Chapter 34

"Gentle boy."

Ajay laughed and tugged on Pagan's hair once more. "Faster!"

Pagan let out a chuckle and began jogging with young Ajay sitting on top of his shoulders. Having several months to recover from his injury made him once again, Ajay's favorite play buddy. His playful manner made Ajay giggle and clutch a clump of the king's hair even tighter. Ishwari lingered behind on the path they were following. Afternoon walks had become one of Ajay's favorite things to do. The now eleven-month-old Lakshmana began to giggle at the sight of her big brother and father playing. Ishwari eventually was able to catch up after Pagan had removed Ajay from his shoulders and was now heaved over, trying to catch his breath.

"You going to be okay?" She laughed.

Glancing up at the mother of his children he smiled. "I think I may be out of shape dear."

"I think you're in fine shape. Your downfall is you're competing with a three-year-old." She handed Pagan the small canister of water she had strapped around her torso "He'll always have more energy than you."

"That's for sure." Pagan laughed before gulping down the liquid. Handing the water back to Ishwari, he spoke once more. "Just wait until our daughter is able to run too. Then we will have a predicament on our hands." He started jogging once more, in attempt to catch up with Ajay, who ventured away from his parents. Pagan turned and called out to Ishwari. "Better practice chasing them now!"

Ishwari smiled and glanced down at her daughter. "You won't be as rambunctious as your brother, will you?"

They neared the end of their daily evening stroll. Ajay had finally calmed down and walked beside Pagan, holding onto his hand with Ishwari being on Pagan's other side, her arm wrapped around his. Even though he had been sweating from his playtime with Ajay, his familiar fragrance still overpowered every other scent. His beautiful blond locks still laid perfectly in place. As she watched the king beside her, she wondered how she had become so blessed for such a flawless man to choose her, when he could easily have had any other woman in the world.

"You're doing it again." Pagan smiled as he glanced over at Ishwari's stare.

Ishwari blushed. She really needed to stop zoning out so much when admiring the man she loved. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize dear. I actually enjoy it." He pulled her closer to him as they continued walking back towards the palace. "What were you thinking about?" he asked.

"I'm just not sure how I ended up so lucky. Why you would choose me."

Pagan smiled once more and shook his head. "Ishwari, do you remember that first night we sat and talked over dinner?"

"Yes?" Ishwari answered, her tone more of a question.

"Afterwards I walked you home and I kissed you. It was our first kiss."

Ishwari smiled. It was one of her fondest memories. "I remember."

Pagan took a deep breath before speaking. "At that moment, I knew I would never love anyone else. It's why I was such a wreck the days after. I didn't know how to act because I had never felt that before. Ishwari, I didn't choose you, because quite frankly there was never a choice to be made. It was always you and it will always be you."

Ishwari's eyes watered. She needed to remember to add "incurable romantic" to the many ways he was perfect.

The palace became larger the closer they approached. Eventually, Ishwari noticed two people outside facing one another. They held hands and smiled and laughed. Their joyful expressions couldn't help but effect Ishwari. Shanna and Pavel really did make a beautiful couple. She stopped walking and tugged on Pagan. "Let's go around to the side doors. Our lovely friends seem to be having a moment. I don't want to intrude."

Pagan looked ahead, being too focused on Ajay had made him absent minded to the love birds a ways in front of him. He too gained a smile. "They really do make a fine couple." He pulled Ishwari off the path and lead them towards one of the side doors. Shanna and Pavel were too preoccupied with each other to notice anyone else. "I'm glad I talked him into asking her to dinner. It's such a commodious situation. Your closest friend and my..." Pagan stopped, unsure how to finish his sentence.

"What do you consider Pavel?" Ishwari asked, though she already knew the answer.

Pagan grinned. "Well my dear. I don't necessarily have any friends. But..." He paused once more. "I believe I do, in some sort, consider Pavel a friend."

Ishwari couldn't help but be pleased that Pagan admitted he too was capable of friends, even if it was just one. She soon turned her focus to Ajay who began yawning and stumbling in a clumsy manner. Chasing Pagan around for the past two hours had tired the boy. Pagan also noticed Ajay's fatigued state and decided it was best to carry him the rest of the way.

By the time they made it inside, Ajay had fallen asleep in Pagan's arms and Lakshmana the same in Ishwari's. Deciding baths could wait until the following morning, they laid both children in their beds and shut the door, relieved that they'd have the rest of the night to enjoy kid free. In the hallway Pagan grabbed hold of Ishwari's hips and pulled her close. Ishwari couldn't help but giggle, knowing Pagan was in a playful mood.

"What do you want to do with all this free time we have?" Ishwari asked.

Pagan gently bit Iswari's bottom lip. "I have something in mind." He pulled her in the direction of their chambers, stopping outside those large golden doors. "Go in and run us a hot bath in the jacuzzi." He pulled her in for a kiss. "Make sure you add a lot of bubbles. I'll join you momentarily."

With that, he turned and walked down the hall and out of sight. Ishwari smiled. She loved his playful temperament. Not wanting to disappoint him, she made her way through the office and bedroom. Walking into the bathroom, she turned on the light and looked at the jacuzzi. It was by far one of her favorite parts about her new found royal life. She turned on the faucet, making sure hot water was the most abundant. She then walked over to the small shelf next to the tub. It was filled with all sorts of salts and liquids to spruce up the water. She looked through the different assortments of scented bubble baths. Water lily and passion fruit was her choice of bath enhancement. The gel like liquid mixed with the running water and soon the tub began to fill with suds. Ishwari stood, watching and waiting for the tub to fill when she felt hands rest on her hips from behind.

"Miss me?"

She smiled at the sound of his voice. She would never grow old of that charming English accent. She turned around and seductively wrapped her arms around his neck. "What took you so long?"

Pagan smiled and pulled a black cloth from his pocket. Folding it up, he placed it over her eyes, gently tying it around her head, blindfolding her. Leaning in, he whispered in her ear. "That's a surprise."

Darkness was all she saw, but his hands were all she felt. Slowly he traced his hands along her sides, finding the hem of her blouse. He raised it up over her head, being sure to feel every inch of her as he did so. She soon felt his hands reach around her back, pulling and tugging at her bra until it unfastened at his doing. He slid it off her shoulders releasing her breasts. He took one into his mouth instantly, causing her to gasp.

Multitasking was one of his many gifts. Never losing concentration with the job he had tasked his mouth with, he trailed his hands lower. He soon reached the waistline of her skirt. Having an elastic waistline, he need not worry about buttons or zippers. He simply slid his hand inside the fabric and began feeling her womanhood. She opened her mouth to gasp once more, but caught it with his own, pulling her into one of his intimate kisses. Oh, he knew how to make her need him.

Soon he ceased his foreplay, finally tugging her skirt from her hips, leaving her completely naked. "Take my hand dear." He spoke as he guided her into the bathtub, turning off the water once she was settled. "Now, don't you move." He brushed a lose strand of hair from her face. "And no peeking."

Ishwari sat in the warm, soothing pool, patiently waiting for whatever it was Pagan was planning. Not being able to see heightened her senses and she could hear him rustling around the room. After a short period, she heard the water splashing next to her and soon felt Pagan's naked body against her own. He once again kissed her in that intimate way she loved so much. She felt his hands move to the knot in the blindfold she was wearing, relieving her of her darkness.

Her eye's focused to find the he had dimmed the lights in the room and lit a dozen candles. She also found that next to the tub there now stood a small table with two wine glasses, both filled with champagne and a small basket of strawberries. She turned to smile at him. "Well aren't you romantic?"

Pagan shrugged his shoulders. "I try dear." He leaned in to continue kissing her once more. Ishwari showed no hesitation when she ran her hand down his chest and towards his erect member, wrapping her fingers around it. Pagan let out a gasp against her lips and soon his breath became uneasy from her stroking motion.

Ishwari eventually grew eager to have more of her king. "Would you like to go all the way?" she winked at him.

Pagan chuckled. "Naughty." he quickly grasped her waist and helped her position on his lap, pulling his knees up to bring her closer to him. Instinct took over from that point and Ishwari began moving up and back down, grasping the edge of the tub behind Pagan's head while doing so. Pagan threw his head back, resting it on the tub edge as well, closing his eyes and enjoying the pleasure. Neither one cared about the amount of water that was splashing out and onto the floor.

As he neared his peak, he sat up, grabbing hold of her hips and burying his face between her breasts, placing kisses all over. His hands grasped her so tight, she was sure she would have bruises come morning. He raised her up and back down, faster and faster until they both let out moans. Slowly coming to a stop, they rested, trying to catch their breath. Pagan once more threw his head back, resting it on the tub, eyes closed and out of breath. Ishwari laughed and Pagan raised his head to look at her, smiling but confused.

"I guess it's not just three-year olds you have to practice keeping up with."

Pagan chuckled. "I told you. I'm out of shape." He reached over and grabbed the champagne, handing Ishwari a glass. They enjoyed their relaxation in Pagan's very expensive jacuzzi tub. Drinking and eating delectable fruit, all while talking and enjoying the night. Eventually they decided to move from the tub to the bedroom. Pagan wasted no time pinning Ishwari beneath him on their king-sized bed.

"You wanna go another round?" Ishwari asked in an excited tone.

Pagan nipped her neck. "I told you. I need practice."

Darkness filled the room. Both Ishwari and her king were deep in sleep from their exhaustion of that night's activities. The loud pops filled the room and they both sat up, startled at the noise. Gunshots echoed through the palace, the most distinct sounds coming through the baby monitor.