A Pirates Heart part 1

A PIRATES HEART

Derrin looked out the window, to early for anyone to be out but the noises coming from the other apartments showed they were up getting ready for work. Looking at the computer he knew he should get to work but the thumping in his head prevented him.

Touching the patch his mind went to that night, the party, the drive home...the argument. How the car left the road he can't remember but he woke a week later, he was badly injured and Caron.... Taking some painkillers the hospital gave him he went back to bed "sod the book".

The next day he felt better and decided to skip breakfast grab a quick shower and get to work. Going for his mail he wasn't paying attention, thinking about the next chapter of his book. "Hey watch it" he growled as a young lady bumped into him. "Sorry I'm running late" she replied apologetically. "Just watch were you're going, I'm sure your boyfriend will wait" Turning scarlet she glared at him but didn't reply, what a rude man.

 

Derrin worked steadily all day, the words no longer imagination, the hero a pirate had to fight another for his ship and his woman. It was late evening when he finally stopped his head starting to hurt again. Grabbing something to eat watched TV for awhile before going to bed.

Harmoni made dinner, she was worried, the law firm where she worked was closing old man Hubert was retiring and as his children didn't go into law as he had hoped he had no choice but to close. The worst part was the apartment went with the job as head secretary it was a perk, she was loosing that as well the old man was selling everything and moving to France his wife wanting to go home.

Her bedroom was stifling, opening the window she looked out into the darkness listening to the crickets, she wondered how long this heat would last, for a cool wind. Climbing under the cool sheets she tried not to worry, something was bound to turn up.

The next morning she was up early. Heading out the door she saw the man and gave a cheerful "Morning" The man grunted. That's it! Harmoni was not in a good mood and the man's rudeness was too much, "Look I said I was sorry when I bumped into you yesterday and when I say morning I don't expect to be grunted at OH! and another thing I was not meeting my boyfriend I was late for work...."  not that was any of his business."Do you always talk so much" he barked. "Sorry?" The man's face was like thunder "You talk to bloody much" he growled. Harmoni blushed, turning on her heals "Rude man" she muttered.

 

Harmoni ate her dinner, looking round her cosy apartment, it had taken her a while but she had it just the way she liked. It was small with one bedroom but she had decorated it well being welcoming but not girlie...yep she will miss this place. Trying to be positive she decided to place an add in the local job centre on her way home from work the next day.

Derrin lay on his the bed the pain in his head felt like a Jake hammer, it was just after four the pain keeping him awake. Waiting for the tablets to kick in he stared into the darkness. The Doctors had said to take easy not to do too much but he was a writer it was his living, he had to admit that the computer screen was a problem, he couldn't look at it long without getting a headache.

That afternoon he rang Jeffrey his publisher to tell him the book was going to be late again. "Hire a typist, your fans are dying to get their hands on the next book, don't make them wait to long" Jeffrey urged "I'll mange I don't anyone, snooping asking stupid questions" unwilling to admit he needed the help. "Nonsense my boy, you can dictate into a tape recorder and get them to type it up" Saying he would think about it hung up.

 

Closing his eyes he let the water run over him, wiping the water off his face he removed the patch, he had never seen himself without it.... Caron, they were to marry the date set then the party and the argument home, she told him she was leaving had met someone else......bitch, well she wouldn't be marrying anyone now. Stepping out the shower he quickly dried off and went to bed.

A week alter and Harmoni was getting her mail, junk...bills...more junk and a letter from the job centre. Tearing it open she squealed with delight she had an interview with a Mr Talbot a writer who was looking to get some typing done. It wasn't a permanent post but the money was good, very good.

Interview day, Harmoni was nervous, after a shower she spent an hour trying to decide what to wear. "This will have to do" looking in the mirror. It was to early to leave so making coffee she tried to work out what she was going to say.

Standing at the door of the coffee shop she scanned the room, a man sat at the far table, that must be him he was the only one wearing a suit. Taking a deep breath she went over, "Mr Talbot? I'm Harmoni Granger, the job centre sent me" Great Derrin thought recognizing the voice, It's motor mouth. Slowly getting up he turned round.

"You" Harmoni squeaked. "Hello Miss Granger, won't you sit down?" Derrin smiled. "Err no thank you, I don't think this will take long do you?" she may as well throw the towel in now he wasn't going to employ her. "Very well, would you like a drink?" he asked enjoying the look of discomfort on her face. "No I'm fine, can we get this over with?" Derrin kept it polite and business like, asking all the right questions and reading her CV, he liked what he saw and at any other time he may have made a pass at her.

"Look Mr Talbot I know I don't have a chance with this job so lets just call it a day" she had no chance getting is job. "Are you telling me your no good?" Derrin asked with a smile. "No! I mean yes, I ....It's just...." damn this was going from bad to worse. "Just?" he was enjoying watching her squirm. "You don't like me, you are rude, insulting and intimidating, to be honest I don't like you" her face turned red with embarrassment. "Really I have been given glowing reports from your boss" he smiled.

Back at the apartment he tried to work out way he hired her, she was a looker, no work was work. So why did he offer to let her stay here, it wasn't his problem that she was loosing her home. Always a sucker for a sob story and a pretty face that was his problem.

Harmoni had been at Derrin Talbots two weeks now, she didn't like him. Her worked her hard, giving her tapes to type up or suddenly calling her into type what ever came into his head. Derrin had to admit she never complained and typed well keeping up with him easily, he admired her for that. Harmoni enjoyed typing but preferred to work from tape, when Derrin next to her she found it difficult to work, he unsettled her.

Derrin had been in bed all morning with another headache so Harmoni quietly worked with what she had. Stopping at mid day for lunch she found there was nothing in the fridge, making a quick list she grabbed her purse and went to the store. Arriving back she juggled the shopping while trying to close the door, "I'll get that for you" a voice said behind her. Spinning round Harmoni gasped, Derrin was wearing nothing but a towel, his wet hair dripping water onto his shoulders which ran down his bare chest. "No, It's ok I'll manage" suddenly flustered "It's no problem" he replied moving forward watching her face change the colour of beetroot. "I'll get lunch ready while you erm, change" she dashed to the kitchen, his near nakedness had affected her made her want to see more.

After lunch they sat in the living room Derrin watched TV while Harmoni looked at the screen trying to work out it was about his state of undress earlier that affected her so much. "That was a nice lunch, your a good cook" Derrin smiled at her making her legs go weak. "Thank you, Is your head better now" she asked politely trying not to let her eyes wander over his taught frame. "Yes much better, I bet your boyfriend likes your home cooking?" Harmoni blushed  "I don't have one" she replied trying to stop her voice from coming out as a squeak "Why?" Derrin looked at her, she was very pretty. "I don't think that is any of your business, now if you'll excuse me I better get to work" Harmoni didn't like were this conversation was going. Derrin grunted, frigid he decided.

A week later and Harmoni had the night off and planned to see a movie. It was alright but if she had the choice she wouldn't have bothered but she didn't like the idea of staying in with Derrin he was having a strange effect on her. She was checking out a new clothing store. "Harmoni! how are you? boy It's been ages" Turning she was surprised to find her old friend standing there "Peter, how long has it been?" she squealed giving him a hug. "So what you up to these days" Harmoni filled him on her life up to now. "Derrin Talbot wow your lucky, he's a great writer, so sad when had the accident his fiancée was killed" Harmoni listened, that explained the eye patch and bad temper. After chatting for a while they agreed to met up the following week.

     

The next week Derrin sat reading he turned when Harmoni walked in the room, "Going somewhere nice?" he asked coolly. "Yes an old friend has moved back to town he has asked me out to dinner, I won't be late" Derrin had the feeling she was meeting a man "Better not, I have a heavy day planned tomorrow" Harmoni headed for the door without looking "Goodnight Mr Talbot" as she opened the door he called out "Goodnight Miss Granger, by the way I won't have strange men wandering around my apartment" he warned coldly. Horrid horrid man.

Standing in front of the mirror he looked at his face, the scars would fade in time, looking at the patch he scowled he hated it a constant reminder of the accident. Would woman find him attractive?, would Harmoni?

Pulling off the patch....

Looking up he flinched they had saved the eye, just but it was useless dead just like.... He was a mess, putting the patch back on he went to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of scotch.

Harmoni quietly closed the door and walked to her room... "Good night was it?" a voice snarled at her. Harmoni turned, her eyes went to his bare chest, it was well toned but not overly muscled she studied the tattoo did it have a meaning, she wondered what it was like to run her fingers through his chest hair following journey down to...her eyes stopped at the top of his jeans. Looking up she went red, he had been watching. "I take it wasn't that good a night" he smiled sarcastically.

"I do not have to answer to! but for your information Peter and I are old friends nothing more, we have known each other since childhood, why the hell I should tell you I don't know but there you go, you may be my boss but my private life is just that...private" Harmoni raged.

Derrin grabbed her waist pulling her close, his mouth met hers. Her body tingled her head swam she wrapped her arms round his neck, he did something to her that no other man had, he excited her. Derrin pulled her closer his tongue exploring her mouth while Harmoni moved in closer feeling the swelling in his jeans, she wanted more.

"My God!" Harmoni pushed him back, what had she done? Derrin chuckled, "Well that shut you up"

"I..err...I.." she wished the ground would swallow her. "Speechless as well I must try that again sometime" he sneered. "You...you..PIRATE" Harmoni screamed running to her room.

 Busy typing the following afternoon. "How you getting on?" Derrin asked "Fine" she replied keeping her eyes on the screen. He looked at her eyebrows raised, "I'm going to be away for the rest of the day in fact I won't be back till the morning" She nodded "I'll have this finished by the time you get back"

"Is that all you have to say?" he asked. "Goodbye Mr Talbot" Hearing the door close behind her she let out a sigh.

One thirty she should be asleep, going to the kitchen she made some hot chocolate hopefully that will help. Looking round she wondered why there was nothing personal about the apartment. "Any left for me?"

Harmoni jumped "I wasn't expecting you back" wishing she'd put on her dressing gown. "Did you think I was going to leave you alone here, now what would you have got up too I wonder" he sneered. "I don't know what you mean, Mr Talbot" her face turned red. "Don't you!, you and that Peter fellow would have had a fun time with the place to yourselves" he smirked. "Not all women jump into bed with every man she see's..Goodnight" what the hell did he think she was.

He watched her leave the room, that was nasty even for him. He hadn't seen her with her hair down before, he liked it the way it fell gracefully across her shoulders nearly touching her slim waist, the flimsy material of her nightdress revealing her silhouette in the light revealing her legs, he wondered what it would be like to have her thighs wrapped round his hips. "Harmoni wait"

He grabbed her shoulder turning her round, seeing the tears in her eyes he felt a right heel. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that" reaching to wipe a tear from her cheek. "Don't please" Harmoni begged, it was all to much, her feelings in turmoil. "Am I that much a monster?" he whispered huskily. "No! it's just that...I'm tired that's all, I wasn't expecting you back you surprised me"

"You blush so easily" Derrin whispered hoarsely watching the colour rush to her face. She tried to leave but he held her hand tight. "Goodnight Mr Talbot" His hand gently stroked her cheek "Derrin, call me Derrin" his voice sounded deeper "Derrin" He hardly heard her she spoke so softly, tilting her head up his face moved closer Harmoni closed her eyes and waited. "Goodnight Harmoni" letting go. Opening her eyes she looked at him confused had she done something wrong? "Goodnight Mr Talbot" she replied with defiance.

Derrin closed his door leaning against it, what the hell was he doing. He ran his hand through his hair, testing, that was it, seeing if he could put on the old charm and it seemed he could and it still worked.

It was a week since the incident and neither of them mentioned it. Harmoni found herself walking on eggshells trying to keep out of his way she was relieved when Derrin informed her that he had another of his headaches and so she had the day off. Flicking through the books she came across one written by Derrin, Secrets was the title, it was about a woman married but in love with another, sitting down she started to read. "So what do you think?"

"Mr Talbot, are you feeling better?" he seemed to make a habit of sneaking up on her. "Much thank you, well what do you think?" Putting the book back on the shelf she thought for a moment. "It's not what I normally read but yes I'm enjoying it" surprised by her own admission. "What do you normally read?" Derrin enquired. "I like comedy's too be honest I have never read anything like this before, I didn't think I would like it" Spending the next hour discussing anything from films to music they found they had similar tastes.

A few nights later Derrin sat reading, Harmoni came in from another date with Peter. "Have a nice time?" he asked coldly. "Yes I did actually Peter says there's an opening in the office he works in, he's going to see if he can get me an interview"  Derrin felt his chest tighten "I see, and what about me?" he asked trying to control his anger.

"What do you mean?" she looked at him confused. "I mean you have a job you work for me" he marched towards her his face twisted in anger. Harmoni stepped back "I know that but after when the book is finished" she stammered. "Just remember till then you work for me" Nodding she walked past him to her room trembling, what was wrong with the man, one minute he had her like jelly the next...she was terrified of him.

On the Friday Derin had an appointment to see a man a detective in the police force as it was research for another book Harmoni went with him to take notes. Afterwards they walked through the local park, children ran around yelling and laughing, mothers sat on the grass chatting, in the distance the sound of a lawn mower roaring into life. To anyone looking they were just another ordinary couple. "Your very quiet, thinking about your boyfriend" he smirked "I've already told you Peter is a friend" the joke was getting old "And why is that?"

Stopping outside the apartment block she sighed and turned to Derrin. "I don't have a boyfriend as I choose not to, there has never been anyone I would like to spend the rest of my life with" she told him honestly. "You just haven't met the right one yet" Harmoni didn't like the way this was going. "Do I ask about your girlfriends, how many you have had?" she demanded. "Which one would you like to discuss?" his face turned to stone. "I think I should get on with the typing after all that's what your paying me for"

Finishing the typeing she showered then went to the kitchen to start dinner. She was stirring the sauce when Derrin walked in. "Need any help?" he asked as he inhaled the wonderful smells coming from the pan. "No, it's nearly ready" turning to look at him, the sauce bubbled throwing a bit into the air hitting her on the hand. "OW" In a flash Derrin was at her side. "Let me have a look"

Taking her to the sink he ran her hand under the cold tap. "It seems to be ok" he said looking at it closely. Harmoni tried to control the shaking in her hand, God what his touch did to her.

Bringing her hand to his lips he gently kissed it. "That better?" Harmoni nodded her heart pounding. "We should eat" aware of the breathlessness in her voice. Derrin let go turning to fetch the plates.

Derrin was out so Harmoni decided to do some house work, after cleaning the bathroom she went to find some towels. Going to Derrin's room, he was not the tidiest man, clothes on the floor the bed unmade and bits of paper all over the place. Making the bed she picked up the paper putting them neatly on the dresser.

Picking up some clothes she folded them and put them away then started looking for the towels. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" a voice roared. Derrin was at the door his face like thunder. "I was..was looking for clean towels" she stammered looking at the floor.

"Lier! you were bloody snooping" he roared. "NO! no I wasn't I...I had just finished cleaning the bathroom and needed clean towels that's all" tears weld up in her eyes. "You were nosing, I know, how dare you enter my room you had no right" he stormed. "I'm sorry, I just...." Marching over he grabbed some towels and throwing them at her "Here, now get the fuck out"

Dropping the towels to the floor she ran, out the apartment, the building and down the street.