Lunar Gaze

Chapter 21

Josephine looked at Kidd who grinned at her, the sheltered nature in which she thought never failed to be amusing. A girl of her class had never stayed in such an inn. She was far more accustom to the finer things in life, a novelty for someone of her race. Josephine crossed her arms and walked to the bed, then sat on it. "I suppose you will be sleeping on the floor."

"There I will not sleep." Kidd answered her as he began shrugging off his long jacket. "I am sleeping in there."

Kidd cheekily pointed to the very bed Josephine. Sat on.

"Here?" Josephine asked, running her hand along the crunchy sheet. "I don't believe that's appropriate. A man and lady shouldn't share a bed unless they are wed."

"It's all we can afford. You may be used to laying your head upon pillows stuffed with the finest of feathers, but us normies must share beds." Kidd told Josephine, in which she rolled her eyes. She stood up, walking across the room to look outside the small window. The pirate city of Tortuga still boomed with life even at that late hour. A far cry from her quiet time in Jamaica. And while she desired to return home, such excitement peaked her curiosity.

Josephine turned to Kidd, who was sitting on a stool shuffling through his pockets. There, he was taking count of all he was able to steal from Manuel's residence. She dared take a long look at him, basking in his crime. And while she hoped to feel only contempt for his actions, she couldn't bring herself to it.

Kidd was undeniably attractive to Josephine, and while he was not nearly the status of man which her stature required, physically he was desirable nonetheless. She saw his bicep flex as he lifted his hand behind his head, brushing his red hair as he continued taking count of what he'd taken

The feelings Kidd roused in Josephine caused panic. She needed him out of sight at once. "I must undress for bed."

The word "undress" uttered surely caught his attention. Kidd immediately looked up at her, a gold pocket watch in hand and a ring far too small for him dangling off the tip of his finger.

"You're welcome to do so." Kidd answered, then returned to analyzing his new belongings.

"Have you no manners?" Josephine questioned Kidd could hardly believe his ears. He looked up at her and huffed, sitting in his relaxed and untrained way. He truly hadn't any, for he hadn't come from Josephine's polished background. "A lady needs privacy in such moments."

"Privacy." Kidd repeated. He looked around the  very small room in which they shared. "How?"

"Step outside as I change." Josephine told him.

He stood up, wearing a familiar smirk. An outspoken women as she caused him amusement. "Spoiled, you are." He swiped his red hair out of his forehead before leaving the room, shutting the door behind him. Josephine couldn't have known, but he stood outside with great concern. Standing as guard while men and whores gathered in the hallway.

One man in particular walked up to Kidd. He was an outcast just as he. The man gave a small that was missing a few teeth. "A lovely blackie stays behind that door. Tell me, have you finished with the whore?"

Such sentiments weren't abnormal for an inn such as this, but Kidd found himself uncontrollably roused by the comment. He grabbed the man by the collar and threw him against the door, punching him in the fact.

Meanwhile, Josephine stood inside attempting to remove her dress. With her fingers tangled in corset string, she was startled by a bang outside her door. With labored breath, she quickly tried to continue her undressing. She worried if Kidd left her all alone, and if there was a possibility that someone unwanted could enter.

The dress she wore was gifted to her by Manuel. Such dresses had many layers and required assistance for removing. Without a mirror or even proper candle light, she mindlessly pulled at the strings of her corset behind her back, trying to figure out the job her maid usually handled.

After more bangs outside, the door quickly opened. Josephine gasped, not knowing who or what to expect. But it was simply Kidd, who shut the door behind him. Her dress was still on just as it was before, only now her corset string was tangled and tied in a mess.

"I apologize, I was just checking to see if you were okay." Kidd told her.

"I'm quite alright." Josephine answered, and with that Kidd began heading out the door again. She quickly called to him. "Wait!"

Kidd slowly shut the door in front of him and turned toward her. Josephine could hardly believe the words that she was about to express. She shut her eyes and slowly exhaled. "I actually need help undoing my dress. I don't know if you're familiar with it."

"I've undone many dresses in my time." Kidd answered with a grin as he neared toward her. "I should have no issue undoing yours."

"Watch your tongue." Josephine playfully answered as she turned her back to him. She faced one of the few candles that was in the room. The light glowed on her dark brown skin, her hands cupped her bosoms in her corset as Kidd began lightly pulling at the strings behind her back. He pulled at them with a tenderness Josephine hadn't seen before from Kidd.

She was surprised, her bosom rose and fell in her cupped hands. Suddenly the corset was untied, and there they stood quietly in the room, unmoving. Josephine took a step back, pressing her body to Kidd's. Her back now was right against his front. Kidd's lips touched to her ear, his warm breath on her neck. Slowly he began removing the corset from her shoulders, and Josephine stopped holding to her breasts. Her nipples hardened, lightly running against the fabric of her shift dress with every inhale and exhale.