Hookup [MikhAiah] [Book #3]

25

—🐺—

CHASE's POV

I stare at her, unable to take my eyes off the locket around her neck. I won't lie; it's identical to Aria's. The way it dangles, glinting under the light—it's impossible to shake the memory. My chest tightens, the name slipping from my lips before I even think. "Aria," I start, but she blinks at me, her expression confused.

"Sorry, Chase. I don't know anyone named Aria," she says softly. She's quick to excuse herself, a soft murmur that feels final. She brushes past me, her scent lingering in the air, and I turn, watching her as she walks away. "I'll... I'll see you back at the cabin na lang."

She's slipping away again. The scene—her walking away, indifferent, distant—floods me with memories. It's like she's leaving us all over again, leaving me and Miki behind without a backward glance. I reach out, trying to call her back. "Wait—" but she's already out of reach, her figure a silhouette fading into the distance. I sigh, lowering my hand. I'm not delusional, but everything would make more sense if she was somehow in contact with Aria... or if she really is Aria. Wouldn't she remember me, remember Miki?

I glance down at the crowd and the posters plastered on the walls. Something urges me to check, so I pull my wallet out. In the hidden pocket, the tiny metal glints. I pull out the necklace tucked in there, the material similar to hers.. complete with the key that dangles, as if waiting to unlock something long buried. It's time I tell Miki. She deserves to know... but should I?

—🐶—

AIRA's POV

"What are we, Aira?" Miki's words echo in my mind, a question heavy with everything I can't answer. 

I don't know.

 I hate being asked questions like that. I thought we were fine. I thought she preferred it this way, unspoken, undefined. But the look she's giving me, it's like she's seeing past every layer I've put up. I was sure we were okay with this—whatever this was. Casual. Safe.

The pressure builds, a migraine threatening, and I take a step back, the distance between us somehow reassuring. But Miki's expression shifts, her face shadowed with a slight frown before she lets out a small sigh, her lips curving into a gentle smile. "Right, I'm sorry. That was sudden," she says, her voice almost apologetic, softening the weight of her words.

There's something in her, in us, that I can't quite name. It's not attraction, not exactly, but I can't deny the pull between us, either. Despite my confusion, I don't want to lose this connection. It's not just a hookup, not really. Whatever we have... I don't want it to end.

—🦊—

MIKI's POV

"We should go na." I stand up, brushing myself off as I nod toward the door. "They'll look for us if we stay here any longer." I take a few steps, feeling her eyes on me, but before I can even reach for the handle, her hand slips into mine, soft and warm.

"Can we stay here a little longer?" Her voice is a quiet request, a touch of hesitation making me glance back. I laugh, my nerves bubbling over. 

"I don't think it's a good idea for us to be alone." Being alone with her, here, now, feels like inviting trouble, but that's exactly what I want. What I'm afraid of.

"True, but that's exactly why I want us to stay." Her tone, low and inviting, draws me back to her, making me forget everything outside of this room. She steps forward, tall and magnetic, closing the space between us. 

"I'm not sure what answer to give you yet, Miki. But all I know is that I don't want this to end." Her hand comes up, fingers brushing against my cheek, and though I've always hated mixed signals, I'll make an exception.

My fingers find the door behind me, and with a soft click, it locks. The sound is both a warning and a promise. Her gaze softens as she closes the distance, her lips parting in a silent invitation, and, for once, she's the one who moves first. She leans in, her lips brushing mine, light and tender, and I sigh, wondering if she'll regret this.

But her kiss deepens, and I feel myself leaning into it, letting every unresolved thought dissolve. My hands find her waist, pulling her closer, her arms wrapping around my shoulders. My pulse races as I shift her onto the desk behind us, her breath hitching as she settles. A small, muffled groan escapes her lips, and I mutter, "Sorry," but she just tightens her hold, capturing my mouth again, unwilling to let me pull away.

It's different this time—every kiss we've shared before feels like a shadow in comparison. Her lips press against mine with a passion I've only dreamt of, her fingers threading through my hair as if afraid to let go. There's no room for doubt as I lose myself in her. I can feel her responding, her tongue meeting mine, tasting faintly of some energy drink she had earlier. Everything feels heightened.

I pull back, just for a second. "Jump," I murmur, and she does, wrapping her legs around my waist. She trusts me, her arms holding tight as I carry her to the bed, her laughter light as I settle her down. I pull off my polo, leaving me in just my white tank top, heart racing as her gaze trails over me. She wants this too.

 She's not pushing me away.

I lower myself down, our breaths mingling, and her hands slip back up to my shoulders, pulling me closer. It's intense, more than anything we've shared, and the thought that maybe, finally, this is more than just physical takes root in my mind. Each kiss feels like a promise, and I want nothing more than to lose myself in her.

But somewhere in the haze, a thought lingers. 

I don't want this to end either, Aira.

As I hold her, as I feel her warmth so close, I know there's more to this than either of us is ready to admit. And as much as I want to keep doing this, I know I can't keep going in circles with her, caught on the leash of her mixed signals.

But for now, I don't care.

Unsure of where we stand. But for now, I push that thought aside, letting myself enjoy every moment, every kiss, not knowing when, or if, this will ever feel so right again.