Chapter Two: THE FIRST ENCOUNTER

Lesley's POV

Harley's in trouble.

I gripped my rifle as my eyes slowly searching in all corners of that forest.

I don't know where's my brother. And I can't help but to blame myself. Top of that, I shouldn't have slept. I should have watched over him. I should have--

"Huh?" I stop murmuring litany. I'm sure I heard something in the dark not too far from my direction. Something like a creak of branch. Someone's walking probably!

My trained eyes roamed all over. I'm sure there's other people somewhere.

"Who's there?" I asked bravely. Preparing my rifle to fire.

"Sheekk!!

Huh?! My eyes widened. There's a glistening blade darting my way. It's too close and too fast for me to avoid.

"Ehkk!" my grip in my rifle loosen. I don't know where it fell. I lost balance, too that I abruptly stepped backward and leaned in tree trunk, savoring the coldness of the tree in my back.

The blade luckily didn't hit my right arm. It hitted the cloth. But it hitted too deep that my dress pinned in the tree along with my arm. I'm still absorbing what was just happen when another blade comes my way. My heart's hammering with shock. I just close my eyes tightly, wishing it won't hit my heart.

"Shookk!"

I heard it pierced in but I didn't feel any pain.

I opened my eyes, only to saw that the blade hitted my cloth again. In my left arm part this time. I tried to free it from the weapon but I couldn't. I looked like Jesus that was nailed in the tree. I struggled to free myself.

"Don't push your luck, Babe."

I focused my eyes in the direction where the voice came. I should be alarmed but I felt uncanny. I wasn't afraid. I liked the sound of his voice. Very masculine.

From the dark, the owner of the man's voice walked closer where there was light from moon. I saw first his black shoes, up to his black pants.. white shirt.. broad shoulders.. manly neck.. and to his-- I gasped.

At my age, I've seen a lot of good looking men but this man.. He is not just handsome. He has character. And there's something in him that I can't explain. Something animalistic. "W-who are you?" Was he the one who took Harley? With that, the anger I felt came back. "Where's my brother?" I struggled again to free myself but to no use. "Remove these damn blades before I destroy your gorgeous face with my bullets. I swear I could kill you with my bullets."

He just laughed. A sexy laugh for that matter. "Thank you."

"What!?"

"You just stated a compliment, Baby." He walked closer to me. He held my chin and raised. "You just said I'm gorgeous."

"Did I?" I exclaimed. I knew I threatened him. So what the hell he was saying?

"You did. Thank you and I know that very well since all women I've met never fails to mention that."

How conceited! "You know, you disgust me." I faked a sweet smile. "First and foremost, you are not that really good looking," Of course that was a lie. He is the most handsome man I've seen. But saying that to him won't do him good. "You seems ordinary. You don't even affect me," I added. I saw his forehead knotted but I just shrugged. "Secondly, I am not your Baby nor your Babe. And thirdly," I looked down to his hand which still in my chin. "Don't-you-ever-touch-me!" I emphasized every words for him to understand.

"I don't affect you?" He seriously asked, not minding my other litany. His smile vanished. He seems bothered with that matter. He got insulted obviously.

I wanted to laugh. "You heard me."

He stared at me for a long moment as if challenging me. I stared at him back. Not wanting to lose. "Let's see." One corner of his lips curved in a sheepish smile.

That made me confused.

Before I could guess what's on his mind, his hand is already in my nape. My eyes widened with shock. I can clearly see what he wants to do. I opened my mouth to protest but he took advantage. He claimed my lips for a deep kiss. And it's not just a simple kiss. He delved his tongue inside my mouth, sucking, playing, tasting and teasing.

I was aghast that I don't even thought to close my eyes. I was shockingly staring at the dark sky.

The kissed ended but I'm still motionless. Unbelievably staring at him in confusion. "Y-you...Y-you--" Damn! Why I am stammering?

He touched my cheeks. "You're blushing, Sweetheart."

Damn. I am not! Why would I? He is nothing. The kiss is nothing. I should be angry to him. He stole my first kiss. "Listen to me! If I get myself free from these--"

"That is, if you get yourself free." He grinned before he bent his head again and kissed my lips.. with the same intensity and rhythm.

Again, I stood motionless and savors the tingling sensation he's sending to my body. "You tastes so sweet, Sweetheart", he whispered in my lips huskily. Why do he sound so sexy?

"I.. I.." I don't know what to say. Should I say thank you? From his eyes, my eyes went down to his still moistened lips. I felt my cheeks flushing again. Forcing myself, I looked in other direction. I toned down. "You shouldn't have done that."

"I'm sorry."

I took a deep breath. "Forgiven."

"I'm not sorry for kissing you. I am saying sorry because I can't help myself from doing it again."

What?!

********