Chapter 27

Alitha's POV

He seems like he did not expect me to say that. But later on, he moved closer and he cupped my cheek with his one hand. His other hand held my waist and pulled me close to him.

"I want to take it slow with you but I can't help it. I promise you that those intimacy will be secluded in an area where no one can see and know but us." I can't help but smile. It's good to know that he cares for me and that he respects me. But the fact excites me that he's a real gentleman.

"That's better. Thank you, anyways. But we need to cook for now. So that our lunch will be ready before they came."

"Okay." He kissed me on my forehead before facing the stove again. He never let go of my hand and he drew me even closer to him. "I will teach you how to cook my favorite dish."

"Oh, your favorite dish huh? Tell me, how many of us have you taught how to cook your favorite?" I looked at what he was cooking. He finally let go of my hand but he still didn't push me away from him.

"I never taught and will never teach someone but you." I raised an eyebrow at him when I noticed he was looking at me.

"I don't believe you. Why? Didn't you teach Tracey?" I tried not to let him hear the jealousy in my voice. Even though I feel that way when I thought he might have taught Tracey as well.

"Is my baby jealous?" He didn't stop what he was doing but I felt like I had his attention.

"I'm not jealous. I'm just asking you." All right, deny it, self.

"Believe it or not, I haven't taught her and I haven't cooked for her yet. No woman has ever tasted my cooking except our helpers back then." I was thrilled when I heard what he said.

"Okay. Now I know." He just looked at me while grinning. He shook his head as he resumed cooking. I couldn't help but look at his shoulder that was almost clinging to mine. His tattoos on his arm and hands became even more obvious. My eyes trailed behind him. The lion tattooed on his back looked very much alive. It's just that the color is not yellow but black.

His scent is unusual. His natural manly scent mixed with his expensive perfume. That's why he smells like a real man for me. The kind of masculine scent that is not annoying to sniff but will be sought and smelled for more.

"I am cooking an avocado cream pasta with chicken and bacon and smoked paprika roasted chicken."

"Wow." He looked at me again. He kissed me on my lips again. He gave me a quick and a light kiss. After that, he got busy cooking. I simply turned around so he could move properly. But sometimes I help him with simple tasks.

Just as Glaiza and Cedrick arrived, Niko's roasted chicken was almost finish. I saw them bought drinks, bread and junk foods. Maybe we won't be here long. But why do I feel I want us to stay here for a long time. I want to spend more time with him that I didn't bother what time we are going back to the city.

We happily shared lunch. Once again, Niko surprised me with his behavior that I just discovered. He is good at cooking. The two dishes he cooked were delicious. Even Glaiza couldn't help but praise him over and over.

We sat side by side at the table while Cedrick and Glaiza were in front of us. Our legs and thighs are touching under the table. I didn't mind the feeling though but even so the heat and electricity radiating from the body of each of us could not be stopped. Especially when he moved closer to me. His arm touches mine. But I still ignored that. I choose not to mind the closeness he administer to both of us.

"What can you say about the food?" He suddenly whispered to me. I want to cry. I became emotional when I remembered how he learned to cook. But I restrained myself.

"It's so delicious. You can get married now." I told him outright but I was also immediately taken aback. Cedrick burst out laughing. "Ah, what I mean is you're already prepared for being a responsible husband." What? Ali?

"I haven't thought of that yet. "He said laughing as well. I just shook my head. I think something is changing in me but I'll think about it later.

When we finished eating, we immediately decided to take a bath. Wearing our bathing suits, we happily paddled in the water.

At first the four of us were talking about what-ifs. But Nikolai and I were soon left behind when Cedrick and Glaiza decided to go to the beach. It was close but Niko and I didn't go with them. I don't know but we seem to understand each other when we refused at the same time.

"This place is really beautiful." I said and swim to the middle part. I enjoy the delicious feeling. I floated and looked at the bluish sky. I decided to close my eyes and listened to the quiet movement of the water below. I could barely feel Niko approaching me but I didn't open my eyes.

"Definitely beautiful." I heard him whisper. I think his answer was late. I smiled. But I was surprised when he suddenly pulled me under the water. I dived into the water. I saw him submerged as well and laughing under the water. I swam closer to him but he swam away. He was maybe afraid I might retaliate.

It was like we were mermaids chasing each other under the sea. I accelerated the swim until I caught up with him. But he was about to go up when I touched his legs so I let him go immediately.

He was still laughing when I came up. He was already sitting on the sand and seemed to be waiting for me to approach him. I took some sand and threw it at his body.

"You're really deceitful. You're annoying. You're ruining my moment." I said sit next to him. Half of our bodies were still submerged in the water.

"I really like teasing you. You immediately losing your temper."

"I am not. I just want to get revenge on you." He laughed again as if he was still joking with me.

"You've got your revenge. You threw sand at me."

"Serves you right." He laughed looking at me. Until his gaze turned to stare. So am I. I was stunned to see the amazement in his eyes.

"Why?" He was speechless at first but managed to talk after a while.

"You're getting more and more beautiful in my eyes. Every day that passes you get more and more beautiful, Ali." His voice also changed. Suddenly it became deep and serious.

"Is that possible? What if you see me for a long time and it's every day? I might be erased because I'm so beautiful." To joke is what I want to do now. He looked at me very intensely. Deep and seems to have meaning.

"I didn't know that my baby has such a thing. As time goes on, you're becoming more and more beautiful in my eyes."

"That's why there are so many women chasing you at school. Because of the sweetness of your words. But count me out. You can't take me there, Johnson." He slightly laughed at what I said.

"It's up to you if you don't want to believe me. But I hope you have faith in me. Believe and trust me. That's all I'm going to ask from you." He became serious while saying that.

I want to trust him but I don't know, maybe I'm used to not just trusting someone. But I can't tell him that. I will try to trust him. Trust can be earned especially if you really get to know the person. And I'm willing to get to know him better. I nod and look at him seriously.

"Okay, I will." Three words but why do I even find it hard to say? Maybe because I can't fully trust him yet. But my heart dictates otherwise. Contrary to what my mind dictates. I feel like I trust him completely but it was not yet time for me to follow what my heart dictated.

I didn't mind him when he moved closer to me. I just stared into his eyes. I seemed to be mesmerized by what he was doing to me. In the depths of his gaze on me I could almost read his desire. His desire to kiss me and I was not wrong. He did what he wanted.

He kissed me and cupped the back of my head. I couldn't moved at first even though I was anticipated this to happen. It was not because of his actions but because of the feelings came rushing deep within me.

He kissed me slowly. I was tempted and imitated what he was doing. I kissed him back. But our slow kiss suddenly deepened and became emphatic kind of kiss he was doing to me. He even pulled me closer to him so my chest pressed against his chest. At the same time a moan came out of the two of us.

We both stunned and parted immediately. Our kiss broke down and we both couldn't speak. We just stared at each other. But gradually there was a faint smile on our lips.

"We'll take it slow right?" He says.

"Yeah." But it's okay if we won't. Duh! Silly, Ali! Said my villainous mind.

He drawn me closer to him and hugged me. I hugged him back. I could smell him because of our closeness. His manly scent that I will never get tired of sniffing. We resumed swimming when Glaiza and Cedrick came. We enjoyed the scenery and astound feeling of this place. I wish nothing more but this moment of being free and happy. I care nothing but the people I am with right now. Especially the one who makes me feel and discover this beauty of nature that God made really exists.

"This cabin has two rooms. We can stay here for the night." Cedrick said while Glaiza was leaning beside him. We're in a dining area drinking after having dinner.

We have decided to stay here overnight and leave at dawn or early morning. But what my heart beats fast was the realization hit me when Cedrick announced that. Should Niko and I will share a room? Or maybe I can suggest that Glaiza and I will share a room.

"I missed being with you, sweetie. So finish your drink already so that we can sleep early." He said pointing at Glaiza's drink. I was silently stunned and alarmed. I glanced at Glaiza and hoped she could read what I was thinking. But to my dismay, she looked thrilled and excited to be with her boyfriend tonight in one room.

Until I felt a strong hand holding my waist and pulled me to him. "What are you thinking?" Niko whispered and gripped my waist tightly. I realized he kept on gripping my waist lately.

Should I tell him what's bothering in my mind? I don't think so. Maybe he'll think that I'm afraid of him. I am not afraid of him but myself. I'm afraid I can't control my feelings whenever he's near me and doing some intense and hot moves toward me.

"Nothing." I said and drank my beer. A hot and gorgeous not to mention a good cook, Nikolai Johnson is a temptation. I can see now why girls are swooning over him. What more if they find out how sweet, how marvelous and how a great kisser Niko is.

I swear they'll do everything just to get rid of me and snatch him. "You look bothered." He whispered but his lips touched my earlobe this time. I suddenly felt a tingling sensation.

"Did I?"

"Yeah. What's wrong?" I looked at him so that he'll pull himself away from me but he didn't move a bit. I looked away when I saw how intense his eyes was staring at me deeply. I felt nervous.

"I was thinking.."

"Bro, we better get moving. We'll sleep early because we will leave at dawn." Cedrick interrupted and I abruptly look at them. They're already standing while hugging each other's waist.

"Glaiza?" I called my friend and I stood not minding Niko's hand fell on the chair.

"Yes, friend?" She looked.. happy and excited. Was it because she will be with Cedrick tonight? She winked at me and that made me think that I was right. She doesn't want me to complain.

"Ahm, nothing. You may go. We will leave early tomorrow." I saw how her smile grew wider.

"Don't worry. I know that already."

I sat again when they went inside in one of the rooms. "You okay?"