I'm really sorry for the long wait. Time went faster than I noticed. I hope you can enjoy this chapter too! :)

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Disclaimer: One Piece belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei.

The Way To Love

Chapter II – Feelings

Nami was sat at the deck, watching the beautiful starry sky above her head. Ever since she was a little girl she liked to watch the night sky, guessing the outlines of the constellations, marveling at how they could guide one's way through the sea. However, that night she only watched without really seeing. Her mind was somewhere else entirely. Everyone had gone into town, leaving her and Sanji to guard Merry. Two weeks had already passed since… Well, since he had caught her, and she didn't really know how to act around him when they were alone anymore.

That was precisely why she had never let herself fall to his charms before. Since that night, she caught herself thinking about him constantly. She even caught herself staring at him once! It was maddening. She could deal with him flirting with Robin, she was a nakama, after all, but just the thought of him flirting with some random girl made Nami angry – and after the anger had passed, it only made her sad.

"Nami-san, I brought you some cake." Sanji's voice took her out of her reverie.

"Thank you, Sanji-kun." She smiled, taking the plate with chocolate cake from his hands.

It was absolutely delicious, as usual.

"Are you okay, Nami-san? You seemed sad this last couple of days."

He really was giving his best, keeping their relationship as it always were, she could see that. However, little by little, she started to crave for more.

"Did I? I'm sorry… I guess I had too much in my mind."

Sanji creased his eyebrows in worry. He was afraid it was his fault, afraid he had pushed her too far even though it wasn't his intention. He sat next to her, keeping a safe distance between them.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

Nami blushed a little with the question, as it brought several images to her mind. She ate more of the cake to try and hide it.

"I'm fine, really, you don't have to worry about me."

Nonetheless, he did.

"This is the first time, isn't it?"

He gave her a puzzled look, at which she chuckled.

"That we've been alone since…" she hesitated. "That night."

"Oh." Was she… afraid of him or something? "Nami-san, you know I wouldn't… I mean, you don't have to…" He stumbled through the words. "I best get back to the kitchen."

However, Nami grabbed him by the wrist before he had the chance to leave.

"Don't be silly, that wasn't what I meant." She didn't look at him though, for her cheeks were burning with embarrassment.

She put the plate aside and as he sat back, she placed herself on his lap, wrapping her legs around him. She kissed him and he was very quick to respond, involving her with his arms as he brought her even closer to him.

"What I meant…" she hesitantly started when they parted, feeling her face redden all over again. "Is that I never said those things to anyone, not even my sister, so is embarrassing. To know that you know about that part of my past."

Sanji gently ran his hands on her cheek.

"You don't have to feel embarrassed. You were the victim, there is no shame in that."

"I know. Rationally, I know. However…"

"It's over. None of those bastards can ever do anything against you again. I bet you have grown strong enough to end them all by yourself."

She chuckled.

"I doubt that. But, thanks anyways, Sanji."

He smiled to her when he noticed she had dropped the honorific after his name. It was very nice to hear her say it. He had always wondered why she called him –kun while calling all the other male members of the crew solely by their names. He liked to think it was because he was somehow special to her, because she considered him better than the others. Anyway, it was just his imagination getting the best of him. All the silly things he did were just for show, because he was easily captivated by female beauty, because he liked to keep a light mood wherever he went. But once he'd had her… If she wanted to be his and let him be hers…

"I've been thinking…" She started, stuttering a little. "Of how I could repay you, but I really don't know much, so you'll have to teach me."

Sanji was taken aback. The kiss was already a surprise, did she really want to do more?

"You don't have to feel like you owe me, Nami." He said, just to guarantee.

"I know. I don't. I… I want to." Her blush deepened even more shades. "I want to make you feel as good as you made me feel that night."

She saw Sanji's eyes darken with lust as he brought her closer and kissed her hungrily. His heart was pounding heavily at his chest, crazy with the anticipation of being able to touch her again, of being touched by her. He got up, holding her firmly by the thighs. Nami held on to him and let him take her to the bedroom.

They fell into the mattress, with her on top. Sanji seemed awfully happy with the arrangement.

"You don't really have to know anything, Nami." He whispered. "Just do what you want, try me, I'll let you know if something doesn't feel good or if something feels too good."

Nami only nodded. She wondered what awaited her under his clothes, and was actually quite eager to discover. She first got rid of his tie and vest, and then started to slowly undo the buttons on his shirt. He had just the right amount of defined abs and arms' muscles – not bulky, but also not too thin. Nami let her hands wander a little bit, feeling him, testing how he felt under her palms.

Sanji just closed his eyes and surrendered to the sensations. He felt her fingers tease his nipples with light pinches, which made a groan leave his throat.

Nami giggled. She kissed him, feeling as Sanji's hands slid from her back to the wrist, stopping there. They pressed her lightly, and she found out it felt rather nice to have his strong hands holding her like that.

Slowly, she made a path of hot kisses from his jaw to the neck, licking and nipping alternately.

"I wonder if I should take my revenge…" she chuckled.

"What do you mean?" he asked, his mind beginning to get foggy with desire.

"You left me with a hickey. I went through hell because of it. Chopper kept asking me if I wanted him to check it for me, and I had to laugh and tell him silly things like I slipped and landed with my neck on a table, which, of course, makes no sense at all. But, poor Chopper, he is practically a baby…"

Sanji laughed.

"You can give me a hickey, if you want." His smile turned into a devilish grin. "You can pretty much do anything you want with me, Nami."

Nami shivered. When he talked like that… Gods, it was too damn sexy.

She lowered her mouth back to his neck, playfully biting it. She ran her tongue slowly on the spot she wanted and then started to suck it lightly. When she was done, a deep purple bruise was looking at her. It wasn't as big as the one he had left on her, but it made her smile nonetheless. Now, everyone would see he wasn't free for the taking.

The thought surprised her. Was she really that possessive already? Oh, Gods, she really was doomed, wasn't she? To feel like that for someone like Sanji… It was like purchasing a ticket to the amusement park of bitterness. She shoved the thought aside and focused on him once more. She didn't need to think of any of that – at least not at that specific moment.

She ran her hands down his abs and stomach until his pants. She unbuckled the belt and undid the zipper. She removed the garment, and his underwear immediately after. She held her breath for a moment as she faced his full arousal. Tentatively, she placed a hand around it, slowly jerking it up and down. Sanji moaned.

"Nami…"

It felt quite empowering to listen him called her like that – filled with desire and lust. She had him on her hands, he was all hers for the taking.

Still moving her hand up and down, she descended her lips to the tip and gave it a quick lick. Sanji groaned in pleasure and grabbed her hair, as if he needed something to hold onto. She did it again, descending through his length. She swallowed a bit of pre-cum. It tasted bitter, but she could take it. Deciding it was time, she accommodated all she could take in her mouth, pacing her hands in time with her sucking.

Sanji groaned loudly. He still couldn't quite believe Nami was doing that to him. His hold on her hair tightened. He was getting there fast…

Nami heard him moan before his fluids began to fill her mouth. She swallowed it all down and smirked. It felt empowering to know she was responsible for all the pleasure he had felt.

Sanji pulled her to him and kissed her passionately.

"You'll be the death of me." He whispered.

She smiled and curled up next to him.

"Was I any good?"

He laughed.

"It's hard to believe it was the first time you did that."

"Good."

He smiled tenderly to her, running his finger through her hair. He let themselves stay in that position for a few minutes, giving his body time to recover from the ecstasy. He could feel she was starting to doze off into sleep. He quickly shifted, getting on top of her.

"It's your turn now." He smirked devilishly to her.

She opened her eyes lazily.

"But that's not fair."

He raised his eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

"Last time I was the only one to get an orgasm. Now it's your turn."

Sanji laughed.

"Nami, nothing can possibly make me happier than being able to touch you."

She smiled, feeling warm inside. However, Sanji could see she was just about to fall asleep. He smiled. She looked like an angel relaxed like that. He put his boxers back on and laid beside her, pulling the covers over them.

Unconsciously, she accommodated her body to his.

Sanji just ran his fingers through her hair, enjoying the feeling of having her by his side. He didn't want to push her, but he really wanted to know what it meant to her. He didn't want that to be a casual thing – he wanted all of her, and all to himself. Yet, he wouldn't confront her about it. For now, it was enough. He thought she would never want that kind of intimacy with him again, yet, there they were…

"I love you, Nami."

He whispered the words even though he knew she wouldn't hear them. It was very true, though. He might flirt around, but she was the one who was special to him. She was the one he loved and would forever love.