A/N: Thank you for the reviews! Wow, it makes me so happy to see that some like to read it. Thank you!
She's Engaged
Chapter IV
The Azores Islands, notable for the exotic animals and crystal blue water. Kind of green-ish in fact. They do not really need to make a stop there, but the baron had the night before crossed deck with a bouquet of red flowers when Jack's comment, stopped the man to a halt.
By the view of the flowers, Jack only shook his head.
"She prefers white roses."
The baron frowned. "And how would you..," he silenced and whirled around as he scanned the surrounding ships. "Where will I find any?"
Jack nonchalantly passed him towards his very own cabin. "The Azores."
By the love of Angelica, they set anchor there. Jack uses the opportunity to stock the ships with food and other necessities and blames the stop at the island on that.
He manages to keep away from her well. Barely any interactions at all. He focuses on the maps and spends more time than really necessary with his first mate. Gibbs enjoys feeling needed for once. Usually Jack runs everything on his own and he simply gets the easy task of shouting the orders to all. But now, he has an opportunity to let his brain think out great routes to avoid Baron Baines' enemies. He contains quite a few.
Even so, when she is off alone with the baron, Jack sends off his men.
"Watch her."
The sailor's eyebrow is quirked. "Which lady?"
Jack's eyes peers, revealing he is not up for a joke. "Is there any other?"
When the first sailor is off, Jack grabs the collar of another one. "And make sure she thinks it be the baron who sent ye."
"Aye, Commandeer."
The baron smiles by the sight of the sailors guarding their backs. They walk as bodyguards a few steps behind, and he knows it is Jack who has sent them. He has to mentally remind himself to thank him afterwards. That he had not thought of that himself?
Angelica is hugging George close, thankful for him looking out for her. Naturally, she would not have done so if she knew Jack is the one keeping her back protected.
"How thoughtful of you," she speaks and meets the baron's eyes as they stroll. He grins as response.
And she truly glows during brunch, she glows when he buys her a necklace. She glows when he is off to meet up with his staff members to inform them to where to place all the items he has bought on the island. She glows in the moonlight.
That is also when Angelica is leaning against a tree and views the ocean. There is something peaceful with the sea at night. Hearing the waves roll up onto the beach and pull back. Her favorite moments in her life definitely were the ones she has spent on the beach at night. Always in company of... Jack.
She sighs and takes a deep breath.
Stop thinking about him. She has got to stop thinking about him. How he tenderly grabbed her legs when she parted them, how they became one and how her nails dug into the flesh of his back. The cold of the chilly night sand against her back or the hard wooden palm tree when being lifted against it.
She feels flushed and is about to leave when the voice stops her tracks.
"Ye should not be out here alone."
And now she knows he is the one who sent off the sailors to watch her.
Not for her and the baron.
For her.
He appears from the shadows and she silently prays he has not watched her for too long.
He opens his mouth again and leans against a tree near her. "Certainly at this hour."
She scolds him and is quite uncomfortable under his stare. She folds her arms and is at once in defensive mood; he can tell.
"I can handle myself thank you."
He nods slowly and nonchalantly peels a flowers' petals away. Then he takes a swig of his bottle of rum. "I know that, luv."
That little nickname.
She hates when he says it. And when he does not, she cannot help but miss it tremendously.
He nods towards the ships which are shimmering by the moonlight.
"After you, my lady."
She blushes harder this time and tightens her crossed arms. "Who said anything about leaving. I am perfectly comfortable here."
Jack's chuckle is muffled. "Well," he starts and eyes her with clear amusement. "I am the commandeer and we be leavin'." He takes another swig of the rum and leans back against the tree. "Well, I can stay here all night, luv. I go whenever ye go. Won't be leavin' ye alone here, I'll tell ye that."
She begins to walk but tries to keep her pace slowly faster than his to avoid him catching up on her. He wobbles slightly behind her but hurries. When she too hurries, he figures there is no point in upsetting her and decides to keep promenading behind her.
Besides. The view of her bum is not exactly a bad one.
When they reach the ship, Jack holds his hand out. For a moment, Angelica eyes drift between the hand and Jack. Instead, she grabs her skirt to lift it up from the ground and begins her walk along the boarding plank on her own.
Jack's smile continues to hang and he watches her amused. He shakes his head. She is unbelievable. Slowly he follows her up to the deck but he goes straight up to the helm.
Angelica lingers in her doorway and she taps the mahogany it is made of. Jack seems to be doing something behind the helm before his hands clasp around it to rule it.
He looks down and meets her gaze.
There is a longing feeling. She feels how something inside of her aches and urges her to go up to him, wrap her arms around him in a tight embrace and stay there forever.
But she does not.
Instead, she slips inside her room and closes the door smoothly. Her palm rests against it for a long moment as her heart pounds faster.
Why does he have to do this?
Trying to charm his way with her.
Acting like a gentleman and outnumbering her fiancée. It is too typical of Jack. She cannot fall for it. Not now. She is so close to finally getting married. To finally have a family, like she always wanted to have. Her dreams were coming true, and Jack supposedly tries to ruin it.
Her eyes shut in frustration. But why then is she this drawn to him? Why cannot she just let him go, play for himself and ignore him? Why does she have to follow his every movement with her stalking gaze. Why does her heart pound faster when he touches her? Why cannot he just leave her alone! Damn it!
After a shaky breath, she shoves he door back open and walks out of the room. The helm is empty but still her legs carry her up there. She pauses at the top when seeing Jack laying on a bench, seemingly deep asleep.
When his eyelids are shut and he breathes that heavily, she cannot think of any moment he appears more peaceful and harmonic. He seems so sweet and... lovable.
When he shudders in his sleep, Angelica starts moving. She shimmies out of her outer coatee her seamstress has made for her. Carefully she bends over Jack and softly puts it over him. She hangs over his face and tries to resist the urge of leaning down to plant a kiss on the forehead, and another fight to resist the habit of capturing his lips in a goodnight-kiss.
She stands up straight and examines him. She takes in his whole body now laying below her piece of clothing.
The tug in her gut is unbearable, watching him like this. There is this feeling that wants her to just jump at him while the other one causes her to nervously glance over the railing to deck to make sure George is not up and witnessing her caring gesture.
Eventually she swallows and chooses to head back downstairs to her cabin.
And that is also when Jack's eyes open, very aware of what just happened.
A/N: Angelica is sweet, isn't she?