Topic: The Risk

Caroline Granger

Date: 2011-02-24 09:55 EST
No amount of good will in all the world was going to keep Humphrey Granger from wringing every last bit of gossip he could out of first his son, and then his granddaughter, to discover the details of the gentleman Caroline had apparently been on the arm of at the Fashion Week Opening Night. However, he had virtually raised the young woman in question, and Caroline was just as stubborn as he was. All she would say was that he was a local businessman who could provide Humphrey with a yacht to go sailing on for a decent fee. All perfectly innocent. There was no mention of stripping, crying, or flirting in any way, shape, or form. She was, however, dispatched to inspect said yacht, which suited her just fine.

Laughing to herself, Caroline stood on the more up-market end of the dock, looking out over the moored ships of various size and class, inwardly playing a game with herself to see if she could identify the Whispering Wind before the captain noticed her and brought attention to it. She had a feeling it was the double-masted cutter that dominated the third pier across from her, but the angle was such that she had no chance of reading the name painted delicately on the prow. She was just going to have to wait.

For Richmond, the night was spent laying in a hammock with one hand upon his bare stomach and the other supporting his head as he gazed up into the night sky. That's where he had fallen asleep as he perused the thoughts and memories of the day before. But now that the sun was fully risen in it's quest to move from one horizon to the next, Richmond was busy tidying up his vessel. The Whispering Wind boasted of rich refinement and that didn't come at an easy cost. And though the wind was blowing and the temperature still carried the winter chill, Richmond was shirtless. The scrubbing of the decks was a hard chore that brought with it the sweat of manual labor. His skin glowed bronze under the cold afternoon sunlight as he continued to scrub his deck.

Peering across the glare of sunlight on glittering water, Caroline would have been surprised if she'd realised she was smiling. She'd spotted her quarry, and he was on the boat she'd decided upon. Pleased with herself, she moved to thud down onto the jetty, making her way along the rolling wooden piers toward where the Wind was moored.

Richmond pushed up off of the deck with his hands and leaned back until his rear hit his heels. Wiping his brow with the back of his arm, he reached into the cooler to pull himself out a soft drink of some sort. Too early to be drinking, and with so much work to be done .....Once the bottle was opened and the top pitched into the cooler, he took a deep pull of the cold, refreshing drink. His hands, including the one with the bottle, came to rest on his thighs as he glanced about.

The docks were usually empty this time of the day, save for the people that worked aboard or owned the various ships that dotted the harbor and docks. So it was no little surprise to see Caroline walking towards the Whispering Wind. Forgetting that he was half naked and glistening with sweat, he got up and greeted her at the gangplank. "Well good afternoon, Ms. Granger. And to what do I owe the honor of this visit?"

It was with a certain amount of difficulty that Caroline lifted her eyes from his glistening chest, not entirely sure that she was happy with the primal reaction she felt to seeing his bare skin. Once her eyes were safely on his face, however, she relaxed again, smiling in greeting. "Good afternoon yourself, captain. Permission to come aboard" I'm sent to bring greetings from the honourable Old Man of the GrangerGuild Conglomerate, and judge whether or not your raft is suitable for entertaining on." Even as it came out of her mouth, she found herself worrying over the comment. Had she made herself sound teasing enough, or had she just insulted his pride and joy?

"Permission granted to board the raft, Whispering Wind, Ms. Granger," he held out his hand to help her from the gangplank to the ship's deck. "I should warn you, the deck has just been scrubbed and is a bit slick. You might want to hold onto something. Wouldn't want you to fall off the raft." His grin was just as playful as his words; he didn't take offense to her teasing at all. "I do hope that the raft is within his specifications, and then some."

Caroline Granger

Date: 2011-02-24 09:57 EST
Her hand smacked into his with the firm confidence of someone who has fallen between ship and pier once too many times to risk it again as she stepped down from the gangplank, though it retreated into her pocket soon after as she looked about. "A few bruises won't kill me," she assured him with a smile, relieved that he hadn't taken her words the wrong way. "The Old Man's ex-navy, think the Wind can hold up to his high standards?" It was a genuine question; Humphrey would no doubt pick Richmond's mind on every last statistic of his boat before they ever left the harbour if he decided to trust Caroline's decision.

"The Wind's a small ship, but she's true. And I keep her tidy, no messy quarters and the brass is shined enough to shave from." He put his hands behind his back as he led her along the starboard railing. "So where shall we begin" The helm' Captain's quarters" Guest quarters, dining area and galley?" There was a certain amount of pride in his eyes as he spoke about the Whispering Wind. A pride in ownership that paralleled only a few others on the docks. "I assure you, your inspection will only show your "Old Man" an immaculate vessel."

"Oh, I bow to your superior knowledge of your own ship," she laughed softly, strangely reassured by the sensation of her ponytail whipping about in the breeze as she followed him along the side. "I am, of course, here under false pretenses." She chuckled, her hand slipping from her pocket to trace the engraving of the ship's bell as they passed it.

"False pretenses, not you." He smiled as he rounded on her and looked down into her face. "Tell me you are not some sort of spy, say from the Ocean Breeze or the Odyssey. Those captains have been trying for years to learn what soap I use to keep the Wind so sparkling in the moonlight clean." His eyes sparkled with mirth as he teased.

"Oh, no, something far worse than that," she assured him with playful solemnity, tilting her head back to meet his eyes. He was taller, yes, but he didn't loom. The minute he started to loom, she had a literal knee-jerk reaction to deal with that. She'd apologise afterward, of course. "I'm here to take you up on your offer of dinner."

Pleased surprise registered in his face before he schooled his features. "I hadn't expected you to respond so quickly." He laughed at himself and turned to look out over the docks with his hand upon the railing. "When would you like to go to dinner" Or would you prefer I whip something up in the galley' I'm no five star chef, but I can handle my own."

"Well ..." Her hands came out of her pockets to let her arms cross over her stomach, leaning her shoulder against the bulkhead beside her as she watched him. "Humph freely admits that I know nothing about boats, so he's expecting me to be here a while. How's this sound" I help you with whatever it is you're doing, and you let me loose in your galley thing by way of a thank you." Yes, Caroline was offering to cook, although in truth, she had no trouble with having help in that department either.

"Your offer is very kind, and generous." He smiled warmly as he considered her. "But I was just scrubbing and swabbing the decks. Really, the work is nearly done. But, if you'd like a spin at the galley, follow me." He turned then and didn't wait for her response. A door was opened and he went into it.

Her brow rose as he expounded on how little work there was to do. "Call me naive, but you were in a real working place when I came by," she pointed out, leaning around the open doorway to follow him with her eyes, if nothing else. "That kinda suggests you're downplaying the work aspect of all this wood."

"I have a schedule," he tapped a calendar that hung in the small hallway as he passed it. "I don't do everything in one day. That'd be overwhelming. So I break it down. Today was scrubbing and swabbing the upper deck." He turned to make sure she was following along. "And here's the galley. I do dishes daily, but the deep clean is on Thursdays." He stepped aside once inside the small kitchen to let her get a good look. "There's the pantry there and spice rack there."

Caroline Granger

Date: 2011-02-24 09:59 EST
She had paused to skim the notes made on the calendar, hurrying to keep up when he turned back to check on her. "So you live on board, too?" she asked, noting the neatness of the relatively small space. "You actually open up your own home to folks who want to take a day trip?"

"I do, and yes. Saves on having to pay rent or a mortgage and rarely do I allow anybody below decks. At least not into the private quarters. This is as much as I usually allow anyone to see." He smiled then and canted his head. "Not much of a kitchen, but it'll do."

"Hey, so long as you have food, pans, and gas, I can make a meal," she promised cheerfully, undoing her coat. "I live on leftovers myself, so a decent meal would be nice. And of course, we've already established that you're good company, although apparently that makes you the gossip subject of choice back at the compound."

"I'm a subject of gossip?" That amused him as he took her coat and disappeared into the hallway to go hang it up. He reappeared just as quick as he'd left. "So, just what are they saying about me?"

"Thanks," she smiled absently as her coat was suddenly not hers anymore, but being hung somewhere she couldn't fathom. Her hands flailed as she groped for a non-embarrassing explanation. "It's not gossip so much as ....people telling each other that Caroline had a date, and speculating on where I found you. Like I said, not really a people person at the moment."

"Oh, so I'm the mysterious date and had to be found." He chuckled, leaning against a counter. Idly, he pushed the cabinet door open with a single finger and let it close. "And what have you been telling the gossip mongers, hmm?"

Twisting, she laid the heels of her hands on the counter behind her, leaning back against it. Yes, the galley was a small space, but even so, she didn't feel crowded. Humph would be proud. "Mostly that it's none of their business, but, uh ..." She swallowed, grinning as she glanced away a moment. "If pushed, you're a local businessman who offered me the use of your boat. Which you are." One shoulder shrugged. "I don't see it's any of their business if I fancy you or not."

He sniffed and cleared his throat, dark eyes boring into hers. "And, do you fancy me, or not?" He smirked and pushed off of the counter. Turning his back to make it easier for her to answer, he began to rifle through the cabinets.

She blushed, quickly averting her eyes from him again to stare out through the porthole window beside her. "Are we talking physically, mentally, or the mixture of both which occasionally leads to a semi-successful relationship?" she asked, wondering why the analytical side of her brain would not shut up.

"All of the above." He kept his back to her so she couldn't see his amused smile. He wasn't laughing at her so much as the situation they were in. There was just something about seeing people squirm that cracked Richmond up to no end.

Having his back to her was very helpful, although it wouldn't have stopped her from answering honestly even if he'd been looking into her eyes. "Yes, I don't know, and I haven't decided," was her brutally truthful answer to her own question, offered before a quick change of subject. "What is there in here to cook?"

"I see," he turned then and smiled as he looked down at her. Reaching behind Caroline, he pressed and popped open the latch for the fridge. "I caught some halibut. Are you good with fish?" He was nearly right on top of her now, looking down at her. "And maybe we can work on the part that you don't know and haven't decided."

Caroline Granger

Date: 2011-02-24 10:01 EST
Overt flirting using scent and body mass was just not fair, Caroline decided almost instantly as Richmond reached behind her, effectively trapping her between himself and the counter she was leaning against. She braced inwardly, waiting for the panic, and was startled to find that it didn't come. Her head lifted, dark eyes meeting his as her cheeks flushed with a pretty bloom of pink. "Uh ..." Oh yeah, real articulate. "No, fish is ....I can do fish. You caught it, you can clean it."

"Already cleaned," he pulled the fillets from the fridge and tossed them onto the counter with a soft plopping noise. "You seem rather nervous. Would you like a glass of wine?" He stepped away, as far as the little galley would allow that is. If there was a game to be played, or that was being played, Richmond knew the rules and how to manipulate them very well. But he saw no game, saw no quarry. He was simply enjoying her company.

She laughed, more at herself than anything. "Nervous, that's close enough," she admitted, shaking her head with a smile as she relaxed with his retreat. "Uh ....do you have mushrooms and a pepper?" Think about the food, Caroline, not about the images parading through your head. You're not supposed to be attracted to anyone so soon after your ordeal, people will think there's something very wrong. "White wine goes best with fish. I suppose you're fully stocked to cater to the whims of the rich and tasteless?"

"Mushrooms are there," he pointed out the drawer with the fungi in it. "And peppers are there," he pointed out a tiered rack that hung from the ceiling with onions, peppers and garlic in it. "Of course I cater to the whims of the rich and tasteless, and the poor as well. Call me a soft heart, but there are times when somebody needs a vessel who can't afford one. I'm known to do some charity work."

She smiled, pleased to discover this about him as she moved to negotiate her way around the little galley, drawing various ingredients from various places. "Okay, I've never cooked on a raft before," she confessed. "Is there an oven, or am I going to have to get creative with foil?"

"Down there," he leaned to press a cupboard and it popped open, revealing the small oven. "Though watching you get creative with tin foil sounds like fun, too." He turned and lifted a countertop, revealing the stove with four burners. "See, not everything is as it seems, Caroline. Even the Wind has her secrets." He gently put the countertop in a slot designed especially for it's storage.

"Knives?" Watch out, Richmond, she's getting down to business in your inner sanctum. A practised hand flicked the oven on to preheat while she turned her attention to the fillets, sprinkling them with lemon juice and salt. An inspection of the spices brought a grin to her face. "Lemon pepper, I'm very impressed. Most guys don't even know what this is." And so that went onto the fish as well, before the tray was popped into the oven.

Richmond leaned back and watched as she prepared the fish, pointing out where the different utensils were held. "It's nice to know the woman I may or may not be dating knows her way around the kitchen and can not only keep up but surpass me." He chuckled, bringing his hand up to stroke his chin. "What would the gossip mongers say about that?"

"That I should spend more time in a kitchen," she snorted with laughter, shaking her head. Procuring a knife was easily done, and she soon set to slicing mushrooms and chopping almonds as they talked. "To be honest, most of the gossip goes straight to my Grandpa, and he's pretty good at stamping it out. Once he gets the best of it out of me, of course."

"Oh, and that's the reason for the visit." He reached over and took a slice of mushroom, and began slowly munching on it. "To appease your grandfather's curiosity not only about the Wind but myself as well" And you've no curiosity about it, Caroline?" He smirked and popped the remaining bit of mushroom into his mouth.

Caroline Granger

Date: 2011-02-24 10:04 EST
"Of course I don't," she answered back with as much playful sweetness as she could muster. "I live for the good of the family, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Caroline doesn't have a life, a mind, a heart, or a soul of her own; she's a Granger through and through."

What was it about this man that made her bare so much in passing conversation' Once again, he'd gotten a response out of her that no one else she knew could even get a hint of without even trying. She was glad of the need to keep herself busy, dropping butter, almonds, mushrooms, salt and pepper, and cream into a pan to heat slowly before glancing at him with a faintly sheepish smile. "Oh, yeah, I'm not bitter at all."

"Wow." He watched her, his brow furrowing as he spoke. "Is that how they see you? Somebody who they can turn to for the family's bidding" Not a woman with a heart, a soul, a mind?" He was frowning darkly now, as that really seemed to bother him. "If that's your family, I'm not sure I want to know them much at all."

She shook her head gently. "It's complicated," she tried to explain. "They don't all see me that way. I mean, I have proof now that at least some of them like me, which is kinda reassuring. But yeah, I spend most of my time worrying about everyone else and how to make their lives easier. Someone has to." She stirred her sauce thoughtfully. "It's not a big deal, Richmond. It's just the place I made for myself; I've gotta live with that."

"I suppose it's no different than my place aboard the Wind." He shrugged and left it at that. "Dinner smells very good. Should I go and make myself more presentable?" He was very aware, at this point, that he was sorely underdressed for the meal.

She shrugged lightly, flashing him a smile. "You're in your own home, do what makes you most comfortable," she suggested. "And before you even think it, I am not about to strip off again just to level the playing field here." Laughing, she opened the open to check on the fish. The narrowness of the galley necessitated her to turn sideways to bend; it was just as well she didn't realise that she was waving her backside in his direction.

"Well, I should be presentable and not smell at the dinner table. So I'll be back shortly." He paused at the doorway to look at her apple-shaped behind before scuttling off to his quarters for a quick shower and a change. It nearly felt like an old memory that he'd tucked neatly away under the heading of 'Things That Shall Remain Forgotten'.

With him out of her way, Caroline turned her attention to side dishes, managing to put together in the time it took him to shower and change, creamy cheesey mashed potatoes, green salad, and fresh chilli salsa.

When he returned from his shower, he was amazed by the food that she'd managed to prepare. "This all came from my galley?" He laughed and dipped his finger into the mash. He scooped some of it up and plopped it into his mouth. "Mmm ....you keep this up and I may have to kidnap you and keep you to myself."

She chuckled, pleased with the compliment, although his pilfering of the mash got him a smack on the hand with a wooden spoon. "Will I have to teach you table manners?" she asked playfully, removing plates from where she had been warming them on the hob to begin dishing up.

"An old dog, especially a salty old dog, doesn't learn new tricks easily," he joked as he took the plates from her to set the table. He pulled down the countertop that served as a table and locked it into place before putting the plates down. "Do you think you could teach this old, salty sea dog something new, Caroline?"

"If you're old, then I must be ancient," she contested with a snort of laughter, handing over the plates easily to put the various pans into the sink to soak while they ate. "I refuse to believe that there is nothing more you can learn. That's part of what makes life interesting, isn't it?" She moved to join him, fascinated by the way everything seemed to be attached to everything else.

Caroline Granger

Date: 2011-02-24 10:06 EST
"Bad manners to ask for or infer a woman's age," he chuckled and sat down as dinner was served. "And I do suppose you're right. The world is full of things that we don't know. Learning them, and the secrets behind them, that's the spice of life. Or something like that."

Sliding into a seat at the table, Caroline couldn't help another chuckle as he answered. "You don't sound particularly convinced of that," she pointed out mildly, raising her cutlery. "Please don't stand on ceremony, it'll just get cold and inedible if you do."

Richmond did as instructed, using his knife and fork to tear into the meal. "I still can't believe all of this was in this galley." He chuckled between bites. "Kind of scary when you think about it." Putting down his knife once the fish was eaten, he took his fork into his right hand and began in on the mash and veg. "You're a hell of a cook."

Giggling around a mouthful of her own food, she watched as he attacked the meal as though it was his last on earth. "It's just fish, potatoes, and a few vegetables, when you break it down," she said quietly, between her own bites. "It's all about seasoning. Surely a salty old dog like you knows about that?"

"Salt knows salt," he grinned around a mouth of mash. The fact that his galley had all of those spices and herbs that had gone into the making of the dishes in front of him told the truth of the tale. "So, has the Wind passed muster?"

She mused on her answer for a long moment, taking the last bite of food and setting her fork down before speaking. "Well, her captain has," she teased cheerfully, resting her elbows on the table as she leaned forward. "As for the Wind" To be honest, she passed muster from the dockside. I'm just taking advantage of your sweet nature now."

"Oh, so now I'm to be taken advantage of," he teased in return, placing his napkin onto his plate now that the meal was done and over. "As Captain I could lock you in the brig, if I had one." He chuckled softly, and leaned back in his chair. "But for now the punishment of being in my company must be enough."

"I think you need to work on your definition of a punishment," she laughed, taking a sip of her wine. "You are incredibly easy company, Richmond, and I think you know it."

"Oh, so now I'm easy." He shook his head as he laughed. "First you take advantage and now I find out it's because you think me easy." He quirked a brow as he took a sip of wine. "Next thing you know you'll really take advantage of how easy I am and take me, right on this table."

"I never said that," she protested laughingly, leaning back in her own seat as she threw her hands up in amused exasperation with him. "If anything, you should think I'm the easy one here, what with the stripping and the cooking and everything. I suppose I should be relieved you merely think I'm an escaped psychiatric patient."

"Well, from the way you explained your family, it's no wonder you are a psychiatric patient." He teased and put down his glass of wine. "And being escaped, that adds the element of danger and surprise to this old salty dog's life."

"And living on a raft doesn't?" she teased back. It really was quite astonishing to her that she was so comfortable just talking with him, let alone being pretty isolated on his own ship without any easy access to an exit. "Is that why there isn't a Mrs Richmond, captain?" she asked suddenly, leaning forward onto her elbows once more as her head tilted curiously. "You prefer your danger to be one-sided?"

"The sea is my Mrs," he replied with the patent one line that sailors had been using for years. "She's my mistress and my confidante. It's amazing just how much better one feels after a long talk with the sea, hmm?" He was referring to her trip to the rocky cove.

"Mmhmm." She agreed with just that sound, not particularly wanting to go into the details of that little encounter again so soon. She had no idea, however, what possessed her to say the next comment that slipped from her lips. "I doubt the sea does any more than get you a little wet when you screw her, though."

Caroline Granger

Date: 2011-02-24 10:08 EST
Surprise opened his eyes wide as he looked across the table from her. "Well, hello," he laughed then and leaned his elbows onto the table. He studied her, wondering just what her game was. "Isn't that the point of screwing, to get a little wet?"

Caroline was already blushing as soon as the words came out of her mouth, her fingers curving over her lips as she laughed in embarrassment. "Gods, I'm sorry, that just ....wow, that's just out there now, isn't it?" She shook her head, avoiding his eyes as her fingers rubbed against her forehead. "More than a little, and seriously, you don't want to know what diseases the sea is carrying to pass onto you during your intimate moments."

"Well, now that took the fun out of that," he teased gently with a shake of his head and a soft laugh. "I mean, who really wants to think the most powerful force in their lives is disease ridden?"

"Sorry." She groaned, rolling her eyes and hiding her face fully in her hands. "I really need to learn to keep my mouth shut." Lifting her face to his once again, her expression was painted with laughing apology. "It just runs away with me all the time, I'm so sorry."

"Should I buy a lock and key for it?" he was looking at her in a slightly different way now. Before it had been platonic fun, but once screwing was brought up, he had a bit of a hunger in his eyes that he couldn't hide. Waving off her apology, he simply shrugged. "That's your nerves talking, it's alright."

"I think my grandfather would probably invite you into the family if you found a way to stop me from spouting my mouth off about every subject that crops up," she giggled, shaking her head again as she finally lowered her hands. If she noticed a difference in his demeanor, she did not let on about it; after all, she'd acknowledged he was attractive to her long before that subject had come up.

"Oh, I think I know of a way to keep your mouth quiet." He chose his words carefully as he grinned at her, knowingly. His hand moved to rest on the table and he drummed his fingers against the formica. He did it once and slowly.

Ah, to have the innocence of a woman too old not to know what he was talking about. Unfortunately, Caroline was a master at misconstruing most references. She merely laughed again, glancing down at his hand, so close to the plates they had discarded. "Well, obviously eating keeps me quiet, but what happens after?"

"That, my dear, depends completely upon you," he folded his arms over his chest and smiled. "Come here, and I'll show you what I'd like to happen after."

Her brow rose, slight stiffness flickering through her posture as another voice echoed the same sentiment in the darker realms of her memory. Come here. She shook herself slightly, pushing that thought away. He was not here, Richmond was not him. And nervously cautious though she was, the recklessness that had driven her to meet the sea head on had taken root, driving her to her feet until she was stood beside his chair. "If you say anything about washing dishes, I will have to break one of those plates over your head," she threatened him sweetly.

Not sure what he'd seen go through her in that moment, one thing was clear. The game was over for now. He got up and began to clear the table, stacking the dishes onto his arm. "I'll do the dishes. Why don't you to up to the helm. I'll meet you there, shortly."

Caroline's expression flickered again, this time in confusion. She knew the game, she knew how it was supposed to go. The fact that he'd put so sudden an end to it made no sense ....unless he was just teasing for teasing's sake, and she was reading far too much into things. Lifting a smile to her lips, she laughed a little. "Sure, I'll, uh ....this way, right?" Her hand rose to gesture toward the door they'd entered by.

He nodded, his hand moving to her shoulder, soft and gentle like. "I'll be up once I set these to soak." He gave her a gentle pat to her shoulder and a little nudge. He thought he'd seen fear in her eyes and that was one emotion that Richmond didn't want to instill in her.

"Okay, then," she agreed, pushing away her own preconceptions to just take him at face value. She was good at that; it was what had utterly destroyed her one and only serious relationship in the past, though the man in that case had been a royal arsehole as well. "I'll try not to touch anything that looks important." With a low laugh, she slipped out through the door, making her way curiously to the bridge and the helm.

Caroline Granger

Date: 2011-02-24 10:11 EST
True to his word, once the dishes were soaking, he made his way up to the helm. It was a small room, encased by windows on three sides. The view of the sea from there was as if they were standing right on it. "So, find anything interesting up here?" He smiled and the game began, take two.

Caroline had been captivated the moment she stepped onto the bridge, curling her arms comfortably at her waist as she gazed out over the sea, garbed in the vibrancy of the sunset. His entrance did not go unnoticed, though, and she grinned to herself as she answered. "Aside from an obscene view of your mistress" Nope."

"She is beautiful, isn't she?" He wasn't looking out of the windows, but down at Caroline herself. "But I have to ask, why were you scared earlier" I mean you no harm, Caroline."

She sighed softly, realising too late what he'd noticed in her demeanor. "I wasn't scared, exactly," she tried to explain, keeping her eyes on the view rather than watch him back away when he realised what she was saying. "I know you won't hurt me. But I've been hurt, recently, and sometimes, when people say things that he said to me, I can hear him in my head." She dropped her gaze to her feet. "I know he's not here. I know I'm safe. And thanks to you stopping me from being a complete idiot on Sunday, I've let go of most of it. I just need someone else to drown him out, I guess."

He didn't retreat, as she thought he would. Instead, he stood his ground and listened to her. He nodded once and then turned to grab the wheel. It was his altar, his solace in the stormy seas. "I'm sorry you were hurt, Caroline. Sometimes men can be cruel." He wondered if it'd crossed her mind that he could be just as cruel. The idea had him frowning.

She nodded. It felt strangely uplifting to be able to talk about this, even if she was shying away from details. But there was one detail she would not deny him. "He's not a man," she said with quiet conviction. "He's Anubis Karos. I'm lucky to be alive."

The name sounded familiar, even if Richmond couldn't place the face. There were ships that docked not too far away from the Whispering Wind that were solely used for the slaver's benefit. He frowned and blinked rapidly as he digested this tidbit of news. "You are lucky to be alive."

Her lips curved into a slow smile as she turned to look at him. "So I'm not scared of you," she assured him fervently. "Or of what you could do to me. The worst's been done, and I'm still here. Don't treat me like I'm going to break, Richmond. I'm sick of it from my family; I won't take it from you."

"Yes ma'am," he snapped his heels together and sketched a smart salute in her direction. "I just like you, an awful lot, Caroline. I don't want to blow what chance I may have by scaring you off with dinner table chatter."

"Oh, I think we've established that you're not going to frighten me away with harmless teasing," she smiled gently, turning her eyes back to the sea. She drew in a long cleansing breath, her shoulders seeming to lower as yet more of that aching weight was lifted. "I like you, too. I've confided more in you than I have with my family, that's how comfortable you make me feel."

"Sometimes a stranger is a better psychiatrist than a mother or father," he suggested as he came up behind her. "There's something to be said about anonymity and confessions, isn't there?" His hands reached for her hips, and lay upon them gently.

That slow breath left her lungs just as gradually as his hands curled at her hips, her eyes closing for a long moment as she simply revelled in the feeling of warmth that didn't come with guilt or distress, or any of the emotional baggage that her family were carrying right now. She swayed gently, letting her back come to rest against his chest as her eyes opened. "There's more to be said for a listener who won't judge."

"Who am I to judge?" His hands moved from her hips, sliding across her belly. "I've not walked a single step in your shoes, much less a mile in your mocassins. Though, those boots you were wearing did look mighty comfortable."

Caroline Granger

Date: 2011-02-24 10:13 EST
Her hands slipped, lowering to smooth with tentative touches over his knuckles as his arms continued to encircle her. "I am one of those infuriating women who, despite being surrounded by high fashion, would rather wear my brother's shirt and jeans than a dress and heels," she chuckled softly, stroking her thumbs gently over his wrists.

"Nothing wrong with that," he laughed, keeping it soft so as not to deafen her. "In fact, there's something to be said for a woman who knows what she wants and doesn't let anybody get in the way. A guy knows what he's getting into and that's a good thing."

Caroline's own laugh was just as soft, though for different reasons. She didn't want to shatter the gently blanketing quiet he'd drawn around them, in case it shattered everything else that seemed to be happening as well. She didn't know whether what she was feeling was right or wrong; whether allowing herself to be attracted to this quiet, stoic man was good or bad; but she was tired of hiding from everything she felt. Grab life by the balls, so to speak. "And do you want to get into this?" she asked very quietly.

"God help me," he whispered against the top of her head as he lowered his own. "But yes." His eyes closed as he kissed the top of her head and inhaled her scent deeply. It was a heady scent, her perfume, her sweat and the salt from the sea.

Her teeth found purchase on her lip, biting down hard into the smile that rose inexorably as she felt his lips against her hair. How could he know that with just that gesture, he'd restored so much of the faith in herself she had lost' If Richmond, with his strong moral compass and independent nature, could find something worthy in her, then Anubis had lost. She still had worth. Twisting a little, she turned, slipping her arms beneath his to curl about his back as she pressed her face into his shirt, breathing him in just as he had breathed of her.

His arms had loosened just enough when she turned. It was enough so she could move freely. And when she pressed her face into his shirt, he held her gently, one hand in her hair, the other at the small of her back. He looked up, staring out at the water and wondered just what might have happened to cause the welts he felt under his fingertips.

It felt so wonderful, just to be held, not to feel the guilt and worry roiling off the person who had her wrapped close. Maybe he was just in the right place at the right time; maybe whatever this was couldn't last for long. But right now, that didn't matter. He was healing her from the inside, just by being there. Her head tilted back to let her look up at him. "Are you alright?"

He had learned by years of being at sea to keep his thoughts light. The demons couldn't get in and destroy that way. So, when he lowered his chin and look down at her, he nodded with a smile. "I'm good. Are you?"

It took a long while for her to answer, the words leaving her lips in tones of utter amazement. "I am," she smiled, delightfully surprised by the honesty in her reply. It was the first time in weeks she had answered so truthfully, and the sheer exuberance of being able to say it brought a happy giggle from her lips, quickly muffled against his shirt once more.

The smile spread across his face when she answered and subsequently giggled. "Good." He lowered his head to kiss the top of hers once more, hands gently roaming over her back as he sighed softly, his cheek coming to rest atop her head.

Her hands stroked against his back as he kissed her hair once more, her laughter fading into a happy smile hidden in his shirt. "Thank you," she murmured incoherently, gently lifting her head once more to repeat the sentiment as her eyes met his.

"For what?" His voice full of amusement when he lifted his head. Then their eyes locked, just as they had the evening before and the smile left his face. He was frozen in his spot, drowning in those deep dark pools of chocolate brown.

Caroline Granger

Date: 2011-02-24 10:16 EST
Her hands shifted, one slipping to stroke against his shirt where her smile had left an imperceptible impression in the cloth. Her eyes did not leave his, her own smile slowly fading from her lips as she stared into the stormy seas of his frozen gaze. "For being on the beach that day," somehow made itself known through her lips, though she had no memory of lining the words up for speech.

"You're welcome," his voice was soft and laced with a passion as yet unknown. He began to tremble as he lowered his head further. Her eyes were so trusting, so innocent. He wanted nothing more than to take her away from any pain and fear and keep her safe and warm.

And suddenly it wasn't a game any longer, if it had ever been a game to begin with. Caroline rose onto her toes, leaning into him until she could feel his breath on her lips, her eyes sliding closed to savour the feeling of something given and not taken. Her fingers flexed against his shirt. "My choice," she whispered, as much a reassurance for him as for her, and her mouth touched against his, sealing the promise that there was no violence here between them. None at all.

Unconsciously, his hand tightened in her hair and he flicked his tongue over his lips as his eyes closed. Her lips to his felt like pure heaven and he pressed harder to seal the deal. And then she consumed him and he lost any control he had left. His arm pulled her to his chest and his lips parted in an open invitation.

She gasped softly, drawn close against his heat and strength, already far from comparing him with the spectre that lurked in her mind. He was still there, Anubis, still mocking her with his smooth wickedness, but she was not listening any longer. Richmond had her focus, her attention, and he would keep it as her hand slid shyly up to curl at his neck, her lips slanting beneath his as they parted in answer to his invitation.

When she quietly submitted, it sent a shockwave through Richmond's body that put him on full alert. She was so warm and pliable in his hands that it simply amazed and thrilled him at the same time. She'd accepted his invitation and he gladly led the way for exploration in their two person party.

Was this moving too fast' Caroline didn't think so; it felt right to be here, in his arms, ready and willing to follow where he led. Perhaps she'd been in too much control in the past, she'd never felt the sheer exhilaration of letting someone else take charge. He was warm and gentle, and she knew deep inside that he was not going to hurt her. It was such a wonderful feeling, she didn't even notice when a soft, mewing purr of sound escaped her to fill his mouth with the taste of her breath.

As his arms tightened around her and the kiss deepened, he didn't care if it was moving to fast. For them, it was just the right speed. It felt right, like nothing else had felt before and finally, the sea didn't seem like such a lonely place, anymore.

She rose on her toes, pushing closer without thought, moving on instinct and unspoken wishes as her tentative hands grew bolder. Fingers combed into his hair and gripped the shirt at his back, even as her lips gently withdrew from his. Just far enough to break the kiss but keep that stirring contact between them.

The kiss was broken and like a switch, his eyes opened up. He stared down at her, long and hard. He searched her eyes for answers to unasked questions. He didn't want to speak, afraid of breaking the delicate spell that held them both breathless.

It took a moment longer for her own eyes to open, a little dazed from the kiss they'd shared, but she, too, stared into his eyes, afraid to speak and shatter the silence with something stupid. Her hands slipped just once, evidence of uncertain hesitation before her lips curved in a soft smile. She rose on her toes once more, touching her lips to his tenderly.

Caroline Granger

Date: 2011-02-24 10:18 EST
His smile matched hers as their lips once again melded together. His arms tightened once more as the kiss only seemed to burn with intensity. He could feel his heart thudding wildly in his chest. And what her soft body against the planes of his chest did to his nether regions was nothing to laugh at.

The hand at his neck flattened, smoothing over his shoulder to curl tighter as her other arm banded at his back, holding herself tight against him. She would never dream of laughing at what she could feel rising between them, although the brief image of taking this all the way over the helm was one that brought a grin pressing into the kiss.

It was that rising heat that caused Richmond to break the kiss and back away from her. He was panting heavily and stared at her as he came to a rest against the wheel. "Wow," he smiled and blew out a slow breath.

Without thinking, she tried to follow when he broke away, half-stepping forward as the support of his frame left hers. Her hands flailed for a moment before she managed to take her own weight without stumbling, blushing in faint embarrassment at her own eagerness. "Wow is a good word." A soft giggle left her lips as her gaze flicked away for a moment, one hand resting at her hip.

"I think we should take our time." He wanted so much more than that, but he didn't want to ruin the start of a good thing. "Maybe we can go on a date, again? Anywhere you want to go."

Disappointment can do some wonderfully inviting things to lips already swollen from kisses, and Caroline's pout was no exception. "Do you really think that?" she asked softly. "Or are you just saying it because you think it's what you should say?" She stepped closer, tilting her head to the side as she looked up at him. "I promise you, I'm not as fragile as everyone seems to think."

"I just don't want to ruin a good thing by moving too fast." He looked down at her, being completely open and honest. "God knows, I want to go further. But I think we should take our time and do a lot more of this, for now." He grabbed her, not so roughly, and planted a kiss to her lips as his arms encaged her to his chest.

Touched by his insistence on doing the right thing, Caroline gasped into his mouth as her arms snapped about him once more. Her lips opened quickly to deepen the kiss he offered her with eager enthusiasm. "I haven't felt this way in so long," she breathed into his mouth, breaking the kiss just long enough to speak before her mouth covered his once more.

"Me, too," he groaned, her body against his starting fires that would soon be out of control if he weren't careful. He felt his knees begin to shake, then crumble the very foundation on which he stood. His arms were wrapped around her tightly and as they went down, the kiss only got hotter.

Dragged down with him, she curled herself ever closer, letting the fall draw her off-balance enough to complete their crumble to the deck, the curve of her grasp about him giving him no option but to lean over her as she lay back, inviting and welcoming any and all loss of control. Now this was a risk that was worth taking.

Their passions were spent, loud and loving, over the deck of the bridge without a care. As the play came to an end, a light flickered on in the crow's nest of a frigate visible in the darkness, and there was a cheeky yell as the lookout there identified the source of all the noise. Embarrassed, Caroline let out a loud laugh, dropping down to hide her face against Richmond's neck. "Nice neighbours!"

Richmond laughed as the shout from outside was heard. He could just imagine the amount of money that was passing hands. Holding her close, he rolled to the side and hid her against the cabinets and out of sight from the nosey neighbors. "Y'grow to love 'em." He snickered, then stood up to yell at the man in the crow's nest of the other ship. "Just jealous!" Then curtains began to be drawn to protect Caroline from any futher embarrassment.

Caroline Granger

Date: 2011-02-24 10:22 EST
Giggling wildly, she was more than happy to be rolled and protected from those unexpected eyes, hiding her face in her hands as he drew the curtains to hide them from view. Rising to sit up, she lifted her head to watch him in the new darkness, a wide smile on her lips. "That happen a lot around here?"

"No," he laughed and pulled the last of the curtains shut. "Awww man!" could be heard as the man in the crow's nest called out his disappointment. "But then, only women I bring on board are usually paying customers and the boat leaves fifteen minutes after they get here."

"Oh, so am I overdue for paying my bill, then, captain?" she asked with a wide, artless grin, lifting her hand to brush her hair out of her eyes as her knees drew up to her chest. It was an automatic position to find in her vulnerably nude state, not even vaguely associated with anything unpleasant. "Since I owe you for quite the tour."

"It's on the house." He walked over to gather their scattered clothes before settling down onto the deck beside her. "And I think we both gave each other quite the ride." The clothes were set down on the deck in front of them, but he made no move to get dressed.

She blushed faintly, looking about the space they had made into a boudoir without even thinking of it. "I hope you hadn't washed and scrubbed in here today," she said quietly, apologising with her tone for losing control. "I'll clean it up, if you did. It's only fair, right?"

"I did, and you won't be lifting a finger." He reached to take her hand in his and pull her a bit more snug to his side. "Right now we bask in the warmth of artificial heat and each other's company. Feel free to doze. I sure feel like dozing."

She laughed softly, genuinely touched by his refusal to accept her offer of help as she leaned into him easily. "You doze up here a lot, do you?" she asked curiously, teasing her fingers in and out of his grasp as she watched their hands play together. "Are you a hammock or a bed person?"

"Not up here, usually," he chuckled and curled his arm around her, replacing one hand replacing the other in her hands. "Hammock, got it strung up in the cabin below. It's fantastic when there's a storm. You don't feel like you're moving at all because you're not. The ship moves around you."

"There's a hammock strung up in my Grandpa's garden, but I don't think anyone uses it but me," she chuckled softly, lifting her head to look up at him as they settled comfortably. "I meant it, you know ....I really don't jump guys and ride them until I scream. I mean, I barely manage to flirt without guilt usually."

"We both turned over a new leaf. I did try to stall." He chuckled and squeezed her shoulders gently. "Don't worry about it. I'll respect you in the morning." He looked down at her with a shy smile. "If you still want to see me tomorrow?"

She bit her lip, cheeks blooming with colour once again as she smiled. "Who said I was going anywhere tonight?" A briefly guilty reminder of one hungry tomcat flickered through her mind, but Zaphod wasn't stupid enough to wait for her too long. He'd go and ply his big, pleading eyes on Lucy in the big house's kitchens.

"Lucky for us the hammock is big enough for two, in a pinch." he chuckled and leaned to place a kiss just behind her ear. "You're something else. Caroline Granger."

"Just Caroline," she whispered gently, stroking her fingertips against his neck. "Please. Just Caroline with you." Her forehead touched to his, eyes closing as she let out a low sigh of contentment.

"Caroline it is." he held her then, quietly and gently. It was another one of those moments that words would shatter into a trillion pieces if spoken. His chest rose and fell as he sighed softly.

She couldn't help a small smile rising as the silence enveloped them once again. The last time such a silence had fallen, she'd over-ridden his attempts to be a gentleman, which was how they'd ended up naked on the deck in the first place. Who knew what this silence could lead to"

The air in the cabin was beginning to chill and Richmond pulled Caroline into his lap to share the warmth of his sun kissed skin. Still, nothing was said and there was something comfortable about the silence. His arms were around her and he guided her head to his chest. They'd had a meal and made love like rabbits; he was a bit on the sleepy side, so he assumed she was, too.

Her body was fairly thrumming with satisfied pleasure as he drew her into his arms, curling happily into his warmth. Would he have been unnerved to know that he was a safe harbour? That's what she felt. He'd seen her at her worst, before they'd even spoken truly, and he was still there, still holding her after they'd had their fill of one another. If anything was a sign that things were taking a turn for the better for Caroline Granger, then this certainly was.

((Thanks to Richmond!))