Entangled

25

Pinaikot ni Arkel ang tingin sa kwarto kung saan nagaganap ang poetry night. May lalaking naka- itim sa stage na nakatutok sa mikropono, talking about the correlation between flowers and death, maamoy din sa hangin ang amoy ng kape- nice. Sounds of a flute and the faint calling of a wolf drifted to his ears. All of his impressions were secondary to the sight of his wife.

Ebony hair fell loose and wild past her shoulders. Kita ang surpresa sa mga mata nito habang naglalakad siya palapit sa kanila. Her sweater hugged every inch of those delectable breasts, then opened to a wide bell around her hips. A tight black miniskirt stopped mid-thigh. At second glance, Arkel revised his opinion to a much shorter option, since the fabric had snuck way up in her comfortable sitting position and now barely covered her. Knee-high black leather boots completed the outfit. Those long legs were encased in black tights and Arkel knew she wore nothing else underneath. The stores didn't make a slip that short, he was almost positive.

Her true sexiness lay in her ignorance of her effect on men. Aggravation tickled his nerves. He lived in a constant state of emotional turmoil and he hated every moment. Isa siyang kalmadong lalaki, planado ang lahat ng galaw para maiwasan ang anumang komplikasyon and messy feelings. Ngayon, ang normal na araw niya ay napupuno na lang ng inis, iritasyon at galit. She made him crazy with arguments and impassioned speeches. Nagagawa rin siya nitong patawanin. His home seemed more alive since she moved in.

Nasa harap na siya ng asawa. "Hi."

"Hi."

Lumipat ang tingin niya sa kapatid . "Alana, how goes it?"

"Fine, brother dearest. What brings you? You're not going to read that poem you wrote when you were eight, are you?”

Nakuha ang interest ni Deniah sa sinabi ng kapatid. "Anong tula?"

Naramdaman ni Arkel ang pamumula ng mukha at na realize niya na ang dalawang babae lang ang nakakagawa sa kanya ng ganito. They were the only ones who ever made him lose his composure. "Don't listen to her."

"Akala ko ba may trabaho ka?" Tanong ng asawa.

Oo meron. At hindi niya alam kung bakit siya nandito. Umalis siya ng opisina at umuwi pero nadatnan niya ang bahay ng tahimik and the silence bothered him.

Naisip niya ang asawa na napapalibutang ng mga tao sa bookstore at gusto niyang makita at maranasan ang mundo nito kahit saglit lang. He said nothing, though, and shrugged. "Tinapos ko kaagad. Thought I'd check out poetry night. Naninigarilyo ba lahat ng artists? Marami kasing nakalinya sa labas ng papasok na ako. Lahat sila naninigarilyo."

Humagikhik ang kanyang kapatid and stretched both of her legs out on the floor. Nakasandal ang likod nito sa side ng upuan. Nakatitig sa kanya ang mga pilyong mata nito at nakita niya ang dating kapatid niya na lagi siyang inaasar. "Still having cravings, Arky? Bet I could bum one for you."

"Thanks. It's always nice to have a family member as your drug pusher."

Narinig niya ang singhap ni Deniah. "You smoke?"

Arkel shake his head. "Dati. Nag- quit ako years ago."

"Yeah, pero kung nai- stress siya or naa- upset, gumagamit siya. Do you believe he doesn't think it counts as long as he doesn't buy?"

Tumawa ang asawa. "This is very enlightening, guys. Kailangan nating magbonding kahit twice a week lang. Tell me, Lana, nandadaya ba ang kapatid sa mga card games?"

"All the time."

Inabot ni Arkel ang kamay ni Deniah at hinila niya ito patayo. "Show me the rest of the store while this guy finishes up."

Alana chuckled and settled herself into the empty chair. "Natatakot lang yan kasi takot siyang may masabi akong di dapat banggitin."

"You're absolutely right."

Iginiya ni Arkel ang asawa palayo sa mga tao. With an instinctive motion, tumigil siya sa isang madilim na parte ng bookstore na may nakasulat na RELATIONSHIP. Tinulak ng bahagya ang babae para nakasandal ito sa pader ng nakaharap sa kanya at binitawan ang kamay nito. Arkel shifted his feet and cursed under his breath at his sudden uneasiness. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin, pero alam niyang kailangan niyang linawin ang lahat para maglaho ang tensyon sa kanilang dalawa bago mabaliw and dragged her into his bed. Somehow, he needed to bring the relationship back to friendship. Back to older brother/younger sister camaraderie. Even if it killed him.

"I want to talk to you."

A slight smile twitched those bee-stung lips. "Okay."

"About us."

"Okay."

"I don't think we should go to bed with each other."

Tumawa ang babae. Hindi alam ni Arkel kung maiinis o matutuwa siya, o mamangha sa kanyang kagandahan. This was a woman who enjoyed life and gave out a full belly laugh. Not one of those calculated smiles or slight chuckles. Still, ayaw niyang tinatawanan lang siya ng babae. Even though he was older, she dragged him back to a time when he was endlessly trying to be cool, and she thwarted every step.

"Funny, hindi ko maalala kung inoffer ko ba ang katawan ko sayo. Did I miss something?"

Kumunot ang noo niya sa tinuran ng babae. "Alam mo na kung ano yong sinasabi ko. The night of the party got out of hand, and I take full responsibility."

"How chivalrous of you."

“Stop being a smart mouth. I'm trying to tell you I was out of line and it won't happen again. I had too much to drink, I was pissed about Bianchi, and I took it out on you. I intend to stick to our original agreement, and I'm sorry I lost my control.”

"Apology accepted. I'm sorry for contributing to the whole episode, too. Let's put it behind us."

Arkel didn't like her terming such s****l heat as an episode, but ignored the twinge. He wondered why he wasn't feeling relief at her easy agreement. He cleared his throat. "We have a long year ahead of us, Alexa. Why don't we try to build on friendship? It will be better for appearances and for us."

"Anong naiisip? More card games?"

An image of her sprawled in his lap flashed in his mind. Of full breasts pressed against his chest. Of squirming, soft, female flesh all over him, ready to burn up in his arms. As if on cue, he looked up and read the title of the book right beside her in full presentation.

How to Give a Woman Multiple Orgasms.

Shit.

"Dark?"

He shook his head and tried to clear the fog. Was she multi-orgasmic? She shook in his embrace over a simple kiss. What would her body do if he treated her to a full-blown s****l treatment, using his lips and tongue and teeth to push her over the edge? Would she scream? Would she fight her response? Or take it with pleasure and give it all right back?

"Dark?"

Namumuo ang pawis sa kanyang noo habang inaalis ang focus mula sa libro and back to reality. He was a damn chump. Two seconds after stating they could be friends, he had her coming in his fantasies.

"Ummm, right. I mean, sure, we can play card games. Just not Monopoly."