When I wake up the next morning, Killian is still sleeping. He's on his side with an arm propped under his head, snoring very softly. I glance outside; dark clouds but no more rain. I sit up in bed carefully, looking back over at Killian to make sure I don't disturb him.
His face is relaxed in sleep, no dark scowl or amused, cocky grin and I find myself staring. Not for the first time, I notice how attractive he is; slightly hollow cheeks, good skin, beard scruff a little darker than yesterday. He moves his head and his dark hair falls across his forehead. The urge to brush it away and trail my fingers down his cheek flares up inside me, startling in its intensity.
I give my head a shake and grab my romance novel off my nightstand, determined to keep myself occupied until he wakes up. And it mostly works, until I get to a sex scene and keep darting my eyes to Killian, sure he'll wake up and know what I'm reading.
But he doesn't. I'm almost at the end when I hear a small groan and see Killian stretch out of the corner of my eye.
"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," I chime, setting my book down again.
He squints at me, rasping out a "morning" as he sits up. "What time is it?"
I glance at my clock. I've always preferred a good old fashioned alarm clock to the alarm on my cell, just in case I ever forget to charge my phone. "10:47."
"Ugh," he stretches again then shoots me a look of sleepy amusement as he swings his feet to the floor and stands. "I have to work at noon."
I keep my face carefully composed as I point to the fridge, "feel free to take a water." I try to keep my gaze away from him without being obvious but a stubbornly curious part of me can't help but check him out when he stands up. The briefs hug his form ...impressively.
Then he's tugging his jeans up and I manage to turn my face down to my phone before he looks over at me again.
"Thanks again, Swan. For everything." His face is serious, conveying he means more than just for the place to sleep.
I think of the conversation about his brother and say, with feeling, "any time." He smiles and sits down again, lacing his black boots. "Are you going to the Halloween party at David's tonight?" Please please please.
"Aye, Dave insisted I come and I'm happy to oblige. I'm not one to pass up a chance to dress up and drink."
He's dressing up. I can't wait to see this. "What are you going as?"
"No spoilers, Swan." He wags a finger at me admonishingly, smirking. He takes a sweater from his bag, pulling it on as he stands up. "You're going too, then? To the party?"
I nod, gesturing to my closet, "got my costume all ready."
Instead of leaving right away like I thought he would, Killian picks up his blanket and starts folding it carefully. "Oh you don't have to-" I start.
"Yes, I do," he interrupts. "My brother managed to cram some manners in my head." He gives me a lazy smile as he sets the now folded blanket on the edge of my bed, bringing his face about a foot away from mine. I instantly tense, my eyes locking on the blanket so I won't see his face so close to mine and do something dumb. But I can feel his warmth and lean in a little, subconsciously, only realising it when our arms bump.
"Emma..." his voice is low and full of some emotion I can't identify. I can't help looking at him then and feel electricity spark as soon as his eyes find mine. And he's right there. His dark hair is still flopped over his forehead, lips parted slightly. I move toward him a little more... a little more.
"I'll see you at the party." And then he's pulling back, cold air rushing into the space between us. Suddenly I feel very foolish and a blush threatens to spill across my cheeks.
What was I expecting? A kiss? Come on, Emma. "Yeah," I mumble, "see you later."
I flop back on my bed, pulling the covers over my face. It takes all my will power not to groan with embarrassment. That is not in any way how you stay 'just friends' with someone.
After another few minutes of hiding, I kick myself into gear, showing and getting ready for my shift at the front desk of my dorm. I try to put Killian out of my mind by thinking of the party tonight. But I can't deny he's a big reason why I'm excited about it. To see his costume of course. Nothing else. Nope, definitely not.
The end of my shift finally arrives and I bolt upstairs. I'd worked an extra long shift today so I'm already running late to the party.
I pull the costume from my closet and smile at it. It's totally a 180 from my normal wardrobe but when Mary Margaret and I went shopping last week for my costume, I couldn't say no. The floaty blue and white fabric rustles as I pull it on and settle it on my frame. I check it out in the mirror; the bodice shows an ample amount of cleavage, the skirt swishes around my legs, and the short sleeves hang off my shoulders. I love it.
Hastily, I reapply my makeup, adding some eye shadow. When it comes to my hair though, I take the time to arrange half of it up and pinned around a small tiara that came with the dress and leave the rest curled and hanging down my back. I feel like a princess, which, this once, I'm okay with.
Satisfied with my appearance, I hurry to catch the bus that will take me close to David's. Don't want to drink and drive and the heavy clouds overhead are threatening rain again so walking is out.
I see a few other people dressed up on the bus so I don't feel stupid walking around as a princess. I nod hello to Leroy, who works at the library with me, who's sitting with a group of his friends. It looks like they're either dressed as dwarves or hobbits. He smiles and gestures at my dress then gives a thumbs up.
After a few more stops, I get off, hurrying the last block to the party. I smile wryly to myself, wishing for a pumpkin and some mice right about now.
"EMMMMAAAA!" a loud voice calls as I make my way up the yard. David leans over the porch railing, smiling hugely. He's wearing a black shirt and red pants with suspenders.
I'm not sure what his costume is until M&M walks through the door wearing a red and white polka dot dress and a bow with mouse ears. Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Finally at the porch, I hug her and say "very cute" and point between them. She gives a curtsy.
"David wouldn't wear the ears." She rolls her eyes at me.
"They hurt my head," he leans in for a hug and whispers, "and they looked way dorkier on me than her." I laugh and hug him back. "But you," he pulls back, looking at my dress, "look amazing. You never wear dresses. You're like Cinderella or Snow White in that."
"That was the idea." David leads me inside, an arm around my shoulders. I see some mummies and vampires and other classic Halloween costumes. There's also superheroes and cartoon characters and lots of sexy versions of things; cops, Disney princesses, and even one Harry Potter. David and MM went all out for decorations too; jackolanterns, ghosts, cobwebs, etc. "It looks so spooky in here." I waggle my fingers in the air and adopt a silly, scared expression.
"Oh I know," David smirks, handing me one of the hidden cold beers from a box of waffles in the freezer.
I twist off the cap, "it's probably not princessey to drink beer huh?"
"I think that mead would be more appropriate, given the era your attire was in fashion," a light, accented voice jokes behind me. My heart leaps.
Killian.
I move, letting him be part of our circle. My eyes widen as I take in his costume; tight leather pants tucked into tall black boots, a black puffy shirt tucked into the pants with a red and black brocade vest buttoned snugly over it. The top six or seven buttons are undone, revealing a larger than normal view of his tan, hairy chest. A fake sword dangles off a thick belt along with what looks like an old fashioned compass. He has on his usual jewelry but only has rings on one hand as the other holds a fake hook.
He is one sexy Captain Hook.
A pirate.
And I'm a princess.
No way. Horror rushes through me. "Did you do this on purpose?" I accuse. He looks confused so I add quietly, "because of my book?"
Comprehension floods his features as he takes another look up and down at my dress. My body? No, stop, don't go there. "No, love, I swear. I always dress as a pirate for Halloween." He gives me a smug grin, "isn't it almost like we planned it though?"
"Planned what?" M&M asks, looking between us curiously.
"Nothing. Just something from a book I'm reading. It doesn't matter because we didn't plan it." I huff, taking a long drink of my beer to hide my embarrassment.
Killian is still staring at me, smiling his cocky grin. "You look lovely, Swan."
I narrow my eyes, not sure if he's still teasing me, "thanks."
"Truly you do, your highness."
Definitely making fun of me.
Maybe he's finally picking up on the twin SOS telepathy thing or maybe he just doesn't like Killian staring at me when I have so much cleavage showing, but David cuts in, changing the subject.
I check out of the conversation for a little bit, composing myself again. Just a coincidence. He's always a pirate. I can believe that. Being a pirate suits him.
It suits him quite well. Those leather pants are a gift.
Mary Margaret brings me back into the conversation after a while and I forget my embarrassment.
And it's nice, parties aren't so bad, I decide.
"Hey, Emma." I turn from the group that had slowly started forming around David and Mary Margaret while we talked. A tall guy in a leather jacket smiles slyly at me
"August, hi," I give him a hug then pull back, glaring at him, "you didn't dress up." I can feel eyes on the back of my head.
"Yeah you know that's not my thing. I only came to see you since you've been MIA for the past three weeks." He nods at David, who waves, midstory with a group of his football friends.
I know I should feel bad about that but all I can muster is a little chagrin. I pull him into our group and notice it's Killian watching us. "Sorry, I was dealing with some things." I glance at Killian even though I try not to. August gives him an appraising look then turns to me, eyebrow raised in question. "August, this is Killian Jones. Killian, August Booth."
They shake hands, doing that macho thing guys do where they squeeze the other's hand too hard. "Killian, this is my only other friend besides my brother and his girlfriend." August gives a short laugh, nodding.
"Nice to meet you," Killian says darkly, looking on the verge of a scowl. "If you'll excuse me though, I need some fresh air." And he's leaving. I watch him go with a pang. What's up with him? Does he not like August?
When I turn to August again, he's looking at me curiously. "So, you're friends with Killian Jones?"
I narrow my eyes, a little offended with his tone on 'friends'. "Yeah I've been tutoring him and we hang out sometime."
"Hmm"
I wait for him to continue.
"It's just... he's Killian Jones, Emma." I'm suddenly so angry at myself for ever judging him like everyone in my life has been.
"Yup, and we're friends. That's that." He backs off at my steely look, holding his hands up in surrender. Still a little mad, I huff, "you want a drink? We can talk for a while."
He nods so I grab him a beer and we sit and catch up. When I ask if he wants another one though, he declines.
"Sorry, Emma, can't. I have a umm... a meeting to get to. Very important." He seems to have forgotten I know that's code for 'I've got a girl waiting.'
That's the thing I forget about August a lot, he never sticks around for long.
"Alright," I sigh, giving him another quick hug. "I'll see you later then. Enjoy your meeting."
After he leaves, I look around the packed room. Are there more people in here than there were ten minutes ago? How many people do David and M&M know? This girl dressed as Cleopatra is eying the seat August just vacated, her cheerleader friend close behind, so I get up and wander toward the front door, thinking it might be less crowded on the porch.
I push open the door and savor the freshness. I didn't realize how hot it had gotten in that living room. The cool air dries my damp skin and I breathe in the scent of rain, which is just barely starting to come down. When I glance around, I only see a few people, most of them smoking, but past a guy in a toga (there's always one) I see a pirate leaning against the railing.
"Hey" I say, sidling up next to Killian, sitting on one of the pillars used for stability for the porch.
He glances at me then away, his face stony "Is the Halloween hater gone then?"
"Halloween hat- August?" He hums his assent, a small annoyed sound.
"Yeah, he's gone. He never stays long." Annoyed. And he left right after August got there. And the macho handshake thing. Wow. "Killian, are you jealous?"
He cuts his gaze to me, surprised. "Jealous," he sputters, voice cracking slightly "of that man child? Why would I be jealous?"
I cock my head to the side, appraising him, "because I said he was my only other friend. You know I wasn't excluding you in that? Of course you're my friend too." I go to touch his hand, but it's the one holding the hook, so I just get leather and metal.
His face instantly smoothes but his jaw stays hard and clenched. He pulls his arm away from mine and his voice is under control again, if a little bitter, as he says, "yes of course. We're friends too." He mumbles something under his breath that sounds like 'just friends' but I can't be sure.
"Killian?" I ask, concerned and curious. What did 'just friends' mean? My heart beats a little faster. Is he upset because we are only friends? Does he want-
"If you'll excuse me, Swan, I see the lovely Ulla inside. I must say hello." He walks away briskly.
Ulla? From the bar? From her putting her hand on his thigh at that first party we were both attending? I whip my head around and there she is. Looking very pretty as Daenerys from Game of Thrones. Jealousy burns inside me as I see him slide his hand over her back as they hug.
I jump off the railing, stomach clenching, and storm back into the party, making a beeline for Mary Margaret as soon as I see her.
"Whoa what's wrong with you?" She laughs as I tug her arm so she moves to where I can watch Killian and Ulla without being obvious. "Seriously, are you okay?"
"Just fine," I say through gritted teeth. "Just stay there so I can check something." She's sent her friend away and is standing so close to Killian, I'm surprised his hook hadn't ripped her dress yet.
"You've got crazy eyes right now. What is going on?" She looks over her shoulder before I can stop her and sees Killian whisper something to the mother of bar specials.
Her movement catches his eye and he gives us a hard smile before turning to Ulla with a mischievous, determined expression, whispering into her ear again. She giggles, toying with his hook. He smiles back and then she's pulling him towards the front door. Before they leave, he finds my gaze and gives me a look that seems to say 'are you going to let this happen?'
I don't want it to but I can't stop them. I can't let myself feel anything for him. It's too dangerous.
M&M turns back to me, concerned, "Emma? What's going on? Is there something between you two?" Does she sounds hopeful or worried?
"We're just friends," I tell her, but it sounds like a question even my own ears. All I know is, I watch them leave the party with a sinking heart, knowing what happens when a girl leaves a party with Killian Jones.
A/n idk how I feel about this chapter. it didn't go as smoothly as I'd hoped. I've been writing and rewriting it for 2 weeks though and I'm over it. But it's gonna set something up for later hopefully. anyway thanks for reading. You guys are awesome