A Hidden Queen

Chapter 41

The cooler tropical air whips through the rigging of the old galley-rigged ship. The built battle chief stood upon the quarterdeck carrying out the first watch with several other crewmembers. Burnt runs a hand down his face. He steps forward breathing in deeply. The amber eyes scan the spartan deck of The Wicked Mary. He quirks an eyebrow as Charlie and Joe stumble up from below decks. Laughter is heard from the pair as Joe falls into Charlie's chest. Burnt leans on the railing as the two continue to stumble about. Are they drunk? He questions silently. He watches curiously as the pair walk awkwardly still tangled within each other. Joe fists the front of Charlie shirt, pecking his lips in quick succession. Charlie wraps his arms around Joe's lower back crashing his lip longing into hers. Joe melts into his touch, digging her fingernails into his chest. They pull apart, each panting heavily. Joe pushes away from Charlie glancing about the deck. She grins mischievously as she tows Charlie to the forecastle.

"Looks like we may be getting a show tonight." Pike grins mischievously.

Burnt's shoulders tense at the crude remark. He slowly turns himself to snarl at Pike. Pike swallows hard smiling sheepishly at Burnt.

"Shut up Pike." He growls.

Burnt sighs heavily lowering his head. He straightens his back staring out towards the forecastle. A deep groan leaves his body as Joe launches herself into Charlie. The two disappearing below the lip of the decking. Burnt pinches the bridge of his nose as his head begins to pulse.

"Call if something seems off. I'm going to go handle those two I guess." Burnt grumbles.

Burnt shoves himself off the railing, jogging over to the forecastle. He pauses as he can hear the heavy breathing and moaning of the two young adult. The amber eyes roll heavenward. Pray he doesn't see something he may regret. He thinks exasperated. He exhales deeply, stepping up into the cramp space. He creeps around the dark, wanting to stay unnoticed if he must escape. The dark eyebrows shoot up to his hair line as his eyes land on the couple. Joe laid upon the bowsprit entangling her fingers in Charlie's long hair. She claws at his back as he places his hands on her hips. The young woman tilts her head back as Charlie kisses and nibbles the tender skin going down her neck and shoulders. A deep throaty moan leaves her body as his hand glides across her side coming up to cup the bottom part of her chest. Oh, dear lord. He thinks frantically.

"If you two animals are done pawing at each other. Charlie you're needed below." Burnt gruff out.

The two quickly pull apart, snapping their focus over to Burnt. Burnt keeps his face stoic as the pair freeze. He raises an eyebrow as he crosses his arms over his broad chest. Charlie scrambles to his feet stepping away from Joe. Burnt scowls as he takes in the disheveled appearance of the young man. His shirt was haphazardly untucked, falling open to show the defined chest muscles. His hair was pulled from his ribbon and teased in awkward positions. Burnt scoffs as Charlie squirms uncomfortably.

"Charlie. Below. Now." Burnt grits.

Charlie swallows hard. He glances over at Joe who has sat herself up. She was in no better shape than Charlie as she breathed heavily with the left-over passion. Her deep blue eyes lock on his as she nods her head for him to do as he was told. Burnt's eyes twitches as the young man moves aft steering clear of the brute. Burnt clears his throat, halting the young man.

"This way Charlie." Burnt instructs, cocking a finger at him.

Charlie stares at him wide eyed. He glances down at the upper deck just a step below him. A deep growl resonates from Burnt as Charlie prolongs carrying out the order. Charlie exhales heavily, slouching his shoulders in a dramatic way and dragging his feet as he approached. Burnt narrows his eyes as the young adult tries to slink past without getting too close. He snarls smacking the young man on the back of the head.