Threesome
"She's a good lass, y'know. Got a strong will . . .almost a bit too strong, at times. Good mind, too, even if it does tend to plan things too conventionally, tad bit too linearly. We could work on that, though. Course, she'll just call me daft, but what else is new?
"I'm actually kind of surprised she's stayed this long. We almost had something once. It might've worked, too, the way that bonny lass loves the sea.
"I had to come after you, though, and if that meant a little bit of betrayal . . .
"Of course, involve the fates and let them play games, and a little bit can fast become a lot of bit.
"Not that it wasn't worth it, love. Anything would be worth it for you. When I lost you that first time . . .I never knew a person could hurt so bloody much without a scratch on their body. I really was too young for you. If I'd been older, a bit more experienced . . .
"He would've seen me as a bigger threat and I'd've ended up somewhere with a sword in my chest or a ball in my brain, and that wouldn't have been much help to either of us.
"I'm just sorry it took me so long to get back. The things he let happen to you . . .I almost wish he was still alive so I could kill him again for what he did. She fixed you up pretty good, though, didn't she? Good as she could in such a short time, given she decided t' come back for me, and we did all the other major repairs soon as it was safe, aye? You're good as new, love . . .better than new, and I'm goin' to make sure you stay just like this.
"It's so good to be back here with you. I thought about you every day, y'know, about how to get back. Funny, isn't it, when one lady I betrayed helps me get back to the lady I betrayed her for.
"If she decides to stay . . .which it seems she's goin' to . . .if she stays, love, what d'you think about her and me? You'll always be the first, love, but she's a good lass, a smart, strong, definitely-not-bad-looking lass . . .and she came back for me . . .gave you back to me . . ."
"Jack."
The pirate captain's head shot up and he grinned at the woman standing to his right, consciously relaxing his grip on the wheel and stilling his hands. "Anamaria."
"What're you doin'?"
"Talking to an old friend, askin' her a very important question."
"Oh?" One dark eyebrow arched and she crossed her hands over her chest. "She given you an answer yet?"
"Not yet."
A slight smile twitched at the corners of Anamaria's mouth. "You're completely daft, you know that, Jack?"
"The world doesn't seem to be much fun for the sane. Was there somethin' you needed to tell me?"
"I was just wondering if you wanted me to spot you so you could go eat."
"That'd be wonderful. I'll be back soon as I can be, love."
Jack gently patted the ebony wheel as he moved aside, one hand still lingering on the polished wood, to let Anamaria take control.
Before he could move any further the ship lurched sideways and Jack's balance, usually perfect on the Pearl, failed as his arm was jerked one way and his feet the other.
It was sheer impetuousness that caused him to lean in and kiss the woman whose arms had kept him from falling.
It was a good sense of self-preservation that caused him to freeze afterwards, counting slowly in his mind . . .
One . . .
Two . . .
Three . . .
Four . . .
Five . . .
Before daring to stare her in the eye, fairly certain the danger of being slapped or yelled at had decreased significantly by that point.
Anamaria lifted one hand to her lips and tilted her head, dark eyes unfathomable. "Was that your answer?"
Jack's grin spread slowly across his face, displaying gold teeth amid the white.
"What do you think of threesomes, love?"
