A big thank you to all who have read my little story, and especially those who took the time to leave their comments. I will do my best to keep this updated every few days. I have changed the rating on this story to M because of the addition of a few not-so-nice words and some, erm, a-hem, shall we say, possible racy dialog in later chapters. Also, for the record I do not own any of the characters from Pirates of the Carribean...just the ones that burst out of my head onto the screen. Enjoy!

P.S. to Leanan Sidhe...Are you doing some long distance mind reading? hehehehe...stay tuned for future chapters (I think you'll be pleased!)

Soli

Chapter 3: Waxing Poetic

11:46 p.m. that same night…..

…….Day--ummmmm! He's even sexier by candlelight………

That was the main thought that crossed her mind when she found her self dining with none other than the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. The thick beeswax pillars on the table and set at other strategic points by the diamond pane windows gave off just enough light to dine by, while still leaving much of the room in shadow. Seated at one side of the table, Captain Jack Sparrow looked just as powerful in the candlelit cabin as he did on the deck of The Black Pearl. He was dressed in the style that she had come to know as uniquely his own…tight fitting dark gray leggings, well worn long-sleeved poet shirt open halfway to his waist, and dark blue unbuttoned vest which was held in place by a belted sash from which hung numerous items. From the top of his dark beaded and dreadlocked head to the slightly squared tips of his knee high buccaneer boots, he was lithe, lean and definitely not a man to be taken lightly.

She was so entranced by him that she didn't even wonder how she had been transported into what she recognized as his ship's great cabin or the elaborate late 17th century gown she wore. All that mattered was that she was there, across from the man who had so often found his way into her thoughts…..and, though she would never admit it to another living soul, her fantasies.

The subject of her gaze grinned widely, and Jo flushed with embarrassment, having been caught boldly admiring him, and he chuckled at her nervous reaction. Leaning far back in his chair, he slid his plate aside with one booted foot and crossed his ankles, resting them on the heavy oak table. Reaching out without even looking, he snagged the glass bottle of his trademark rum with his right hand, bending his left arm up behind his head. He held her gaze as he pulled the cork with his teeth, spitting the cork aside and tipped the bottle back for a long swig. Uttering a sigh of appreciation, he closed his eyes momentarily before he lowered the bottle and favored her with a frank stare of his own. Her dark brown hair was pulled back from her forehead in a loose bun, with fat sausage curls falling softly around her shoulders. Her hazel eyes were bright in the candlelight, green with golden amber flecks, framed with thick curling lashes. Her small nose with its slightly turned up end was the perfect size for her face, and he was intrigued by the dimples which appeared when she smiled, which was often. The interest in that gaze was obvious, and knowing that made her blush even more.

"Aaahhhh, now that's a rare treat for these eyes indeed….a fair maiden's blush. Most of the females I have had the pleasure of associating with abandoned any pretense of their maidenly state many a year ago.. And it's displayed so nicely in that gown too…..makes me wonder how far down it goes…"

Glancing down, Jo was horrified to see that the heat that had crossed her face had continued to spread south down her neck and across her "heaving bosoms" that were pushed up and out by the tightly laced gown. Completely mortified, she picked up the fan and whisked it back and forth in an effort to dispel the signs of her embarrassment. "It's a bit warm in here, don't you think, Jack?….Perhaps it would be best if you opened a window…."

Setting the nearly empty bottle of rum on the table by his feet, he stretched back further in his chair and laced his fingers behind his scarf covered head He reminded her of a contented cat……no, more like a well fed panther that having sated one hunger, was now poised to satisfy another. "The only heat I'm feeling is the heat of your gaze on me, luv…..but as you mentioned heat, the rosy glow from your lovely self is making the candlelight obsolete…and I hate to waste good beeswax—hard to come by, y'know." He favored her with a wicked grin as her fan waved faster, setting the flames to flicker dangerously as her flush deepened. "And it's Captain, m'dearest Jocelyn, until such time as you and I further our acquaintance in a mutually…satisfying…manner.."

( !Snap!)

The sound echoed like a cannon shot in the quiet room. Jo looked down to find that the thin sticks of the delicate sandalwood fan she held had broken when she nervously tightened her grip on it. Glaring at him, she raised her chin and fixed him with what she thought was her frostiest look, hiding the broken fan in her lap. " I can't think of any mutually satisfying activities I'd care to participate in with you, Mr. Sparrow," hoping with crossed fingers that he'd believe her lie.. "So I feel I must decline to acquiesce to your request……...that means no." Feeling clever after her verbal challenge, she crossed her arms across her still flaming chest and waited for his reply, which wasn't long in coming.

"Funny you should be refusing my request already, Miss Perry, as I don't remember making one….."

Jo hesitated all of half a second before lashing out under the table with her slipper-covered foot and kicking his already tilting chair ….hard. Although he had fast reflexes, the move was unexpected, and the chair hit the boards with a resounding crash. Jack flew back, knocking over the mostly empty bottle of rum as he did a somewhat ungraceful half somersault Jo burst out laughing at the sight she would not soon forget….the fearsome swashbuckler with his legs on the floor over his head, the spilled rum drizzling off the table onto his muscular rear, perfectly displayed in the form fitting pants. Moments later that same laughter was caught in her throat as he completed the roll and crouched before her with a fierce look upon his devilishly handsome face. Realizing the seriousness of her situation, Jo leaped up, knocking over her own chair in her haste to get to the door. What she hadn't counted on was Jack beating her to it, locking it and slipping the key safely away. A glowering Captain leaned back against the door with his arms crossed, his right hand stroking his braided beard, apparently contemplating what form of retaliation would be best.

Jo looked him square in the eye, knowing she had crossed the line but refusing to show that she was "shaking in her knickers", even though that definition was pretty close to the truth. He stepped forward and she stepped back until she had backed herself up against the table, looking up at him defiantly. Placing his arms on either side of her on the table, he leaned closer until she was almost half reclining in her efforts to evade him. Looking down at her as if he would bite her head right off, he took in a deep breath and…

"BOOOOOOOO!"

Jo shrieked and pushed against the laughing pirate, slapping at him until he managed to capture her flying hands. Pulling her away from the temptation of the varied dangerous and throwable objects on the table, Jack managed to twist her around until her back was against his chest. Making a few quick adjustments, he pinned her arms with his (straight jacket style) and rested his chin on her left shoulder, affording him a very comfortable view of the cleavage so nicely displayed in the elegant brocade gown. He chuckled softly as she wriggled suggestively against him, trying to get loose.

"I have to admit, luv, you have a unique way of getting a man's attention. If a tumble was what you wanted, all you had to do was ask…"

Furious with him and with herself, Jo renewed her struggles, shrieking with fury as Jack lifted her off her feet and swung her around to avoid her kicks. He dragged her easily back away from the table so she couldn't hurt herself or his furniture. Realizing she was in no way his equal physically, she stopped fighting against him and stood still, breathing hard. "Don't think you can get under my skirts that easily, Jack Sparrow. I'm not some common whore, and I won't be treated like one!"

Jack grinned in triumph, not relinquishing his hold on this fiery woman who felt so right in his arms. Nudging a curl or two out of the way, he blew softly on the back of her neck and had the satisfaction of feeling her shiver in his arms. "Now why would I be wanting to get under your skirts, sweetheart, when it would be so much more interesting to get you out of them, ay?" He felt her tense and gently shushed her.."Easy, luv, I was only tweaking you. Can't blame me for trying though…I think it's the first time I've ever been jealous of a piece of clothing." He leaned back against the cabin door as he felt her relax against him, smiling softly as her head fell back to rest perfectly under his chin. "Do you promise not to bite, scratch, kick, spit, slap, stab, maim or otherwise damage my person if release you?"

Feeling her nod, he slowly released her arms and was somewhat startled when she immediately turned around and pulled his mouth down to hers. Coming up for air a few minutes later, the amused pirate captain couldn't resist muttering against a pair of giggling lips…. "…….now THAT'S interesting….."

Jo sighed and giggled again as a rough tongue licked her mouth and the side of her face…"Stop it, Jack, you beast…." A few hard nudges and a long growling whine pulled her from the depths of sleep and back to reality with a yelp. Her yelp was followed by a yip from her spoiled rotten Jack Russell terrier, Nicodemus, who was bouncing on the bed demanding attention as usual.

Flopping back against the pillows and throwing the covers back over her head, Jo groaned pitifully and cursed the day she had bought that miserable dream interrupting mutt.