Chapter 19

Alitha's POV

"I dare you to kiss Ali in front of us." I gasped at what Cedrick said. My eyes widened as I turned to him. Glaiza slapped Cedrick's arm but her boyfriend just whispered to her ear. I was curious of what he's talking.

"Why me?" I said when they both look at me.

"You're the only one Nikolai can kiss here. No one else."

"Why do he have to kiss her? Can you ask him anything else?" Josh complained.

"Yo, bro. That dare is very common in this game. Everyone follow that dare. Don't be a spoiler." Andy said.

"But it's Ali and she's different from those girls who were involved in that dare."

"Bro, it's just a cowardice who backs away and doesn't participate in that dare. Also, it was just a kiss and has no other meaning. Unless, of course, Ali hasn't been kissed before. Was it, Ali?"

I stumbled upon what Jigger asked me. How can I tell him not yet? They will definitely laugh at me. At this age, most of us already have experiences with kissing. And I haven't.

I look at Nikolai. His eyes on me and as if waiting for my approval. Won't he rebuke his friends? Won't he ask me if it's okay for him to kiss me? I came here to be with my friend and not to experience my first kiss.

"Don't worry, it's just a game. If you haven't been kissed yet, you're in luck because I'll be the first to kiss you." He suddenly spoke. Isn't it the other way around? That he is lucky to be my first kiss and not me.

"Women are chasing Nikolai just to kiss them. They won't mind falling or getting hurt just to kiss this friend of ours. Then here you are? You can kiss Nikolai effortlessly, and yet you're hesitating." Said the arrogant Vinzon. It was as if I was chasing Niko if he could say that.

"Let's finish this game so we can rest. I'm sure it will be a lousy kiss for a girl without experience. There's no malice. Aren't we friends?" He is so sarcastic and his voice sounds tired. And what? Lousy? Me? Huh!

"I have been kissed before. No worries. I can handle that dare." I said while turning to Glaiza. There's a worry in her eyes but somehow she didn't say anything. I don't want my first kiss will happen here and not because of a game. But I don't understand myself why I agreed. I just hate being told that word. Lousy? Really?

"Ali?" Josh warned me.

"It's okay. He's not my first kiss either." I could see Nikolai smirking.

"Go, bro! Kiss her!" His friends are urging him. I felt like I was out of breath when he stood up. I'm too nervous that I can even hear the thud in my heart! Is it like this when you know your first kiss will happen in seconds? You feel like you're running out of breath because you're so nervous.

I think I will run out of saliva and will dry me especially when he is standing in front of me now. He sat leveling our faces. His eyes are deep. Stealthy deep if he looks at me. He slowly brought his face closer to mine. I can already smell his fresh fragrant breath.

Our lips were only a few inches when he suddenly crossed it.

His lips crashed into mine. I gasped for breath. My eyes widened and I hear nothing. My grip tightened on my dress. It seemed as if a high voltage of electricity suddenly passed between the two of us. He kissed me hard. I don't know but he seems to be shaking. His lips are slightly trembling. He is sucking my lips hard as if he was very thirsty.

I don't know how many minutes or seconds his kiss on me lasted. I didn't close my eyes so I could see him closing his eyes firmly. As quickly as he crossed between our lips before, just as quickly he parted it after I don't know how long he kissed me. His eyes widened as he woke up and looked at me. It was as if he had gone to another world because of his aura and his expression.

"A kiss from a lousy kisser." I didn't realize I had said that out. But I didn't let him notice me stunned. I smile at him instead. His expression went blank but there's a glint of smirk in his face.

He didn't say anything and he stood up. He walked across the house without looking back.

"Nikolai!" Cedrick called him but he just waved his hand gesturing that he's out. What was that? Was that the usual reaction after kissing a lousy kisser like me? I felt insulted especially when his friends are looking at me wondering what's wrong. I shrugged my shoulders when I sense that they're waiting for my answer.

"Nikolai walked out because of you, guys." Aira blames the boys. Cedrick stood up and followed his best friend. Vinzon wanted to continue the game but Aira and Glaiza refused to. I feel the same. I just wanted lay down and rest. I can't forget how soft his lips in mine. I didn't know that a tough and hard guy like him possess a very soft lips and intoxicating kiss. I have this feeling that I will be having a hard time to sleep tonight.

Cedrick's POV

I followed Nik inside the house. I know what's happening to him. I know how he felt because I've been through that. He tells me always about how he felt every time he saw Alitha, every time he's with her. I know for sure that my best friend is falling in love with my girl's best friend. He didn't say anything but the way he talks about her, the way his eyes glow and the way he smiles every time he mentions Ali's name, I know that he likes her.

He was very happy when he told me that Ali accepted his friendship. I even teased him that he's only good in friends with benefits but he just told me that Ali is different. I know it's different this time when he called me last night. I went to his house and found him drinking. Both hands cupped his head and elbows on his knees. He looks devastated last night.

He's drunk, his hair was messy and the glass table was broken. He told me this morning that he smashed it when he arrived last night.

"What the heck?" He's silent and drank the liquor in his hand. He's in total mess. "What the hell is wrong with you, Nik?"

"I saw her." His voice was full of jealousy.

"Who?"

"Ali. I saw her with a man. Remember the apartment I was planning to buy? I saw her beside that apartment and hell, sweat all over their shirts! They both came out from that man's apartment!" He threw the bottle and it broke just like what happened on his table." I'm sure that man was Alec! The Alec she likes most!"

"Chill, bro. You're not even sure what's the real score between them."

He didn't bother to listen to me. He opened another liquor and drank straight in the bottle. I know that he was jealous last night. Even earlier, I saw how he despised my cousin. But he keeps on looking away every time Ali looked at his direction. That's why I dared him to kiss her earlier. To make him realize what's he's been missing. I bet he realized now.

I found him outside. Leaning his motorbike and smoking like crazy. He's tense and looks shock. He looks at me when he feels my presence.

"Fuck!" He cursed like a man who can't do anything. "I'm fuck up! This is shit!"

I laughed at his reaction. Familiar though. I've been there. Realizing something you didn't expect to come and to happen. Damn!

Alitha's POV

And I was right. Later that night, I haven't seen Nikolai when we went inside the house. Cedrick usher us to our room. Glaiza and I will share a room next to Aira and Andy's room for the night. On the left side is Cedrick's room. The boys will be staying two rooms after his. That's according to Cedrick.

I was lying and looking at the ceiling. Glaiza fall asleep as soon as I turn the lights off. I can't sleep. I can't forget him. His handsome face keeps showing either I close my eyes or open it. His tattoos lingering on my mind as well as the softness of his lips. How it tremble while sucking mine. His sleepy eyes when he opened it and bewildered mine.

Ugh! Jesus Christ, Ali!

I sit up and got off the bed afraid that Glaiza might wake up. I need to drink milk or chocolate or whatever they have. I slowly open the door and walk away from our room. The house is dark for the lights was turned off. The moonlight helps me enough to see the hallway. I open the refrigerator when I reach the dining area. Glad to see a bottle of milk. I didn't bother to turn on the lights because the moonlight is enough for me to see things clearly.

I get a glass in the cupboard and saw a bread beside the peanut butter, cheese and chocolate spread. My stomach grumbled once I saw those. I quietly get the bread and chocolate spread. I hope no one will come here and see me eat like a dragon.

I close my eyes when my tongue taste the chocolate spread. Ah, heaven! I drink milk after two to three bites and it's really wonderful. I already ate two sandwiches and decided to eat another when I felt a presence behind me. I didn't look back and waited for that someone to talk or approach me. The scent is familiar and I'm starting to feel nervous.

I can hear him walking closer and closer to me. Until he stops close enough for me to smell him. He's drunk. "You hungry?" That low baritone voice behind me made my heartbeats fast.

"Hmm." Wtf?! My mouth is full so I didn't talk but scandalized when it sounds like a moan. I close my eyes because of embarrassment.

"Ali." I waited for his next word but nothing came out. I hurriedly chew the last sandwich in my mouth and drank straight the milk after. I walked to the refrigerator and put back the milk. The bread and chocolate spread in the cupboard. I could feel him watching me but I don't mind. I washed the glass that I used and put it back on the cupboard.

I dried my hands using the towel hung in the refrigerator. I felt him walk towards me. When I face him, he still continued walking closer to me.

"What are you doing?" I huffed.

"Can't sleep, Ali?" He whispered. I step back because he's getting closer and closer to me. But I stopped when I felt the coldness of the refrigerator in my back.

"I was hungry." I gasped when he stopped. Our chest are almost touching. With our position, I could smell the liquor in his breath. "You're drunk."

"No. Just a little." He placed both his hands in my sides cornering me in the refrigerator. His manly scent and the liquor mixed-up that makes my heart pound faster and faster. I swallowed when he bent down and level his face to mine. "Just to forget what happened earlier. But I couldn't." He sounds like he's in pain.

"What are you talking about?" I was alarmed when his face moved closer. I gasped when he sniffed the air that I breath out.

"Hmm. You smell like a baby." He groaned.

"Niko, you're drunk. You don't know what you're doing." I sounded like a girlfriend scolding her boyfriend. My voice came out softly that made me stunned.

"Are you scared of me, baby?" Huh? What's with this man? And what's with my heart? I almost touched my chest and rubbed it because my heart was beating wild.

"Drop that, Niko. I'm not a baby."

"You smell like a baby... baby." His voice became sweeter and sweeter. His hand gently touched my cheek.

"Stop it, Niko!"

"Ahh. I really love it when you call me that."

"You're crazy."