Pirate: Crew of Desire and Bonds

A short while later...

The small cabin was filled with the faint scent of sweat and their mingled fragrance.

”Hmm~Hmm~”

Grace sat on the edge of the bed, humming softly with a bright, radiant smile on her face as she slowly buttoned up her shirt.

Her cheeks were still flushed, and her golden hair was slightly messy, but she looked incredibly happy and satisfied.

Jake leaned back against the headboard, completely naked from the waist up, a satisfied glow on his face.

He absentmindedly flexed his arm, staring at the spot where a deep bruise had been earlier.

’Just like Barbara said...’ he thought, eyes widening slightly in realization. ’I healed quite a bit faster during that time with Grace.’

A small smirk tugged at his lips.

’Maybe that’s why I never seem to get tired at all when I’m intimate with her... The Sex Fiend skill probably keeps regenerating my stamina the whole time, and it becomes a never-ending loop.’

He glanced over at Grace, who had just finished buttoning the last button, though her shirt still looked deliciously tight across her chest.

Grace noticed his gaze and tilted her head cutely, smiling shyly.

”Jake...? You’re staring again.”

Jake chuckled. ”Can’t help it. You look too good right now.”

Grace giggled happily, but then her eyes suddenly widened as she remembered something.

”Ah!”

She quickly turned and reached for the bowl of soup she had brought in earlier.

When she touched it, her expression turned wry.

It had gone completely cold.

Grace smiled awkwardly as she realized she must have lost track of time while bonding with Jake.

Her cheeks flushed again at the thought.

Just then, Jake reached out from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her gently back against his chest.

”What’s wrong?”

Grace leaned back into his embrace, still holding the cold bowl.

”The soup... it’s completely cold now,” she said with a small, embarrassed laugh. ”I was supposed to make sure you eat and recover, but... I got distracted.”

Jake couldn’t help but laugh warmly.

He hugged her a little tighter from behind and kissed the side of her neck.

”Haha, it’s my fault too,” he said with a grin. ”I was way too energetic just now. Couldn’t keep my hands off you.”

As he spoke teasingly, his hand slipped underneath her shirt and boldly lifted one of her massive breasts, feeling its incredible weight and softness overflowing in his palm.

Grace let out a cute, surprised squeak.

”J-Jake...!”

She turned her head to look at him, her lips forming an adorable pout as she tried to look angry.

”You’re teasing me again...” she mumbled, her voice soft and pouty, though the way she leaned back into his chest betrayed how much she actually enjoyed his touch.

”Mean Captain...”

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After a short, sweet intimate moment of him holding and teasing her, he kissed the back of her neck one last time and slowly pulled away.

He stood up and began dressing, pulling on his pants and shirt while stretching his body.

After adjusting his shirt, Jake turned back to Grace.

”By the way... how long was I out?” he asked, his voice curious. ”It felt like a long time... but I’m not sure.”

Grace blinked, then tilted her head as she thought for a moment.

”You were unconscious for almost a full day,” she said softly. ”After that big fight... you lost a lot of blood and your body was badly hurt. I was really scared.”

Her golden eyes softened with lingering worry as she remembered the sight of an injured Jake.

”But it was thanks to that golden healing potion that person named Henry gave me before we left. It worked really well... your wounds closed much faster than I expected. I used all of it on you while you were unconscious and then Garrick helped arrange the cabin and medic to look after you. .”

Jake nodded slowly, listening to everything.

”I should thank Henry properly if we meet him again later. First he helps us escape, then he gives you that powerful healing potion... I’ll make sure to repay him someday.”

Grace nodded in agreement, her expression warm. ”Yes, we should thank him properly. He was surprisingly kind to us...”

She suddenly paused, as if remembering something.

Then she coughed lightly before continuing with a slightly embarrassed smile.

”Actually... before we left, Henry told me that the golden healing potion is very expensive so... we’re going to owe him big time.”

At those words, Jake laughed weakly.

He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit helpless as he was almost broke right now.

”Haha... yeah. We really do owe him big time. Let’s just hope it isn’t too expensive.”

Grace looked at him with gentle, understanding eyes.

”We’ll figure it out together, Jake. I’ll help however I can!”

After a short while, Jake and Grace finished sorting their clothes into proper form.

Jake adjusted his shirt one last time and asked, ”Do you know where Garrick is? I want to personally thank him for taking care of us.”

Grace tilted her head cutely for a moment, thinking.

”I think he’s usually near the storage area or helping on the deck during this time.”

Just as she finished speaking—

BOOM!

The entire ship suddenly trembled violently.

And a deep, powerful vibration ran through the wooden deck beneath their feet, causing the lantern on the wall to swing wildly and a few small items to fall off the table.

”Kyaa—! Jake?!”

Grace let out a startled yelp and instinctively grabbed onto Jake’s arm for balance.

Jake’s body tensed immediately.

His instincts kicked in as he steadied Grace with one arm while his other hand shot out to grab the wall for support.

”What the hell was that...?” he muttered, eyes narrowing.

The ship continued to rock unsteadily for a few more seconds before slowly stabilizing.

Shouts and hurried footsteps could be heard from the deck above.

Jake’s expression turned serious.

”Something’s wrong. Come on, let’s go check it out.”

He quickly finished adjusting their balance and took Grace’s hand firmly, leading her toward the cabin door.

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[Here an illustration of Vivian Lock:]