Entangled

21

"Yes. Friends."

"I will accompany you back to the dining room for a cordial and you will tell me all about yourself." Ika ng Italian habang inaalok nito ang braso.

Tinanggap ni Deniah ito at hinayaan niya itong igiya siya palabas ng library at pabalik sa dining room. "You know, Maximo,I think I have the perfect woman for you. She's a close friend of mine. And she may be your match."

"You underestimate yourself, signora." He gave a naughty wink. "I am still grieving your loss."

Tumawa siya habang papasok na sila sa dining room, nang iangat niya ang ulo nagulat siya dahil nakatayo na sa harap nila ang kanyang asawa. He towered over her with an intimidating air. Ibinuka niya ang bibig para magsalita pero hinila siya nito palapit sa kanya.

A moment passed before she was able to form the words. "Hello, darling. I was chatting with Signore Bianchi. I don't think you two have formally met yet?"

The men sized each other up like they would just before a c**k fight. Si Dark ang unang nag- surrender. Probably for good business reasons and not anything to do with testosterone.

Dark offered his hands. "Maximo how are you? I see you've met my wife."

Tinanggap ni Maximo ang kamay ng asawa habang nalilitong pinag- aralan naman ni Deniah ang mukha ng asawa. Nababaliw na ba siya, or ayaw ng asawa na nakipag- usap siya sa Italiano. Hindi ba't siya ang nagsabi na kailangan nito ng inside information if at all possible? Now he just looked plain irritated, as if she had betrayed him.

The clean scent of soap and lemon rose from his skin. His fingers splayed around her waist and rested on the curve of her tummy. She fought back a shudder when she imagined his hand coasting just a few inches downward. How would it feel to have his fingers deep inside her, taking her to places she ached to go, but was too afraid to visit?

Pinilig niya ang ulo at muling nag- focus sa pinag- uusapan ng dalawa.

"Congratulations, Arkel. Deniah tells me you are newlyweds. How difficult it must be to drag yourself to a business function, no?"

"Absolutely." Bumaba ang ulo nito. Her breath hitched as his lips grazed her lobe, and his nose nuzzled her ear. Her n*****s grew hard and tingly. She prayed her padded bra hid the evidence of her body's betrayal.

Pinagmasdan sila ng Italiano na parang natutuwa ito sa nakikita. "It seems Young thinks you are the perfect man for the job. Perhaps we can set up a meeting to go over your ideas."

"Thank you. I'll call your secretary and arrange an appointment."

She caught the clear-cut simplicity in his tone, and knew Maximo noticed. Dark didn't play certain business games, namely being too arrogant to pick up the phone himself to call for an appointment.

"Very good." Inabot ni Maximo ang kanyang kamay at hinalikan ang kanyang palad. "It was lovely to meet you, Deniah." His Italian accent caressed her name. "I'm having a dinner party for a few close friends two weeks from tonight. Would you join me?"

Napansin niyang sa kanya nakatutok ang imbitasyon kaya naman tumingala siya sa asawa. "Darling? Are we free?"

Sa oras na yon, hindi na lingid ang kilos ng asawa. He took a step behind her and wrapped both hands around her waist, drawing her back against him. Her butt pressed against his groin. Iron thighs trapped hers. He rested both hands directly under her breasts and spoke. "We'd love to come."

"Wonderful. I look forward to seeing you. Eight o'clock." Tumango ito kay Dark at ngumiti naman ito sa kanyang direksyon pagkatapos. "Have a good evening."

Binitawan siya ng asawa pagkatapos ng ilang sigundo pagkaalis ni Maximo. The sudden loss of his body heat caused a chill to run down her spine. Bumalik sa dating itsura ang lalaki, walang emosyon sa mukha. "Let's go."

Naglakad na paalis sa harap niya ang asawa at nagtungo sa pinto, kinuha ang kanilang coat mula sa hostess at nagpaalam. Nagpaalam na din siya sa mga babaeng nakausap niya kanina at sinundan ang asawa.

Wala paring imik sa kanya ang lalaki habang binabagtas nila ang daan pauwi. Sick of the silent game, Deniah made the first move. "Did you have a good time?"

"Hmmm."

"Masasarap ang mga pagkain diba? At mababait din yong ibang bisita lalo na iyong mga babae. May nag- invite din sa akin sa isang art opening. Isn't that great?"

He snorted.

"So, nagawa mo ba ang ipinunta mo doon? Were you successful?"

He made another weird noise. "Not as successful as you, I guess."

Nag-init ang dugo niya sa tinuran ng lalaki. "Excuse me?"

"Never mind."

Kinuyom ni Deniah ang mga palad. The chill left her body and twisted to a fiery heat. "You're a hypocrite and a jerk. Di ba't sinabi mo mismo sa akin na hanapin at kausapin si Bianchi at sabihin sayo kung ano ang nalaman ko. Do you think I'm stupid, Dark? Ginamit mo ako, pero ngayon galit ka. Ginawa ko lang ang iniutos mo. Consider your favor completed."

"I only suggested, na baka may marinig ka na makakatulong sa business ko. I asked you to soften him up, not give him a hard on that will last for days."

Biglang tinigil ng asawa ang sasakyan sa harap ng mansion.

Napahugot siya ng hininga sa narinig. "Screw you, Dark! He treated me with courtesy and never crossed the line once he found out I was married. But you're missing the big picture, Pretty Boy. Hindi hinahayaan ni Maximo na mahalo ang business at pleasure. I could've stripped off all my clothes and begged him to give you the contract and he wouldn't have budged. Hindi kita matutulungan sa ganitong bagay kung ganyan ka- you are on your own."

Bumaba na siya sa kotse at nagtungo sa bahay.

Narinig niya ang pagmumura ng lalaki, mayamaya pa ay sinusundan na siya nito.

"Fine. Hindi na tayo aattend sa party niya. Magseset- up na lang ako ng meeting."

Binuksan niya ang pinto at pinaikot ang kanyang mata. "Edi huwag kang pumunta. Pero pupunta pa rin ako."

"What?"

"Pupunta ako. Gusto ko siya at sa tingin ko masaya ang party niya."

Malakas ang pagsara ng asawa sa pinto at nagmartsa ito papunta sa living room habang tinatanggal ang neck tie. "You are my wife. You will not be going to any parties without me."

Hinubad na din niya ang kanyang coat. "Isa lang akong business partner mo who follows the rules. We're free to have our own lives as long as we don't sleep with anyone. Correct?"

Binura ng asawa ang distansyang namamagitan sa kanila, masama ang tingin sa kanya. "I'm concerned about my reputation. I don't want him to get the wrong impression."

Tumayo siya ng tuwid at naisip na asarin ito. "Huwag kang mag- alala, susundin ko ang mga rules pero pupunta parin ako sa party. "It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a man's company. A man who is actually charming and funny and…warm."

Her last word exploded in the air between them. She watched in fascination as the calm man she knew turned into someone different. His clear eyes turned hazy, his jaw clenched, his body locked. His hands lifted until they grasped her upper arms. He looked like he was ready to shake her, or do something else, something completely…irrational.

Her body lit up like an electrical current. Her lips parted to take in breath. And she waited.

"Do you need someone that bad, Deniah?"