Hello lovelies!
I tried to keep this chapter more on the moderate side since it's all about a single night, but I wanted to get all the little juicy details in there.
And things are FINALLY spicing up :)
soo any who, hope you enjoy it. Leave me lovely comments, suggestions and all the like.
All characters belong to their respective creators!
"You ready to have some fun?" Ana asked Jim as she hooked her arm through his. She had changed last minute into t'is blasted white lace dress t'at was entirely too short for the chilly weather outside.
"Are ya sure you want to be wearin' somethin' that short lass?" I asked, ignorin' t'e pout I earned from Steph. "Yer gonna freeze to death outside."
Shootin' me a cold glare she growled, "Last time I checked John I was a grown woman, I can take care of myself." Shootin' daggers at Steph she spit out, "Besides, don't you have other things to worry about." Jim shot me a questioning look surprised at the chill in Ana's words, all I could do was shrug my shoulders in confusion. I had a pretty good idea why she was upset, but I had my reasons for goin' out with Steph tonight.
I tried not to let jealousy burn in my stomach as I watched Ana and Jim laugh together as we walked towards t'e pub. You know Jim wouldn't ever underhand ya like t'at, they just t'ink of each other as brother and sister. Regardless, it pissed me off to no end t'at another man was making her blush and laugh. Steph was still clingin' to my arm, ramblin off about how bored she's been since our last visit. She was a nice girl don't get me wrong, but she's just t'e type that men use for one reason.
Today I came too close to losin' control with Ana when she was flauntin' about in t'at damn towel, I needed someone to be a distraction and Steph is that perfect someone. I was too lost in studyin' Jim and Ana t'at I didn't hardly hear Steph when she asked me a question.
"Helloo, John?" she pulled on my arm, finally gainin my attention. "Did you hear me?"
"Huh? What'd ya say?"
"I asked if we were really goin' to have some alone time tonight." she stuck her bottom lip out, glancin' over at Ana. "I don't really like sharing my Silver with anyone."
I tried my best not to roll my eyes, but I was goin' to have to do some suckin' up if things were goin' to work out with Steph tonight. Pullin her to a stop, I leaned down and started kissin' on her neck. "I'm all yours tonight lass," I growled, nippin' on her ear. "I promise." Steph started her usual high pitch gigglin' which gained the attention of our two companions in front of us. I looked up just in time to see all t'e color drain from Ana's face while Jim ushered her away down t'e street. As she looked back at me in disbelief, Jim mouthed "Really Silver?!" out of Ana's eyesight.
Steph watched t'e whole exchange, Ana stormin' off and Jim comfortin' her and she was entirely too pleased. "Look's like the brat is pissed she isn't getting what she wants." I had to bite my tongue to keep from poppin' off on her. It's just for tonight. Just get through t'is night and it will all be ok. Thankfully we made it to t'e pub without anymore awkward moments. When we walked in t'e door, Steph let go of my arm and latched on to Ana's.
"You boys go get us some drinks, we'll go find us a table and get started on some girl talk." she winked, dragging Ana off with her. Once they were out of earshot, Jim followed me to the bar.
"Silver, what is Steph doing here?" he asked.
"We ran into her at her dress shop. Besides, I t'ought I'd catch up with her while we were here." Thankfully Jim threw me a look that said he knew exactly why I'd even bothered, he knows my history wit' her and how it's never been a serious relationship. As we were at t'e bar waitin' to order our drinks I glanced across the room lookin' for Ana and Steph, I finally caught sight of 'em settlin' into a corner booth. Ana looked absolutely miserable as she sat t'ere listenin' to Steph ramble on, her head on her fist as she surveyed t'e room.
"You do realize that what you're doing is going to put Ana through hell right?" Jim asked. He was also lookin' at Ana with sympathy.
"I can't risk things goin' too far with her Jim, they've already gone far enough. I just need a distraction for a night." I answered, adding a shot of Gin to my drink order.
"Just don't be surprised if Ana tries to find a distraction of her own tonight." he nodded towards our table. Lookin' back to t'e girls I saw another Ursid had came over and was chattin' it up. If I had to guess he was close to Ana's age, not near as tall or strong as me and he was showin' a mighty big interest in Ana specifically. Immediately I saw red, and it just got worse when I saw him take Ana by t'e hand for a dance. I clenched up my fist and went to go break them up when Jim stopped me.
"Look, we'll keep an eye on her from the table." he reassured me, "If he tries anything fishy I'll go get her, but you can't sit here fawning all over Steph and then get pissed because Ana is having a simple dance."
"Like hell I can't, yer tellin' me ya want another man's grubby paws all over her?!" I ground out.
"It's just a dance Silver, calm down. You said yourself you need a distraction, so go get yourself distracted." Jim whispered as he ushered me towards our booth. As I sat down Steph glued herself back to my arm, but I was too pissed to even notice. I caught sight of Ana turnin' across the dance floor and she looked to be havin' an amazin' time. An amazin' time in someone else's arms. I tried takin' a chug of me drink to calm down.
As she twisted and turned she laughed and sang, her hair swirled around her like a solar vortex. Soon everyone's eyes were on her and her partner as they expertly spun to t'e music. When t'e song was over the Ursid bowed and kissed her hand, which only made her flush face even redder and my anger even worse. By t'e time Ana made it back to the booth I was nearly blind with rage.
"John?" My name on her lips immediately soothed t'e edges of my temper to a more tolerable level. I didn't realize t'at my eyes had been closed and my jaw was clenched when Ana spoke, but when I opened 'em she was intently sippin' on her drink. The smirk on her face immediately brought t'e anger back, and t'e whiskey just made my temper burn even brighter. Ignoring Ana, I turned to Steph and asked her to dance. Of course she said yes, and I relished in t'e jealous dagger Ana threw our way as we made it out to t'e dance floor.
I made sure to pay most of my attention to Steph, but I still kept an eye on Ana as we twirled around t'e room. After our third turn around t'e dancefloor I spotted t'at same damn Ursid from before sittin' across from Ana chattin up a storm. I didn't realize it until Steph cried out loud t'at I had gripped her hand hard enough to hurt her, but I kissed it and apologized while trying to get my temper under control.
Once t'e dance was over we made our way back to t'e table where the guy was still sittin, in my spot of all t'e damn places. "Hate to tell ya bud, but t'at seat that yer in is mine." He looked up at me wit' a challenge in his eyes, and immediately Ana was to his defense. "John! This here is my new friend Jesse, Jesse this is my security escort John."
T'under bolts shot between us as he stood to his full height to shake my hand. It filled me wit' delight to see t'at he was not only shorter but t'at he was visibly nervous wit' havin' to shake my bionic hand. "Nice to meet ya, now if you'd excuse me I'd be takin my seat back now."
"Sure, Ana and I were just about to head to the dancefloor for another round." he smirked, "Care to join me?" he offered to Ana.
She jumped up snaking her arm through his, "I'd love to!", shot me a dirty look and ran off to dance wit' her damn lover boy. As I sat back down I ordered another round of shots and started to focus my attention on Steph. When she wasn't payin' attention Jim leaned over to whisper, "What in the hell are you doing?"
Throwing back a shot I replied, "Lettin' go of me frustrations Jim." He caught my glance over to Ana and Jesse dancin and shook his head.
"You know it's not fair to be pissed that she's dancin with another man when you have someone attached to your side." He whispered, glancin' over to Steph huggin on my arm.
Deep down I knew he was right, I knew I was t'e one who started this jealousy match, but I was too proud and drunk to admit that now. Again t'e song ended and Ana came back to t'e table with Jesse in tow. Before she had a chance to sit down I stood up, grabbed her by t'e hand and led her out to t'e dancefloor. Thankfully t'e next number was a slow one, and Ana didn't fight me as I pulled her close and started dancin'.
"Now you want to act nice to me?" she whispered.
"I'm always nice lass, I'm a gentleman." I winked.
She scoffed, and looked out across t'e dancefloor at t'e other couples. "So when were you going to tell me you had a girlfriend?"
"She's not my anyt'ing and you know it." I looked down at her wit' meaning. "She's just an old friend."
"Obviously she doesn't think the same way." We swayed in silence for a beat, just enjoyin' the feel of each other. I rubbed my hand up and down her back when she looked up at me with confusion. "Is the reason we went to that shop was for me to get a dress, or for you to meet up with her again?"
"I knew she lived around here, but I didn't know she started workin t'ere. Last time I saw her she was runnin' a hotel, not a dress shop." I answered.
"Hm." she muttered. I could tell t'at she was not happy wit' me right now, and t'ere wasn't much I could do to fix it at t'is point. "So, what do ya t'ink of ol' fancy pants over t'ere?" I whispered.
"Same thing you think of Ms. Priss over there." she countered, refusing to look me in t'e face. I wasn't a complete idiot, I knew seein' me spend time wit' someone else was just as agonizing for her as it was for me. But what else could I do? I promised myself I wouldn't let things go too far wit' her, I couldn't give her t'e future she deserved. Glidin' around t'e room Ana caught Steph starin' at us longingly, "Does she really have to keep staring at you like you're a piece of meat?"
I couldn't help but chuckle. "I don't think it's funny." Ana pouted, "Why did you even agree to go out with her with me in tow?"
I couldn't help but notice t'e hurt in her eyes as she looked into mine for t'e first time since we got here. It took everyt'ing in me to just not sweep her up and run out t'e backdoor wit' her. By now the song was comin' to an end, but we both just stood t'ere in our own little world.
"Lass," I tilted her chin up so she would look at me head on. "You know I am tryin' everyt'ing in my power to not hurt ya. This mornin', you know t'ings almost went too far."
"And what would you have done if they had gone too far?" she challenged. There she was pushin' my resolve just as she had done earlier today.
Givin' her a heated glare, I told her t'e truth. "I would've done every imaginable t'ing I've thought about doin' to you since t'e moment I saw you comin' down those stairs, and I would've relished every moment of it." Her face glowed wit' a deep blush at the brashness of my words. "But, I would feel like I am stealin' away yer future. I know how hard it is to make a decision like you have, and I would feel like I am just makin' it t'at much harder for ya."
"John, I'm-" she interrupted, but she quickly silenced as I put my finger on her lips.
"Anastasia," her eyes widened at t'e use of her full name. Liquid courage pushed me to continue my tirade. "I care for ya entirely too much, more than I would ever admit to Jim or anyone else. I can't give ya a proper future, one t'at you deserve."
"And who are you to decide exactly what kind of future I deserve?" she asked, stepping out of my arms. "You know between you and my father deciding what's best for me it's a wonder if I was even able to make any decisions of my own." She turned to walk away, but I grabbed her hand to stop her.
"Ana, wait-I"
"No! Any woman deserves the right to decide what future is good enough for her. I don't want the titles, dresses or the money. I want someone who loves me for me, not for my status or for my ability to bear children." I stood there speechless as she continued. "What if I don't even want kids John?! What if I don't think I can be a fit mother? Well if I go through with this damn wedding then I don't have a choice."
She calmed herself down as she fought back the tears. "When are you going to understand? Neither you nor anybody else have the right to tell me what kind of future I deserve." As I watched her walk away Steph joined me and asked for another dance. I was too distracted watching Ana rejoin Jesse at the table, watching as he inched closer and closer and offered her a fresh drink. I was so distracted that I didn't even hear Steph until she started pulling on my hand.
Snapping out of it, I realized what she had asked and that she was pulling me back to t'e dancefloor. "One last dance then let's get out of here and have some real fun." she purred. Once t'e song was over we headed to our booth to say our goodbye's before we left. As we walked up I happened to notice t'at Jesse had his arm around Ana, and t'at she leaned into him laughing at some joke Jim was tellin' 'em.
"Hey guys!" Steph greeted. "We think we're gonna slip on out of here."
Jim took another swig of his drink, "Aw already? I feel like we all just got here."
"Yeah, John and I have some 'catching up' to do if ya know what I mean." she giggled, nuzzling her face into my neck. As Ana watched jealousy flared in her eyes, and as she snuggled deeper into Jesse's arms it flared in my own eyes as well. "By the way Ana I'll be sure to send your dress with John when he returns in the morning. It was nice to meet all of you!" I shot a look down at Steph while gauging Ana's reaction to her words. I can't believe t'is little brat just- I couldn't even finish my thought from bein' drug out t'e door.
As we walked back to t'e dress shop, Steph tried to press for more information about Ana. How long have I known her? What is she like? Where is she from? What do I think about her? All of them I answered as nonchalantly as possible. T'e entire reason why I agreed to even go out with Steph tonight was to get Ana off my mind, not bring her front and center.
Thankfully it didn't take us long to get back to t'e dress shop, and as soon as I had t'e door closed Steph was pullin' me up t'e stairs. I followed her half willingly as thoughts of Ana still clouded my mind. We got to her room and she was on me in a flash, pullin' me as close as she could while kissin' on my neck.
As soon as I was gettin' in t'e moment Steph's dark brown hair morphed into a fiery red, her half closed chocolate eyes changed into a clear water blue, and her voice took on a deeper less obnoxious tone. Before I knew it, it wasn't Steph's name I was wantin' to call out but t'e exact person I was tryin' to forget about.
Halfway through gettin' our clothes torn off and thrown on t'e floor, I put my hands on Steph's shoulders and tried to get her attention. "Steph, I-" she cut my words off wit' her lips. Tryin' again, I placed my hands on either side of her face and made her meet my eyes. Makin' sure she was actually goin' to listen, I tried to tell her again.
"Look lass, I can't do this." Right away she had t'at hurt look in her eyes.
"Do you not- not find me attractive anymore?" she whispered.
"Of course not!" I said, "I've just-I got alot of t'ings on my mind right now."
Crossin' her arms she huffed. "You have a certain someone on your mind, not a something."
I didn't even try to deny it, but I couldn't bring myself to outright admit it either. I could count on one hand t'e amount of times I refused to lay wit' a woman as beautiful as Steph, it wasn't her fault by any means. It was almost like my body refused to go through t'e motions unless those motions were made wit' Ana. Oh you've done got yerself in deep now, ya can't even manage to her outta yer mind when yer wit' another woman.
We stood t'ere for awhile, not progressin' but not entirely pullin' away from each other. We were just enjoyin' the touch of each other, until finally Steph stepped away and threw a nightshirt over her head. Rubbin' my neck in awkwardness I wasn't too sure 'bout what I should do next, I hadn't been in t'is type of situation too many times before.
"You know I had a feeling that tonight wasn't going to happen." Steph said, as she handed me back my shirt.
"And why's t'at?" I asked.
"I could tell by the way you and Ana look at each other. I know you love her as much as she does you, you each could hardly keep your eyes off of each other even though you were there with other people." She sat down at her vanity and started combin' the messiness out of her hair.
"Now that's not true." I countered as I sat on a chair across t'e room. One thing I did enjoy about Steph was besides bein' a good time, she was also a good friend.
"You can't see it because you're in the middle of it, but I guarantee every patron in that bar saw the sparks fly between you two." she looked at me through her mirror, "You two practically orbit each other like two planets, even from across the room."
I leaned my head back and closed my eyes in thought. "You know it will be the biggest mistake of your life if you let her go don't you?" Steph whispered as if she was tellin' me some huge secret.
"How is t'at any of yer business?"
"Because Silver, it's not every lifetime that we meet someone that can make our souls sing."
Ya know she's got a point. Before I could talk myself into believein' any of her nonsense I stood up, went over and kissed her on t'e head and told her goodbye. As I walked downstairs to get Ana's dress, Steph and Jim's words kept echoin' in my mind. You know she's different. You two practically orbit each other. Surely our feelin's for each other couldn't be T'AT obvious, right? Steppin' outside t'e night air was cold and refreshin', my breath hangin' as I huffed out a deep breath.
Thankfully t'e streets were practically empty, everyone was either still at t'e bar havin' their drinks or in their beds sleepin' and dreamin'. Speakin' of sleepin', I couldn't help but be curious if t'ere would be a repeat of last night. I knew in my mind t'at it wouldn't likely happen again, t'at Ana wouldn't let it happen but it didn't change t'e fact that I hoped it would. I was startin' to get to the point where I was done fightin' my feelin's towards t'e lass. We were like magnets, t'e harder we fought t'e harder t'e pull.
I finally made it back to t'e ship, let my nightwatch know I had returned and made my way to my stateroom to get ready for bed. If I had to guess it was about one am, not too late but still too early for Jim or Ana to be back. I swung open t'e door, sat Ana's dress down on my desk and made my way over to my bedroom door. Before I had a chance to open it, t'e soft sound of someone cryin' made me stop in my tracks.
I cracked t'e door open and looked inside carefully. The sight I was met wit' just broke my heart in two. Ana was sittin' on t'e bed with her back to me watchin' t'e flames in t'e fireplace next to t'e bed. I couldn't get a good look at her face, but t'e part that I did see was wet wit' tears. She hugged onto one of my pillows for dear life as she whispered to herself over and over, "It's okay, he's not yours." So focused on her selfsoothin' she didn't even notice me take a step in t'e door.
What did catch her attention was t'e creak of t'e door as it leaned open. She whipped her head around, saw t'at I was standin' t'ere and immediately went to work wipin' away t'e evidence of her sadness.
"What are you doing here?" she asked hoarsely.
"Well t'is is my stateroom on my ship." I started makin' my way towards her.
She stood, immediately tryin' to distance herself from me. "I thought you were busy with Steph. She made it very clear that you were going to be busy until the morning." she glared at me wit' a look of disgust like I was a disease.
"Look, I know what yer t'inkin and nothin' happened. I just walked her back to t'e dress shop, picked up yer dress and came back here." She eyed me warily probably debatin' on if she could believe me or not. I knew t'ere was only one surefire way t'at she would believe me. I grabbed her hand, looked her in t'e eye and said "Anastasia, I promise ya t'at nothin' happened between me and Steph tonight."
T'e tears started to fall all over again. "If nothing happened then why even go through the motions like something was going to happen?"
I figured I might as well be honest wit' her, even if it was goin' to hurt. "Because I had every intention of sleepin' wit' Steph tonight." Ana snatched her hand back, "Lass, just listen to me for once. This mornin' you know t'ings got way out of hand. I was frustrated, and I wasn't sure if I would be able to control myself if you tried t'at same stunt again. I needed a distraction, and Steph was goin' to be t'at distraction."
Now she was angry. "Oh! So because I teased you instead of taking that frustration out on me you decide to take it out on someone else?!"
"Damn it Ana why can't you ever understand t'at I am doin' everyt'ing in my power to protect you?"
"Just shut up with the self righteous act" she threw her hands up. "You and I both know you would enjoy crossing that line with me, I don't know why you keep fighting it. You can screw around with someone like Steph but you can't do it with me?"
By now I had her cornered against t'e wall between t'e bed and fireplace. I placed my hands on either side of her head, her face lit up in t'e red glow of my stare. "Yer right, I can't screw around wit' you like I can wit' Steph." hurt flashed in her eyes, but I still continued. "And t'ats because I love you. Yer alot more to me t'an just a one night stand and you know it." Those last words came out just above a whisper, but I was sure she had heard 'em by t'e way she softened.
"I still don't understand, why didn't you go through wit-"
I have no idea what possessed me to cut her off wit' a kiss, but once I did it was like a firework erupted from within me. Every nerve ending short circuited as t'e taste of her exploded on my lips. It started out gentle at first, but t'en I felt Ana's arms wrap around my neck and pull me in closer. As our kiss started to heat up, I picked her up and leaned her against t'e wall. When she wrapped her legs around me waist I just about damn near lost it.
"I couldn't do it because I couldn't get you out of me mind." I leaned into her neck to trail kisses up to her ear. "I don't t'ink ya understand, ya manage to drive me crazy when yer not even around." As I continued to love on her neck she started to moan my name in my ear. Her arms moved from around my neck to my shoulders, pushin' my coat off and on t'e floor.
Our lips crashed together as I sat her back on her feet, I could feel my self control slippin' away. I pulled away from her, looked her in t'e eyes and took her face in my hands. "Anastasia, you know yer playin wit' fire?"
"So I want to get burned," she whispered against my lips. I needed to get control and quick. Every fantasy I've had 'bout the lass was playin' out before my eyes, but I didn't want t'ere to be any chance of regret from either of us. It took t'e power of t'e etherium to pull back from her again.
"Lass, please." I looked in her lust filled eyes, searchin' for a sliver of clarity. "You know I've been wantin' to kiss those lips of yers since I met ya, but I don't want ya to regret any of t'is come tomorrow."
"But I won't regret anyt-" I cut her off wit' a kiss again, "I can get used to that." she giggled.
"Good, cause t'at won't be t'e last time I do it." I growled. "I want it to be perfect, you deserve for it to be perfect. Not after we both spent an entire night in a jealous rage."
"Okay," she whispered. "That sounds fair, but does this mean I have to keep my hands to myself now?
I swept her up in my arms, "Absolutely not. As long as yer hands are on me you can keep 'em anywhere but yerself." I kissed her again then sat her down on t'e bed. Yer first kiss was only ten minutes ago and it already feels like a natural habit. "Now, I'm gonna go have me a cold shower. You just lay here and get yerself comfortable and I'll be back in a few minutes.
"Can I join you?" she teased.
I bent down to plant a kiss on her neck. "Don't tempt me or I'll carry ya in t'ere myself." I whispered, "besides that will only defeat t'e purpose of it bein' a cold shower"
"I'm sure we can warm it up." she purred.
"Ana, remember what I said." she gave up her seductive act and started to pout. "I'll be right back."
"You're still gonna sleep in here with me right?" she asked as she started to settle in.
"Of course lass, where else would I sleep?"
"Okay. Just checking." she smiled, cuddlin' up in my sheets as if she belonged t'ere. She DOES belong t'ere.
As I stood in t'e shower, I tried not to let t'e weight of tonight's events weigh heavy on my shoulders. I have already given up tryin' to fight what seemed inevitable, I was just goin' to let t'ings go t'e way they wanted and hoped it all worked out. Once my blood had cooled I stepped out of t'e shower, dried myself off and went to go find a pair of shorts to sleep in.
Walkin' in my room I was surprised to see Ana already passed out. She was huggin' t'e pillow from earlier, her hair splayed out everywhere while she breathed deeply. I made my way to her side of t'e bed and managed to find a pair of shorts, but I also found her shorts t'rown in a heap on t'e floor. Great. As if it wasn't hard enough to keep my hands off of her.
I managed to get dressed, hung up my towel to dry and slid into bed. As soon as I got comfortable, Ana sleepily crawled over and curled up against my side as if she'd been doin' it for years. For t'e first time since meetin' this wonderful princess, I didn't t'ink, worry, or stress about t'e future. I didn't have a million 'what if's' runnin' through my mind, but wit' her in my arms I was able to get to rest.