SEA'S BRIDE (PHILMYTHO ROMANCE II)

CHAPTER 35

"What's wrong, woman? Why can't you look at me straight?" he asked that killed the awkward moment.

"Nothing," It really felt awkward being this close before his face. I can even sense his deep breathing from here and it's striking a low heat in my body.

"Were you upset that was I alive? Could it be that you were hoping I'd rather die?" his words surprised the hell out of me. How could he say that when he had just heard me grieve a moment ago thinking he really died.

"You got it wrong." I protested. I can't look at him. After all this time, he still sounded so cruel to me to think of me as an insensitive individual.

My position right now caused me so much disadvantage. His face is so close to me that I could even puff in his deep breathing. I can't believe he's just well-poised right now. He's too injured to even carry my weight on his lap. He's remarkably a strong man with a very strong physique. Being so close to him just triggers the heat that wishes to cease my entire body had he not moved to touch me with his finger.

"Then I want to hear it from your lips," He said stroking my lower lip. His rough thumb across my lip gave me a vibe that stirred up whatever is this 'something' inside my chest to want more. It's embarrassing to think how malicious can my mind think right this moment but he's enticing me enough that I can't help but have it in mind. His voice was too deep that the way he even added, "Say it, woman." in a low tone enthralled me swiftly.

It was pretty much hard to believe but my body, as if having its own mind, voluntarily extended my arms around him as I mumbled beside his ear, "I am grateful you have come to save me back there but right now, it's strange how I am so thankful knowing you are alive and safe." And then I buried my face on his strong and broad shoulders. And though he smelled disinfectants and topical antiseptic all over, my inner chest reminded me of the ignited feeling of having to pressed my body against him. It's obvious how he has stiffened his body out of surprise. Hopefully, he won't ruin the moment because this is overbearingly embarrassing. I understand that he must be dazed by my assertive reaction, because I, too, felt the same.

***

How did I end in this state?

If I can recall, it was I who took the initiative to wrap my hands around his shoulders to hug him. But before that, he was the one who actually pulled me into his lap. I had been triggered by the desire to uniting with him because of what this 'something in my chest pursues me to do. It was even what I believe was behind the reason my body moved on its own.

Amanikable has been recently becoming so fond of forcing me to sit on his lap and though my head wants me to rise and move away, that something instantly does its work to provoke me to surrender to its desire to be closer with him. It was like, the reunion of our bodies calms it down and soothes what it really wants and that is the man before me.

His oceanic-blue eyes were looking at me in a scrutinizing manner. They were so keen and eager for something. I have never seen him looking at me this passionate way before. Most of the time he would scare me away with his hideous glare and traumatic stares but right this moment is remarkably different from before. Then, his large hand makes way to climb beside my neck and lock me in his hand as he gradually moves my face closer to him, aiming to cease my mouth. Afraid to lose my balance, I urgently had my hands accidentally pressed on his chest. And this flinched him to make a low shriek sound of pain.

"Oh goodness, I'm sorry!" I jump off from him to stand on my feet as I saw him aching from what I just did.

"I'm fine," he groaned. Amanikable rose from his seat and walks closer to me. "You, woman, how are your wounds?" he suddenly asked. I'm surprised to hear

Wounds? And that's when I only noticed the bandages around my arms. I was too concerned about this man's well-being alone that I have completely forgotten about the wounds I received from that creepy sea creature. Amanikable took my right hand to have a closer look before saying, "Do you have any other wounds apart from this?" he asked. Was he really that concerned about me? Strange.

"Yes." I withdraw my face away from him as the burning sensation in my face is beginning to resurface. At this moment, I can't allow him to think that I am blushing because of him. That's a betrayal from what I truly feel because I despise this man. And just because he saved me once and risk his life will instantly mean that I will be affectionate to him already. I'd like to believe that this 'something' within me is trying to manipulate my emotions.

Amanikable let my hand go before making his quick steps back inside the infirmary bed to get his shirt. My attention was suddenly caught by the cadaver bag once again and wondered, If Amanikable didn't die, then who is this one inside the bag? Could it be that one of his men died while helping him?

"Did someone die from your men?" I can't help but ask when Amanikable finally returned.

"No," he promptly answered as he strides beside the cadaver bag to unzip what's inside, revealing a different corpse from what I thought was one of his men, and worst is that earlier I even thought it was him. I nearly puke seeing a breathless sea creature inside. Black fluids that could be its blood thickened across its chest. And it gave out a foul smell that is triggering me to feel extra nauseous.

"What is this creature? I've never seen this before." I asked him while covering my nose. I was trying hard to prevent myself from coughing as it would make me further inhale the virulent scent coming from the corpse. I was just thankful that Amanikable took the initiative to zip the corpse to seal it inside the bag once more. In a few more moments, the foul smell is already slowly dispersing.

And then Amanikable faced me to answer my query, "It's a Kataw--a cursed one." He said as he faces a disinfectant dispenser to cleanse his hands. Amanikable went to the medical cabinet and took out a piece of a clean towel to dry his hands.

"Curse one? Why? Aren't they hideous like this one?" curiosity revisits my temple once more and I didn't realize I was being chatty with the master of this household which I used to deny so much conversation between the two of us.

"No," He solely answered. Somehow, Amanikable abruptly sounded pretty reserved compared to how he was just a few moments ago. Is he upset? I wonder what took his peaceful presence to this somewhat distant vibe he is showcasing. It was like he was trying to find a way for me to go further being too inquisitive. It just left me to hope that he won't end up getting those frightening glares back on his face again for it's really traumatizing having to see it first hand, let alone we're just alone inside this room. Who knows what can he do to me? I might end up lying lifeless beside this creature--who attempted to take my life--as well.