"Mella.."
Nagtaasan ang mga balahibo niya dahil naramdaman niya ang hininga ni Connor sa may bandang batok niya. His breath is so warm that it sends her tingles as soon as his breath touched her skin.
"H-Hoy! Lumayo ka nga!" sabi niya pero parang tanga naman siya na hindi man lang gumawa ng kahit anong paraan para lumayo si Connor. It's like her body betrayed her mind. It remained in its position, enjoying Connor's warmth.
"Hmm.." Connor murmured.
Biglang lumakas ang tibok ng puso niya hindi dahil sa takot o anupaman, kundi sa dating sakanya ng ginawa nitong mahinang pag-ungol. It sounded so manly.. so sexy to her ears.
Shit! What is she thinking? She cannot lust over Connor! She just can't!
Umiling siya na baka sakaling sa paraang iyon ay maialis niya sa isipan niya ang mga pumapasonk sa utak niya. Kung sino man ang nakaisip na dara na ito, gusto niyang tadyakan. Kung alam lang ng taong iyon ang hirap na dinadanas niya ngayon. Isabay pa na parehas silang nakainom ni Connor tapos walang ilaw sa loob ng storage room, tanging isang maliit na bintana sa bandang itaas ng pader ang nagbibigay ng kaunting liwanag sa maliit na kwarto.
"Sorry na.." Connor whispered.
Napatda siya sa kanyang narinig. She whirled around to face Connor but it was a bad idea. A very bad idea. She just came face to face with him. Sobrang lapit nila, their chest almost touching, their arms brushed with each other and their faces...if one of them moves, even for a tiny bit, there's a big chance that their lips could touch. Which is why she stepped away, causing her to stumble.
Connor moved swiftly, catching her with his right arm. Nasandal siya sa may pile ng mga boxes na dahil sa biglaang pagbagsak niya ay umuga ang mga iyon. Akala niya ay babagsak ang mga kahon sakanila pero maagap si Connor at napigilan nito ang mga iyon gamit ang kaliwang kamay nito.
"You okay?"
Napapikit siya lalo ng mga mata dahil tumama nanaman ang hininga nito sakanya. He smells like a mixture of alcohol and mint. His voice suddenly became husky like he's trying to seduce someone! God, ano nanaman baa ng iniisip niya?!
"O-Okay lang.." sagot nalang niya at dahan-dahang tumayo ng maayos. Connor was watching her the whole time, his left arm is still wrapped around her waist.
She cleared her throat to ease something she can't pinpoint. "Bitaw na.." saad niya rito.
Seconds passed but he's still holding her. Nang mag-angat siya ng tingin ay naabutan niya itong nakatitig sakanya. She blinked several times, trying to figure out what's in his mind but she just can't.
"Bati na tayo?"
Napaawang ang bibig niya nang bigla nalang ito magsalita. It sounded so childish, but Connor's face is far from being playful. He's serious and looking at her intently.
"You've been avoiding me these past few days. I guess galit ka pa rin sakin dahil sa nangyari last week."
He's talking about the disaster appointment he scheduled for her to make portraits of animals which is still a nightmare for her. She can still smell the dog's scent on her material, and the cat's fur is still on some of her canvass.
"What can I do to make it up to you?"
She looked at him and matched his stare. "Bitawan mo ako." She blurted.
"Not until you forgive me." he said and lo and behold, his famous grin is back on that pretty face.
Inirapan niya ito at tinulak palayo pero hinigpitan pa lalo nito ang hawak sakanya. "Bati muna tayo."
BINABASA MO ANG
Crossing the Line
General FictionBarkada Babies Series #7 "I tried really hard to keep my distance. I have too much to lose if I cross that line. But still, I crossed the line. I stepped over the boundary and I just have to face the consequences." - Mella Illustre