Fiery (Boy Next Door #4)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Paula

My face heat up. Lips parted a bit and shock was written on my face. What the s**t? He’s not even taken aback from requesting that kiss.. from me! Na parang kay daling ibigay at bibigay talaga ako sa kan’ya.

Hindi n’ya ako tinantanan sa titig at talagang hinintay ang isasagot ko. Like, h-how? Magye-yes ba ako? Ano bang maaaring mangyari sa isang oras na halikan? Makakahinga ba ako do’n o pwedeng magpahinga rin ’pag naubusan ng hangin? s**t. s**t. s**t.

And will my lips be swollen during and after that kiss? Somehow,

I started off by opening my lips and about to say something but I was interrupted when he laughed not wholeheartedly but just...so freaking manly. Ang sarap pakinggang ng tawa n’ya. Umaalingaw-ngaw at binubuhay ang tahimik na kwarto namin. The sway from the waves incorporated with his manly-sexy laughter. That’s even beyond my imagination. My senses didn’t work at his laugh. Kaya nagtataka at namamangha akong nakatingin sa kan’ya, bumaba sa baywang ko ang mga kamay at marahan na pinisil ang laman ko. That move made me shiver a bit. He looked like he’s quitely examining my body.

He bit his lower, pailalim na tiningnan ako kaya nagmistulang nakakunot ang noo n’ya. “Did I scare you a bit?” He funnily asked me.

Shit! He’s toying me! Sinara ko ang labi at nagpakawala ng naiinis na hininga. Bahagya ko s’yang tinulak, mas matuwa pa s’ya nang dahil doon.

He laughed, hinuli ang mga kamay kong pumalo sa kan’ya. “Sorry, sorry. I was just trying your patience.”

Ngumiwi ako. He landed my palms on his hard and broad chest. “My patience? Para saan? If I know, suhol mo lang ’tong pa-relos mo dahil iiwan mo pala ako rito. Dahil kung alam ko lang na may iba kang gagawin dito, hinid mo ko mapapasama!” That’s true. Kung mas maaga n’yang sinabi sa akin itong trip na ito, I’d considered my sister’s disapproval to go out of town with him--lalo na at lalaki s’ya. Hindi na ako minor pero bata pa rin para sa ganitong lakad. I was surprised, pinayagan s’ya ng ate ko.

Dahil kaya sa boyfriend ko na s’ya?

He got my attention nang tinaas pa n’ya ang mga braso ko at pinulupot sa leeg n’ya. Making me leaned closer at him, encircled my arms on his neck. I tiptoed when he snaked in his strong arms on my waist. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang mainit n’yang katawan. For me, this is more than just an embrace. We’re clinging to each other. Body to body. Face to face. Fanning each other’s breath. Lips that an inch away from each other. My heart is now taking its lifetime beats!

“That meeting was unplanned. But I’d like to entertain them for business’s expansion--pero kung magseselos pala ang girlfriend ko nang dahil do’n, ika-cancel ko na lang para hindi na tayo maghiwalay.” Binunggo-bunggo n’ya ang tungki ng ilong sa akin. He spoke like it’s just a simple matter.

“At sino’ng nagsasabing nagseselos ako?” I grimaced.

“You looked like one, babe.” He proves by staring at my face-my eyes.

I looked at him with a surprised kind of face as my unaffected reaction. “Hindi ’no! O-Okay na ako rito..hindi naman siguro ako mawawala sa resort na ’to..Sige na,” Taboy ko na lang. The excitement didn’t subside yet.

“Are you sure? If you say no--I’d do that.” He suggested.

I pouted my lips a bit. I shook my head. Do I have that power over him? Nah. “That’s your business, hindi ako makikielam d’yan. Saka, muk’ang mahalagang meeting ’yan. I’ll be fine here,” Hindi ko kinaya ang straight n’yang paninitig sa mga mata ko, yumuko ako at pinatong ang noo sa baba n’ya. This man, he’s making my world collapsed in one kick from his fighting eyes. Pa’no n’ya nagagawa iyon sa akin? He seems relaxed and cool with it. Hindi tulad ko na nalulunod at nako-conscious sa ganoong atensyon.

We didn’t do anything much sa loob ng halos isang oras. Nasa tapat lang kami ng dagat, nakayakap sa akin at inubos ang natitirang oras sa kwentuhan at panakaw na halik sa akin. Everytime he’s throwing a kiss at my cheeks, ear, jaw and on my neck--my heart sank in deepest body heat in my system. But I think, he likes to kiss me on my temple. Dahil palaging ilang segundo s’yang nagtatagal ng halik doon at parang ninamnam ang bahaging iyon ng mukha ko.

I like it, I love how I’d felt everytime.

And he’s true to his words. Halos thirty minutes ang tinagal n’ya sa labas, iyong tipong hindi pa nag-iinit ang pwet ko sa kutson ay bumalik na agad sa suite namin. With a mysterious smile on his lips. Sinalubong n’ya ako ng mahigpit na yakap na para bang ang tagal naming nawalay sa isa’t-isa. He kissed me for a while at saka na ako niyayang mamasyal sa labas.

****

We took our time to tour me around. I enjoyed the learnings about the serenity and the natural beauty of the nature. From the beautiful villas, cottages and the famous parola which they turned into tourist spot and a 360-degrees bar and restaurant. So beautiful and attractive.

We ate in a Maranao Restaurant. They served both local and international dishes, akala ko nga maninibago ako sa lasa dahil inaasahan kong native food ang matitikman, pero hindi. Hinayaan ko ring si William na ang umorder para sa amin. I enjoyed the food and its ambiance.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay naglakad-lakad pa kami sa shore, magkahawak ang mga kamay. I was delighted with how protected he is to me. Na kahit ang sinag ng araw ay s’ya pa ang kumakalaban. Tinatakpan n’ya ang mukha ko para hindi mainitan.

Isang oras kami namasyal ulit bago bumalik sa suite. I was inside the comfort room when I heard him answered a phone call. Nagkibit-balikat lang ako. I got to accept that he’s not an ordinary man. He’s a business tycoon with a full of meetings written on his notepad’s schedule. Hindi tulad ko na graduatee student pa lang at kung palarin sa trabaho, hindi pa rin iyon papantay sa oras n’ya. I can be and earn for myself but not as like as him. He earned a lot. A lot!

He owned a business jet--a Gulfstream G4. Habang nasa loob ng banyo ay lihim ko na ring ni-research online ang * WDS Aircraft Charter Services * na pinaggalingan namin. I was right. He also owned it. A charter business which needs a number of aircrafts for his elite customers but it needed to be a member if they want to book a private flight. It’s very expensive to book a private plane, trip in a chopper, Cessna or and Gulfstream plane.

Pagkalabas ko ng banyo ay naabutan ko s’yang may kausap pa rin sa cellphone n’ya. He’s in the balcony, hindi na ako lumapit at naupo na lang sa gilid ng kama, pinagmasdan ko s’ya. Intimidating talagang ang itsura, nakatalikod pa lang at seryosong nakikipag-usap sa linya. Natatakot kaya sa kan’ya ang mga tauhan n’ya? Did they ever get intimidated too like me sometimes?

I smirked. Yumuko at tiningnan ang relos na binigay n’ya sa akin. Hinaplos ko ang salamin at binasa ulit ang pangalan ng relos. Nakalimutan kong i-search ang halaga nitong binigay n’ya, maybe later.

Bago umuwi ay niyaya muna n’ya kong dumaan sa Parola at uminom sa bar nila doon. Magdidilim na iyon, kaya halos malula ako nang makita ang magandang view mula sa 2nd floor. Ilang beses ko yatang nakurot sa braso si William sa sobrang saya. How I was amazed to be abled to experience this one- day trip/vacation away from the tiring city and urban living. Once again, he ordered for me, a cocktail drinks for the both us.

While I was drinking, nakatingin lang ako sa bartender na lumilikha ng nakakatuwang exhibition habang nagtitimpla ng inumin. He’s entertaining all the tourists. Nakaupo kami hindi kalayuan sa kan’ya na nasa gitna lang palapag, he’s the center of the floor. Pabilog din ang bawat lamesa. Hindi katulad sa manila na nagkikislapan ang ilaw at halos leather ang mga sofa, dito ay kaunting class akong nararamdam dahil open ang palapag tanaw ang dagat at ilang kabahayan ng resort. Ang mga upuan ay gawa rin a rattan. Malamig ang simoy ng hangin. I enjoyed every single seconds I was here.

Nakatingin lang ako sa bartender na nagse-serve ulit nang maramdaman kong pinisil ni William ang kamay ko. He made me look at him. “Babe, may sasagutin lang akong tawag sandali. Is that okay with you?” Bulong n’yang tanong sa akin.

Binaba ko ang cocktail glass ko at napatingin sa cellphone na hawak n’ya. “Sure.” Sagot ko.

Nginitian n’ya ako at saka tumayo na para sagutin ang tawag. Sinundan ko s’ya ng tingin na medyo malayo ang narating dahil may kaingayan ng pwesto namin. Pabalik ng tingin sa baso ko ay nahagip ng mga mata ko ang matangkad na lalaking nakaupo sa kabilang bahagi ng bar. Hindi ko s’ya napansin kanina dahil nakaharang sa harapan ko si William. He’s staring at me too while sipping on his glass. Bahagya akong ngumiti at kumaway sa kan’ya, si Art, ang piloto namin. I forgot to ask William kung saan na ito napunta pagkababa namin. Siguro ay nag-check in na rin at ngayon ay nagkataong nagkita kami sa Parola.

Ilang sandali n’ya akong tiningnan bago isang beses na tumango. I sighed. Napapaligiran ako ng mga lalaking weirdo.

****

Sa eroplano na kami kumain ng dinner. Miles who was wearing a new set of uniform served our dinner. That’s even more extravaganza for me dahil ang sosyal tingnan ng mga hinahanda n’ya sa amin. Habang naghahain ay hindi ko na mapigilang magtanong. “Saan ka nag-stay maghapon, Miles?” Tanong ko.

Natigilan pa ito at nagulat sa tanong ko. Hinintay ko s’yang sumagot dahil hindi naman iyon kagulat-gulat para sa akin. Or maybe, I was too informal?

She clears her throat. Tumayo ng tuwid habang magkasalikop ang mga kamay. “Sir William also booked a room for me ma’am.”

Oh. “Pati si Art?”

Umawang nang bahagya ang labi n’ya at namula ang pisngi. William cleared his throat kaya napalingon ako sa kan’ya and when I look at him, he got a serious dark face.

“Not in the same room, Paula. They both had a separate suite.” Seryoso at parang delikadong pananalta.

Kumunot ang noo ko.

“Enjoy your dinner, Sir, ma’am. Excuse me.” She exited and left us in our table.

Tinitigan ako nang mariin ni William. He was sipping on his wine and I couldn’t do anything but to stare back. Like as if I just step on the borderline. What was that all about then?

Sumandal s’ya sa recliner at binaba ang wine glass, acting like a Dean for me. Tumaas ang kilay n’ya. “You just met him this morning and..you called him, by his first name?”

I tilted my head, contemplating his mood and his shallow reason. “Hindi ko naman alam ang apelyido n’ya..ano’ng gusto mong itawag ko sa kan’ya?” I asked innocently.

He pressed his lips in a most delicate way. “You first named me as pervert-jerk, you knew my name before I ever first introduced myself--the perks of being your first love friends--but you never called my name as gentle as like what you did to my pilot!” He let out a pissed sigh.

Tinaasan ko s’ya ng kilay habang kalmadong nakatingin sa kan’ya. He was staring back but not as calm as for myself. The first time I witnessed him so mad was the incident back at home. I was afraid to look at his face during that time. And tonight, this is the first time I saw him the same madness but not with the taste of angry-there is something else residing at the end of my tongue.

I sighed. “Hindi naman kasi maganda ang unang impresyon ko sa’yo. Inuwi mo ko sa bahay mo at nilagyan ng..h-hickey,” Damn. I stuttered with what he did to me. “And Art seems to be a formal person too.”

“Then called him a pilot--that would be much more formal than naming him by his first name like you are just friends which I don’t like you being friends with him! Or to any men in this world!” Declaring his pissed tone.

Napapikit ako na parang kumirot ang ulo sa sakit nito. Isa ito sa mga ayaw ko sa kan’ya. I felt how territorial and possessive he is. I like the way he’s protective over me but I totally despised the negative side of it.

Matuwid akong umupo at tiningnan s’ya. “Owning me is the last thing I don’t want you to imply at me, William. Hindi kita tatay para pagbawalan ako na makipagkaibigan sa iba. That’s so shallow of you! Naririnig mo ba ’yang pinagsasabi mo? You got mad just because tinawag ko s’ya sa pangalan n’ya--and that’s even normal! You’re unreasonable when it comes to me!” Inirapan ko s’ya at liningon na lang couch sa gilid namin. The heat from his stares were very visible.

Kinuha ko na lang ang baso ng tubig at uminom pagkatapos ay tumayo, lumipat na lang ako sa couch at ayokong lumapit sa kan’ya. Nasasakal ako sa presensya n’ya. Umupo ako sa tabi ng armrest, pinatong ko ang itim na throw pillow at nanood ng lang TV. Bahala s’ya d’yan. Kumain s’yang mag-isa n’ya.

“Kumain ka na,”

Pagkatapos ng ilang sandaling katahimikan ay tawag n’ya sa akin. Ngayon ay mas mahinahon na ang boses n’ya pero hindi ko s’ya pinansin. Sumandal ako sa armrest at mas kinomportable ang sarili sa couch para makita n’yang hindi ako interisado.

“Paula,” Pormal n’yang tawag sa akin.

Hindi ko pa rin s’ya pinansin. He didn’t eat either. Hanggang sa inantok ako at dahan na dahan pinatong ko ang kanang braso sa armrest at niyuko roon ang ulo ko, I closed my eyes and tried to sleep kahit na may isang pares ng mga mata ang nakasubaybay sa akin. But--I felt he sat beside me..just enough for me to feel his soft pants on my legs. I didn’t look up and acknowledge his presence. But I was alert when held my legs and scooped up onto his lap!

Napatingin ako sa kan’ya at halos mawalan ako ng balanse dahil sa ginawa. Napasandal ako ulit sa armrest at naiinis na tiningnan s’ya. Nakayuko s’ya at nakatingin sa mga tuhod ko habang ang mga kamay ay nasa ibabaw ng mga hita ko. I felt how warm his palms were. Pakiramdam ko ay minamasahe n’ya ako.

I monitored his hands when he trailed it on my legs up to my thighs and made a one line caress over my troubled skin. I swallowed when he got near my private part. I felt like he’s patronizing my legs too much.

“I will be honest, these are my favorite part of your body. From the shape of your legs up to your thighs. Your soft delicate skin and how it sent too much anticipation to feel you like this on my bare hands..gustong-gusto kong sabihin sa’yo kanina na ayokong nagsusuot ka ng shorts na malalantad ang mga ito. I wanted it exclusively in my eyes but I don’t want to lessen your freedom with your clothes and dresses. I just told myself, hindi ko naman hahayaang mahawakan ng iba at aalagaan kita.” He stopped for a while. “Pero hindi ko pala mapipigilan kung ikaw na mismo ang kakawala sa akin..” and he look at my eyes.

Napatitig ako sa kan’ya. Alam kong, mababaw na naman ang sinasabi n’ya sa akin pero hindi ko magawang barahan s’ya dahil sa kilos at tono ng boses n’ya. Kakawala? I scoffed. “You’re my boyfriend, William. This might be my first relationship but I know how to be loyal with my commitment. I hate you for being so territorial and possessive over me--your reasoning a very shallow issue!”

“I’m sorry, iyon ang nararamdaman ko para sa’yo.” He honestly told me. He stared at me again.

I sighed. “You don’t have to be territorial and possessive..I’m all yours. I said yes, right?”

He tilted his head. Umangat ang isang kamay at nilipat sa pisngi ko. “I can’t help it. That’s what I feel for you. And I know that’s danger.” He whispered.

I stayed on my position while he’s caressing my cheek so softly, like he’s mastering how to be an expert by touching my skin repeatedly. We stared at each other like no one else will matter. Only him and myself, up in the air, in the middle of the clouds and night sky. In between the shining stars beneath the universe.

I took a soft breath when for the first time since yesterday I felt the mild pain in my chest. Hindi ko gusto ang tingin ng mga mata n’yang parang may sakit itong nararamdaman by just telling me that it’s danger to feel something worst towards me.

That worries me.

Bumangon ako kaya bumagsak ang kamay n’ya mula sa pisngi ko. He’s following me with his eyes as I knelt on his lap and tied my arms around his neck making me clutching onto him on his couch. Ang mga kamay naman n’ya ay naiwan sa baywang ko at hindi pinaghiwalay ang mga hita para hindi ako mahulog sa gitna n’ya. But my knees already feeling his crotch area--and I’m so brave not to be nervous because of it!

Nakatingala s’ya sa akin at nakadungaw ako sa kan’ya. Oh gosh, he felt so hard.

“I don’t mind if you reprimanded me not to wear short shorts though. That’s a normal boyfriend would do to his girlfriend, but you’re overreacting for being jealous with other men,”

His forehead greased with playful curiosity. “Halata ba akong nagseselos?”

I nodded. “You covered it with the word ‘territorial’ and ‘possessive’ but you’re jealous!”

He pouted a bit. “Sobrang nakakabaliw palang magselos. Sobrang nagseselos ako sa kan’ya.”

I swallowed. Sinuklay ko ang buhok n’ya para maibsan ang kabang pinataw n’ya sa akin. “You dont have to be jealous--”

“Insanely jealous over him.”

I chuckled. “I want to settle this matter between us. We only had a short time before I agreed to be your girlfriend. Sa tingin ko, kaya tayo madalas nag-aaway kasi hindi pa natin masyadong kilala ang isa’t-isa. And I want you to know, you don’t have to feel jealous with everyone. I’m all yours, I’m loyal and committed with my only man..his name is William Drei Sullivan and he’s my moody boyfriend.”

Surprised was etched on his handsome face. His jaw clenched while staring on my face.

“Ano’ng ginawa ko at dumating ka sa buhay ko, Paula?” malamlam n’yang tanong sa akin.

Nagkibit-balikat ako. “Baka sinuwerte ka lang, babe.”

“Whatever it is, you’re mine.”

I smiled--my heart beating wildly in my chest. “All yours, babe.”

“All mine.” Inabot n’ya ang labi ko at siniil ng malalim na halik. He bit my lower my lip--I gasped with how rough he is at me. He snaked in his tongue--I stopped when I felt his intruding his tongue and resumed the kiss.

Tumaas ang mga kamay n’ya sa likuran at nagtaas-baba ang haplos doon habang ako halos mapatayo na init ng halik na ginagawa n’ya sa akin. He’s gentle but rough at times like he’s running for a peak. Napasabunot ako sa buhok n’ya nang sipsipin n’ya ang ibabang labi ko at muling pinasok ang dila sa akin. My world is turning around. The senses are spinning around. My heart is at stake by pounding rapidly--kasabay ang pag-iinit ng mukha ko at iba pang parte ng katawan ko. Humigpit ang yakap n’ya sa akin at mas tumigas--tumindig ang balahibo ko at malalim na bumuntong hininga.

I gasped for air when he finally freed my lips and groaned on my jaw down to my neck, I tilted my head for better access pero parang kusang sumusunod na lang ang isip at katawan ko sa kan’ya. He bumped my body against his and rest his lips on my neck while hugging so tightly. I was panting my chest. Never thought kiss would turn into so much passion that filled somehow some loneliness--para kaming gutom at uhaw.

Pagkatapos ipagpahinga ang sarili ay tiningala n’ya ako nang hindi ako binibitawan. “I think, we need a room,” He pantingly whispered and ears turning crimson red.

I combed his hair once again and smiled while my cheeks are flaring because of him. I think he’s right. What we have is dangerous. And I might fall.

X