A/N: Joie de Vivre Joy in Life

Chapter Ten

Will glanced up at Ruby as she skittered past him at frantic speed, running to yet another of her tasks topside. She'd been this way for three days, and he knew precisely why and understood only too well. The trouble was that he couldn't do a damned thing about it. He'd tried. He'd wanted to. More than anything. But Elizabeth had found a way, even whilst trapped on a damnable slave ship, to ruin it for them. Everything had been so perfect, Ruby had been so perfect, and so beautiful, and so soft, as she'd lain beside him on the bed, the two of them dampening the sheets with a mixture of sweat and the water from their sponge baths.

Just as he'd decided that he would finally make love to her, finally throw caution to the wind and follow his heart, he'd remembered why they were here, and who they were trying to save, and his heart had contracted in agony. Why couldn't she just leave him be? Even hating Elizabeth wasn't enough to set him free from her. It simply wasn't fair. He looked up at the figure head beside him and a faint smile crossed his lips as he compared the intricate features in the wood to the real beauty that ran past him again, spitting fire and iron and blazing like an inferno. Ruby was so unbelievably beautiful. So overwhelming. So... big. In the inward sense. In the sense that she took up so much room that it was obvious that she belonged in nature because she would dwarf anything less spacious with her intensity and fire and wit and... Joie de Vivre, as the French would say.

She was a wild and untameable force, and he wanted her more desperately than he'd ever wanted anything, and yet Elizabeth still haunted him. Still managed to hover like a bad taste in one's mouth that you simply cannot get rid of. Still managed to attempt to keep him from finding love, even though she didn't care about him herself. No, that wasn't true. He'd found love, she couldn't stop that. All she could do was attempt to keep him from consummating that love. But he would. He would no matter what this ghost of Elizabeth said, no matter how she attempted to torment him. He refused to allow her to abuse him twice.

He looked down at the parchment in his lap and shook his head with a small smile. What had been intended to be a sketch of his next sword, had instead become a sketch of her. And yet he simply lacked the talent to catch her on paper. He dared anyone though, even Di Vinci himself, to capture his Ruby in all her glory. He allowed himself a small smile as she berated a younger crew member in full voice, her eyes snapped with green fire and her voice crackled with irritation. His eyes softened as her hair was caught by a gust of wind and blown into her eyes, causing her angry voice to falter slightly as it broke her concentration. He looked up at the sky and sighed, she would be finishing up soon, and Jack would take the helm. The crew would be absolutely relieved; in the last three days since they'd set sail Ruby had become decidedly waspish. They looked on Jack's easy going leadership with anticipation.

They also looked on him with accusing, or perhaps pleading eyes. It hadn't taken long for them to realise that he and the captain were more than mere friends. And they were completely unafraid to lay the blame for her behaviour completely at his feet. They also were unafraid to speak of him as merely, "The captain's man" when they thought he or Bill or Jack unable to hear them. He knew it shouldn't bother him, but it did. He worked along side them, he brooked no special privileges other than sharing her bed, and yet, they snickered at him as if he were merely some male doxy. It rankled him, and yet, he also realised that it was worth it. It was worth anything to love her, to hold her in his arms at night. To be the one to kiss and touch her. And to know that it would not be forever before he finally gave her his body the same as his heart. It was only a matter of time. He wanted to give her everything, but he wanted it to be untainted. And so he continued to wait until the moment was truly right. He just wished it would bloody well hurry up.

Will put the final touches to his sketch as Jack came on deck and placed his hands on Ruby's shoulders, Will could only make out the movement of the Pirate's lips but whatever he'd said Ruby didn't like, her face tightened and she scowled before stalking off deck, presumably to her cabin. He made his way to Jack and raised an eyebrow in question. "What was that about?"

Jack shrugged nonchalantly, his sharp eyes on William's face, observing his reactions "She be in a right snit. An' has fer tha last few days." His smiled innocently. "Perhaps ye are a eunuch after all."

Will's fingers clenched around his wedge of charcoal and he glared at him, seriously contemplating causing him bodily harm. "I am no eunuch, you arse."

"I see." Jack's face was absolutely serious, though he had to admit he was enjoying the game going on between Will and Ruby. Their courting was entertaining to say the least. But he had a feeling it was going to get very tiresome very quickly. Especially with the way Ruby was acting. He gave Will another blinding smile, he was hoping to rile Will up enough to ignite things "Then I guess she be not ta yer liking, if ye get what I mean."

Will gritted his teeth and bored holes in him with his eyes. "You are a bastard Jack Sparrow. She is very much to my tastes; I simply do not mate with anything convenient, and breathing, as you do. I want it to mean something and I don't want anything making it less than perfect."

"Oh, aye." Jack nodded understandingly, "an' it don't mean nothing with Ruby." He nodded again wisely.

"I loathe you Jack Sparrow. Curse you to the same fate. Do you hear me? May you fall in love, and may the woman give you back tenfold of what you spend your life doling out."

Jack threw back his head and laughed uproariously and staggered off towards the tiller. His job was done, with Will being touchy and Ruby at combustion point something ought to happen and then the whole crew would breathe a sigh of relief. He knew that as much as the crew talked about the relationship, mostly in jealousy, envy of Will finding love and being in the bed that they all most longed to share, he snorted, as if he I Captain /I Jack Sparrow would allow that to happen, they were silently rooting for Will.

Will stormed below deck and paused only a moment at the door before turning the knob and stepping inside. He tossed the parchments and charcoal onto the table and let out a feral growl. "GRRRRRRRRR. That man wears on my last nerve."

Lorelei looked up from where she was seated, eating her lunch. "Which particular man be ye meanin'?"

"Jack." Will spat out still fuming. The i audacity /i of the man to intimate that he was... was... that he... that he i didn't /i like women. He bloody well knew that he liked women. He was just a halfwit that was trying to rile him. And damn it all to hell he'd let it too.

Lorelei tossed the remainder of her food back on her plate. "Are ye tellin' me tha' after all this time ye be lettin' his drivel get ta ye?"

"He's a pompous, self-righteous, egotistical..." he sputtered through several words in his head, stopping each time when unable to think of a proper insult. "damn it all to hell, I can't even curse the man properly." Will snapped and flopped down into the chair across from her.

"He be all o' tha' an' more. But what be it this time tha' has angered ye?"

"It doesn't matter. It's an insult that doesn't even bear to be repeated. I've i never /i been so insulted in all of my life."

"Then why donnae ye eat." She shoved the remnants of the meal on the platters towards him.

Will shook his head. "I'm not hungry."

"Fine." Lorelei muttered and speared another piece of the meat.

Will sighed. "So what has i you /i so riled?"

"I not be riled." Lorelei shot back before popping the succulent slice in her mouth.

"Right, so you are snapping at me for no reason." He reached out for a piece of bread and absently took a bite of it. He really wasn't hungry, but he needed something to do. Sitting still was driving him crazy. He felt as if he was going to explode any second. Hadn't it been Ruby that was the one on edge? What the hell was wrong with him all of the sudden? Why was he letting some stupid ignorant comment from Jack get to him like this?

" I not be snapping at ye. I just be eatin' me luncheon. Ye be tha one in a royal snit."

"Oh, and you weren't up on deck terrorising your crew?"

Lorelei snorted, "They be slackin' an' I called tha worst offenders out fer it."

"How could they be slacking? You've had us working ourselves to death for days."

"Can ye nae handle the pace I set fer me crew William?" She gave him a sharp look, her lips tightening. Who was he to question how she ran her ship.

"I can handle it just fine." Will mumbled around his bite of bread, his thoughts and emotions suddenly shifting, and he had no idea what the change was.

Lorelei's eyebrows rose skeptically. "They why be ye callin me to task. I drive meself as hard as a I be drivin them. I expect me crew to be able ta keep ta me pace. I donnae ask anything less of them tha' I would meself."

Will nodded. "Just forget I said anything all right? I was just saying you were nothing like this the last time I was aboard, and it's seemed a bit... excessive."

Lorelei slammed down the tankard she had just raised her lips. "If ye think ye can run tha ship better tha' I feel free. It be yer lady love we be chasin, this be no pleasure sail. We are gonna be fightin tha' moment we catch tha Pearl. Me people must be disciplined and able."

Will's face fell and he stared at her in a mixture of anger and hurt. "My LADY LOVE? MY LADY LOVE?"

"Ye were engaged ta tha lady. Love dosenae fade overnight."

"So I've just been lying to you right? All the things I've confided in you. Telling you I loved you, telling you how I felt about her... all that was just lies right? I can't believe this. Jack intimating I like boys, the crew snickering about me behind my back and calling me 'The Captain's Man' as if I am being paid for my supposed services, and now you finally admitting that you don't believe a word I've said. FINE! I am through with this. I'll sleep on deck thank you very much."

"Fine, ye do tha'.' Lorelei snarled, "If ye leave donnae expect ta come back ta me bed."

"Why the hell would I want to if I don't love you right Lorelei? I mean, I'm such a bastard that I would tell you I love you when I don't mean it, so why would I want to be here with you anyway huh? Since I'm just biding my time and waiting until I can be with my 'lady love'. I swear I will never go near another one of you. I am sick and tired of being walked on. I bare my heart to you and you don't believe a damned word. Thanks for having faith in me. Means the world to me."

Lorelei's lips were white and she spoke through clenched teeth, "Get out William."

Will stalked up to stand before her and opened his mouth to scream at her again, instead he found his mouth crushed to hers and his arms wrapped around her, constraining her within the circle of his arms, and moulding her body to his, as he devoured her mouth greedily.

Lorelei struggled and pushed at his chest, and pulled her head back in an attempt to make her lips inaccessible. She'd not made any of the accusations he'd accused her of. She had stated fact, he did love the other woman, a part of him always will. It was hidden by anger but it existed, and she was no fool enough to be blinded by it.

Will stared at her as she pulled away from him, before his shoulders fell and he made his way over for his things. "Fine. You want me to leave, I'll leave. You won't believe a word I say anyway, so I suppose we are better off that way."

"An' ye will believe wha' ye want an' read thing tha' weren't there into tha' situation." Lorelei turned away, valiantly fighting the shattering of her heart and the tears that rose. Why should she feel like this? She'd walked away from men that she'd shared more than words and thoughts with, had done so easily. So why was this different? Why was this harder?

"You are the one that pulled away from me this time Ruby. And you are the one that won't listen to me when I tell you that it's you I love and not that wench that treated me like rubbish. I've told you the truth and now you rub it in my face that you think it nonsense. I should have remembered what you saw me as on the first journey. It's obvious you still see me the same way. A naive, noble, and hopelessly besotted little puppy that can't possibly be capable of real grown up feelings, can't possibly have realised that what he once thought was love turned out to not even be a pale comparison to what the real thing was once he'd experienced it. So... I'll leave you to your more experienced, less infuriating, though less entertaining I'm sure, men."

Lorelei swallowed convulsively, "If that be how ye feeling than I guess this be goodbye William."

"Doesn't matter how I be feeling." William nearly spat out. "Matters that you have made up your mind and are all too willing to let me go. That tells me all I need to know I suppose. Except that I expected more. Honestly. I let you in Ruby. I let you go places inside me that no one has ever come close to being, and never will go again, of that I can assure you. But then, I suppose I I am /I just the stupid little boy that fell for the governor's daughter just because I wanted to love SOMEONE. Just because I was sick and tired of my only friend being a donkey. Because I was sick and tired of my reality. Of a man that drank all day, took credit for my work, and beat me when it wasn't right, even though he didn't teach me a damn thing. I taught myself. Trial and error and a whole lot of bruises. She was the only one that was ever nice to me. That's why I fancied myself in love with her. You on the other hand... but what does it matter right?"

Lorelei spoke softly, so softly it was almost inaudible. "It matters, I love ye an' it be breakin me heart. But ye cannae deny tha' she be still there, in yer heart. I be seein it every time ye touch me. Ye start makin love ta me an then ye pull back. I can see it in yer eyes, see an' feel her presence between us," She turned to face the portal, determined not to watch him leave.

Will moved forward suddenly and wrapped his arms around her from behind, burying his face in her hair and moaning softly. Her words sang through his blood and filled him with a joy he'd never known, even if it was coupled with an anguish that he couldn't quite explain. "It's not her that is between us Ruby. It's me. I just... I don't know... I spent my whole life with these ideas in my head. About how it should be. And now that I realise my vision was limited, it's a bit disconcerting, trying to get my bearings. I love you so much Ruby, and I just want it to be perfect. I just don't want to make a mess of things. And I keep doing it anyway."

Lorelei held herself stiffly, "Nothin' ever be perfect. Especially nae love."

"I'm sorry Ruby. I'm sorry I lost my mind and my temper and my sense." i 'She loves me, she loves me. She b said /b it. She actually said the words.' /i Suddenly he realised with clarity that aside from his parents, she was the only person he'd ever heard say those words. He choked back a sob and clutched her even tighter.

Lorelei relaxed slowly, the tension draining slowly from her. She said nothing, remained silent and still. He'd said that the reason he always pulled back from her physically was because of his own issues, it froze her from making any move, she didn't know what would be rebuffed.

"Ruby." Will kissed her temple gently. "Ruby." He whispered even more softly as he brushed his lips across her earlobe. "Ruby."

The word sounded as if it had been dragged from his throat just before he pressed his lips into hers and he realised that everything felt right when he was holding her, touching her, kissing her. He'd been such a fool to hold back. He needed her, and she needed him. And he loved her more than he'd ever dreamed was possible. It was time to let go of the pressure, and expectations, and fears, and just give into it. No matter what happened in the future. He'd just deal with it if and when it did. She was here, and he was tired of fighting.

Ruby faced him, as he said her name the third time, in time to meet his lips. She moaned as his hands clasped her hips and pulled her in close. Hesitantly she brought her hands up, to slide over his broad shoulders. She was nervous and unsure, and she'd not felt like this in the bedroom for a long time.

Will lifted his hands to cup her face, pulling back and kissing her tenderly before slowly and steadily building back up the pressure. He pulled away and kissed the tip of her nose before pressing his lips against hers and whispering. "I love you so much Ruby. I need you... so damn much."

Lorelei sucked in a breath, could it be time? Her anticipation began to rise and she could only hope that she wouldn't be disappointed and thwarted again. She slid her hands down his arms and curled her fingers around his hands, pulling them away from her face. She led him towards the bed and sat, pulling him towards her. Will stepped between her legs and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, holding her for a moment even as his body trembled helplessly. He wasn't going to stop this time. He couldn't. And that thought scared him to death. He wasn't even sure he knew what to do. Yes, he knew the basics, but the closest he'd ever come was with her. And she... well she had been with men before. It wasn't as if they were both virgins, and he couldn't help but feel that he would disappoint her somehow. In the end it didn't matter however. He was too tired to resist being a part of her completely and unreservedly this time. He just had to pray that she wouldn't think less of him if he did make a fool of himself.

Lorelei shift back on to the bed, dragging William down. She pushed him against the pillows and slid his shirt up, her lips finding his warm skin. She ran her tongue over the satiny heat till she found his nipples which she suckled slowly. She would take this as far as he was willing to go, no more because no matter how it made her feel she loved him and she wanted him to be initiated gently and not be pressured. His first time would be traumatic for him and she had no doubt it would not be as satisfying for her. But she couldn't and wouldn't expect perfection. She was a like a cat with cream knowing she would be his first lover, and that she would be able to show him exactly what she liked, and that he would have no preconceived ideas and habits.

Will threw back his head and buried his hands in her hair as her lips trailed over his stomach to his navel, where her tongue licked his skin, and then slid within, before starting up a slow thrusting rhythm that made him cry out in a pleasure that bordered on pain. Lorelei lifted her head to stare him in the eyes before roughly tearing his shirt off. She slid her hands over his stomach and down to the waist band of his trousers. She literally ripped the lacings as she slid them down and off, her lips following the path of her hands.

Will screamed her name, his senses reeling. Her lips were kissing him in places he'd only ever dared to imagine before. Her tongue licked up the length of him and he began to throb and lengthen and grow so hard that he was afraid he would burst right there. He opened his eyes and looked down on her, opening his mouth to beg her to come back to his lips before he lost control, but he was just in time to watch her kiss the tip of his erection and then lick away the drop of fluid. He had never seen or felt anything so erotic and wickedly delicious in all his life.

"Oh my God!" He gasped out. "What... are you... doing to me?"

Lorelei glanced at him from under her lashes; her answer to his question was to take him into her mouth. She suckled until he began to throb. She pulled back to watch his struggle with control.

"Oh God please Ruby... I can't... I'm... you have to stop or... I just can't stop..." He reached out and tangled his hand in her hair again, dragging her up to him and crushing her mouth to his, the taste of himself on her mouth so strange, and yet oddly erotic. Perhaps it was simply knowing why the taste was there. Knowing that she had touched him so intimately, brought him so much pleasure and promised to bring him so much more.

Lorelei nibbled his lips, "Are ye sure ye want me ta stop?" Her hand clasped him tightly and she began to stroke him slowly.

Will gasped and bit down on her tongue involuntarily as she squeezed him. "I don't know... it feels so bloody good, but I can't hold off much longer, and I don't want it to end like this. I want you completely. I want to give pleasure the same as I get." Will gasped again and then cried out loudly. "I want to be inside you."

Lorelei rose onto her knees and unlaced her shirt, throwing it over her head. "Touch me Will."

Will lifted his hands to her breasts and cupped them gently, his thumbs stroking across her nipples reverently, licking his lips as they drew in, puckered, and grew taut.
"Soooo beautiful." He whispered.

Lorelei rubbed her torso against him sinuously. She then sat back and removed her trousers, slowly slipping them down her legs. Will groaned and pulled her to him, gasping as her wet warmth slid along his abdomen. He leaned up and cupped her breast again, lifting it to his lips and kissing her gently before taking her into his mouth and suckling her greedily.

Lorelei moaned and shifted onto his lap, her fingers twisting into his hair, holding his head close to her. She arched backwards at the sensation. Soon very soon it would be time. She would guide him all the way, but for now he needed to explore.

Will switched breasts and lavished it with the same attention, losing himself in the bliss of just giving in to his need, and his love for her. "You taste so good. You feel sooooo good."

Lorelei bent her head and kissed him, her fingers running down his shoulders to his chest. She rubbed against his hardness. "I could feel a lot better."

Will gasped and plunged his tongue into her mouth, dueling with hers and moving further into the fire, longing to be consumed by it. "Feel better?"

"Oh, yes." She attacked his neck laving her tongue over the salty skin and bit down gently, moving herself into position to take him. "So much better," She lowered herself down till his tip grazed her heat.

"Oh God!" Will cried out. "You are so hot... so... wet." He reached down and took himself in his hand, rubbing himself against her skin, reveling in the sensations that surged through him, "So soft and slick."

Lorelei shifted forward, until she sank down on him slowly, groaning with the sensation. She held herself completely still to adjust to his length, and to give him time to revel in the sensation.

"Oh... bloody... beautiful." He had never felt anything like it. His hand wasn't even close to this. Nowhere near this. "So... tight... so... good." His testes tightened against his body and it took everything within him not to lose it that very moment.

Lorelei smoothed his hair from his brow. She didn't move, she waited patiently for him to gain back his control. "Tell me what ye want William."

"You" Will gasped out, still not quite able to digest the fact that he was actually inside her. He was actually making love to her. Well, she was the one making love to him thus far, but they were joined. He could feel her heartbeat pulsing around him, her muscles spasming, her slick heat enveloping him and her arms cradling him. "Is this real Ruby?"

"Aye love, tis real. Can't ye feel how real?" She moved her hips forward slightly, drawing a gasp from him.

"Too good to be real." Will screamed as she moved against him again, and he couldn't stop himself. He grasped her hips and rolled her over, thrusting into her frantically. All thoughts gone except the building need. The fierce desperation to reach that pinnacle that beckoned him.

Lorelei moved with him, her legs clasping him tightly. She whispered words of encouragement and love as well as showing him with her hands what she liked, placing his hand where they could bring her pleasure. But this was about him finding fulfillment and satiation. It was his initiation, later there would be time for her. So she touched and caressed him, her hands running up and down his spine, clutching his buttocks desperately as his movements became more frantic.

Will cursed as he came free of her in his frantic pumping, reaching down and fumbling a bit before he got himself in hand, cursing again as he couldn't seem to get himself lined up right again. Finally, with a triumphant shout, he managed to slide back within her, groaning again at the indescribable feeling of being sheathed by her. Her muscles feeling as if they were sucking him in, as eager for him to be there as he was. He buried his face in her neck as he began to build his speed once more, lost in the cacophony of sensations and thoughts, all so new and unfamiliar. The sounds she made though. Of everything, it was the sounds she made when he touched her where she asked him to. Those sounds alone were enough to drive a man insane.

Lorelei locked her legs around his waist and pressed him down firmly, she moved her lips constantly with his thrust, her nails were digging into his flesh. He was pounding her hard, she moaned loudly in her enjoyment. She was no wall flower to need gentle loving. She bit his shoulder, drawing blood against the scream that rose from her throat. The walls on a ship were thin. "Let go Will. Just lose yerself."

Will was helpless to resist her words. Even though a part of him screamed that she wasn't seeming to be as frantic as him, that he should prolong it, her words undid him and his resolve. He felt his body tighten almost unbearably, and then he burst free, crushing his open mouth to hers so that she could swallow his ragged scream as he shot his seed deep within her. Over and over again his body contracted painfully, his mind screaming anew each time, his heart aching wonderingly. It seemed to last forever. He wasn't sure where he was, but he wasn't entirely sure he was on earth anymore. Had she killed him with her masterful lovemaking? He prayed not, because he wanted to experience this again. Never had he felt so right, so safe, so... cherished. He came back to earth slowly, his heart slowing and his breathing becoming less laboured, and finally he was able to place himself. He was collapsed against her, his face pressed heavily against her breast, and he could hear her name slipping from his lips in a hoarse yet awed whisper.

Lorelei stroked his brow as he fell against her. While she'd not been brought to release she was content with the experience. She'd never felt so close, so in tune with another being before. His release had been more important to her than her own. She felt connected to Will in a way that she'd never expected. It was as if their hearts truly beat together.

Will lay there for long moments, kissing the delicate skin of her breast tenderly, as she stroked him. Making him feel like he was the most precious thing in the world to her. He truly felt loved for the first time in his life, since he'd lost his mum anyway. Tears filled his eyes and he nestled his face further into her, not wanting her to see them, and not sure why. "Ruby... that was... I just... I mean... how... I never..."

"I know love, ye donnae need ta say anything Will. I can feel it." She held him tightly, not wanting to let go of this moment. She could feel the tears against her skin but said nothing. He'd hidden them from her, which meant he did not want her to acknowledge them. An errant part of her mind wondered if he regretted his first time not being with Elizabeth.

Will sniffed and shook his head at himself. They'd just shared the most incredible moment of his life, and he simply didn't feel right keeping anything from her. He lifted his head and focused his blurry eyes on hers as best he could. "I love you Ruby. I never dreamed it could be so wonderful. But... it wasn't for you was it? I... I didn't give you the same kind of pleasure you did me did I?"

"Tis no matter Will." She leaned down and kissed him, "Yer first time was about ye."

Will shook his head. "No. It was about us, and I failed. I am so sorry."

"Oh me love, ye didnae fail. Lovemakin' and pleasurin' be learned with practice. Ye have ta be showed, what a woman likes and it takes time. "

Will's heart plummeted. He'd been jealous before that she'd been with other men, that other men had held her, touched her, kissed her, been inside her, but now he felt like a complete loser. She'd just made it clear that she'd gotten nothing out of it and suddenly he felt like screaming, but only shed more tears instead. They had all been better than him, and he didn't know if he could bear it. He'd managed to make a mess of it, just as he'd known he would

"Right." He sighed and pressed his forehead against her collarbone, roiling with emotions and not a one of them was the joy he'd felt just moments before.

Lorelei rubbed her fingers over his back as they recovered in silence. She broke it with a sigh. "It was tha' most perfect love I've ever had."

Will shook his head and swallowed hard, not able to bear to look into her eyes. "You don't have to try to make me feel better Ruby. I blew it. It's okay for you to tell the truth."

"How did ye blow it?" Lorelei was confused, "I felt loved like I never have been afore. I felt like I truly knew yer heart. An' tis a wonderful thing."

Will sniffled again and tentatively raised his head to peek at her face. "You did?"

"Aye." Lorelei nodded a wicked grin spreading across her lips.

"But I didn't make you feel good physically, so how is that possible?" Will bit his bottom lip nervously. Actually afraid of her answer. He'd always imagined that he'd somehow magically be the perfect lover, even if he was realistically afraid of failing.

"But ye did." Lorelei exclaimed in surprise. "Is that be what this be about? How can ye say tha' Will? Just be cause I didnae climax doesnae mean there is nae pleasure. Every touch and caress an' kiss was magical."

Will could feel the pressure that had built around his heart in a stranglehold begin to ease slowly, and he could feel his heart begin to beat again. "Really?"

"Really." Lorelei answered firmly." I felt pleasure from bringin' ye ta yer release an' fer gettin' ta share yer first time. Tis about givin' and sharin. I shared somethin' special with ye. Yer hands also have some magic in' em." Her wicked grin got wider.

Will smiled down on her, feeling as if she'd lifted a lifetime of burdens from him. Essentially, she'd just absolved him from the need for perfection. She'd just told him that he didn't have to be perfect, and that was something he'd only ever dreamed of. "I've waited my whole life for you Ruby. There is no other woman for me, not now, not ever. I am so thankful that it's you my love."

Lorelei gave him a deep soul searing kiss, only coming up for air long enough to murmur, "An' I be looking forward ta tha hours of practice we will both be needin'. I love ye William, there be no doubtin' that."

Will sighed and kissed her lingeringly before pulling back and losing himself in her eyes. He could feel himself lengthen and thicken within her, his body and heart ready now to take up the challenge and erase every other man from her memory. "Show me Ruby. Show me how to give you pleasure like you've never dared imagine before."