Message-ID: <12674eli$9807022344@qz.little-neck.ny.us> X-Archived-At: From: bitbard@newsguy.com (BitBard) Subject: {BITBARD} New: "Suzette's Passion" (1/2) (F/F) (M/F Romance) Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d Reply-To: bitbard@newsguy.com Path: qz!not-for-mail Organization: The Committee To Thwart Spam Approved: X-Moderator-Contact: Eli the Bearded X-Story-Submission: X-Original-Message-ID: <35ae8d49.101904634@enews.newsguy.com> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 This story has been posted in two parts (and once in complete form). This is part 1 of 2 parts. Content Warning: This work of fiction contains mature subject matter and graphic sexual language including descriptions of consensual sex between two women and a man and a woman. If you think you can't deal with this story, or if it's illegal to possess such material in your locality, please hit the delete button now. If you're a minor as defined by the laws in your locality then you MUST stop now and go no further. As a work of fiction, any similarities to any person(s) dead, alive, or fictional is merely a really weird coincidence. Summary: A lady of royal blood en-route to an arranged, political marriage is captured by pirates. Has she been captured or saved or both? A gothic, swashbuckling adventure/romance story. Subject Matter: (F/F) (M/F, romance) Rating: (X) Not suitable for minors. May be illegal in some areas. Copyright (c) 1998 by bitbard@newsguy.com. Distribution Rights: May be distributed freely WITHOUT MODIFICATION on USENET, USENET II, not-for-profit web sites, not-for-profit ftp sites, and news archival services which offer free public access to >>ALL<< archived articles. Modification in violation of this license is defined as any change which breaks the digital PGP signature of this document. All other rights are specifically reserved by the author. All distribution rights to this story expire at midnight December 31, 1999. Creation Date: 6/26/98 Distribution Date: Distribution Notes: This story is being published twice. Once in two parts for those whose newsreaders have trouble with large posts, once in complete form for those whose news servers have trouble receiving multiple parts. Author's Note: This is my first "Gothic Romance". I've written stuff that could be classified as Romance before, but this is my first Gothic. It's full of swashbuckling heroics, romance, and, oh yea, there's some sex somewhere in here. Second note: I've taken many, many liberties with history here, so don't expect to read this and be able to ace that history exam. In fact I can pretty much guarantee that if you take any of this as fact, a lot of people are going to look at you funny and think you shouldn't spend so much time reading sex stories. I'm even thinking of creating an award for the reviewer who spots the most historical inaccuracies. Credits: I should note that one scene was inspired by LeAnna's Milady. Sven and another very dear friend saved me from making some pretty huge blunders. And of course this story would not be nearly so readable had Mike Ink not proofed this story. In fact, so many people made this story possible that it might as well not be considered a story at all but a production. Dedication: To the one person who doesn't need to be mentioned. This, and all my published stories, are available from my archive at http://extra.newsguy.com/files/Authors/BitBard/www or http://www.bitsmart.com/sandman. =================== Suzette's Passion -- By BitBard =================== Mademoiselle Suzette stared at the starry sky wistfully. Compared to the vastness of the very heavens themselves, her troubles seemed so small, so trivial, so insignificant. Yet they were her troubles and thus commanded at least some small measure attention. Even here. For as glorious as the heavens were at reminding her of her true stature, the steady sea breezes that rippled through her long, luxurious hair also pushed the protesting ship ever forward, just as the winds of destiny were sweeping her inevitably to her fate. "You should not be up at this hour mam'selle." a soft, scolding voice said behind her. Suzette sighed and turned to her handmaiden. "I do not expect to have much time for my thoughts when we reach Italy, Marie. Grant me some time to find peace while I can still call my life my own." Marie frowned deeply. "If I know you, you're not thinking so much as brooding. We all have our lot in life; at least your lot will be spent in a gilded cage." "Is a gilded cage ever so much better, Marie?" Suzette sighed deeply. "Would it surprise you to know how much I envy you?" Marie laughed mockingly. "Envy? Me? You've gone mad from all that thinking," Marie said. Then, remembering herself, added, "mam'selle." "But it's true! No one tells you whom to marry, where to go, what to do." Marie laughed again. "Mam'selle, you forget I am but a mere servant. Everyone tells me where to go and what to do. I've been bonded to your house since my birth, and will be until I die. No man was forced upon me, but none was offered. There are times at night, alone in my bed, that I regret that. No mam'selle, I'm free only in your imagination. Now come. Stop worrying about what you cannot change and come to bed." Suzette bowed her head in defeat. "At least our dreams are free." "Yes," Marie agreed, "and that is the worst thing of all." "It wouldn't be so bad if he wasn't so old. And ugly. I mean, honestly. Can you picture us together on our wedding night?" "It does seem humorous, mam'selle." "Well if I am lucky, he will die quickly and I can pick someone better suited." "There is that to look forward to, mam'selle. But really, you must come to bed. You'll catch your death in this air." Suzette pulled away from the rail and followed her handmaiden across the wooden deck to their cabin. The cabin was tiny, barely large enough for the two small beds it housed. The only luxuries were a small oil lamp and a secure iron bolt, both of which the Lord had insisted on before paying for their passage. Marie secured the bolt firmly before she turned to her lady and began to unlace the back of her dress. The dress fell around Suzette's feet, and Suzette stepped forward, allowing Marie to retrieve it. The process of removing the Lady's undergarments and corset was almost as laborious as the time it took to fit them every morning. "Ah!" Suzette sighed as the restrictive corset fell free. "This is true freedom, Marie. I have not the words to say how I truly despise that creation." "Yes mam'selle." Marie agreed without hearing. Gloriously nude save for a heavy bronze belt around her waist, Suzette turned, the smooth supple skin of her back giving way to the soft fleshy curves of her front. "And this is the worst thing of all." Lady Suzette said, referring to her chastity belt. "Yes mam'selle." Marie agreed again as she fished an iron key out of her pocket. "I should one day like to meet the man who invented that machine and send him to hell where he belongs," Suzette grumbled as she used the nearby chamber pot. Marie agreed a third time as she prepared the wash. Water was a precious commodity onboard ship, so there were no baths. She very much doubted the crew would use them even if they were plentiful. Still, Suzette was a Lady and Ladies should always be presentable. The captain might have grumbled at the bucket of water each night but the journey from France to Italy was not unnecessarily harsh and he was in no great danger of running out for the use of a few buckets. "I felt as if I would bust!" Suzette said as she sat herself on the stool. "It must be uncomfortable, mam'selle." Marie said as she ran the wet towel down Suzette's arm. "Very." Suzette said, but without force. She closed her eyes, letting her head fall slightly back as Marie ran the towel across her skin. At home, on the estate, she would be in a large tub of warm water as Marie cleaned her. Somehow this seemed more intimate, more personal. Marie finished her back and reached around to wash the Lady's chest, then her breasts. As the moist towel touched Suzette's nipples, they spring instantly erect. The towel was soon replaced with a warm hand as Marie worked the soapy water around Suzette's nipples, sending tingles of pleasure through her mistress. Suzette's breath became expectant as Marie retrieved the towel and worked her way slowly down, down to the place. Their place. The place, that thanks to the infernal belt, only Marie could touch. The towel parted her, working through her folds and crevasses. As before, the towel was discarded as Marie worked Suzette's flesh. Every touch, every caress was a gift from the heavens, and Suzette's breath deepened as it always did. There was always one spot, one very special spot that Marie took special care with, and her slick fingers now sought out that spot, pressing, caressing, in an endless wave of pleasure. Suzette leaned back into Marie, a low soft moan escaping from her lips. The moan evoked a memory, and from the comfort of her pleasure, Suzette said, "I heard you last night. Moaning in your sleep as I am now. Since I was a girl you have done this for me. It does not seem fair that I not return this favor." Marie's touches slowed but did not stop. "It would not be proper mam'selle. I am your servant, take no notice of my needs." "Do you enjoy this Marie?" This time Marie did pause, but only briefly, before continuing her massage. "It is a pleasant duty, mam'selle." "Would I not also find it pleasant? To touch you as you touch me?" "You should not speak of such things, mam'selle. Just relax and be content for a while." "I could order you…" Suzette started but let the thought drift as the pleasure built to a higher level. It was difficult to carry on a conversation like this! "You could. A servant's body is not her own. This is one of my earliest memories. I beg you though, do not. This is something special between us." Suzette remained silent, now far too gone in her pleasure to speak further. Marie continued to massage Suzette's swollen clitoris, her deft, well-practiced fingers retracing well traveled paths. Suzette's back arched as she pressed further back into Marie, her hips rising into Marie's fingers. The orgasm was silent, as Suzette's body shuddered in Marie's arms. The only betrayals of Suzette's pleasure were the ragged gasps and ever-so-soft whimpers. "There," Marie said with a satisfied smile as Suzette relaxed in her arms. "Now you'll be fresh and ready to greet a new day tomorrow," she said as she retrieved the towel and wiped away the evidence of Suzette's pleasure. "And you? Will the night see you meet it alone again?" Suzette asked. "I would not disturb my Lady again. The journey has been long and I forget both myself and the lack of privacy." Suzette turned her head to look up at Marie, "Do you think Lord Canelli will be half so gentle?" Marie sighed. "No mam'selle, I do not believe he will." Suzette's hand reached back and gently traced Marie's cheekbone with her knuckle. "Let me return the favor." Her voice trembled slightly. "The last time I lay with a woman, I was young, as you are young now. We were caught by the master of servants. For our crime I was beaten into unconsciousness. I never saw my lover again. Should anyone see us, I am merely a maid washing her Lady. No harm may come of that." Compassion welled in Suzette's eyes at the sorrow on Marie's face and the loss in her voice. "The lock is strong and none will dare disturb us." Marie shook herself free of her thoughts and gazed into Suzette's eyes. "What we have is enough." Then Marie laughed lightly. "And I think it is not me you desire so much as a night without your belt." Suzette smiled despite herself and her melancholy mood. Marie always could make her laugh and feel better, and now, as the great ship made its way to her new home, things were little different. With a resigned sigh, Suzette allowed Marie to refit the chastity belt around her waist. *** Suzette and Marie appeared on the deck, curious as to the commotion. The sun was high in the sky though it was still morning. During the day, the deck was usually full of life and vigor as men ran to-and-fro, adjusting a rope or a sail, but this morning a tension lurked behind their activities. Gone was the ordinary chatter that always seemed to fill the deck, instead grim purpose filled the movement of the men. Spying the ladies on the deck, the portly captain rushed over to them. "Ladies! I must insist that you return to your quarters immediately and remain there until you are called!" "What is going on?" Lady Suzette asked, suddenly nervous at the Captain's nervousness. "A ship appears on the horizon and has declared her colors black." "Black?" Lady Suzette asked, confused. "Pirates." The captain said, his face folding into a worried frown. "Oh dear!" Lady Suzette said, feeling her knees suddenly grow weak. "Fear not, Lady. This is a good ship and a good crew. We shall see you safely to Italy. But you must return to your cabin now. It will not be safe on deck!" Suzette nodded and the ladies returned to the cabin. The first few minutes were spent in terrified silence, but it soon became apparent that the fighting, if there was to be any fighting, would not happen anytime soon. The morning droned on in terrifying boredom and then again into the afternoon. Suddenly much shouting could be heard on the deck and the ship shuddered as a loud crashing sound rumbled through the ship. The women held each other as they sat on the bunk, too terrified for words as the sounds of steel upon steel rang out. For an hour the sounds of steel rang out, rising and falling in a grim symphony of life and death. Then the sounds of panic, fear, excitement, and the ringing of steel became intermittent, and it seemed that finally there was an end to it. But which end, neither of the women could say. Suddenly there was a loud banging on the door. "Open up!" A gruff voice cried. "Open up, I say, or I'll break it down!" Swallowing hard and with fear in her eyes Suzette turned and nodded slowly to Marie. Suzette rose to her feet as Marie opened the door. Standing in the doorway was an impossibly ugly man whose face was a patchwork of sun-ravaged scars. He looked both ladies up and down, his mouth forming a lewd grin that revealed many missing and rotting teeth. "In here, Cap'n!" he shouted. The ugly man stepped aside as a very large man appeared. At first Suzette was relieved because he did not look like a pirate, and there was hope that he was merely a member of the crew she had missed. But the man had called him Cap'n, and as she watched him studying her, she realized she could never have missed a man like this. He was at least a head taller than her with very broad shoulders. His muscles were taut and well defined under his golden sun-bronzed skin. His tunic was parted down to the center of his powerful chest, revealing a large angry red cut, which still welled with blood. She was taken aback again as her eyes rose to his face. His skin was smooth and shaven, revealing a powerful jaw that was somehow highlighted by his long golden hair. Here was a man of undeniable stature and authority, and that assessment was confirmed as she gazed into his sea blue eyes and felt the power of his gaze upon her. "Lady Gaston. I am Captain Jack and you, madam, are my prisoner." With those words, Suzette's dire situation crashed around her. Time stretched and bent as darkness closed in around her. "See to it she's brought safely to my cabin." Captain Jack said to the seaman beside him. "And not one hand where it should not be or you'll swim back to port." "Aye-Aye, Cap'n," the seaman muttered. "And her?" he asked, pointing at Marie. "She's worthless to us. Leave her here." He considered the shaking maid a moment. "Inform the prize crew that when this ship reaches port, she's to be put ashore safely, and I expect her to be well treated." The look of disappointment on the man's face was almost comical. *** Suzette groaned and opened her eyes. Instantly she remembered what had happened, and fear welled in her like molten lava. Hesitantly she felt her waist, feeling the hard metal through the fabric. She gave a mental sigh at that. For the first time in her life, she felt grateful for having the belt. Gingerly she sat up and surveyed her surroundings. The room reminded her of the Captain's quarters, though it was different enough to convince her she was no longer aboard the "Brise de Mer." The door opened and Captain Jack strode in. His gait carried the same sense of power and authority that surrounded his physique and, as she had felt the first time she saw him, Suzette felt awe at that sense of purpose. "You're awake," he said noncommittally. "I was beginning to wonder if you would sleep the rest of the passage home." "Why have you taken me? Where is Marie?" Suzette asked quickly, her voice high with fear. "I've taken you for ransom. Your dowry made a nice down payment, but your father is a wealthy man and your marriage will enhance his power. I believe he will pay generously for your return. I assume Marie is your maid? This is not a passenger ship. I'll put up with one woman who will make me money but I'll not put up with two." "Then your intentions are honorable?" Suzette asked incredulously. Jack laughed uproariously at that. Despite the terror of her capture, Suzette felt the infectious nature of that laugh, and her frown became less severe. "There is no honor in loot and pillaging, _Lady_ Gaston. But you need not fear for your virtue. I will not have by force what I can have freely given." His tone was mocking but his eyes twinkled as if he had just issued a challenge. "Is this to be my cell, then?" Suzette asked, straightening her dress. "Unless you would prefer to bunk with the crew." The way his lip curled into an amused smile indicated that he found the idea funny. "I think not." Suzette answered, trying to sound like a Lady again instead of a terrified girl. "I assume you've taken other quarters." Again that superior smile. "You assume wrongly. This may be _your_ cell, but it is _my_ cabin." Suzette's demeanor was shattered as her mouth opened and closed in shock. "But you said my virtue…!" "Your virtue will remain however your want your virtue to remain. A cot will be set up in here which you may use if you wish, or you may sleep on the floor. But when night falls I will be in _my_ room, in _my_ bed." Suzette huffed angrily, folding her arms. "This is not at all proper! I am engaged to be married!" Captain Jack chuckled lightly. "Ah yes. Lord Canelli, a mousy little man I believe you will dislike at first sight and definitely at first smell. Proper or not, this is the only place fit to store a _Lady_ of your station and rank. If people ask about it later on, lie." "Lie?" Suzette asked, as if the thought would never occur to her. "Tell them how you had your own room and were treated with the utmost respect and courtesy, why it was almost like being home! Or tell them how you were savaged by the men. How your beauty lit the fire of lust that drove those awful pirates to take your virtue." Jack chuckled at this. "Depending on the company you are in of course." "You sir, are no gentleman!" Suzette said angrily. "You're right," Jack said with a twinkle in his eye. "I'm a privateer." Suzette was about to say more when there was a knock at the door. "That would be dinner. I expect you'll find the food here more palatable than your last ship. I find loyalty is more easily bought at sea with warm food than with cold coin. Come!" Several men appeared, and after briefly glancing at Suzette, hurried to set the table. As the meal became visible, Suzette did indeed have to admit that it looked far more appetizing than the fare aboard the ""Brise de Mer"." "You seem to know much about me." Suzette said as she took her seat. "First my name, then my fiance." "We do not roam the seas on chance alone, Lady Gaston. I have a lover in the French court who loves to chatter about the gossip of the day as she lays in my arms. And so when a ship sets sail with interesting cargo, I know about it and can plan my attacks accordingly." The man's casual vulgarity disturbed Suzette greatly but she resolved not to take the bait. He may have been impressive, but every word that dropped from his mouth proved he was not her equal. She suddenly felt grateful for his vulgarity, grateful because it did remind her that he was beneath her, grateful because otherwise… She let the matter drop, disturbed at where the thought was taking her. "And you have not been caught?" Jack laughed. "Obviously not! A privateer's reward for being caught is the headsman's axe." "If it is so dangerous why do you persist?" Jack considered her for a moment as if deciding how to answer before replying, "It's not the money. I've more coin now than half the lords of the land. Nor even the charming company of ladies I intend to ransom. I love the sea. I love the freedom of setting a course and going where I wish." Suddenly Suzette became afraid all over again, because wrapped up in a very attractive package was a man who had everything she had ever dreamed of. The rest of the delicious dinner was spent in silence. Jack seemed comfortable with the silence. Suzette was grateful for it as she tried to keep the fact that Jack had abducted her firmly fixed in her mind. She did not want to like this man, and she was more than a little afraid that she could like him. Jack gave her some privacy after the meal had been cleared away for her to wash and tend to the calls of nature. Her initial gratefulness for her chastity belt however, soon turned to dismay as she realized the difficulty that would be involved in tending her needs. Marie had the key, and Marie was not with her. Tears welled to her eyes as she thought about Marie. Jack had not said if she were alive or dead -- perhaps she was alive alone on a ship adrift at sea and as good as dead. The pain of not knowing, and of Marie's absence hardened Suzette's heart, and she chided herself for even allowing herself the possibility of seeing Jack as human. The man was a monster! After much discomfort, Suzette finished her task and Jack was true to his word as he had a cot brought in for her. It was not as comfortable as the Captain's bed, nor her own bed aboard the "Brise de Mer," but she was tired and upset and soon drifted off to a restless sleep. *** Suzette woke up with the deck lurching below her. Loud thunder boomed in the distance and bright flashes of light would light the room brightly for a moment, only to leave a haunting imprint moments later. Jack was nowhere to be seen. No doubt in the storm, he had left to take charge of his ship. A sense of wrongness flooded Suzette's awareness. She felt ill, much as she had the first few days aboard the "Brise de Mer." As the ship lurched again, fighting the angry waves, her illness grew until even death itself seemed preferable to living in such misery. Eventually, she slid into a fevered sleep. *** When she woke again, the floor was at least steady, though she felt terribly weak. Jack was sitting on a wooden chair next to her, and she discovered to her surprise, that she was in his bed. Dark thoughts flooded her mind as she reached down to feel the metal around her. She was surprised at how much effort it took to do such a simple thing, and was further surprised at the sudden discomfort in her nether regions. "You're awake!" Jack said as he retrieved a wet cloth and began to dab her forehead. Suzette started to protest, but in addition to being too weak for words, the cool cloth against her fiery forehead was comforting. "You gave me quite a scare. You've been in fevered sleep for the day. At times I feared you would never wake again." She was too weak to think of anything save the tenderness of his voice and the note of genuine concern. If she were stronger, she would see that concern as concern for the reward money, but right now there was only a cold cloth on hot skin and a soothing voice as she drifted off to sleep again. *** Suzette pushed the tray away, unable to eat or drink anything else, though she had to insist, and strongly at that, before Jack believed her. Though she was still weak from her illness, things were much better today. As Jack removed the tray, Suzette swung her legs around and put them unsteadily on the floor. "You should stay in bed. If you had seen yourself a few days ago, you would offer yourself the same advice," Jack chided her gently. "I'm a grown woman, and I need to wash and compose myself," she said resolutely. Suddenly she became aware of a disturbing fact. She did not need a wash as badly as three days in a sick fever would demand. A slow blush crept up her neck to her cheeks, a blush of embarrassment and anger. "You didn't!" Jack looked away sheepishly. It was the first time she had ever seen him when he did not look as if he could command the forces of nature. "I could not leave you to lie in your own filth, nor would I trust my men to do what needed to be done." As disturbing as the admission was, Suzette could find no fault with his logic. "Well, I'm up and about now. I'll tend my own needs." "Of course. But do take things easy. You've had a rough time of it." He set a bucket of water and a towel next to her before bowing slightly and leaving the room. Suzette's eyes never left him until the door was closed, and her blush only deepened as she considered the predicament while she undressed. "If he had brought Marie along, it would not have been necessary," she thought grimly. As she ran the towel across her arms though, she remembered Jack's worried face above hers, and the gentle way he would press the wet towel to her flesh. Why was it so hard to hate him? As she washed herself she was sure a part of her knew the answer to that question, but stubbornly she resisted the answers. *** Suzette was playing a game of solitaire when Jack re-entered the cabin later that afternoon. "Are you feeling better, Lady Gaston?" "Much. Whatever it was has passed." "Then perhaps you would like to accompany me to the deck. You have been too long in this stuffy cabin; the fresh sea air will complete your recovery." "I think I'd like that, and I would not mind seeing a pirate crew. One hears such tales." Jack laughed. "They are as any other crew. I imagine you will be most disappointed." Suzette stood and then paused a moment, a look of deep thought on her face before she offered her arm to Jack. He smiled gallantly and took her arm in his. Once they reached the deck, Suzette immediately saw that Jack had been right. The crew of this pirate ship looked no different from the crew on the "Brise de Mer." "The man pulling the hoist is Jim Croft. He has a wife back in port and three children. Working for me, he makes three times what he'd make on another ship. The man on the yardarm is Ed Hawkins, he's been with me since before he could shave. He's no wife yet, but he's young still and has too much fun with the women in port to settle down yet anyway." "And you?" Suzette asked. "Are you also having too much fun with the women in port, or should I say women in court?" Jack laughed. "I'll not deny I have a spot of pleasure in port. But no woman has claimed me yet." "By her choice or yours?" Suzette asked pointedly. "Maybe a spot of both." Jack admitted as he led her to the railing. "Do you know Lord Canelli?" Suzette asked. "I met him at an embassy ball a few years ago." "What was he like?" "Annoying, rude, arrogant. We spoke very little but I'm a good judge of character. And smell. The man was foul." "You do not give me much hope for my future." Suzette said glumly. "Your average man or woman has a miserable lot in life, but every time I see a lord or lady, I marvel at how they have managed to contrive rules to bring misery to themselves. But this…," he swept his arm about the open seas, "this is true freedom." "If my father does not pay your ransom, what will become of me?" Jack pursed his lips and thought a moment. "After a suitable amount of time I would take your dowry as ransom and set you free. I bear you no ill-will." "Maybe I would be better off working off my ransom aboard your ship. Us nobles being so miserable and all." Jack laughed uproariously. "I would not have you! I could not have you! The men are fresh out of port and we have only been at sea a short time. They are fresh and contented now but often we are at sea for months on end. No order of mine could protect you then." "Why, as we walked on deck, you made them seem so wholesome!" Suzette said. Jack laughed again. "They are men and have needs! Just as women have needs." Suzette blushed. "I know not what you mean." This time, Jack's laugh was so loud it drew stares from the nearby crewmen. "Do not play the innocent with me, dear Lady. I grew up in a house full of sisters and aunts. I know the heart and desires of women, and whatever your kind would have us believe, those desires are no less than those of men." "You delude yourself!" Suzette protested, appalled at the conversation, yet also thrilled at the dangerous sense of freedom. A Lady simply did not discuss such things and especially with a man! It was part of the same rules that said she must marry an arrogant, rude, smelly Italian Lord who was three times her senior. In answer, Jack took her hand in his, running his fingers through hers, and pressed the back of her hand against his bare chest so she could feel the beating of his heart. He lowered his head to hers, and as he pressed his cheek next to hers, he whispered in a low hushed voice, "Does this do nothing for you? Feel you no need? No desire? Knowing my heart beats for you, your flesh against mine, tell me a woman has no desires." Suzette couldn't answer. Confusion at what he was doing melted away into the overpowering nearness of him, of the sensation of her hand against his chest, his cheek against her cheek, his hot breath against her ear, the low lusty timbre of his voice. Confusion stayed her protest at first, but it was that magical moment that stayed her voice at the second. Jack pulled back with a very wide smile on his face, as if he had just won some private bet. "You see? Women also lust." "You…!" Suzette said aghast. "You…! You…! OHHH!" And as she stormed off back to the cabin, the sound of Jack's laughter haunted her. Slamming the door on her return she slumped down on the bed and cried. *** Though he had tried to engage her in conversation over dinner, Suzette ignored him. Yet through it all, she warred with herself. She was quite sure she hated him, yet at the same time there was something else there as well. Something very uncomfortable to her. Jack had given her his bunk again this night, something which she was grateful for. The cot, while serviceable, was hardly as comfortable as the bunk. "I am sorry for the game I played on deck today." Jack said in the dark stillness. "Sometimes when I determine to prove myself right, I don't think of others." Suzette turned over in bed to face the wall and said nothing as the ship gently rocked her to sleep. - -- Bitbard This is the first of two parts. If the second part is not available you can retrieve the complete story from my website. This, and all my published stories, are available from my archive at http://extra.newsguy.com/files/Authors/BitBard/www or http://www.bitsmart.com/sandman. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGPfreeware 5.5.5 for non-commercial use iQA/AwUBNZuN5M6rl9LZOGBIEQKfjQCgpPHXnwHWv3BsCXQeB68MNl2hIDsAoPoz DSJ4+HhKfWfpgZ53THVUOJr4 =5TFn -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- ==================================================== http://www.newsguy.com/files/Authors/BitBard/www -- +----------------' Story submission `-+-' Moderator contact `--------------+ | | | | Archive site +----------------------+--------------------+ Newsgroup FAQ | ----