The watch bell rang outside; Jack snorted and threw his cards down. "That'll be me lads, got to shake these scabrous dogs into shape," he said. He pushed his chair back and rose, "Molly, it's been a pleasure."
"Come on Mahoney," Harri said. Mahoney nodded.
"Aye," he said with a yawn. The three men fled the cabin. That's what it looked like at least. Molly looked down at her full mug and scowled after Harri, she'd not be able to leave until it was empty and this was something he must have known well.
"Was my company that bad?" Molly said after they'd gone.
"Not at all dear Molly, they're devoted to their task," he said. There was a slight flush in his chiselled cheeks; she smiled, knowing the rum was affecting him too. He threw his cards on the table and leaned back on his chair. "So what now? Our partners have cut and run and left us bereft of suitable players," he said.
"Is there no one else we can get to play?" she said.
"Not to any skill," he said. He picked up his mug and drank deep, his hand engulfed the vessel making Molly realise once more how large the Captain was. Molly sipped some more of her own.
"There's a shame," she shrugged, "What do you propose we do instead?"
"What indeed?" he said. He placed his mug on the table and stood, "I can show you some of the more intimate parts of my ship," he suggested striding across the cabin, "Or I could introduce you to the fine art of navigating the charts." This suggestion was broached as he came to stand behind her chair. His lavender scent filled the air and she took a shallow breath through her nose. She closed her eyes and bit back a sigh. Her heart hammered, she wiped her hands on her thighs. She flinched as his cool hand brushed the hair from the back of her neck. Molly knew she should run, flee from the cabin but couldn't move, maybe it was the rum, maybe it was his smell, maybe it was the way the tips of his fingers rested on the nape of her neck.
"Captain-"
"Please, call me James."
"James then," she said.
"Yes?" he whispered. His voice a mere purr in her ear, she shivered.
"I think I'd like some air, if that suits you," she said. James took a step back and hooked her elbow with his hand. He drew Molly to her feet with the slightest of pressure and linked her arm with his. Molly staggered and giggled as he held her up.
"I believe some air would do you some good. Come this way." He led her through the other door in the partition and into his private cabin.
"This isn't air," she muttered.
"No," he said. "But if you stop looking around my bedroom and focus on that side there, you'll see there is a door leading to the gallery which is a small viewing deck in the open air," he explained as she gazed at the cabin.
"I know what a gallery is!" she said. James raised an eyebrow at her as they crossed the cabin. He pushed the door open and the wave of cool air washed over Molly. She reclaimed her arm and rushed forward into the breeze. Her head cleared and yet seemed to remain fuzzy at the same time. She took a deep breath, relishing the taste of the sea on the wind. She leaned her hands on the rail and gazed into the velvety blackness of the sky. The stars provided the only light and they shimmered on the waves as the ship rocked by. James stood right behind her, leaning his long arms next to hers, his hands just brushing hers. His long body was so close, tightness settled in the bottom of her stomach which was not altogether unwelcome. She leaned back into his warmth, the breeze was cooler than she thought and gooseflesh rose on her arms.