Captain Swan - Tangled Up In Blue

First Date pt 2

A/N: And we're back. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. I'm not entirely sure how this chapter managed to be 5,000 words but I find that when writing solely about captain swan, it's very easy to get carried away. So, all I can say is enjoy the calm before the storm...

Thank you, Rouhn, for beta-ing.

Killian stood up to clear the plates, stacking them in his hands. His mind was frazzled; he had been so nervous for their date that it was hard for him to even think straight. He had rushed getting out of work and coming home to make the house look picture perfect. He had a housekeeper who cleaned three times a week because the house was too big for him to clean himself with his busy schedule, but today had been her day off. He had tidied up his room and did another cleaning of the downstairs bathroom, kitchen and main rooms before he had showered. He just wanted everything to be perfect.

"Let me help you," Emma offered as she stood up and grabbed the glasses.

"Don't even think about it, love. Why don't you relax in the living room? I will meet you there in a few minutes."

She shook her head. "Uh-uh, I don't think so. You went through all of this trouble to cook. Let me clean."

Killian chuckled at her obstinacy and put the plates down on the table. The lass was stubborn, but nothing he couldn't handle. He knew she would not give him the glasses without a bit of cajolery so he came up behind her while she bent over the table to grab the silverware and serving dishes. She straightened up and was trying to juggle the serving dishes in one hand and the glasses in the other as Killian put his hands on her hips. She gasped in surprise at his touch.

He immediately regretted his actions and started to back away, letting his hands fall from her body. "Sorry, love, I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's okay, I just didn't expect it," she breathed.

He stepped up to her again, relief pooling inside of him. "So, this is okay?" He asked for approval as his palms slowly slid up her back in a soothing manner.

"Yeah." Her breathing became shallow as he started massaging her shoulders, his fingers and thumbs kneading circles into her skin. In an instant, she allowed herself to relax underneath his touch and she gently tilted her head back. He was amazed she didn't drop the dishes from how relaxed she was.

As his fingers worked, he leaned in to speak in a low, gentle voice. "You've worked all day and you're seven months pregnant. You need to rest, so please darling, just let me take care of the dishes."

A light laugh escaped her lips as she set the glasses and dishes on the table so that she wouldn't drop them. "This is cheating."

He smirked as his hands made their way down her back. "I figured if I gave you a sneak peak of what you'd be receiving, I would win you over."

A smile reached her lips; he couldn't see it, but he could see the muscles in her cheeks pull back. "You don't need trickery to win me over..."

His heart sank at her words. He would never want her to feel like he was trying to manipulate her. He would never do that. His voice was broken and quiet as she turned around in his arms and curled her hands around the back of his neck. "Love, that's not what I meant-"

She put her finger to his lips to stop him, her eyes looking down at his mouth. "I know. I was only saying that..." Her lashes lifted, revealing the gorgeous, emerald depths that were brilliantly colored even in the dimness of the room as her voice was reduced to a whisper; "...you've already won my heart." The breath from her lips lingered in the air between them and his heart all but stopped in his chest as he watched the flicker of light from the candles dance in her eyes.