Seduction Upon A Voyage

Chapter 9

Roarke looked up in time to see a broken yardarm swung Charles overboard. He struggled to the railings but she had already disappeared into the sea. Roarke cried out in anguish before pivoting around. He grabbed the ropes closest to him, tied it around his waist, and plunged into the frigid water after her. 

Roarke was met with darkness and bitter frost. He didn't care. All he could think about was the lifeless form of Charles being swung over. Each dive he took, the harder it was for him to breath. His lung was burning. His muscles ached. Still, he continued to search for her in the bottomless ocean. Roarke pressed on. He wouldn't give up on her! He would never give up! Not until she was safe in his arms.

Finally, when Roarke's body was wearied with exhaustions, he surfaced with Charles in his arms. The worst of the storm passed, leaving Roarke and Charles floating safely upon the murky sea. They were pulled onto deck by the drained sailors. 

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Roarke looked at the sleepy form of Charles. Some color was coming back to her cheeks. She didn't looked as pale as when he first pulled her out of the water. It'd been two days since she slept. And he'd been with her at all times, taking breaks only when nature necessitated. He'd fell asleep holding her hands at night and woke to her sleeping figure in the morning. Sometimes, Roarke thought she continued in slumber on purpose, to spiked him. For he knew he'd treated her badly. 

Roarke had never been so furious in his life when learning of her deception. His ego was hurt. His pride was shattered. All the deceives he'd faced in his life only led him to her frauds. He'd thought he was immuned, protected against these feelings. But only when Charles had meant so much to Roarke did he learned of her betrayal. And he did cherished her. He enjoyed spending time with her. He cared for her more than he'd cared for any person, even when he didn't know she was a girl. That's why her betrayal had grazed him the most. He could think of nothing except wanting to hurt her like she did him. And so he locked her in, away from his violences. 

There had been many times when he stood outside the door, wanting to go to her. Forgive all that she'd done to him and begged her to stay. He wanted to gave her another chance. He wanted to see her beautiful face full of cheeriness. He wanted to wiped away her tears and tell her it's alright. But it wasn't. He hated himself during those moments, his weakest. And so Roarke went to her door only to walked away again, each time hating himself more for his cowardices. 

He was surprised to hear her voice on the deck during that night. Roarke had never be so afraid in his life until he saw Charles thrown overboard. He'd thought she was safe. He'd thought she was locked in his cabin! To see her being swallowed by the vast murky sea, Roarke was horrified. Fear gripped his heart, twisting and squeezing, reminding him that he'd caused her this fate.

He continued searching for her under the colossal ocean even when the worst scenarios of her lifeless body flooded his mind. Only when he almost lost her did he understood how important she was to him. He realized he couldn't let her go now. This human--this intelligent, sharp-witted, brilliant person--was his to safeguarded. And he loved her. Yes. Roarke realized that too. He'd loved her since first meeting her in London.He loved her even when she was covered in filths. He loved her when he'd only knew her as Charles. He loved her smiles, her laughs, and especially her infatuation with nature. He loved the passion in her eyes when she talked about geology or plants. And he'd do anything for her to give him another chance. He'd treasured her for all that she's worth.

Charles squeezed his hand, bolting Roarke upright. He looked at her face and saw she was stirring. It was a moment before her eyes fluttered open.

"Roarke," she breathed with difficulty.

"I'm here," he said touching her cheek briefly. Giving her his strengths. 

Charles made to get up but Roarke pushed her gently down. 

"I want some water," she croaked. Roarke hurriedly poured some water into a cup and laid it on the table. He helped Charles up before giving her the water. She drank hungrily from the cup.

"Slowly love," Roarke said. Charles looked at him skeptically before signalling for him to put the cup away. He did quickly and came back to sit by her. Charles was still sitting up, leaning against the pillows. They stared at each other a long while.

Roarke put up his hand and stroked her cheek gently. "Do you know scared I was? I thought I was going to lose you. Don't ever do something so foolish again." He let the desperations shown in his voice. He leaned toward her, resting his forehead against her. He closed his eyes briefly.

"I...I couldn't face losing you either. I'm sorry," Charles said without explaining. Roarke knew what she was apologizing for.

"Oh love, never again. Do you know how much I regret treating you thus. I'd rather cut my own throat than let you be locked away from me a second time. I'm...I love you," he said, not getting used yet to such endearments. Roarke pulled back and looked deep into her eyes, "I love you Charles, do you hear? I love you." Roarke leaned back toward her.

"Charlene," she murmured when Roarke's lips were a fraction away from her. "My name. It's Charlene."

"Charlene?" Roarke said, tasting the sound of her name on his lips.

"Charlene," he whisper once more before closing the distant and covered her lips with his. It was as sweet at he'd fantasized. Roarke deepened the kiss, not getting enough of her. Charlene tilted her head to gave him better access. Roarke smiled against her lips. Just like his Charlene to trusted him so completely.

He lifted his other hand and cupped her face in his palms. He nudged her lips with his thumb, urging them to open. Charlene did without any resistance. Roarke sucked on her bottom lip greedily, invoking a gasp from her, before purging his tongue in. She moaned low in her throat sending waves of pleasures through his heart. She caught on quickly, copying his strokes with her tongue. Roarke could felt his body hardened to the point that it panged him. He let their tongues continued to duel for a few minutes before reluctantly pulling away. Charlene gave a sound of protest. They were both panting heavily.

"You need to rest," Roarke heaved. Charlene smiled before nodding her head shyly.

Roarke tugged her in, making she felt as comfortable as he could. He was about to get up when Charlene grabbed his hand, holding him firmly. He sat back down.

"I love you too, Roarke," she said in her most serious face.

Roarke kissed her forehead, lingering longer than he meant to. "I know, love. Now closes your eyes. I'll stay here till you falls asleep."

With a weak smile, Charlene closed her eyes. It was less than a minute before she fall asleep again. Roarke kissed her forehead once more. Now that Charlene was safe, there were much for him to do on deck.