Into The Fire
Chapter 3: Pomegranates
First attempt, comments welcome but please be kind - my ego is still fragile. ;-)
Jack has been rescued and is now aboard the Nightmare. He and Jessamin are about to dine - will they both make it through the evening unscathed? The fates only know!
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"So Jack. Your name is not unknown to me, I've heard tales of your exploits for years. How did you come to be stranded? Last I heard you had finally gotten your ship back, the Black Pearl was't it?"
Jack looked down to his empty plate. "Aye, I did. But I've lost her yet again, and this time it's for good. We were attacked, she went down, and I'd rather not talk about it." he shifted in his chair.
Jess caught the flash of pain cross his face before he could hide it. She was not going to be so callous to press the subject. Instead she rang the small silver bell beside the table.
In a flurry of activity food and drink was carried in. Fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, wine and water. Her cook, Niko, had a knack for creating new dishes on a regular basis, as well as knowing her personal favorites. She filled her goblet with some of the light crisp wine and passed another to her guest.
"You really should try this vintage, it's one from my private reserves."
Jack took a sip. The golden liquid tasted of plums and honey, bringing back memories of days lone gone, when times were different. He eyed his host.
"Where did you get a hold of this? This has to be worth its weight in gold?" he asked as he grabbed a soft buttered roll from a tray.
"Oh, I have lots of friends, many who owe me favors." she began to fill her own plate. Food was a nice safe topic, no chance of me losing my temper there. "The fish is delightful as well, it's broiled with lemon and capers and practically melts on your tongue."
"Really?" Jack arched an eyebrow "It may please you to know that I've been able to melt things with my tongue," he leered "maybe I can give you a demonstration sometime luv?"
He took another sip of wine before snagging a piece of said fish with his fork. Well, that got a nice blush out of her. Might have been a bit too much though.
Jess had to admit, she had left herself open to that one. She couldn't control the blush either, maybe another glass of wine.
"Really? Now why would you even think I would be interested? I mean just thinking where your tongue has been..." she countered.
"Ah, but now at least your thinking about it...." he was rewarded with another lovely blush.
"Oh good god, just eat already." she laughed. This conversation had moved into the realm of ridiculous. She could see a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. They were soft lips, well shaped, kissable. Wait, bad thought. Damn it's been too long. It didn't help that he cleaned up really well, and the new clothes he wore were rather dashing - wonder what he looked like under them. Back to the bad thoughts again, damn it.
Jack took a bite of the fish, it was rather excellent. Everything was, including the company. He finally got her to laugh, and she seemed to have loosened up a fraction. He had know his fare share of women pirates, and all of them tough as nails. They had to be - in order to survive. Most pirates thought nothing of raping - whether it be woman, man or animal. He personally found it distasteful, a willing participant was much more pleasurable.
Jess sighed, can't let him get to you that way dear. Flirting is one thing, but don't think about any thing more than that.
"Well Captain, might as well get business out of the way," he took another sip of wine "if you would be so kind as to drop me off at the nearest port I am sure I can find some way to compensate you for your efforts, savvy?"
"No."
"What, what do you mean no?"
"I'm not stopping to drop you off."
"Didn't think you liked me enough to keep me already luv, but really I need to get going."
"It's so not about you, do get over yourself. We are heading to our home port. We are already overdue, and picking you up didn't help. I am not stopping until we reach Pathos and there will be NO arguments."
"But.." the look in her eyes stopped him "fine, but what do I get for my troubles?"
"YOUR troubles - we rescued you off that rock, you should be happy you are even here!" Jess snapped.
"Did I ask you to pick me up? What makes you think I wouldn't have found another way off, that wasn't the first time I've been stranded!"
"You really are full of yourself aren't you? I mean really to have the balls to reject my hospitality...."
"So now you are thinking about my other body parts..... sure you don't want a demonstration of my talents?" he flashed her his best smile. Oh yeah, she's gonna kill me...
Jessamin's mouth dropped, she gasped for a response and ended up grabbing a Pomegranate instead.
Well maybe he wasn't dead yet....
"Insufferable!" she yelled.
"Me? Well let's not mention how uptight you are."
"Uptight, I'll show you uptight!" She hurled the pomegranate at him and it thudded solidly into his head.
Jack's eyes rolled back and he slumped limply in the chair.
"Maybe that was a little too solid..." she jumped up and over to his seat.
Shit, she didn't mean to hurt him, and he wasn't waking up.
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Jessamin had Sebu drag Jack to the couch. He'd been out for about 10 minutes and she was dabbing the impressive lump on his forehead with a damp cloth.
Jack began to stir, man his head hurt - what the hell happened. Oh. Flying fruit. Well he was back on the couch and owww.
"Please stop."
Jess froze with her had hovering midair. "Your awake!" she smiled in relief.
"Really, it takes more than that to be rid of me. But no more with the poking at my head luv, unless you truly want me dead. I didn't think fruit could hurt so bad."
"I'm sorry, it's just... well you've caught me at a bad time and managed to push all the wrong buttons. I overreacted... alot. Can I tell you again that I'm sorry?" She bit her lip and looked down. Apologising was not her best suit.
Jack took her hand, still hovering over his head. "It's alright, really. I'm as much to blame for trying to bait you. Though if you would be a dear and bring the rest of that wine over here I think I could drown out some of the pain." he winked - and then winced.
"Sounds like a plan to me." I could use a little pain killing myself she thought to herself. Jess grabbed the flask from the table and seated herself on the other end of the couch.
"You know Captain, women are alot like pomegranets." Jack smiled at the expression he received "Really, just hear me out."
He leaned in closer.
"First off the skin is smooth and curved, yet firm. Even though they appear tough, one must handle them gently so as not to bruise the tender fruit concealed inside." he took the wine flask from her hand and sipped and offered her another taste.
Jess accepted the drink without thinking, things were getting nice and fuzzy. How much had she had to drink?
Jack continued, his voice low " If one wants to partake of the pomegranets fruit they need to gently coax the outer layer apart, and beneath one finds a treasure of plump rubies, each one to be savored, slowly, as their flavor bursts over your tongue sweet and tart."
She took another drink, damn fruit never seem this erotic before.
Jack leaned forward and whispered into her ear "If a person goes slowly they can make the experience last for hours...." he stroked her cheek "so smooth, so tender..." brushed his fingers past her lips "what are you concealing inside?"
No, Jess struggled inwardly but her body ignored her. The wines effects were too strong. That last comment, there was no way he could possibly understand how he had just hit on the mark.
His fingers traced the contour of her face, and discovered the wet warmth of a single tear. "What's the matter luv?" he asked huskily.
She didn't hear him as she surrendered to dark embrace of unconciousness.
Jack felt her body go limp, all tension eased as she collapsed into his arms.
Damn, not really the response he wanted. He sighed and held her for a moment, drinking in her scent, jasmine and spice. Slowly Jack eased her still form to lie on the couch.
"Sweet dreams pet"
Lets hope you don't try to take this out on me in the morning.
Chapter 3: Pomegranates
First attempt, comments welcome but please be kind - my ego is still fragile. ;-)
Jack has been rescued and is now aboard the Nightmare. He and Jessamin are about to dine - will they both make it through the evening unscathed? The fates only know!
-------------------------------------------
"So Jack. Your name is not unknown to me, I've heard tales of your exploits for years. How did you come to be stranded? Last I heard you had finally gotten your ship back, the Black Pearl was't it?"
Jack looked down to his empty plate. "Aye, I did. But I've lost her yet again, and this time it's for good. We were attacked, she went down, and I'd rather not talk about it." he shifted in his chair.
Jess caught the flash of pain cross his face before he could hide it. She was not going to be so callous to press the subject. Instead she rang the small silver bell beside the table.
In a flurry of activity food and drink was carried in. Fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, wine and water. Her cook, Niko, had a knack for creating new dishes on a regular basis, as well as knowing her personal favorites. She filled her goblet with some of the light crisp wine and passed another to her guest.
"You really should try this vintage, it's one from my private reserves."
Jack took a sip. The golden liquid tasted of plums and honey, bringing back memories of days lone gone, when times were different. He eyed his host.
"Where did you get a hold of this? This has to be worth its weight in gold?" he asked as he grabbed a soft buttered roll from a tray.
"Oh, I have lots of friends, many who owe me favors." she began to fill her own plate. Food was a nice safe topic, no chance of me losing my temper there. "The fish is delightful as well, it's broiled with lemon and capers and practically melts on your tongue."
"Really?" Jack arched an eyebrow "It may please you to know that I've been able to melt things with my tongue," he leered "maybe I can give you a demonstration sometime luv?"
He took another sip of wine before snagging a piece of said fish with his fork. Well, that got a nice blush out of her. Might have been a bit too much though.
Jess had to admit, she had left herself open to that one. She couldn't control the blush either, maybe another glass of wine.
"Really? Now why would you even think I would be interested? I mean just thinking where your tongue has been..." she countered.
"Ah, but now at least your thinking about it...." he was rewarded with another lovely blush.
"Oh good god, just eat already." she laughed. This conversation had moved into the realm of ridiculous. She could see a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. They were soft lips, well shaped, kissable. Wait, bad thought. Damn it's been too long. It didn't help that he cleaned up really well, and the new clothes he wore were rather dashing - wonder what he looked like under them. Back to the bad thoughts again, damn it.
Jack took a bite of the fish, it was rather excellent. Everything was, including the company. He finally got her to laugh, and she seemed to have loosened up a fraction. He had know his fare share of women pirates, and all of them tough as nails. They had to be - in order to survive. Most pirates thought nothing of raping - whether it be woman, man or animal. He personally found it distasteful, a willing participant was much more pleasurable.
Jess sighed, can't let him get to you that way dear. Flirting is one thing, but don't think about any thing more than that.
"Well Captain, might as well get business out of the way," he took another sip of wine "if you would be so kind as to drop me off at the nearest port I am sure I can find some way to compensate you for your efforts, savvy?"
"No."
"What, what do you mean no?"
"I'm not stopping to drop you off."
"Didn't think you liked me enough to keep me already luv, but really I need to get going."
"It's so not about you, do get over yourself. We are heading to our home port. We are already overdue, and picking you up didn't help. I am not stopping until we reach Pathos and there will be NO arguments."
"But.." the look in her eyes stopped him "fine, but what do I get for my troubles?"
"YOUR troubles - we rescued you off that rock, you should be happy you are even here!" Jess snapped.
"Did I ask you to pick me up? What makes you think I wouldn't have found another way off, that wasn't the first time I've been stranded!"
"You really are full of yourself aren't you? I mean really to have the balls to reject my hospitality...."
"So now you are thinking about my other body parts..... sure you don't want a demonstration of my talents?" he flashed her his best smile. Oh yeah, she's gonna kill me...
Jessamin's mouth dropped, she gasped for a response and ended up grabbing a Pomegranate instead.
Well maybe he wasn't dead yet....
"Insufferable!" she yelled.
"Me? Well let's not mention how uptight you are."
"Uptight, I'll show you uptight!" She hurled the pomegranate at him and it thudded solidly into his head.
Jack's eyes rolled back and he slumped limply in the chair.
"Maybe that was a little too solid..." she jumped up and over to his seat.
Shit, she didn't mean to hurt him, and he wasn't waking up.
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Jessamin had Sebu drag Jack to the couch. He'd been out for about 10 minutes and she was dabbing the impressive lump on his forehead with a damp cloth.
Jack began to stir, man his head hurt - what the hell happened. Oh. Flying fruit. Well he was back on the couch and owww.
"Please stop."
Jess froze with her had hovering midair. "Your awake!" she smiled in relief.
"Really, it takes more than that to be rid of me. But no more with the poking at my head luv, unless you truly want me dead. I didn't think fruit could hurt so bad."
"I'm sorry, it's just... well you've caught me at a bad time and managed to push all the wrong buttons. I overreacted... alot. Can I tell you again that I'm sorry?" She bit her lip and looked down. Apologising was not her best suit.
Jack took her hand, still hovering over his head. "It's alright, really. I'm as much to blame for trying to bait you. Though if you would be a dear and bring the rest of that wine over here I think I could drown out some of the pain." he winked - and then winced.
"Sounds like a plan to me." I could use a little pain killing myself she thought to herself. Jess grabbed the flask from the table and seated herself on the other end of the couch.
"You know Captain, women are alot like pomegranets." Jack smiled at the expression he received "Really, just hear me out."
He leaned in closer.
"First off the skin is smooth and curved, yet firm. Even though they appear tough, one must handle them gently so as not to bruise the tender fruit concealed inside." he took the wine flask from her hand and sipped and offered her another taste.
Jess accepted the drink without thinking, things were getting nice and fuzzy. How much had she had to drink?
Jack continued, his voice low " If one wants to partake of the pomegranets fruit they need to gently coax the outer layer apart, and beneath one finds a treasure of plump rubies, each one to be savored, slowly, as their flavor bursts over your tongue sweet and tart."
She took another drink, damn fruit never seem this erotic before.
Jack leaned forward and whispered into her ear "If a person goes slowly they can make the experience last for hours...." he stroked her cheek "so smooth, so tender..." brushed his fingers past her lips "what are you concealing inside?"
No, Jess struggled inwardly but her body ignored her. The wines effects were too strong. That last comment, there was no way he could possibly understand how he had just hit on the mark.
His fingers traced the contour of her face, and discovered the wet warmth of a single tear. "What's the matter luv?" he asked huskily.
She didn't hear him as she surrendered to dark embrace of unconciousness.
Jack felt her body go limp, all tension eased as she collapsed into his arms.
Damn, not really the response he wanted. He sighed and held her for a moment, drinking in her scent, jasmine and spice. Slowly Jack eased her still form to lie on the couch.
"Sweet dreams pet"
Lets hope you don't try to take this out on me in the morning.