Part 16

"What is this?" Liz asked as she was drawn into a chair. Before her lay on the table what she could only describe as a banquet. The aroma of steamy food and sweet smelling flowers wafted into her nose making her dizzy with sensation and her throat dry.

The food was assembled at almost every spacious part of the table and wherever there wasn't food there was a bouquet of exotics. From what she could see there was a variety of steak, fish, potatoes and vegetables, a large salad and little treats on the side.

Her stomach grumbled and her mouth drooled, but her eyes narrowed suspiciously at the man who was already moving to take the seat opposite her.

"I thought simply to offer my thanks for the well done job you have been doing on board. It certainly is tough work but you seemed to tackle it magnificently" he finally said a bit airily, at the same time waving his hand and a young man who was standing in the corner before , now moved forward and began piling delicacies onto their plates almost like a professional footman.

He was young Liz noticed. Perhaps sixteen. A lithe body and crisp golden hair atop his head. Bronzed skin from his days in the sun. He had an innocent face and Liz couldn't help but wonder how he ended up on a pirate ship. He looked like the captain's cabin boy though she had never seen him on the ship before.

He had finished and she observed him as he seemed to look adoringly at his master and captain and ask if anything else is needed. How could a boy hero-worship a pirate?

"Shall you eat this delicious food or spend your time staring at Tom?" the question jerked her eyes around to the steely depths of golden brown ones. Their eyes met and held. Liz flushed. Max's lip's twitched upward.

A week had passed. seven days of wrenching work in the deck, in the galley with the cook and in the cabins. Always awakening at dawn and going to her cabin at dusk. Breakfast, lunch and dinner trays delivered at the appropriate times. Day after day of weariness and confusing emotions.

The crew seemed to have accepted her presence on board, some going far enough to nod their head in greeting or bid her good morning and goodnight. Through all this she had hardly seen the captain of the ship. She caught glimpses of him as he issued orders or stood at the wheel, looking in such command. Rolling above the waves, swaying, being part of the ship itself. It awed her.

He always ignored her. When he needed something of her his words would be curt an he would barely glance at her. Liz was perplexed. What was wrong with him? What is warranting such behaviour? Only a short while ago she was affected by his touch and tantalized by his kisses. Now he treated her like any servant on the ship. She didn't know whether to feel relieved or annoyed.

She had finally admitted to herself that his effect on her was very strong. Pirate or not he was a man. A very attractive man at that and she couldn't help but feel attracted to him. She had never felt this way with any man before. Her parents had hardly explained in all her nineteen years.

Liz was determined nevertheless and had sneaked around and bribed servants to get hold of books and information. What she had read frightened and fascinated her. She stared at pictures of nude women and men together and read all about the deed. She knew it hurts the first time but wasn't sure if their was pleasure in such an act….until she met Max.

Liz knew without doubt that these moments of stolen pleasure on his bed were a part of making love. She coloured every time she recalled the incidents. It was so pleasurable though…very sinful and wrong but she couldn't help but feel euphoric in his arms.

Now suddenly here she was sitting facing him eating the most mouth watering food she has eaten for a long while and drinking the wine that has been poured as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened.

Dinner was a quiet affair. Neither talked or thought to make conversation. The air was fraught with tension. After she had finished, Liz sat squirming in her seat letting her mind wonder. What is this all about? Something brought this on. What is he up to?

Suddenly he looked up from his plate and pinned her with his gaze. Liz almost stopped breathing. His eyes bored into hers making her thinking he could see right through her soul. She shivered involuntarily. Max noticed and in one movement was out of his chair and striding to his big chest.

For all his largeness and strength he was quite graceful. He quickly returned with a dark velvet rode and placed it about her shoulders. Liz jumped at the contact of his hands of her. She dared not move. He kept them there a few seconds longer than necessary then walked back to his seat. For the first time he looked directly at her and spoke.

"I have noticed that you have been in that god awful dress ever since you came aboard and that judging from the way you smell you also have not had a proper bath either" He paused and Liz could think of nothing to say " You are lucky that I have an abundance of material here, along with a needle and thread. I'm sure you know what to do. In the meantime I have obtained a set of other dresses which you will wear and tonight you will take a bath."

Liz took a moment to absorb what he said. The sudden idea of changing from this dirty and sticky dress that she had been cursed with for a week and soaking in a warm bath sounded luxurious. She sighed in content as if she was already beneath the waters basking in its splendour.

"Your eyes are already glazed over in anticipation" came a husky deep voice. Liz came back to the present and cleared her throat trying to compose herself. She braved it and looked him in the eye.

"I thank you for your considerations captain-"

"Maxwell"

"M-Captain"

"Or Max if you prefer" he interrupted again, his voice sharp " Let us dispense with such formalities Liz" he placed emphasis on her name "call me Max" he finished softly but Liz could detect the order underneath.

Liz swallowed and looked away.Max.Max.Max, her mind repeated. She tried her voice. "Max" she barely managed to whisper.

"Now that wasn't so bad was it?" he mocked with a lazy smile on his face. Liz glared at him. "Well..as I was saying, thank you for your consideration……Max…..i will benefit from it greatly in my condition" she finished her speak with a strain. Politeness never came easy in such company.

Max could read her thoughts all over her face. He inclined his head in amusement "You are most welcome." Then his expression turned blank and he got up once again. Liz clutched at the robe in apprehension. He didn't appear to notice. He was walking to the door. He swung it open and motioned with his hand outside.

Before she could think two bulky men walked in carrying a large heavy tub. Max pointed to the far corner of the room and they deposited it there. When they left around ten men walked in and out with water filled buckets dumping them in the tub until the water almost reached the brim. It was a wooden one but looked in great condition.

The men left and Max shut the door with a force and locked it. He slowly turned toward her as she stood up apprehensively. He began moving toward her. Her heart beat faster and faster with every step he took until he stood inches from her. She was afraid he could hear the beat of her heart against her breast. Was it fright? Anticipation?excitement?…oh Lord she did not want to think about that.

Max leaned toward her until their noses touched. Liz gasped. "Time for your bath" he whispered softly, huskily. It took Liz a moment to catch her breath and find her voice.

"Then would you please remove yourself so that I may enjoy it" she requested, her voice trembled and she hated it. His eyes turned thoughtful then he stood back and walked away. Liz released a relieved breath but caught it again when Max did not head for the door but to one of the tables and removed a chair from beside it walking to the tub and depositing it a few feet away. He plopped down on it.

"Come now Liz. Come take your bath" he ordered in a silky voice that mesmerized her and almost compelled her to do what he asked.

"I will. As soon as you leave" she steeled herself to answer. He lifted a brow.

"'Tis my room Liz. If I want to stay, I'll stay" he said simply.

"I am asking you please…. Captain… to allow me some privacy" she retorted in an almost pleading tone.

"Max" he snapped, annoyed. "Privacy is something you do not need at the moment Liz. I have already seen some of you, it would be no new thing.." he smiled when she flushed and stifled an indignant remark, choosing to turn away instead. "However…"he sounded regretful " I will turn away so you may undress and enter the tub." He suited actions to words.

Liz was in turmoil. She desperately wanted a bath and a change of clothes. But what of Max? She could not possibly do it. No she decided in less than a second. It would be improper and anyway she did not want to be naked and in a tub in his company. She was about to refuse when his voice came to her shocking her to immobility.

"If you do not agree, I will not take no for an answer and strip you of your dress myself and deposit you in the tub…I can go further by bathing you too" he turned his head to look over his shoulder at her stunned self "which I assure will be a pleasure."

Liz hesitated for only a second. His threat was no joke. He would do I and he would take great satisfaction in it too. She hoped she would be forgiven for this act of shamefulness and began to strip.