Disclaimer. Still only can lay claim to Ben. Everything else belongs to Disney.
Warning!!! Lots of serious smut in this chapter!
Petal of a Rose
Chapter Seven – A Risky Strategy
The Pearl had finally docked in Shipwreck Cove. Word soon spread that the 'Pirate King' had arrived and, once Jack's crew were on shore it wasn't long before everyone was talking about the up-coming wedding between the 'King' and Captain Jack Sparrow.
Gibbs had been the first to know, after he had come to find out why Elizabeth was taking so long in her ablutions. Elizabeth had never seen him blush before, but they had given him plenty of provocation. He was immensely proud that he was to be Jack's Best Man.
The crew weren't at all surprised, and to a man, smirked, every time they saw them together. Jack despaired of ever having any authority over them again.
Jack had moved to Elizabeth's bunk and handed his cabin over to her, as seemed fitting in the circumstances, so was putting up with a lot of 'ribbing' from the crew. They knew not to push him too far though.
Teague Sparrow, Jack's Father, and Keeper of the Code (the Pirates Handbook), had taken on the task of helping to arrange the ceremony and the party afterwards. The whole town was contributing. It wasn't every day that the 'Pirate King' got married and every one of them owed much to the couple.
Captains' raided their swag and a continuous line attended her rooms, offering the finest dresses, shoes, lingerie and jewels.
Jack had acquired a new set of clothes suitable for a 'state occasion' and Gibbs had been smartened up too. Jack was adamant that no-one show him up on 'Lizzie's big day.
The night of his proposal, they had talked until dawn, making plans, explaining their feelings and Elizabeth had asked that they live apart once they had docked and did not become intimate until after the ceremony.
Jack had laughed as he agreed – after all – there were many forms of intimacy and he was sure that he could use some 'persuasion', and set out to prove it!
The ceremony was taking place on the 'morrow and he knew his nerves would never last out. If he had seen Elizabeth, he knew that he wouldn't be feeling this way, but she had been interned with his bloody Father all day, discussing 'Pirate King' business and finalising preparations for tomorrow. All he had seen , all day, were pink roses – everywhere!. Dozens of them. He knew that they were her favourite flower…but really! It was enough to make a man sneeze!
He desperately needed to see her. He needed to know she had no second thoughts, needed to know she would be there tomorrow – hell – he just needed her!
Elizabeth, meanwhile, was alone. After being surrounded by people all day, passing laws, passing judgement on arguments and making final decisions for the wedding, it was a relief to finally have some time to herself. Time to think…time to ponder.
Suddenly, nerves hit with a vengeance, like a kick in the stomach they assailed her. Air…she needed fresh air…and Jack. She knew she wouldn't see him before the ceremony and glanced at the stunning gown she had chosen as her wedding dress. She grinned as she imagined the look on Jack's face when he saw it. Her smile faded as waves of anticipation, nerves and doubts once again flooded her.
She walked out into the courtyard alongside her rooms and sat on a stone bench by the roses. It had rained all evening, but for now the storm was quiet, but the humidity was building. She grimaced. She knew the feeling. All that she wanted was to hear Jack say he still wanted her. She imagined the desolation, the sheer humiliation, if he didn't show tomorrow.
She tensed, catching a well remembered scent. She looked over her shoulder to see him standing behind her, his weight slung on one hip, his hands in his pockets.
"Jack," she whispered, "what are you doing here? We shouldn't see each other tonight. It's bad luck!"
"I came to find ye. Needed to know ye would be there t'morrow." His voice was deep with heat and sensuality. "I needed to talk to ye, to be sure ye still felt the same way, to be sure you would be there. I know ye have doubts."
She looked into his eyes and saw a mixture of hope and despair. "Oh…Jack." She smiled, "I love you. As I told you, I have no doubts about us, just our marriage bed. I was terrified you may have changed your mind."
His eyes cleared, seemed to become deeper, like the swirling ocean.
Suddenly, with no warning, the storm was upon them again, the sky opened up and rain poured down. Jack grabbed her wrist and pulled her along with him, back towards her rooms. He kicked the door open and dragged her inside. Whirling, he slammed the door shut, then pinned her to it.
"Jack –" she began, but his mouth was on hers. Her nerves receded and she wound her arms around his neck. He groaned, drawing her tight against his body. He was iron hard – everywhere. He tore his lips from hers to trail burning kisses over her wet face.
"Sorry, luv," he whispered, "I know we said we wouldn't, but I can't change who I am. I need you…but I shan't take ye…" He took her face between his palms, threading his fingers through her hair, "Jus' like ye can't change who ye are." His mouth brushed hers. "An' I wouldn't want ye to.." He kissed her again, then drew back.
"Ye know what ye mean to me, don't ye 'Lizzie? Ye understand ev'rythin', don't ye?"
Not everything, she cried silently, but I'm willing to learn. He was peeling off her sodden clothes, slipping her shirt off her shoulders and kissing the skin as he went downward. Then, she was naked and he was kneeling before her.
"I know ye asked me not to – an I won't. There are other ways, 'Lizzie, luv!"
She moaned and fell against him, gripping his hard shoulders, her fingers digging in. He swirled his tongue in her navel, and she sucked her breath in sharply.
"Oh, 'Lizzie…ye taste so good. Trust me…I won't hurt ye or do anythin' ye don't like." He went lower, parting her legs and finding the warm, throbbing need between them.
"Ohh…Jack…What…?" Her fingers clutched at his hair, pulling him closer, as his tongue slid in and out of her. Blood roared in a torrent through her head, sounding much like the rain that beat around them. She shuddered as he drove into her, his tongue dancing like a stroking flame. She cried out in ecstasy as the almost unbearable waves of pleasure crashed over her, shattering her body into fragments of sensation.
"Jack…Jack!"
She was trembling and shivering, so weak her legs gave out. He caught her, lifted her in his arms, and strode with her to her bedroom. His clothing was wet and it chilled her feverish skin. He laid her on the bed and sat on the edge.
Tears streaked her face and Jack's thumb idly stroked her damp cheek.
"Do ye want me to go, luv?"
She lifted her head, and her heart lodged in her throat. He was looking at her as if she were the finest piece of porcelain ever made.
"No, Jack. I don't…but I fear that if your Father were to learn of your being here, there would be no wedding tomorrow. I would be attending your funeral instead."
"Mmmm. Ye might jus' have a point there, luv. He's already warned me, in no uncertain terms that I'm about to marry Royalty, and, if I harm ye in any way, me life'll not be worth livin'. Not that I plan to harm ye in any way, ye understand. Harmin's not in me nature, an if it was, I couldn't. Carry with ye tomorrow, the knowledge that I want ye always, I love ye, 'Lizzie"
"I love you too, Jack." She said drowsily. She closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them – he was gone.
Right, that's it for Chapter 7. Now go review…!
Chapter 8 is hot, hot, hot so be warned!