I found my notebook in the side pocket of my bag, all rolled up and crumpled! Yay! It's here! Much apologies for taking so long to update!
Thanks to all reviewers! Replies are at the end of the chapter. Happy new year! Yay! 2004! Party tonight, for me anyways.
New years resolution:
Update more often, and stop forgetting notebooks at school. (or thinking I did, anyways!)
***
"Hah!" Meryl called in triumph, pointing her sword at Jack's chest. "Finally! I win!"
He raised his hands. "I surrender, m'lady." He brushed her blade away from himself. "Point that thing somewhere else, aye?"
She giggled. "I knew I could beat you! They laid down their swords on the dining room table, which had been pushed aside to provide more room. Morgan, for once, had not sat to watch their duel, but had opted, instead, to stay in her cabin down in the galley where the heavy, cool air did not pierce the warmth.
Meryl fingered the hilt of Jacks sword reverently. It was intricately carved in sweeps of inlaid gold and silver. Hers, on the other hand, was a practice sword with a plain hilt.
"Pretty piece of metal." She mused.
His arms slid around her waist slowly. She turned to face him, smiling wryly.
"Do you still have no desire for me, luv?" He asked, drawing her close to him.
She toyed with the string of beads in his salt-weathered hair. "Captain Sparrow?"
"Mmm?"
"Morgan would not be pleased if she could see you now."
"Ah," He said with a smile. "But she cant."
Meryl laughed a mocking, sardonic sort of laugh, meant only to taunt him. "You're pathetic, Jack. You know that, don't you? Let me go." He brushed over her lips with his, his arms loosening around her. He leaned in to kiss her but she ducked away from him playfully. "I've told you," Meryl giggled at the dumbfounded look on Jack's face. "I'll have you only if I want you."
He took her in his arms again. "Oh, but you do, m'lady."
Meryl smiled. She was battling herself within her own thoughts, trying to decide whether to give up and give in or to keep him guessing. She wondered if he knew just how much she sought after his touch, if perhaps by letting him have her she wouldn't be losing much, really.
Suddenly she realised that his lips were on hers, and all inner debate was abruptly muted. His kiss was passionate, but to Meryl it seemed almost practised, as if he had studied the subject somehow, sometime. She liked it. Her lips responded to his, lustfully, her tongue tracing pathways between them.
Jack groaned into her mouth. This was without doubt the most enjoyable kiss he had ever experienced. He felt himself becoming aroused, his hands pawing blindly at the lacing to her blood-red dress.
Meryl smiled against him, guiding his clumsy fingers to the knot where the black leather laces tied. She felt him undo the knot and slide his hands up and down her bare upper body. He pulled his shirt off over his head, removing his tongue from her mouth for but a fleeting second.
"Want to have a little fun now, luv?" He teased.
Meryl shuddered with pleasure as he nibbled at her upper lip, leaning her back upon the dinner table. A sigh escaped her mouth. She hadn't known Jack was this good. Had she known before…
She pushed those thoughts away as he trailed further down her body. It had been a year since she had slept with anyone, and she dearly wanted Jack to be the one who broke this for her. Meryl closed her eyes and let him take over.
***
Review Replies:
Erin Richards-
Okay, you are much too nice, and much too apologetic. I like changing my plot for readers. Lets clear one thing up here; this is YOUR story, written for YOU, the readers. If you as a reader do not like something, you as a reader should tell me. I like hearing where you think the plot should go. Its better that way.
Yes, romance tends to rust the gears of plot. Take this story, for example. Except this was written more as a Soap-Opera than anything else. Well, feel free to take a break. Good authors deserve good breaks. Long ones. But its not length that matters, now is it? *laughs at sick joke*
ElentariII-
This site can be weird sometimes. But still good. Mostly good, anyways. Glad you liked the Aletté/Will/Elizabeth dilemma. Though I'm not through with them yet. Just wait, this gets very interesting…
Very soon.
Keen Eyed Kate-
If you're siding with Morgan you probably didn't like this chapter, eh? Don't worry, there is a big twist still to come. Be patient!
Bunns-Farts (thoroughlychlorinated02@yahoo.com)-
Morgan is his girlfriend, Meryl just calls her his wife to bother Jack. Elizabeth, well, lets just say she's a few love-goggled bulbs short of a box because she's just a wee bit oblivious to her husbands past, ehem, "escapades" ehem.
I'm glad you liked Morgan's Diary.
Will's Gurl-
Sorry, I'm going for a majority pleasing here, but if you want to know, I might write a diary of Aletté or something like that, after Swordplay. She's a cool character. And Will is just so damned gorgeous. *sigh*
Bee-
I think Meryl is an awesome character, and really I prefer her too. If you're rooting for Meryl, this chapter is for you. Well, here's part of your Meryl/Morgan/Jack situation answer. Part of it, not all of it.
Elle-
Another vote for Will and Aletté. Hmmm… gotta wonder there. As I said above, I might write an Aletté spin-off story after Swordplay ends. Just a thought…
Meryl is really cool, and yes, she is much more compatible with Jack. But just wait, something very big and interesting is coming. VERY interesting, and VERY soon. Be patient. And you're right, she DID know him first! *mumbles about man-stealers*
As a small side note, The Rogue of Gyaros is written by LittleBlackStarz and She's got the Jack is by Erin Richards.
