My breath caught, and I felt a rush of warmth flood my cheeks. Nagpaulit-ulit sa aking isipan ang sinabi niya na parang iyon lang ang mga salitang kaya kong pagbuhusan ng pansin sa mga sandaling ito. I opened my mouth to respond, but the closeness, the weight of his arms around me, made words suddenly seem unnecessary.
Kailangan niya ba talagang sabihin ang ganoon?
Para saan?
Bakit?
Tila naman nababasa niya ang aking iniisip dahil imbes na pakawalan ay mas ihinilig pa niyang lalo ang kaniyang bigat sa akin. He tightened his hold, his hands firm at my waist, keeping me close.
"You're blushing," namamaos niyang bulong, kahit pa nga ba hindi naman siya nakatingin sa akin. Parang tiyak na tiyak niyang talaga na iyon ang reaksyon ko. "And I can tell you're turned on, Chanel."
I bit my lip, trying to laugh it off, but my pulse was racing, and I knew he could feel it. "You're awfully sure of yourself."
"I'm only sure because you make it obvious," he breathed, his voice a smooth, teasing purr.
I shivered again, the low tone of his voice wrapping around me, making it impossible to back away. Para ba akong napako na sa aking kinaroroonan, na kahit walang kapit ni Icen ay hindi ko rin naman makukuhang gumalaw. The bar, the people around us, even the music, all faded into the background. It was just him—just us—in this moment that felt suspended.
I tried to steady my breathing, determined to regain some control, but he was too close. Hindi pa nga nakuntento, umahon pa mula sa aking balikat at mataman akong pinagmasdan. Pilit kong ibinalik ang aming usapan sa ginawa niyang panggagamit sa akin kanina dahil kung saan saan na yata kami napunta.
"Manggagamit ka pa rin, Icen De Salvo."
"Maybe I am using you," he grinned, his hand moving up to gently cup my face, his thumb brushing softly over my cheek. "Or maybe I'm just... not used to wanting someone this much."
I swallowed, my words catching in my throat as I met his gaze. Damn him and his words!
"You're cute when you're turned on."
Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mga mata. "I am not turned on!"
I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my composure as Icen's eyes roamed over me, that teasing, insufferable grin tugging at his lips. He leaned in just a bit closer, his voice low, rich with that dangerous charm he wore so well.
"Oh really?" he murmured, licking his bottom lip in a slow, deliberate motion. "It'd be so easy for me to check it myself, baby."
My heart raced as his gaze dropped slightly, lingering at the edge of my dress, his eyes glinting with mischief. The thought of him moving his hand down to the apex of my thighs sent a sudden wave of heat through me, making my breath catch. I opened my mouth to say something—anything—but he held my gaze, the tension between us thick and inescapable.
Then, with a knowing smirk, he pulled back just a little, his eyes flicking back to mine. "But I wouldn't want to embarrass you. Baby, it's cute... The way you deny it."
"I'm not denying anything. Don't flatter yourself, De Salvo."
"Believe me," he said, his voice dipping low as he leaned in close, so close that his breath brushed my cheek, "there's no need to flatter myself. I can feel you shivering."
"I'm just cold," I muttered, lifting my chin defiantly, though my pulse was still racing.
Icen's grin deepened, a mischievous spark flashing in his eyes. Before I could process what was happening, he leaned in, his head dipping lower until his lips brushed mine in a soft, teasing kiss. The gentleness of it sent a shock through me, like the first spark before a fire ignites.
