about it, Jade! That will not happen, because-

"Miss Donnelson?" he frowned, looking puzzled. Yeah right. Suuuuuuure he's puzzled.

"-Um..." my voice cracked a bit from my throat drying up with shock. "I was...check..." No! That doesn't sound right! Start again! "...I wanted to say goodnight - no -" I placed my hands over my face, feeling the heat of embarrassment against my palms.

"I beg your pardon?" he sounded like he didn't believe me. Maybe he was asleep, after all. "Why would you come into my room in the middle of the night to say good-night to me?" He slowly got out of bed, and lit his candle with his tinderbox. (Yes, I just recently found out that 18th century people didn't use matches, because they weren't invented yet. Stacey thought I was crazy.) The flickering candlelight dancing off his face sort of...AHH! No horniness must occur at this time! Think! Think! Think!

"I'm sorry," I nervously chuckled, backing against the door. "I think I was sleepwalking."

He smiled at me as he approached me. I felt this tingling sensation going up my spine from this new feeling I was having in this peculiar situation.

"I'm afraid I do not believe you, Miss Donnelson," he answered, stopping a safe distance away from me. My heart wanted to stop cold. What am I gonna do? Should I have taken Linda's advice? This is going down, and I know it!

A tense moment passed, when he heaved a sigh, pulling his beautiful blue-green eyes from mine, seeming a little annoyed. God, he's having the same feelings, too! What the heck did I just do, here?

"If you have any...inappropriate intentions towards me..." he bored his eyes back into mine, but this time, it was a hard glare. "...you're wrong. I wish only for a proper business relationship with you, Miss Donnelson, for both our sakes. Please return to your room at once."

He stepped around me, opened the door, and stepped aside to let me through. "Good night."

I was relieved, and I was also disappointed. Heck, I've got the hots for this guy! But I guess it'll go away, or it'll have to wait until later...

"Good-night, Lord Beckett," I replied. Saying his title and last name tasted just as good if I had ever said his...interesting first name - Cutler. Cutler Beckett. Weird.

"Please go," he demanded rather firmly.

Okay, now I'm hurt. I glanced at him one more time before I stepped out of his room, sorry for even thinking for going in there in the first place. The door nearly bumped me out as he quickly shut it behind me, and, I swear I heard him turn the lock.

I headed back into my 'new' room, and plopped down onto the bed, sighing deeply. I screwed up big time. No - not that - I mean by going into his room tonight. I wished I hadn't gone in there. Dang, I wished I've never left this bed I was sleeping in!

Pulling the blankets up to my chin, I thought about how he looked tonight when he lit the candle. His hair was short, curly and light golden brown. Oh, he was...beautiful. I wanted to stroke his lovely bestubbled face and kiss his soft curved lips...okay, let me dream this. I want to dream about him for the rest of my life.

And eventually...my dream will come true!

---

Lord Beckett's P.O.V.

The woman puzzled him. Why was she in his room, peering at him while he was half asleep in his bed?

Cutler dropped his key in the drawer of his nightstand, blew out his candle, and crawled unto his warm bed. Closing his eyes, he managed to relax himself enough to recollect what had just happened.

Miss Donnelson was in his room. Was she planning to rob him? Bed him? Checking to see if her absurd friends had unlocked that mirror?

Bloody hell, I can't go on any longer without a straight answer from her! He mentally ranted, staring up at the ceiling of his canopy. Anyhow, I must not waste another second thinking of this rather odd incident. She must be questioned tomorrow before she goes back to her place.

Unfortunately, he doesn't have a clue of what tomorrow holds.