The Jackdaw

Chapter 4: All Those Reales

You shifted awake. The moment you turned your head, your hangover jostled to life. Pain splintered between your eyes and across the crown of your skull. Why did you let yourself drink so much last night?

You were incredibly warm and your bed was softer than you last remembered it being. The scent of rum, salt, and sweat tickled your senses. There was an underlying smell, a distinct one that you were growing used to. Edward was a mixture of rum, salt, and something else entirely. Gunpower, you wondered.

You pried open your eyes. The morning sun was burning bright. Perhaps it was noon already. The ship was moving too much to still be at port.

And there was Edward lying beside you. The sunlight made the blonde of his hair lighter, glistening as if it were gold. You were laying next to him, his arm making for a decent pillow. Although the leather belts probably felt a dent in your skin.

You were so caught up in the quiet moment that the sound of the men outside stilled your breath. The horror washed over your skin. If someone walked in on you two it might have caused unspeakable problems. The crew might not take too kindly to having a woman hiding among their ranks.

You slowly got to your feet, worming your way out of bed, the ship swaying beneath your stance.

"Morning, lass." Edward stirred ever so slightly, his body arching as he stretched teasingly. He was all too aware of how attractive he was.

"How long were we like this? We could've been caught." You almost hissed it at him, glances darting towards the door just in case someone came bursting in.

He chuckled, showing off his teeth. "You were here all night, love." He turned his head, eyes smoldering up at you. "Don't worry, lass, you were alone. I just finished my shift at the helm."

You shook your head and sauntered out of the room, Edward's chuckle lighting the heat of a blush. Outside the hot tropical sun was beaming, forcing your eyes to squint, and a gentle wind billowed against your skin.

"Jack." One of the men rounded the stairs, scaring you enough to make you jump, but if he noticed he didn't comment on it. "Captain, awake, was he?"

Your brows rose but you forced them back down. "Awake? No, no. I just checked and he's still passed out in there."

He rubbed his fingertips into his coarse beard, eyeing you with uncertainty. Your pulse raced and you prayed that you looked decent enough. Was your hair shoved into your hat? Were your clothes tied down? Did he suspect anything?

Finally, he mumbled, "I'd hate to wake the captain but we spotted a good-sized fish out there just a moment ago. He'd want to know about it."

You clenched your eyes and pressed your face into your hand. "A fish, is it?" You were far too hungover for all this lying.

"A hunting spot, boy. Some nice meat out there."

You nodded quickly and threw a thumb over your shoulder towards the door. "Better wake him up then, Mills."

He nodded as well and prodded towards the captain's cabin. You waltzed your way across the deck and peered over the side of the ship. Those beautiful blue waters were galloping, lapping at the side of the ship eagerly. You turned around to peer back at the captain's cabin.

A few moments later they were out onto the deck, Edward shouting out orders, "Ready the whaleboat, lads!" He shimmied out of his boots. With one easy and fluid movement, Edward was tossing his shirt to the floor, tanned skin rolling over hard muscles. The sun shimmered across his skin, alighting the sheen of sweat.

"You alright there, Jack?" Joey flicked his gaze to the direction you were staring at and then back at you, his broad shoulders taking up much of the space next to you.