Ashlok SS: Love Only Once EPILOGUE pg. 108 4/5 - Page 35

Awesome update and beautifully written 👏

Chapter 17

Astha put the tray on the table, she glanced at Shlok, still sleeping in his slumber sleep. She didn't wake him this morning, keeping in mind that he was exhausted last night from the storm, she clearly remembered the moment his head touched the pillow, he went to deep sleep, that was after he wrapped her in his arms. She ought to wake him, since it's already past noon. She walked around the bed, a small smile tucked on her lips as she took a slow tour of his magnificent body through her eyes. He was lying on his back, one arm tucked behind his head and the other resting on his waist, one leg bent and the other straight, both tangled in the sheet, his chest bare, hair tousled, his face innocent like a child.

"You can do more than just look." She heard him say.

She drew in breath, and sharply accused "You were awake!"

He opened his eyes and grinned, "Just awoke. I'm glad I did or I wouldn't have known my little cabin boy desiring me without me noticing."

She blushed fervently and replied "I wasn't doing anything of the sort."

He raised his brow and asked "Weren't you?"

She tighten her lips and gritted out "Well, whatever. The food is ready, eat it before it gets cold."

He chuckled and pulled her, she was half lying on his chest, her feet dangling in the air. He wrapped his arm against her waist and pulled her further until she was completely lying on top of him.

"What the---?" Astha started.

"Sshh. I want to say something to you."

"The position was necessary?" She asked sarcastically.

He grinned but then sobered and replied "Of course because what you're going to say will decide whether this is my last time to hold you like this."

She gave him a baffled look, not understanding him, what I'm going to say?

"I guess I'm not liking what you're going to say."

"Well, I know you won't but there's a reason and I hope you'll understand, but whatever you decide I'll accept. First of all, I want to apologize for taking something very precious to you without your permission, I meant your virginity. I know you regretted that first time, I don't blame you although I felt bad but still I understand, I took something very precious and irreplaceable. I shouldn't have took advantage of you, you were innocent, I should've asked you, you did ask me if it was right thing, I was so caught up in desire, so I shrugged it away and gave no more thought because I knew it wasn't the right thing. Then when you awoke that morning, and said you regretted, then I felt guilty over taking advantage of you but I was so busy keeping my hands off, I never got a chance to apologize, that was one of the reasons I ignored you because when ever I look at you, I feel guilty and last night again I was so busy in my desire and I was so exhausted that I forget to apologize. Now I want to ask you, do you really want to continue our relationship?"

"I wouldn't have asked you last night if I didn't want. But I'm so glad you asked and you apologized although I think you shouldn't because I allowed you. Even though I was innocent, I knew what was happening yet I didn't stop, I knew you would've stopped if I asked, wouldn't you?"

"Thank God, you didn't but yes I would have."

"So it wasn't entirely your fault, don't be guilty."

"Thank you for forgiving me. But there's this another confession I must make and I must apologize, I know this is a lot bigger than the first one and you may not forgive me, still I would accept."

She nodded and listened.

"Well, how should I start. When we met at the tavern, I knew you were a women and I was the one who ordered my crew to bring you in the ship."

She stiffened, her smile vanished and kept her stare at him.

"Release me." She said coldly.

Shlok groaned inwardly, it's harder to explain when she's angry.

"Honey, I can explain---"

"I don't want to listen how you made a fool of me."

"That's not true, I wouldn't do that to you. You---"

"That's what you did, you bloody giant!" She said furiously as she wiggled to get out of his hold.

He tighten his grip and said "I won't let you go unless you hear everything."

"Damn you, Shlok! I'll scream!"

"Do so then the whole crew will discover your gender." He warned.

"Damn it! You---"

He rolled over, bringing her under him and kissed her deeply, passionately. She struggled at first but then gave in and kissed him back.

"That was a dirty trick." She said when he released her lips.

"But it worked." He replied with a smile.

"Please let me explain, Astha. I promise I won't bother you again, just once listen to me."

She looked away and replied "Explain but get off me first, you're crushing my bones."

"Oh sorry, Is it better now?" He said as he shifted his weight on his arms rather on her.

She nodded.

"Let's start from the beginning, I wouldn't have noticed you were a women if I hadn't touched your breast mistakenly."

"So you've noticed that time!"

"Yes. I got curious on your disguise and wanted to know more about you. By the way, I did notice you gaping at me when I entered the tavern, I was so glad, ah, now don't be blushing---"

"I'm not blushing, I'm furious!"

He grinned and replied "I forgot you turn red when you're furious. Ok, I wanted to know more about you and I wanted you out of the tavern before anyone else noticed you, it was so risky for you to be there with out any protection, so I asked Anshul to stop fighting, but then you kicked me hard, you know how painful was that, especially at that place, are we furious again?, sorry sorry, I went back and asked questions about you, no one knew who you were, I was disappointed and that was our last days in America. When we were leaving and everything was ready, I got to know my cabin boy went off with out giving me any notice, I needed one, then I saw you there. You wouldn't know how happy was I to find you there and that was the only chance I had, if I hadn't bring you in my ship, I would've lost you completely and I didn't want that. I wasn't thinking clearly, I only wanted you with me and I had less time, so I grabbed the opportunity that fell on my lap. That is one of the reason, the other is you were the only women whom I pursued rather than the other way around, they ask, I merely give in to them. But with you I did the pursuing, which I always wanted, there's no women I've pursued. You are different and you don't weep, I hate tears, it makes me guilty, that is my weakness and women's strongest weapon, hey, don't smile, if I see you using that trick, I'm gonna punish you!"

"Huh? How are you gonna punish me, beat me? spank me?"

"I would cut off my hand before I lay a hand on you. Don't interrupt I'm not finish yet."

"I didn't. But you don't need explain anymore, I understood your point, but I wasn't angry on bringing me in this ship."

"I was angry from what you put me through, if you knew I was a women, you shouldn't have slept naked! Asked my assistance in bath! You know how hard it was for me to not look at you when all I wanted was look at you!"

He kissed her cheek and replied "Does it matter now, I did want you to look at me." he nibbled her neck "to touch me, to feel me, to want me. You don't know how much crazy I am about you."

She would've gotten angry if he told her from the beginning and stayed away from him, but not now when she already know him and fell head over heels for him. Besides she also lied to him, so she can't be a hypocrite, she will tell him the truth too, but not now when she is having her merry time feeling his lips against her body.

She beam with joy whenever she recall his words,

"you were the only women whom I pursued"

"Does it matter now, I did want you to look at me."

"to touch me, to feel me, to want me. You don't know how much crazy I am about you."

Perhaps, he is already in love with her but doesn't realize yet, if his words doesn't imply confession then she would think otherwise.

"A rake makes a better husband only if a girl can catch his heart not eye but his heart. If they settle down, they do just that, remain faithful."

Have I caught the heart of the Captain of this ship, of the most notorious rake, Shlok Agnihotri?

She would want an answer for that.