13. If She Didn't Want Him

Katelyn stood there some time watching after him once he left. She still couldn't figure out if she had been saved or if another new form of torment awaited her. Her eyes looked down to see the tattered material of her dress, slashes cut through from the knife revealing her pink skin and she couldn't help but blush as she furiously pulled the remnants together trying to cover herself.

Her eyes glanced around the cabin. Its decor, though sparse, was luxurious in comparison to her own room which had previously used. There was a desk to the corner filled with maps, a compass and a variety of other navigation instruments. She couldn't help but gaze at the curiously. Having been on this ship for sometime now, she had no idea what the day was or how far from home they had come.

The things she faced here had already pushed thoughts of her family and brother far from her mind. At the thought of his face and her family she felt her eyes well up with fresh tears. It seemed like these days she did nothing but cry. Or hide.

Turning in her exploration she gazed out the window, she could see the waves crashing against the hull of the ship, making a faint roaring noise as they did. Below her if she looked close enough the odd fish swam close to the boat before quickly retreating from the nets cast by the men aboveboard.

While she waited she continued to pace, anxiously in the room feeling even more trapped than she had before. As frightened as she had been before she didn't know how she would face the crew now. She'd been wary of their looks since the start but now having been assaulted she wasn't sure what to do. She needed protection and it was evident now, even with a knife she was useless to defend herself.

A soft sigh escaped from her lips as she retreated back to the bed. Curling up she couldn't help but notice how they smelled of Egil, the musk of sea salt and sweat permeating the sheets with a slight fragrance of mahogany. The lingering smell of him brought her mind back to his presence earlier causing a fresh blush to seep into her cheeks. Unconsciously her heart began to race once again.

Lost in her confusion his words came back to haunt her. 'I won't touch you. Not unless you ask..' he had said, What exactly had he meant by that? As if she would ask she thought.

Perhaps it would be better to hold onto the knife for just a little longer.

Moments later eddie appeared with a fresh setting clothing for her, it was no dress this time. A simple blouse and a pair of pants was all he had brought. Katelyn glanced at the clothes in confusion. This didn't look like a dress.

Eddie noticed the confusion reflected in Katelyns eyes and sighing gently dropped the clothes onto the bed,

"Cap'n says you might find these more comfortable to move around in"

With that Eddie stepped out of the room. In reality, Egil had him bring that particular set of clothing in the hopes that if she dressed a little more like the men they would be less tempted by her presence. Truthfully, neither of the men were certain it would work. She was the only female on a ship full of men. The only thing they could do now was find somewhere to anchor down so the men could divert their frustrations.

Egil, in the meantime was above board. The salt water spraying in his face as the smell of fish filled the air. Around him his men were furiously at work trimming the sales, scrubbing the deck and casting their nets. The sky was clear above him but he didn't see it.

His mind was filled with visions of Katelyn, flushed and angry, on his bed. He swallowed once more against the dryness of his throat. She was on his bed. His bed. He could already feel his body responding at that thought alone.

He had told her he wouldn't touch her and he ment. However, that didn't mean he couldn't encourage her to reach for him. A slow deliberate smile began tugging at his lips. If she didn't want him now, he would make her. In fact, he would have her beg.

While Egil stood on deck, lost in thought Katelyn emerged from the hatch with an Eddie trailing close behind. She had on the loose fitting cotton pants that had been brought to her, along with a blouse like cotton shirt, her hair was tied at the nape of her neck and even in these clothes she could feel the eyes of the men on her.

"Cap'n..we await your orders" the timid Eddie stammered.

Egil turned to see Katelyn, fully dressed her loosely tied hair falling from the tie as the sea breeze caught plastering it to her cheeks. The damp sea salt air caressed her skin giving it a ruby glow. He was at a loss. Instinctively his hand came out to brush the stray tendrils behind her ear. He watched the hesitation flicker across her eyes, fear and anxiety buried beneath as he did something he never did.

He smiled.

The change in expression took her completely off guard. She had seen the heated gaze of his desire. She'd witnessed his fury even. This, this however, was a cruel and unusual punishment if anything. It quite literally stole her breath. There was small voice inside her that was crying out that this was a trap but as she watched the way that smile lit his eyes, the way it softened the crease of his brow and robbed his face of the harshness of his temperament she did the only thing she could do.

She froze.

She was fixated, utterly enchanted by the vision in front of her.

Egil dropped his hand, turning his back to her. A rueful, almost cruel grin lit his features. Stealing his voice he spoke, not abruptly as he always did, but softly. You could almost say gently.

"You can relax Pet. I gave my word. Go tend to your chores."

Although there had been no coldness in voice the sheer contrast of his words to his behavior was enough to throw her off balance. Her eyes wavering with confusion she did as she was told. She couldn't help but turn as she left to take one final glance over her shoulder.

As she departed, softly, amongst the sound of waves and wind you could almost hear Egil speak. His voice tinged with amusement.

"Check Mate"