To those it may concern: There isn't sex in this chapter but still some physicality nothing more than what would probably be put in a PG-13 movie.
"Here, drink." His canorous voice humming over me and slipping into the cracks.
He stood on the side of the bed and held out a small glass with dark, auric liquid filling it halfway.
"It'll help with the head." I still hadn't taken the glass I was trying to focus but my mind was everywhere and nowhere and extremely fuzzy.
I hadn't said anything to him yet, I still did not know what to say, as soon as I'd noticed his presence I'd leaned back again propping myself up on my forearms and tried to wrap my mind around what happened to explain my presence here of all places. My fingertips absent-mindedly ran circles and unidentifiable patterns around on the smooth, cool sheets in an attempt to calm myself. This didn't help when I registered how coquettish that must have looked to him. Bed, this is a bed. A bed in his quarters… fuck this is his bloody bed! I straightened myself back up into my sitting position my vision becoming hazy from the fast movement. Trying to appear composed and indifferent to lying down on his bed I forced myself to leisurely swing my legs over the side of the bed so that my boots rested on the wooden-planked floor. My left hand cradled my head as I became dizzy. This post would have to do for now, there was no way I'd be able to stand up without falling directly over. I glanced up sideways at Hook from under my lashes, squinting when it brought more pain. He looked frustrated with me.
"It's rum." His monotonous tongue addressing me as if I were a dim child.
"I know what it is." I snapped at him before rubbing the heel of my hand into my objecting forehead at me speaking so suddenly and vehemently.
Sighing in defeat, I lifted a shaky right hand in offering to take the drink from him. He looked dubious at my ability to hold it without dropping or spilling it and I took a deep breath, willing my hand to stop. Gingerly, he set it in my hand his fingertips brushed my palm and I felt shivers race through as my breath hitched. I retracted the glass to my lips and tipped back swallowing the deliciously potent scorching down my throat and into my stomach. Ah, real rum, how I've missed you. Two large gulps and I had emptied the contents, my mind now alerted and sharper as the smoky, spiced burn ignited my senses and rejuvenated my nerves. I couldn't help the satisfied smile from crossing my lips. Hook raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"I've always enjoyed the company of a lass who can appreciative good rum." He mused, his insolent smirk appearing.
I rolled my eyes, clenching my jaw when it reawakened the headache briefly. "What am I doing here?"
"Felt it wouldn't be right to leave the dead girl on the floor of an abandoned library." He answered, nonchalance dripping from his voice.
I looked at him like he was crazy. "Dead girl, do I look dead to you?"
"You look a lot of things…" His cerulean gaze running over my figure making me plaster an impassive façade onto my face in order to hide the tingling running over my skin. "… dead isn't one of them. "However, when I first awoke it appeared that you weren't breathing and I couldn't find a heartbeat, it wasn't until we reached the wharf that I felt it." He looked skeptical and confused.
I probably did "die" there briefly, I slip into a coma-like state when my heart stops beating and my lungs no longer have oxygen but so long as I'm still magic I don't actually die. I looked anywhere but him.
"I take it you don't trust me." He broke the silence.
I used to, know I don't know. "You're my father's foe."
"He's not your real father, if I recall correctly."
I gave him a death glare. "You're right, thanks for making that clearer than it already was."
"Forgive me that was cruel."
"Aye, the truth tends to be more trouble than it's worth."
"Ooh, lass, that's a bit on the harsher aspect of things. I take it you don't tend to trust many people."
"Aye, if I don't trust them hopefully they'll be smart enough to not trust me."
"And what's so bad about trusting you?"
I sighed and rubbed my hand over my face. "The truth is more trouble than it's worth." I repeated.
"Leads for a lonely life, don't you think?"
I shrugged as if I couldn't care less. "I feel like I was made for solitude, can't really argue with fate. I've tried, tends to come out with the upper hand." Why are you telling him this?
"You're one of the more depressing lasses I've met."
I gave him an arrogant smirk of my own. "Only one of, must not be doing a very good job."
My eyes flickered briefly to the door. I need to find Rumpel and warn about Cora and Regina.
"So how long do I have?" Hook asked abruptly.
"Before what?"
"Before I have to stop you from running to the crocodile." How the bloody hell does he still do that?
I eyed the knob. "Don't know for sure, you already locked it and I haven't discovered the key's whereabouts." I can still read you too, Captain.
"Something tells me that normally you wouldn't need the key."
"Smart man, but it would be less conspicuous if I acquired the key." I could keep up this banter until I could think of a plan that he couldn't read through.
"Aye, while you think on that…" He sat down on the bed and leaned over to look for something underneath.
Still has those really nice shoulders… stop it Ella! You need to get out of here not admire your captor!
I refocused my face into an impassive expression as he brought some rope up from under the bed.
"I think I'll lessen your chances." He added.
"Into the more kinky stuff are you?" I teased. Think, Ella, think.
His insolent smirk spread. "Would you like to find out?"
"Never was for that submissive stuff." Hilarious, you're a Shade, even if you still are a virgin.
"Dominance? I think it's all an act." He stood as the sly whisper slid from his tongue and made me focus harder on hiding my eminent blush.
His placement in front of me caused me to scoot away along the edge of the bed closer to the headboard and the door. I crossed my arms in front of me and raised an incredulous eyebrow.
"I'd say the same for you."
He chuckled as he blocked my path slid down towards me, his hand holding the rope on my left, and the prosthetic he must have got from the hospitable on my right side. He moved closer until I was leaning back on my forearms. My heart rate picked up as he grinned smugly and my body hummed to the position we were now in. I forced my face into a menacing glare. Why are his eyes so dark and beautiful? His mouth looks soft and warm… Ella you need to get out of this position, you need to get out of here, now! Where is that damn key?
"You're not getting away now." He uttered the words smoothly.
I rolled my eyes. "What makes you think that?" I hissed.
"You know, I thought you were a rather observant lass but I think I've found how to disrupt that trait of yours."
"And how do you think you'd do that?"
"With my proximity." He muttered, his voice sounding huskier than usual.
Shit, that's true. "Your…" I moved my wrist and found it bound to the post on the headboard. Bloody-fucking-hell. I yanked harshly and the knots only seemed to tighten, giving my wrist rope burn. I peered closer to identify the knots. A constrictor knot? Ugh, you have got to be kidding me, the one bloody knot you have to cut. Or burn… I can't use magic in front of him! I growled at Hook. He had the audacity to laugh.
"I like that noise coming from you." He leaned a fraction of an inch closer and I noticed another chain around his neck besides his usual one.
As he tilted his head and moved closer to my ear. I glanced down at the end of the chain, the key, that'll be a step in the right direction. Fuck, how am I going to get it… you're a Shade, you're on a bed with a gorgeous Captain, he's not gorgeous he's deceitful, I'm going to have to seduce him, enough to get that key. Great, I'm going to seduce my Captain, if there was any doubt that I'd end up in hell it should be fully diminished now. I let the Shade in me crawl out from behind the tightly locked doors. I lowered my head a little and looked up at Hook through my lashes. I can't believe I'm doing this.
"Oh you're bad, Captain." My voice purring as I dropped the layer of flatness I concealed my natural voice with.
He smirked mischievously. "You have no idea." He breathed.
He did always like your hair…the Shade egged me on as I realized my hair was still half undone.
"Hair pins are so uncomfortable." I noted casually continuing to leave my voice unveiled.
I tilted my head back to take out the two remaining pins, exposing my neck and arching my back, pretending that it helped remove the pins and let my long wavy tresses fall. His sensuous chuckle startled me as it sent warm, tingling vibrations up my throat as he leaned in and planted an open mouth kiss beneath my voice box, his tongue gently sweeping the surface as he pulled back. I let an audible shaky breath escape my lips.
He moved to my ear. "I think I enjoy that sound more than you're growling."
I pulled my head up and faced him carnality filled his azure orbs and blocked out the melancholy usually fixed in them. You have no idea who you're dealing with, Captain, we invented dirty talk. I brought my mouth up to his ear.
"You can't even imagine what other sounds I can make." I let my breathless lascivious tones flow freely.
He lowered his lips to hover over my ear. "I wonder how you sound when you come." His voice was hot and heavy and caused my core to tighten reflexively.
My breath hitched. Key, you're doing this to get to the key. I tilted my head to the side and slowly swiped my tongue under his jaw. Without warning his lips crashed into mine. My mind went blank, this was nothing like the innocent kiss he had given me all those years ago, this was poisonous, addicting, carnal, it shot through me from head to toe stimulating each of my nerves that had already been on high alert. I was so surprised, the bastard held back on me then, I forgot to respond. He began to pull away when he noticed too. Hell no, I am going to kiss you senseless, this is for the key. My unrestrained hand slid into the hair at the nape of his neck and tugged him back into that hot, rough kiss. I had always wondered how kissing him with tongue would feel like, to encourage that I bit his bottom lip before slipping my tongue out of my mouth and running it over the area. He moaned and parted his lips, his tongue meeting mine and stroking it. Gods, that's amazing. I moaned emphatically into his mouth and he hummed back, our tongues fighting for control of the situation. As if on their own accord my legs hooked over his hips. Key, remember the key, my rational brain slipped in again briefly before getting kicked out. I pulled on the rope again until it was taut, I realized it was long enough that I could maneuver around somewhat, but I needed him vertical and we were still lying across the bed. I experimentally rolled my hips against his, I felt like maybe I could have an orgasm from that alone as he groaned into my mouth and my resounding gasp ran through his. He shifted us. Tucking his hand underneath my back he managed to move us so that my head was against the pillows, my hair splaying around me. I twisted my hand in his hair and yanked lightly earning another small moan from him. God this is so twisted but so good… key, get to the key, stupid voice of reason. I tucked my feet around his knees and rolled, easily flipping us over so that I was on top. I could feel his self-satisfied smirk against my lips. My free hand slipped out of his hair and ran down his neck to his chest. All thoughts on reaching the key disappeared once again as I felt his toned muscles and my fingers ran through his dusting of chest hair. I tugged gently on a few of the hairs and a sharp inhale sucked what little breath I had left into his lungs. I found my calloused fingertips tracing the scars I discovered and then scraping my nails over them. At that moment his hand moved down my back before slipping under my shirt and grazing his own calloused fingers up and down the length of my spine. I shuddered against him. His devious grin pressed into my lips and his hand moved higher to my shoulder blades. Placing his palm in between them he rubbed evoking tiny mewls from me I wasn't aware I could make. My fingers, still running over his chest brushed against the chains of his necklaces. Grab the key, now! I wrapped my fingers around the key and broke it off the chain. For some odd reason he didn't stop his ministrations and I couldn't stop kissing him, thank the gods for that tongue of his. Strangely his smirk widened. Wait, why is he pleased if I have the key? Shouldn't he be pissed, he had to have felt the chain snap. Suddenly he flipped us back over so he was over me again, his hand slipping out from shirt and pinning my untied wrist above my head. Shit, he did notice. Reluctantly, on both accountants, he pulled away. Our eyes opened to find the same fazed, lust-filled stare. Ragged breaths came from both of us as we tasted oxygen once more. My chest was heaving and I noticed one of the three buttons on the sleeveless scoop-neck had come undone. When did that happen? Our eyes locked again as our breathing started to slow. A smug grin spread wide across his face. Of course, my body still thrummed with him hovering over me.
"You're a clever lass, almost had me fooled into thinking you were doing this because you wanted to. Your noises were very convincing. Actually kind of felt like you were enjoying it, immensely." He winked at me.
I glared daggers at him which only seemed to encourage that stupid grin to widen. "Alas, however, it was merely intended to get the key to my quarter's door. I'd say, bravo, and congratulate you if only it was the right key."
Oh. Fucking. Hell. Bloody-fucking-son-of-a-bitch! I shoved him off of me and began cursing under my breath.
"That is quite a tongue you've got there, love, so sharp when speaking but so pliable when doing other activities." I shot upward into a sitting position, making sure to cross my legs in the process.
He was sitting on the edge of the bed again looking quite satisfied with himself. My jaw was clenched tightly.
"If you ever fucking breathe a word of this to anyone I will rip your throat out." I threatened through gritted teeth.
He suppressed a laugh. "So what you're saying, love, is that so long as we keep these things a secret you're okay with participating in them?" He grinned demonically.
I snorted as if I thought it was the most ridiculous statement I'd ever heard. "Hardly, that's as far as you'll ever get."
He leaned close to me again. "Oh, I doubt that, love, I am nowhere near finished with you."
I struggled to hide the sharp hitch in my breath but he probably still heard it. He pulled back, allowing me to be able to breathe properly although his scent was now on me and driving me silently insane.
"I think I'll go back into town in the morning, still have my hook to acquire before making our journey." He noted casually.
"Wait, what? Not a chance in hell!"
He raised a brow at my outburst. "Seeing as you already intended on going to find your father I can't see why it makes a difference in whether or not you travel with me."
"Because, you are not, going." I hissed.
His expression darkened and watched the anger and malice creep in. "Actually, lass, I bloody well am."
I thought for a moment. "Wait, you have to let me go, I'll lose my memories if I cross the line!" Yeah, bullshit.
He snorted. "Really, lass, I'm not daft, I know you didn't come here with the curse, you're probably not even from our realm."
Well fuck, that's half true. I narrowed my eyes.
"What makes you say that?"
"From what I've heard you only have one name."
Well that part is a misconception. I glared at him again.
"Fine you're right." Only that part about coming over here with the curse, but he doesn't need to know that.
"There's a good girl."
"Stop talking to me like I'm a child." I snapped angrily.
His admiring gaze raked over me again and I remembered the extra unbuttoned button. My hand shot up and buttoned it once more. His lips twitched upward at my expense.
"You're most certainly not a child."
No, I'm not otherwise you would recognize me. I kept a scowl on my face.
"Well lass, time to turn in for the night, surely you don't wish to sleep in those clothes." He raised his insinuating brow again.
"As a matter of fact I do." I answered stubbornly.
He shook his head amusedly before lifting off the bed and striding over to his desk. Detaching the prosthetic hand he set in on top of some charts. Then proceeding to the small closet in the back corner I watched him shrug his leather coat off before tossing it in. He glanced at me as his fingers slowly undid each clasp on his vest. I tore my eyes away and looked at the wall instead receiving a quiet laugh from him. In my peripheral I noticed him pull his shirt off over his head effectively messing with his hair and making me want to run my fingers through it and entangle it in my grasp again. I shook my head to push away those thoughts. He stalked back over to the bed as I quickly apprehended that I was still in his bed and still tied to his bed, which meant I was going to have to sleep in his bed with him. I swallowed hard and kept my eyes trained on the patterns in the wood.
"Excuse me, love." He whispered seductively as he slid over me, pausing to hover with his face less than an inch from mine and then sliding over into the free space next to me. His pants were still on, thank the gods, but being that they were leather and I had a thing for leather didn't help much, along with the fact that he was shirtless, giving me a great view of his well-toned torso, gods did his abdomen and chest have to be so well defined and muscled? I must have been staring because he turned those mesmerizing sea-blue eyes on me and quirked an eyebrow up.
"No problem, lass, I enjoy undressing you in my mind as well." He winked.
I huffed in annoyance turned to stare at the opposite wall. The candles were still lit and he felt the need to go through the same taunting process in order to extinguish them.
Returning to the bedside he leaned in close to my ear, his lips brushing the shell as he spoke. "I do like how you look tied to my bed." He whispered hotly.
This time when he slid into bed he made sure to ghost his fingers on my arm and brush his nose against mine. I didn't start breathing again until he had been well settled under the sheets facing the wall. I laid my head against the pillows as far from him as possible. I don't know when or how I fell asleep but I can recall him shaking me awake in the middle of the night because I had been screaming in my sleep. I ignored him completely though it stung to see his face actually concerned for half a minute. I couldn't ignore the fact that he moved in closer to me after that and I tried even harder to ignore the comfort it brought me as I slipped back into unconsciousness.