Summary: Princess Emma wants Captain Jones, but her responsiveness and her kiss give away her inexperience.
A/N: These are unbetaed simply because September started out of nowhere. 😅 (This one doesn’t get to any actual smut, just a little kissing and flirtation.)
Rated: E; Words 718; AO3
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“Well, hello, Princess,” the pirate drawled, caging the young royal against the tavern wall with his arms at either side of her. “What brings the crown to such a seedy place as this?” Smirking as her breathing quickened at his brazen caress of her cheek, he admired that she didn’t break as he brushed back her hair from her face and caught a lock between his fingers. “It’s dangerous for a lass like you to wander in here unattended.”
The Princess chewed her lip and straightened her back before countering, “Maybe I like a bit of danger.” Though her hands were as shaky as her voice, she pushed off the wall and slid her palms along his vest, grasping his lapels as if she feared she’d run away if she didn’t hold onto him. She met his curious gaze and added, “And maybe you could help me be…attended to.”
The Captain’s brow raised at that, and his smile grew into something softer but no less interested. He cupped the back of her head and lowered his lips to her neck, slowly kissing along the column as her pulse raced beneath their touch, laughing lightly at her gasp as he nipped at her earlobe.
Ghosting his breath over her open mouth, he brushed his nose against hers and teased, “Just how innocent are you?” Her cheeks turned red at his question, and he almost felt bad for asking it, if he hadn’t thought her blush so endearing.
“Does it matter?” The Princess pulled him closer and kissed him herself—well, she tried. The kiss was inexperienced and rigid, her nerves clearly getting the best of her despite her admirable efforts not to show it. But as he kissed her back, her tension eased as she allowed him to guide her through it, and they moaned into each other’s mouths as the pirate pinned her to the cobbled stone behind her. “I don’t want to be,” she said quietly when they finally parted.
“Mmm, that’s quite the tempting treasure you’re offering,” he admitted, already hungry for another taste of her skin, “but I’m afraid you would return home to find two very angry, very powerful parents, who also happen to have their own army. I’d like to not get on their bad side.”
“They don’t have to know,” the Princess shrugged. “I’ve simply taken an interest in sailing. So, I’ve ordered the best Captain to teach me how to do it.”
“You order me to do this?” Mischievous fire sparked in his eyes.
“No,” she shook her head, “I would never.” The Princess seemed to shrink into herself as she pulled away from him and cast her eyes to the floor. “I’m asking you to do this.”
The pirate hadn’t meant for her to take his reservations as disinterest. On the contrary, he was all the more delighted by her wit and commended her risky secrecy.
“Well,” he paused, tucking his curled finger beneath her chin until she looked at him again. “If you’re absolutely sure you want to sail, we can adjourn to my ship to begin your lessons promptly and properly. But there’s no going back once you first handle a mast,” he punned to lighten her mood, but his tone was serious, “so you have to be certain.”
“I—” the Princess paused, anxious again as her gaze flicked to the prominent bulge in his trousers, “—I think I’m sure, but….”
“It’s not going to hurt you,” the Captain reassured her, giving her another chaste kiss. “I’d make it so good for you.”
“Prove it,” she challenged. “Show me. Please.”
“If you can promise me I won’t lose my head,” he joked, dragging his palm down the front of her gown and pressing on her skirts at the apex of her thighs, “I’d be honored to take yours.”
“I promise.”
“Right this way then.” He stepped back and waved for her to join him, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her tightly into his embrace as she walked with him. He flicked the shell of her ear with his tongue and purred, “And for the record, you’re more than welcome to command me if you’d prefer, but perhaps we’ll save those lessons for another time. Don’t think I’m letting you slip away after just one.”
