Kristine Series 46 - The Warrior: Brad Santa de Leones

Chapter 6

MOMENTS later, Brad's arm went around her and another caressed her naked hip. "It wasn't so bad, was it?" he whispered as he nuzzled her ear.

"It was wonderful, Brad. You are wonderful..." she whispered back in a hoarse voice.

"Thank heaven for that, sweetheart," he said and raised his body and looked into her eyes. "I am sorry."

Hurt crossed her eyes. "For the good tumble in the sand?"

"Para sa mga salitang binitiwan ko tungkol sa iyo." He sighed, ibinagsak ang sarili sa gilid niya at tinangay siya at ipinahiga sa braso nito. "What now?"

"What now what?"

He raised his head and looked into her eyes. Then he kissed the top of her nose. Ibinalik ang ulo sa buhangin at mahigpit siyang niyakap.

"I am sorry for all the things I told you. I was wrong. Gusto ko ring sabihin sa iyong hindi ko ipagpapalit sa alinmang bagay sa buhay ko ang nangyari lang sa atin..."

"But?"

It took him a few seconds to answer. Nakatuon ang mga mata nito sa labas ng shade kung saan unti-unti nang humihina ang ulan. "Tulad ng sinabi ko sa iyo, ganito lang ang relasyon ko sa babae. I love them... make them happy, and leave them smiling."

The words hurt like a knife. But he hadn't deceived her. Sa simula pa lang ay hantaran na nitong sinasabi kung ano ang gusto sa kanya.

Sinisikap niyang huwag lumabas sa tinig niya ang damdamin. "Oh, well. At least, I won't accuse you of wanting my money. I still have a few days left. I'd rather take advantage of the remaining days. Then let's part ways, happy and smiling."

Tumagilid si Brad at tinitigan siya. A frowned on his forehead. Hinawakan siya nito sa baba at itinaas. "Babe... I... I took your virginity."

She shrugged nonchalantly. If she were an actress rather than a supermodel, she would have received an Oscar. "We all have to lose it one way or another, Brad. And I mean it, you're wonderful. I am certain many men would pale in comparison."

He grabbed her face roughly. "What men?"

And again, she was saved from answering by the ringing of the phone. Pareho silang napabangon at hinahanap ang pinanggalingan niyon.

"Where's my shorts, damn it!"

Nilinga niya ang ulunan nila kung saan naroon ang pinanggalingan ng tunog ng telepono.

Kinuha niya ang shorts at ibinigay rito. Dinukot ni Brad ang telepono mula roon.

"Yes!" Nakita ni Cameron ang tensiyong biglang umiral dito.

"Kung ganoon ay umalis ka na riyan, Abel. Hurry up, and take the dog with you. Sa likod ka magdaan at bumaba ka sa gubat." Ini-off nito ang mobile at muling ipinasok sa bulsa ng shorts. Hinugot nito ang nakapaloob pang briefs sa shorts at nagbihis.

"W-what?"

Inabot nito ang polo shirt sa speedboat at kung sa paano na lang isinuot. "May pumaradang pickup truck sa tabi ng daan. Ang mismong sasakyan ng mga lalaking humabol sa iyo noong nakaraang araw. Limang lalaki ang nakita ni Abel na sabay-sabay bumaba. Naniniwala akong ito rin ang mga lalaking humabol sa iyo kahapon." Nilinga nito ang dalampasigan at patakbong tinungo ang naiwang basket.

Nalilitong nagsimula na rin siyang magbihis. Itinatali na niya ang sintas sa batok niya nang bumalik ito. In his hand was his Glock.

"Damn it, but I don't have my gun!" Napuno ng frustration ang tinig niya.

Brad stared at her with a mixture of amusement and amazement. "Cam, honey, this isn't a movie shoot. Those men are killers. Mas maa-appreciate ko kung makaramdam ka man lang ng kahit kaunting takot dahil normal iyon."