Emma woke up to see that the sun was high in the sky already and felt Killian's breath tickling her neck. She felt his hand on her breast and his other hand on her stomach. It felt so warm and intimate being surrounded by his embrace. His fingers started to move and drew circles around her nipples. She let out a small moan and she felt Killian's lips on her shoulder. She knew he was awake and from feeling the growing hardness against her backside she could tell he was already in an amorous mood. He was a man of strong appetites and needed help from Emma to relieve his morning arousal which she did so gladly and enthusiastically. This morning was no exception.
She turned over to face him and gave him a light kiss on his lips. His arms wrapped around her, gathering her in, pressing close, closer, until she could feel every inch of his hard frame along hers. Her body seemed to sigh into his, fitting so perfectly, it felt like home.
She fell victim to a leisurely kiss so enticingly sweet and sensual, it wrapped her in a spell of wonder impossible to break. It went on and on, working on her in degrees, until contentment turned into burgeoning desire. And she thought she was the one with magic. He had his own special brand of magic that made her softly whisper his name which got her a heartwarming smile in return.
"I like waking up this way, with you in my arms," Killian whispered in her ear while placing a soft kiss on her neck.
"Me, too," Emma practically sighed.
"I could do this for the rest of my life," Killian realizing the words just came out of him. He looked into her eyes to see what her reaction was, practically holding his breath until he saw the biggest smile blossom on her face and he let out a deep sigh.
"I could, too," Emma automatically said the words that warmed his heart to the core. It was a start of a confirmation that whatever it was they had together was not a short term thing. It was the start of something continuing, lasting, long term. Killian was content with that for now. Happiness flowed through him and he wanted to make sure Emma felt that same happiness.
She wrapped her legs around his hips urging him to join with her. He lost himself in the folds of her velvety softness. Each thrust more pleasurable than the one before, each with the power to draw forth another gasp. They soon fell into the joyous abyss together, floating on a sea of contentment and mindless bliss.
An hour later they were enjoying a bath together and were discussing how to best handle Sir Dashwood.
"In case we have a chance to get our hands on the phoenix feather, you should be there," Killian said as he washed Emma's back with a warm soapy sponge. "You can unlock the cuff straightaway."
"I'll be glad to finally be rid of this cuff," Emma said feeling him put down the sponge and started to massage her neck. His hands felt heavenly.
"Let's be careful not to consume too much drink and food," Killian heard some disturbing reports regarding Dashwood putting sleeping draughts in his guest's food and drink. "I heard he is not above drugging his company."
"I can pretend to drink and spit out the food in a napkin," Emma offered.
"Sounds like a good plan, love," Killian said. "We'll have dinner before we leave."
They continued making plans and strategize while basking in the glow of their wet, warm, sudsy paradise.
Killian and Emma arrived at Sir Dashwood's stately manse dressed to the nines. Emma gazed at Killian and mused that he looked rather dashing in his black formal attire. Most men wore white shirts with their formal wear but Killian ever the rakehell pirate wore a black shirt. It added a more sinister, mysterious air to him.
Killian wasn't too overly fond of the cleavage bearing dress that Emma chose. It was one of her new ones. She said she chose it in case she needed to use her womanly wiles to persuade Sir Dashwood to see the phoenix feather. He wasn't happy about that type of persuasion she would make on any man that wasn't him. Once she got her hands on the phoenix feather Sir Dashwood would no longer be an obstacle or a nuisance and they could leave.
The butler answered the door and they were led into the sitting room. Once Emma and Killian took their seats on the settee, Sir Dashwood came in along with the woman that made a pass at both Killian and her at the party. Emma recognized her hair and form. This time she was fully dressed and without a mask.
"Welcome to my humble abode!" Sir Dashwood greeted them.
"I wouldn't call this impressive manse humble, Sir Dashwood," Killian came forth to hold out his hand.
He shook Killian's hand with gusto and planted another wet kiss on the back of Emma's hand.
"Let me introduce my current inamorata," Sir Dashwood. "This is Lady Barbara."
"Oh, it's so good to see you both again and without masks," she practically purred. "So much better."
She went up to Killian to give him what was supposed to be an air kiss but it didn't have much air in it. She practically darted her tongue out lick his face while giving him a kiss on each cheek. Her breasts pressed a tad overly long against his chest.
Emma wasn't happy to see her so enthusiastically greet Killian. Barbara turned to Emma and gave Emma a deep, overly long hug that crushed their bosoms together. Then Lady Barbara gave Emma two very wet kisses on each cheek. Emma let out a squeak in surprise when the other woman's hands quickly slid down and squeezed her buttocks. Barbara gave her a seductive grin as she pulled away and went towards Sir Dashwood.
Dinner was not an eventful affair. They pretended not to drink; they chewed and secretly spit out their food into napkins, pockets wherever they could put it inconspicuously. Sir Dashwood and Lady Barbara were none the wiser.
They both listened politely to Sir Dashwood talk of his business interests. When Killian was asked a question about sea travel and commerce, he made accurate and polite answers. All the while both Killian and Emma were trying to avoid Lady Barbara trying to play footsie with them under the table. Towards the end of dinner, it was clear Lady Barbara was getting very inebriated.
At one point, Killian felt a bare foot at his groin which he promptly removed without incident. Lady Barbara gave him a quick pout to show her disappointment.
After dinner, Sir Dashwood offered a cigar and brandy to Killian while Lady Barbara pulled Emma to the retiring room telling her she needed company to freshen up.
Reaching the quiet of a small parlor designated as a retiring room, Emma fussed with her hair in the gilded mirror and glanced over at Lady Barbara, who stood nearby watching. She wasn't sure what to expect from her other than more groping.
"Would you like to rinse your hands?" Lady Barbara asked with an arch of one delicate brow.
Eliza stared down at her hands. "Sure, why not," she answered grateful for having something to do.
Lady Barbara nodded and retrieved a nearby basin and pitcher. She swayed a bit but kept her balance.
Lady Barbara poured the tepid water over her hands and Emma washed them.
"Thank you," Emma murmured.
Lady Barbara perched on the next chair, crossing her long legs while Emma turned around to face her.
"That's quite a handsome man you have there," Lady Barbara amused. "Are you his mistress?"
"I guess," Emma answered, not really knowing what the word to use to describe what they were. She finally settled on saying, "I'm his lady."
"You're lucky. I'd wager most females would give their eyeteeth to be with a man like Captain Jones," Lady Barbara said in amusement. "How is he in bed?"
Emma wasn't shocked at her audacity to ask a question like that. She decided to make Killian out to be completely unattractive.
"He has a small cock which he sticks in, swirls around, grunts then turns over to promptly fall asleep." Then for added measure she threw in, "And he smells bad."
Lady Barbara wrinkled her nose. "What a shame. He seems like a man that knows what he's doing."
Emma thought, he certainly does know what he is doing but this lady will never find out firsthand.
"Well, he certainly knows how to ensnare a lovely lady," Lady Barbara remarked as she stood up to saunter close to Emma. She trailed a finger down Emma's cheek. "The face of an angel and the body of a temptress. No wonder he looked so enamored of you."
Emma started feeling uncomfortable. "Maybe we should join the men."
"There's no hurry. We can get to know each other better here," Lady Barbara lifted a hand to caress Emma's shoulder.
"Listen, I'm really not interested in women that way," Emma said getting increasingly awkward with the lady's tone. Emma had heard of women liking women in that way and she was fine with it but it just wasn't for her.
The look she directed at Emma held a hint of challenge. "Mayhap you just haven't tried it yet."
Lady Barbara then quickly bent her head to give Emma a kiss that shocked her to her core. Emma pulled away as much as she could but she was trapped in between the washing bureau and Lady Barbara. She broke the kiss and scrambled sideways.
"If he's not satisfying you, I could surely-" Lady Barbara spoke but was cut off quickly by Emma.
"I think it's time to rejoin the gentlemen," Emma spoke quickly and ran out of the room. She heard Lady Barbara's tinkling laugh as she fled.
Emma felt her face erupt into flaming color.
She tried to calm herself down as she made her way back to Killian and Dashwood. She walked into the drawing room and they turned to her.
Sir Dashwood asked, "I was just going to show Captain Jones my collectibles. Would you like to join us?"
"That would be lovely."
Killian held out his arm to escort her to follow Sir Dashwood to the great hall. He pointed out various objects and told tales of their supposed power. Finally they came to what Emma knew was the phoenix feather sitting on a pedestal. It was surrounded by a golden halo. Emma's excitement was palpable.
"And here is the famous Phoenix feather," Sir Dashwood showed with a flourish of his hands. "So close yet so far away. I'm sure you would want to just touch it right now."
His voice was tempting her as if he knew what was in her heart's desire.
"If you don't mind then I will," Emma quickly went towards and was ready to put her hand through the golden halo to retrieve the feather.
Sir Dashwood grabbed her by the arm, "Just one second, my dear, you don't want to touch that."
"Let me go!" Emma yelled.
Killian grabbed Dashwood's arm to loosen his grip on Emma.
Dashwood held up Emma's arm with the golden cuff to Killian.
"I know what this is and you won't be able to take the cuff off unless you do something for me first," Sir Dashwood said smoothly.
He broke off both their grasps in gasping alarm when he saw Emma pull out a knife and deftly held it between his legs.
"You'll let me get my hands on the phoenix feather or you won't be enjoying any of your dissolute parties ever again!"
"Get that away from there, wench!" Sir Dashwood gasped. "Captain Jones, control your doxy!"
Killian held his hands up in surrender, "Sorry Dashwood, but I think you're on your own for this."
"I need the phoenix feather!" Emma yelled.
She saw Killian's lips twitch out of the corner of her eye, but Emma kept her gaze centered on Sir Dashwood.
"No—watch it!" he cried, when Emma slightly turned the blade of the knife towards his balls in a threatening manner. "Not that I wouldn't like to—ieeeee! But it has a unique security system!"
"What about it!" Emma screamed.
"It has the quid pro quo curse!" Sir Dashwood squealed.
Killian and Emma stared at the golden halo surrounding the feather. The curse surrounding the phoenix feather was particularly nasty. It would kill you in an instant or curse you forever. The only way you could access it was to perform a service for the curse caster.
"Let me guess. You're the one who cast the curse," Killian determined.
"The one and onlyyieeeeeee," Emma still had her knife against his balls.
"Please," Sir Dashwood whimpered. "You're going to permanently damage my—ieee,"
She withdrew the knife because it was no use threatening him.
"What is it you want?" Killian resigned to doing whatever it took to get access to the phoenix feather.
"Whew!" Sir Dashwood had a sheen of sweat break out across his brow after he saw his balls being threatened. He was relieved it was over.
"What we were discussing. You provide security for my important shipment to Calais and for the return trip and I'll let your darling hellion have access to the phoenix feather."
"Fine, Sir Dashwood." Killian shook hands and they both made an official oath. The golden halo sparkled which meant it recorded the curse contract.
Emma felt disappointed again at being so close to being free of her cuff. Now they had to wait again until she would access the magical feather. She was so saddened she fell into a trance.
They left Sir Dashwood's manse in low spirits.
"I guess it'll be another two weeks at least," Killian said while they traveled in the carriage back to the inn. "The voyage is rife with pirate ships which is why Sir Dashwood needs this service. Thank goodness he didn't ask for anything else."
Killian frowned at the thought that Dashwood could have asked for a night of intimacy with Emma but he didn't. He would have had to kill the man first and then find another way to get to the phoenix feather.
"Emma? Are you okay?" Killian was concerned at her look of stupor.
This snapped Emma awake. "Killian! What happens if you don't hold up your end of the agreement?"
She was in such a daze that she didn't realize the unspoken stipulations. If he didn't fulfill his end of the magical contract he could die or be cursed. That was how these curses worked.
"I'll be fine darling," Killian said soothingly. "I'm a survivor."
This didn't calm Emma down. Then she saw his shoulders begin to inexplicably quiver.
Emma's eyes widened in alarm. Was he…?
One hand covered his mouth while his body continued to shake. A few strangled noises escaped.
"Killian?" she asked hesitantly, reaching out to touch him.
He finally lowered his hand, took one look at her and guffawed out loud.
Shock froze her abruptly in place. "Are you... Are you laughing? "
He collapsed into whoops of laughter, clutching at his stomach.
"I keep picturing the look of horror on Dashwood's face when you held a knife to his dangly bits..." he dissolved again into mirth, snorting helplessly.
"I'm glad I could amuse you," Emma said tightly.
Killian wiped the tears from his eyes and caught his breath, "I can't remember when I've laughed so hard."
Killian brought his arm around her shoulder, "My Emma, what would I do without you?"
Emma smiled, feeling warmed by his gaze that lingered all over her.
They set sail the next morning.