Five uneaten meals later, Padmé found herself suffering with a mixture of emotions. It had been two days and he hadn't even come into the room. Another pirate had, to which she found herself shuddering at his glare, but he had only deposited several luxurious gowns onto the bed and left as quickly as he came. She stared at them, contemplating her actions, but the gritty feeling of her skin prompted her to bathe and change.
The bathing room of the captain's private quarters was as luxurious as the adjoining rooms. A marble tub large enough for at least three people was the room's main focus, it being surrounded by greenery of several species and unlit candles on tall gilded stands. To her surprise, she discovered that the man must be a romantic or a complete scoundrel. As she filled the tub, she wondered how many more women Kenobi had seduced in this very room.
Following the bath, out of simple necessity, she picked up one of the gowns from the bed and put it on. Its satin and velvet cloth slipped luxuriously over her smooth, clean skin, the dress fitting snugly against her body. He may be a total cad, but he had good taste, she thought to herself.
The door swished open and the same pirate who had delivered the clothing stepped in and judiciously placed the evening tea tray on the desk. Padme gasped inwardly upon noticing that this evening instead of one cup, there were two. She would be having company tonight, and she suddenly found it difficult to breathe, either from that fact alone, or the fact that the dress she was now wearing was just a tad too tight.
She paced around the bedroom for a few moments until mustering her courage and approached the empty living room. No sense allowing him to see her in such an emotional upheaval. She had to portray determination. She must not let him see her fear. If she was going to have the chance to follow through with her plan, her confidence and strength were the only things that would save her. Her hand came up and intentionly felt for the daggar that was secured in the bodice of her gown. She momentarily sat back down on the red velvet cushioned chair and waited.
In time that seemed much longer than what had actually passed, the door swished open and the dark clothed pirate captain himself strode in, his black leather boots reverberating along the duristeel flooring until cushioned by the thick rug. Seemingly not even noticing her presence, he removed his black cape and draped it over the desk chair before sitting himself on it and reaching to pour himself a cup of tea. He hesitated only slightly before filling the other and offering it to Padmé, who sat closer to the wall near the desk, very still, staring at him. He placed the cup gently on the desk near her after she made no movement to accept the drink.
He sat back with his own tea and turned slightly to finally look at her. She returned his gaze with the confidence of royalty, her head held high, chin turned slightly up, eyes burning into him. His own eyes squinted at the breathtaking picture of beauty and power that she presented. Her voice was unemotional and strong when she spoke to him.
"What are you planning on doing with me?"
"What would you like for me to do with you?" was his surprising answer.
Padmé was momentarily distracted, considering the multitude of possible meanings of that one statement. "I want you to return me to Prince Maul."
Obi-Wan was similarly surprised. Maybe the young woman actually had feelings for the monster. No. That was impossible. I mean, look at her. She was young, strong, and beautiful. She couldn't possibly want to marry that hideous creature. "In due time, princess. But not before I get what's coming to me."
"And exactly what is it that you think you deserve?" Her eyebrows raised in her mockery.
Obi-Wan leaned forward onto the desk, peering into the lovely face. "Anything and everything I can get out of the bastard." He sat back again, sipping at his tea, never taking his eyes off of her.
His sudden change in subject surprised her once more. "I see the dress fits."
Padmé would not give him the satisfaction of even the flicker of a smile. "And I see that I'm not the first woman to be held a prisoner aboard this ship." She heard a slight 'hmph' escape him before he once more concentrated on downing the last of the quickly cooling tea. Her own cup sat untouched on the desk.
"I'm going to bed."
That time, she couldn't hide the surprised look on her face, but he hadn't seen it. The young, strong captain had risen quickly from his chair, was moving across the room, and to Padmé's utter amazement, began taking his clothes off as he walked. By the time he had reached the bed, he was in a pair of tight black leggings only, his clothing and boots scattered between the two rooms. With a loud sigh, he settled himself face up on the bed, one arm behind his head.
Padmé had not moved from her perch next to the desk. The daggar against her breast was now weighing heavily. She would wait.
Nearly an hour later, from her location, she could see the steady and deep rise and fall of his chest and assumed he was asleep. As quietly as she could, she rose from the chair and moved over to the side of the bed, peering down at him. It was a shame, she thought. He was really quite handsome. The cleft in his chin, the strong regal brow, the slightly spiking golden hair contrasting with the long pirate braid that was trailing across a muscular chest. The ridged muscles of his abdomen moved rhythmically with his breathing.
Padmé blushed as she noticed a slight twitch beneath the black material of his crotch and several erotic thoughts passed quickly through her mind which she banished just as quickly. No use in admiring the man any longer. Her plan had been made two days ago and now was the time to carry through with it. She hesitated slightly at the impossibility of the simplicity of the situation before her hand moved to the bodice of her gown to retrieve the weapon hidden there.
She raised it over his body, aiming above his heart and just as her downward thrust began, his eyes flew open. A slight flinch at the corner of one eye was his only reaction as the blade missed its mark and sank deeply into his left shoulder.
Padmé struggled violently as she was thrown down on the opposite side of the bed, a strong arm now placed across her chest, her lower body held firm with his own. His other hand moved to the knife still embedded in his shoulder and he winced only slightly as he pulled it out, blood oozing from the wound and dripping down onto her gown.
Panic and fury flooded her as he held the dripping red blade over her. This was it, she thought. Her plan had failed and now he was going to kill her. She knew it was inevitable the moment she recognized him, but she was shocked at the sudden irrational thought that she was slightly disappointed that he had not taken her to bed first. That shock was replaced by an even more stunning revelation that he was now kissing her. His mouth was pressed firmly against hers, his tongue attempting to pry open her clenched teeth. Once the shock wore off, she found herself struggling against him once more. Her now freed hand came up against him, and in desperation she jabbed her fist into his oozing wound. A hiss escaped his mouth as he withdrew from her face. His eyes were burning in intensity, mere centimeters away from her own.
"The next time I kiss you, you will kiss me back."
The sudden change in his expression changed the meaning of his words. It wasn't a threat. It was a promise. The man actually thought that he could seduce her!
Without another word, he moved quickly off the bed, grabbed his black boots and cloak and left the room. A swish and bolting of the door assured her he would not be coming back tonight. She wanted to be happy about that, but for some reason, she couldn't be, and that thought stunned her along with the discovery that her betraying tongue had somehow crept out of her mouth and was tracing the path where his lips had burned into her skin.
...TBC...