Chapter 15 #4
I don’t miss the heated tone and the lascivious implication, but I choose to ignore it. Hook truly has a sailor’s grasp of filth.
I take his proffered arm and walk with him into the dining room.
Tiger Lily has already chosen a seat at the head of the table on the opposite end.
Bunk is on her right, Shiner on her left, and the others beside them.
She’s protected and has her back to the wall so nothing can surprise her from that direction.
I wouldn’t have noticed any of this if it weren’t for Widow.
She’s always calculating a few steps ahead when we’re sparring and in life in general.
I’m picking up some of her habits, which is a good thing.
Cookson fusses over the serving dishes, using a white cloth to wipe the edges where bits of broth have spilled over or a sauce dripped.
The pirates pick a chair, all of them doing their best to seem polite and pleasant.
So much so that Bill Jukes has a decidedly terrifying smile on his face, and Smee his usual pinched one.
Skylights is the only one who seems remotely comfortable as he makes small talk with Cobweb.
“Thank you, Cookson and Nessie, for this feast.” Hook leads me to the seat beside his. “It looks and smells amazing. I hope our friends enjoy it and take it as a sign of our shared interests.” He takes his glass and raises it toward Tiger Lily.
The pirates follow suit, though Alf Mason (nee Corey Glavin) fumbles his glass and almost drops it. A scowl from Cookson gets him back in line.
“To friends.” Hook tilts his glass to Tiger Lily.
She mirrors the movement, and they both drink. A silent sigh of relief seems to envelop the room as everyone downs the wine, the grapes tart on my tongue.
Once Tiger Lily sits, to my surprise, Hook pulls my chair out for me.
Smee makes a strangled sound as I sit. Then Hook takes my napkin and lays it across my lap for me.
Smee is bright red now. I shouldn’t do what I’m about to do.
But this is too good. Payback for Smee scaring the hell out of me in my room a few nights ago.
I look up at Hook. “Thank you, James. That’s very kind of you.”
The pirates pause, all eyes on me. Only a few of them call him James, and most of the time it’s ‘Captain’.
Hook’s eyes widen in brief surprise before his smirk is back.
Then he leans down and kisses me rough on the lips, like he’s starving for me, like he didn’t just devour me upstairs.
Now I’m the one making a strangled noise.
I didn’t see this coming. And I certainly didn’t see him swiping his tongue against my lips to deepen the kiss while everyone at the table watches.
I clutch his shirt in my fists as he grabs my hair and pulls, harder and harder, silently telling me I’m going to open my mouth and let him in because that’s what we both want.
He’s right. I open for him, and he relaxes his grip as he delves inside, his tongue wicked and wanton, carrying the tart taste of the wine.
I tease my tongue against his, sharing his desire, and he angles my head to the left, taking over and showing me what he wants.
I give it to him, my body willing even though I know everyone’s watching.
Hook has a way of doing that, of consuming my focus until he’s all I can see, think, breathe.
When he finally pulls back, I drag in a breath.
The table is completely silent. I’m hot and confused when he finally takes his seat.
That’s when the embarrassment truly sets in.
I’ve gone my whole life living practically like a nun to making out with villains in front of a crowd. What is wrong with me?
“Nice one, Captain. Very Italian.” Cecco twirls his mustache, one of his eyebrows arched.
I shoot him a nasty look.
Tiger Lily stares.
Hook shakes out his napkin and places it in his lap, then leans back. “Dig in.” He gestures toward the food.
The pirates seem to wake up and begin to serve themselves. Cookson clears his throat viciously, and the pirates slow down, doing their best to not make a mess or seem too … pirate-y.
I can’t believe Hook just did that. In front of everyone.
And he’s got that satisfied smirk on his face, the dimples showing.
I could kill him. I reach under the table and dig my nails into his leg.
He grabs my wrist and pulls, causing me to lean over the table as he places my palm on his hard cock.
Asshole! I can’t free my hand without making a scene.
When I look at Widow for help, she hides her smile behind her hand. So I have to look at him. He’s staring right at me, his cruel mouth twisted in an even sexier grin. “I knew you were hungry, lass, but I thought you could at least wait until after supper.”
“Let go,” I hiss.
“You sure that’s what you want?” He rubs my hand along his length, a long length.
I press my thighs together when a tingle erupts between them. “I swear if you don’t let me go, I’m going to scream my head off.”
“Aye, you will. Soon.” He eases his grip, and I snatch my hand away from him.
I glance around the table, and no one meets my eyes. They’re all suddenly quite occupied with what’s on their plates. Maybe that’s a blessing.
Hook grabs my plate and rises, walking to the center of the table and picking meats and vegetables, piling them neatly on my plate before returning to me. “There’s always more if you want it, lass.” He puts the mountain of food in front of me, then fills his own plate.
Smee stabs his potatoes angrily as Widow and Starkey whisper to each other.
The pirate king of Neverland just served me like I’m a queen.
I glance at him as he spears some greenery and takes a big bite.
His gaze lingers on me far too long, but it’s not like I can do anything about it.
Besides, the whole table saw him stick his tongue down my throat, so I suppose serving me food isn’t too far out of the realm of possibilities.
I grab my fork and take a bite of the boar.
It’s delicious. Cookson has never let me down, so there’s no way he’d start now.
The room is full of the sounds of silverware and glasses clinking.
The food is good, so no one wants to make conversation when they could be stuffing their faces.
I heartily concur on that point and eat my fill under the proud watch of Cookson who brings fresh portions every so often to heap onto the serving dishes.
The Guardians eat well, too, though I think they may have waited until everyone else was digging in before chancing it.
There clearly is zero trust between these parties, so I’m even more surprised that they came when Hook offered the invitation.
Is Tiger Lily that concerned about me and how I relate to the island? Or does this involve more?
Once everyone is full, the food dented but not defeated, Hook stands. “Now to business.”
The pirates settle down, their chatter having grown louder with each round of wine they drank.
Tiger Lily stands as well. “Agreed.” She gives Shiner a pointed look. “But we may as well let everyone have a good time while we talk.”
“Of course.” Hook offers me his hand and pulls me to my feet.
Smee stands quickly, his eyes on Hook.
“The usual rules?” Tiger Lily asks.
“If you don’t mind.” Hook takes his wine glass in his other hand. “I’ll meet you in the study when you’re ready.”
“Captain.” Smee sidesteps toward Hook. “I must—”
“Enjoy the revels, Smee. I’ll return soon.” Hook’s tone is hard, denoting some overstep on Smee’s part.
Smee looks nothing short of stricken as Hook guides me from the room and across the hall. The crocodile skeleton over his door gives me an eyeless stare. I’m surprised there isn’t a clock ticking in its bony stomach.
“What are the usual rules?”
“We each can have a second with us during our talks. Keeps the fight fair if one breaks out.”
“This sounds like a shotgun wedding.”
He smiles at that. “I suppose so, but it’s more like a duel than anything else.”
“Pistols or swords?”
“The most vicious weapon of them all.” He leans closer to me. “The tongue,” he whispers in my ear.
“Didn’t you get enough at the table?” I elbow him.
“Not at all, lass. I’m still starving.” He moves even closer.
“Thank you for a delicious meal.” Tiger Lily strides in like she’s the master of the house, not Hook.
Shiner is at her elbow, her head on a swivel as she takes in one wall full of books, another full of maps, and the windows with the stained glass along the top like the ones in my room.
I’ve snuck in here a few times when I knew Hook was out and about.
It’s just what you’d think a pirate hideaway should be.
Bits of cigars in ashtrays, a robust liquor cabinet, all manner of weapons and trophies on the walls and even a few—like a golden skull—locked in display cases.
Nessie busted me once, but instead of ratting me out, she showed me where Hook hides the best liquor.
“I’ll give Cookson your compliments. Can I pour you something stiffer for our talk?” he asks.
“I think we’re all right, and we’ll need clear heads for this to stay … friendly.” Tiger Lily gives a tight smile.
“I’ve found things can be a lot friendlier if there’s liquor involved, but as you wish.” He shows them to the seating area in front of the fireplace.
When they sit, he pulls me down next to him, the two factions facing each other.
That’s an odd way for me to think about it—me being part of Hook’s faction.
But I suppose I am. I still intend to get that fairy dust and find a way home, but I can admit that I’ve felt more at ease here with this fearsome pirate crew than I have anywhere else.
Even … even on the mainland, though that’s hard for me to reconcile.
“Let’s get down to it.” Shiner crosses one leg over the other.