(Arata)
Love consus you, they say; like a full tide, it sweeps you away, pulling you under into the undertow, filling your lungs with salty water—you gasp, struggle to breathe, your limbs moving desperately, kicking, and yet you give in.
Struggling against the tentacles of love as it wraps itself around you, sucking and feeding on your raw emotions.
And then.....You surrender—hoping it won’t crush your heart fully.
Those were the kinds of feelings bubbling in my rapidly beating heart as Karsten sauntered forward, taking elegant steps.
Asbela quickly vacated the seat and stood up. Karsten advanced directly towards and to my utter astonishnt, lowered himself and placed a chaste kiss on the top of my head.
I lted like chocolate under the sun. His calming essence settled deep into my bones and I dreamt of his lips lingering in my hair.
"How are you?" He asked ever so gently.
"Better," I was barely able to choke out as he moved away and settled in the other chair.
Mustering enough courage, I lifted my gaze to glance in his direction, and his midnight eyes flickered with many emotions.
I flashed him an awkward smile which he returned. The tension thickened between us.
"Master, would you like so tea?" Asbela asked, interrupting our staring.
"No, get so water. I will be taking my smoothie in two hours after I have hit the gym." Asbela gave a respectful nod and retreated towards the villa, leaving us alone.
His eyes wavered to the dish full of tarts and he asked with a wrinkle on his forehead.
"Why haven’t you eaten? Not good?"
I quickly shook my head and explained.
"No, I just had breakfast, so I wasn’t hungry. Just wanted so tea."
The wrinkle on his forehead didn’t disappear.
"You should try one." Leaning forward, he used the spatula to pick up a strawberry tart and placed it in front of while pointing.
"Eat."
Ever the bossy boss, he needed to act.
"I will if you share it with ."
The Karsten I had t in the beginning would have refused but he calmly said while leaning forward in his chair and picking up the fork.
"Done." He had promised he would share one food with daily and I guessed he rembered that promise.
Artfully he cut the tart in half and then into quarter pieces. Taking the two for himself he left the other two for . Embedding the fork into bite-sized pieces he placed the plate right in front of .
"Should I help?" He asked, his stretched hand remaining near my plate so he could if I needed assistance.
And all I could think was how his very hands had pleasured last night. My earlobes burnt from the mories.
His cuffs had been rolled up to reveal his veiny arms and my eyes lingered.
"No, I will manage. Thank you."
He propelled himself back at my words, picked up a small piece, and placed it inside his mouth.
I did the sa while nervously tugging my hair behind my ear. The silence felt awkward and all I could think about was the intimate monts we had spent together, making my cheeks burn even brighter than the strawberries on this tart.
"How was the office? You returned early?" I asked to break this stretching awkward silence and to put my mind out of those images.
"Well, we are about to enter December in a day, so the focus is on the Winger Gala. Today, we started the rehearsal for the ramp walk." He placed the plate back on the table, having finished the tart, and faced .
"I can really use your opinion. Let know when you feel like returning to the office."
It was fruitless to stay ho; at least in the office, I could be near him and carry out the required tasks, giving my opinions for the Winter Gala.
"I can start tomorrow. Don’t want to sit idle at ho."
Grabbing a napkin, Karsten wiped his face before asking. His gaze held onto mine, making my skin tingle in the most delectable ways.
"Are you sure? You can take more days off if you feel like it."
"No, I will feel better going to the office." Picking up the tart with the fork I bit into it, tasting the hard, soft, creamy and tangy textures together.
Tarts were a treat, and on any other day, I would have loved to eat two more, but today, my intestines seed to have twisted.
Karsten’s face softened at my words as if my words had thawed the ice around his features.
"Great, let’s head inside. I can use your help with my workout session." Getting up he ambled towards , taking my arm to help up.
His touch stirred my heart like a broken stereo that played an old sad song.
The desires erupted like stars in the night sky and I could only hope that my heart wouldn’t burst like one of those stars going supernova.
I wasn’t sure how I was going to be of any help to him, but watching him work out would surely be a treat I didn’t wish to miss.
He led towards a different part of the villa, a large room with glass doors and tons of workout machines.
Treadmill, shoulder, leg and chest press, dip machines, weights and many others, whose nas I had no clue about.
This place was Karsten’s heaven, with huge sound systems, a flatscreen and a vending machine with energy and protein bars. The walls were dull with a combination of black and grey.
"Nice, looks like a page right out of your book," I teased, glancing around. He slowly shook his head at , knowing how boring I found his choice of colours.
"Yeah! But the dullness keeps focused."
There were a few benches, so Karsten guided towards one and said.
"Sit, I will be back after changing."
I nodded and took a seat while Karsten disappeared into the changing room. I fumbled with the music system and put on "Demons In My Soul" from his collection.
The door to the changing room opened, and Karsten erged dressed in a black skin-hugging muscle tank top, sweatpants and a pair of cross trainers.
Every muscle in his body was on display under the fabric and I couldn’t help but greedily stare and stare.
Swiping a hand in his damp hair, he brushed it away from his forehead and then his gaze, which shone like black silk, swivelled towards .
All the restraint I had been begging my body to show left in that instant, and it took all my courage to not jump his skin.
But the handso devil I had as a boss had other plans; he made his way straight towards ; bending down, Mr Ice placed each arm beside my body and leaned forward until our faces were level.
"Ready to sit on my back while I do push-ups?" He asked so casually as if it was an everyday occurrence, and I had no clue where to look except the smoked embers that were his eyes.
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