He was looking around curiously now, somewhat slack-jawed. She couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking right now. His own cabin had seemed more like a closet to her, a closet that had to be shared with three other men. But here, well she had more room than she knew what to do with. That thought shamed her now. She had never realized how different her life was from most people's, had never really stopped to even think about it. Yet, despite their lack of wealth, most of the people she had met last night at the party seemed so much happier than those she normally associated with, and she found herself envying their happiness.
She watched Jack as he walked through the room, picking up this, touching that. He handled everything so carefully, as if he were afraid he would break it with a mere touch of his fingers. Then she remembered why she had brought him here in the first place, and her heart began to pound.
"Will this light do?"
He had obviously forgetton why they had come up here. "What?"
She looked at the drawing tools he was holding, and felt a moment of hesitation. Could she actually let him draw her like that? Not even Cal had seen her unclothed before - would Jack be disappointed? He had seen so many beautiful women in Paris, she was worried that she might not even compare to them.
She laughed, somewhat shakily. "Don't artists need good light?"
He swept his finger along the surface of the mantle and turned to her, grinning.
"Zat is true. But I am not used to working in such 'orreeble conditions."
Rose laughed. That had to be the worst imitation of a French accent she had ever heard. She was thinking of what to say next when he suddenly ran across the room, kneeling on the floor by the couch.
"Hey, Monet!"
She smiled broadly. That was the first time she'd heard someone other than herself get excited over a painting. She wasn't about to let the opportunity pass her by.
"You know his work?"
Jack, still staring fixedly at the painting, seemed a bit surprised at her question. "Of course." He continued to touch the painting in awe. "Look at his use of colour here, isn't he amazing?"
"I know."
She looked down at his eyes, which were glowing even more than they normally did. He truly seemed to be enraptured by the painting. She squeezed his shoulder briefly, then went over to the wardrobe. She heard Jack get up and follow her. When she walked up to the safe, she felt somewhat embarrassed just by it's presence in the room. What must Jack be thinking about her now?
Giving him an uncomfortable laugh, she started to turn the lock. "Cal insists on carting this hideous thing everywhere."
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him tense up at the mention of Cal's name. Kicking herself mentally, she opened the safe and took out the jewellery box containing the necklace.
The control was evident in his voice. "Should we be expecting him anytime soon?"
Walking out of the wardrobe, she saw him looking anxiously around the suite, as if looking for an escape.
She was worried that he might leave now, and was anxious to reassure him. "Not as long as the cigars and brandy hold out."
Shaking her head disgustedly, she realized that was the truth. Cal could spend hours socializing in that room, all the while expecting her to be content in her suite, alone.
She took the necklace out of it's case and walked over to show it to Jack.
Jack hesitantly reached out and took the necklace from her, holding it carefully by the edges. Rose saw his eyes widen at the size of it. He moved it around, watching the light reflect in it's depths.
"What is it, a sapphire?"
Rose smiled and sighed resignedly. "A diamond, a very rare diamond." Though she wouldn't have thought it possible, his eyes seemed to widen even further at her words.
She stepped closer to him, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "Jack, I want you to draw me like one of your french girls, wearing this."
She looked at his face to gauge his reaction. When his response was only a quiet "alright", she realized that he hadn't understood exactly what she meant. She tried to make herself calm down. This was it, once it was said, she couldn't very well change her mind.
She looked down at the floor, unable to look at him when she said it.
"Wearing only this."
She looked up at him just in time to see his head whirl toward her, shocked. Rose smiled self-conciously at him, afraid he would say no.
He was still looking at her in shock. "Rose, I....um, are you sure?"
She reached up and squeezed his hand. "Yes. You have things you have to get ready?"
His blue eyes, normally so clear and confident, suddenly looked so vulnerable. "Uh huh."
She couldn't help but smile mischieviously at him, enjoying his discomfort. She reached out and took the necklace from him, dangling it in front of his eyes, reminding him of just how little she was going to be wearing. She turned and headed for her bedroom.
"Rose, wait!" When she looked at him inquiringly he looked anxiously at the door. "What if Cal does come looking for you?" Rose grinned at him. "Well then, you'd better go and lock the door then, hadn't you?" At his nod, she went into the bedroom.
Just before she shut the door, she leaned her head out into the room. "I'll be ready in a few minutes."
Once she had the door shut, the cocky grin disappeared from her face, and she sat down on her bed, trying to calm her rapid breathing. This was something she really wanted to do for him, and for herself. She trusted him, with her very life even, why should this be so difficult? Standing up suddenly, she looked in the mirror, steeling herself. She quickly undressed, not worrying about where she was laying her clothes. Removing the corset, she released a quick sigh of relief when she felt the restricting clothing loosen.
Now fully undressed, she stood before the mirror again, checking her reflection. She picked up "The Heart of the Ocean" from where it lay on the bed and fastened it around her neck, it was surprisingly heavy. She reached for her robe, not bothering to tie it around her waist - she wouldn't be wearing it for long anyway. Reaching up, she took the butterfly comb out of her hair, shaking her head to send the long strands tumbling to her shoulders. Smiling at her reflection one last time, she headed for the door, opening it slowly.
Rose peeked out around the corner of the door. Jack was staring intently at his tools as he worked, seeming not to be aware of her watching. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door all the way, smiling as Jack's head shot up, startled. Rose grinned at him as she twirled her belt around in the air, causing Jack to break out into a grin himself. Slowly, she sauntered over to where he was sitting, smiling mischieviously.
"The last thing I need is another picture of me looking like a porcelain doll" Vividly remembering their talk on the deck yesterday, she held out a dime. "As a paying customer, I expect to get what I want." Jack smiled up at her, looking pleased. She tossed the dime at him, watching as he caught it, his hand closing tightly around it.
The smile suddenly left her face as she backed away from him, heart pounding fiercely. They looked at each other for a moment, neither one knowing what else to say. Rose parted the robe slowly, letting it fall gracefully to the floor. Jack looked so stricken, it was almost funny. She couldn't quite believe it, but he actually seemed more nervous than she was. She moved her hands in front of her, barely resisting the urge to cover herself. Jack was still looking at her, wide-eyed. Raising one of his hands, he gestured towards the couch, trying to find his voice.
"Over there on the bed....." He looked horrified at the slip, Rose grinned. "I......I mean the couch."
She nodded and walked over to the couch, sitting down awkwardly. Trying to find a suitable position, she lay back, putting her hand back behind her head. Sitting up again, she looked at him questioningly.
"Tell me when it looks....right." She didn't have to wait long for her answer. He was looking at her like a man possessed, his eyes glowing.
"Put your hand back the way you had it."
She moved her hand back to where she had first put it, resting it on the pillow. Her other hand fluttered around, not sure where it should go.
"Put that other hand right there, by your face."
Rose placed it on the pillow beside her, staring at him intently.
Nodding to himself, Jack picked up his pencil. He adjusted his sketchbook in front of him, clearing his throat as he did so.
Looking up at her again, he gestured towards his eyes. "Eyes to me, keep them on me." Rose smiled softly at the intense look on his face. "And, try to...stay still." He smiled sheepishly at her, as he realized that he was the one who was fidgeting.
As his pencil touched the paper, his smile disappeared, and his face took on an intense look that she had never seen before. His awkwardness of moments before had disappeared entirely and the artist in him had taken over. Still, she couldn't resist.
"So serious."
Jack gave her a tiny smile, then went back to his work. Rose found it hard to believe how content she was, just watching him draw, his blue eyes looking up at her every few seconds. She saw a faint blush on his face, and knew immediately why. Odd, he had seemed so nonchalant about those drawings of the girls in Paris.
"I believe you are blushing Mr. Big Artiste." He blushed even further at her comment, seeming a bit embarrased. "I can't imagine Monsieur Monet blushing."
Jack stopped drawing and looked at her briefly, eyes shining, saying drily. "He does landscapes."
Rose couldn't stop the grin from spreading across her face.
Jack chastised her gently. "Stop moving."
She licked her lips, uttering a quick apology. A feeling she had never known before rushed through her. Similar to how she had felt on the bow of the ship, but much more intense.
"Rose?" She looked at Jack, startled out of her thoughts. He had put down his pencil, and was smiling gently at her. He had finished already? He looked down at the drawing, then back up at her again. "Do...do you want to look at it now?"
Surprised by his nervousness, she got up from the couch, once again wrapping the robe around herself. Walking up behind him, she looked at the drawing. It was astonishing, almost as if he had looked into her very soul, and drawn what he had seen. Words almost seemed too inadequate to describe it.
"Jack, it's beautiful." Her voice was soft, as if she was afraid to disturb the wonder of the moment with any sound above a whisper. "Would you date it for me? I don't want to ever forget this day."
Jack smiled up at her, then picked up his pencil, finishing off the drawing with a quickly scrawled JD. He closed the portfolio and held it out to her, smiling.
"Thank You."
In those two words, she was thanking him for more than just the drawing. She was thanking him for saving her, and for caring. Rose reached out and grabbed it gently, leaning down to kiss him as she took it out of his hands. She felt him grin and tighten his grip on it, as he kissed her harder.
Giggling, she tried to pull it out of his hand. She felt his other arm come around her waist, pulling her towards him. He broke off the kiss, pulling her until she fell onto his lap, laughing.
Jack stopped grinning and looked at her intently. Handing her the portfolio again, he let her take it this time. She took it, smiling gratefully at him. He placed his hand behind her neck, stroking her hair. Leaning towards her, he kissed her on her forehead. Rose shifted in his lap, leaning her head on his shoulder while he held her.
The ship sailed on into the night.
