He was so handsome. She didn’t understand why he would want to be with her—after all she had been able to pass for a boy for so long, she doubted anyone but Morty, would call her pretty. She wanted to touch the scar on his cheek. It must have been terribly painful. It was all she could do not to ask him where his scars came from. But he was so touchy about them; she would wait until he was ready to tell her. He probably wouldn’t like her looking at them now. She wanted to kiss each one, make him forget the pain they caused.
When Charlie tried to read again, she realized how late it was getting. The light through the portholes dimmed making the words difficult to see. Charlie lit a lantern and left the cabin. She went to galley where the medical cabinet was located, for some more willow bark. The cook was minutes away from having the evening meal prepared, but found time to help her with her preparation. She made a quart’s worth this time and placed it in an earthen jug.
“Please have Vinnie bring the captain’s meal and mine to the captain’s cabin. He’s not feeling well, and I’d prefer to stay with him.”
“Aye-aye, ma’am.”
“I don’t suppose water bewitched is on the menu tonight?” Charlie always found the tea sweetened with molasses easy on the stomach when she felt feverish.
“No, ma’am.”
Charlie didn’t know if she had the authority to request it. It was something she needed to discuss with Jaxon when he woke up.
“Thank you.”
Charlie carried the jug back to Jax’s cabin. He still slept soundly and decided to wait until their meals arrived before rousing him. It also gave the willow bark tea time to cool. Charlie took a sip of the tea to see if it tasted the same as when Dr. Kirk made it for her when she was sick. She made a face at its bitterness. It was, as far as she could tell, the same. She wondered if she boiled a lemon with it, some sugar or molasses if that might counter the bitterness.
Vinnie brought the meal a few minutes later. “Come back for the dishes after the crew has finished eating.”
After the cabin boy left, Charlie sat down on the edge of the bunk. She removed the wet cloth and gently shook Jaxon’s shoulder. When he didn’t wake up, she pressed her lips to his. He stirred, but didn’t open his eyes. “Jaxon, it’s time to get up. Your meal is getting cold.” She pressed her lips to his again.
In the span of a second, Jaxon Bloodworthy’s arms shot around her pulling her against him and off her feet. A moment later he rolled, pinning her body under his. Heat radiated off him. She could feel it through his clothes.
Charlie laughed. “Jax, stop it. You’re delirious.”
“Not as delirious as we’re going to be in a few minutes.”
Charlie’s next giggle ceased when Jaxon’s mouth covered hers. With his arms still around her, she could feel her back leaving the mattress as he pulled her tightly against himself. Her stomach fluttered as his leg slipped between hers. It would have been so easy to give in to Jaxon. It was all she truly wanted at the moment. But this was not the right time.
She pushed against his chest.
“Stop,” she breathed.
“Why would I ever do that?”
“Three reasons. First, you’re not well. Second, the door’s not locked. And lastly, Vinnie is coming back for the dishes in a few minutes.”
“Damn.”
Jaxon kissed her again before rolling away to the side.
“It’s late,” he said noticing for the first time the room was lit with a lantern. “I thought you were going to join me for my nap.”
“You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn’t want to wake you. Besides, your fever is up. Did you drink your tea or did you toss it? Don’t lie to me.”
“Out the porthole,” he admitted swinging his legs over the edge of the bunk. “I don’t like taking anything.”
“Children drink willow tea. It’s quite mild,” she said. “And as your loblolly boy, uh girl, I am ordering you to drink it.”
He looked over his shoulder at her grinning. “Are you?”
One didn’t give the ship’s master orders. “Absolutely. I want to see you get all your strength back.”
“Do you have plans for me and all my strength?” he queried, quirking an eyebrow at her devilishly.
“Maybe.” The tone of the conversation made her nervous, in a delicious way. Her core twitched with longing for something indefinable to her inexperience.
Jaxon stood and extended his hand to help her up. When she was on her feet, Jax pulled her to him.
“Are you sure you want to get up and eat? I can think of other things we could do.” He ran his hand down her back to the swell of her bottom, giving it a little pat.