Never Descending

Kabanata 11

Dito lang

Napasipol si Jett.

"Let's start?" basag ni Paul sa katahimikan.

Zane got no choice but to find another partner. Habang ako naman ay hindi pa rin maialis ang tingin kay Ace. I'm still fascinated by his sudden change of disposition.

Nauna na siyang pumwesto na para bang wala lang. Nang magsimula siyang maglakad patungo sa gitna kung nasan din ang iba ay tila napako pa ang paa ko sa sahig nang ilang saglit bago naibalik ang lakas at sumunod na rin.

Naninibago ako dahil tuwid na siyang nakakatingin sa akin. Hindi ko man masabing gumaan na ang titig niya ay kakaiba pa rin ito kumpa sa mabibigat niyang tingin noon. Yes, it was still dark but a different kind of dark this time.

"Alright," Zane said. "Let's see who has to do it first." he said before rolling the randomizer app from his phone.

Hinintay namin kung sa 'boy' or 'girl' iyon tuturo. Sa huli ay huminto ang pag-ikot at tumama ang arrow sa 'girl'.

"Nice," Jett grinned.

Para naman sa body part na didilaan ay ginamit ulit ni Zane ang parehong application. Puno iyon ng iba't ibang pagpipilian mula ulo hanggang paa. Nang matapos ang pag-ikot ay tumuro ang arrow sa 'neck'.

I heard a whistle from one of the guys. Zane told everyone to get on their positions and even bid his goodluck for the girls.

"Don't forget to put the lime wedge on your partners mouth," he reminded.

Napalunok ako nang ibinalik ko ang tingin kay Ace. My heart pounded inside my chest. I don't remember being this anxious for a mere body shot before. Especially coz I'm always praised for being such an expert in this field. So what the hell am I nervous for?

Umangat ang kilay niya sa tumatagal kong tingin.

"Put it, Iris." he ordered.

His authoritative tone was full of command that I nearly trembled. Halos mataranta ang kalamnan ko habang inaabot ang nakahandang lemon. My hands are internally shuddering while pulling it up.

I swallowed as I brought back my eyes to his face. Habang nilalapit ko ang hawak na lime wedge sa bibig niya ay nagtama ang mga mata namin. My insides panicked when I saw him gazing straight to my eyes. He wasn't looking anywhere but me!

Damn. I know I've always craved to have his full attention on me but this is too much. Hindi ko naman alam na ganito pala. I don't think I can stand his unwavering stare given how drop-dead gorgeous he is upclose. Sobrang nakakalunod.

Parang tingin niya pa lang ay mapapaluhod niya na agad ako. Huwag naman sana. Laban tayo, Iris.

His brow raised at me when I still wasn't able to place the lemon in between his lips. May munting bakas ng panghahamon sa mga mata niya.

I gritted my teeth to get my shit together. This isn't even the body shot proper yet. Dammit.

Tuluyan ko nang naipwesto ang lemon sa tapat ng bibig niya. Waiting for him to part his lips so I can insert it.

I hitched my breathe as I watched him do it. Sa pag-parte ng labi niya ay agad kong naramdaman ang mainit na hininga niya. It brushed and touched my fingers that were right in front of his mouth. His breath gave me a certain fleeting sensation.