Chapter 34: Put Me Down!

Tanaga pondered what to do for a few minutes before taking action. He quickly left the yacht and went after Ashley. As he approached her, he could hear her talking to herself.

She quietly moaned as she covered her face with her palms. She didn't see Tanaga behind her, where he was watching her, trying to hear what she was saying.

"Mom, Dad…Big Brothers…are you worried about me? I'm so sorry I haven't called. I'll find a way to call you tomorrow, I promise." She said aloud even though she knew they couldn't hear her. She continued to cry, missing her family more than she could bear.

Tanaga shook his head. He didn't know what to do or say. He didn't understand why she was so upset. He wished he could read her mind.

He went over the events of the day in his head. Had he done something or said something that had hurt her feelings? He didn't think he had. So, he just stood there helplessly, letting Ashley cry her heart out, waiting for her to quiet down.

After a while, Ashley finally stopped crying. She took a deep breath as if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. Then she muttered to herself loudly enough for Tanaga to make out the words.

"What else can I do? It's done and over. Mom and Dad always said to willingly accept what the Lord gives us because he knows exactly what we deserve. What can I do? This is what I've been given. I just have to accept it." She spoke strongly, trying to convince herself.

When she was finished contemplating and overthinking absolutely everything, she turned to head back to the yacht, when suddenly, thud!

"Aye! Santa Maria…" She ran right into Tanaga's toned chest. She was taken by surprise. She would have stumbled, possibly right into the water, if Tanaga hadn't put his arms around her waist and pulled her back to him.

"What are you thinking? If you want to throw yourself into the sea and commit suicide, can you at least wait until after the contract term is up?" Tanaga said, attempting to joke. He let out a sigh of relief, continuing to embrace her tightly with his arms around her waist.

'Jerk! Who do you think you are? I wasn't trying to kill myself. I wouldn't do that because of you.' Ashley screamed inside her head as she looked at him.

"If you're finished, it's late. And it's been a very intense night," Tanaga said, putting his hand on her leg. In one swift move, Tanaga picked Ashley up and put her over his shoulder like a bag of rice before he started walking back towards the yacht.

"Sir! Please! I'm fine. Please, put me down!" Ashley screamed as she thrust about, pounding her hands on his back, trying to make him put her down.

Tanaga acted like he didn't hear a word she said or feel her attempts to escape his grasp. We continued walking, boarded the yacht, and walked back to their quarters. Once they were inside their room, he slowly lowered her onto the bed.

As he laid her down, he lifted her arms above her head. He held her arms with his, making sure she couldn't move. She could feel his warm breath on her face and could feel his body so close to hers.

Their hearts were pounding in unison at what seemed like a hundred miles per hour.

Ashley opened her mouth to say something, but she cut off as Tanaga slowly pressed his warm lips to her and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. It was the sweetest, most delicious kiss ever.