Chapter 28

Alitha's POV

"Yeah." I was expecting his hand will hold my waist again but he didn't do anything. Instead he opened new can of beer and gulp it consecutively.

We fell silent for I don't know how long and just concentrated with our drink. I opened a new one when he was with this sixth can. I know something strange is happening but I didn't dare to ask him. His eyes on the table but I know he was thinking of something. He suddenly became aloof and silent.

I felt guilty because of that. Maybe he sensed that I didn't want to be left alone with him in a room. I tightly closed my eyes and opened again. I drank my beer in one gulp. I didn't realized that I emptied the last bottle already.

I stood and quietly clean the table. "You leave it. I will clean this mess. You can sleep now." At last, he spoke. But his voice sounded tired.

"Let me help. You're the one who cook so I will wash the dishes." I was glad he didn't say anything anymore. He just continued drinking with his blank expression. I look away afraid that he might caught me staring at him.

I was done cleaning and washing the dishes when I heard him stood and brought the cans in the trash bin. I slightly felt embarrassed when I was about to invite him to sleep. "I will sleep now." I said and waited for him to speak.

He looked at me but averted suddenly. "Yeah." That's all abd he resumed what he was doing. What have I done? Tsk!

I turned around and walked faster toward the other room. I walked straight across the bed and slammed myself in the soft mattress. I was not nervous anymore but I was irritated. His sudden change of behavior annoys me. I know it's my fault and I was wrong. But he shouldn't acted that way. He should ask me.. or he should.. he should.. shit!

I hate him!

But my hatred swept away when I heard the door opened. I immediately closed my eyes and pretend to sleep. I didn't bother to turn the lights on when I went inside earlier that's why it's dark. I know he couldn't see me but I still close my eyes and didn't move a bit.

My heart started beating wild when I felt the bed shifted. Is he sleeping here? Beside me? I was anticipating his next move when he stopped moving.

Was he slept already? I think he was. But my mind and my body could not be at ease, especially my heart couldn't contain the normal and steady beat knowing that he's only behind me.

I almost jolted when I felt his arm held my waist down to my stomach. He hugged me. OMG! He moved closer that I could feel my back pressed against his hard chest.

"I know you're awake. Stop pretending, baby." His husky voice roamed around my mind. He buried his head in my hair and felt him sniffed me. He seemed not contented when he buried his head in the crook of my neck and sniffed me there also.

I think my heart was jumping out of my ribcage because of what he was doing. This is crazy. I will go crazy if he continues. We're still young for God's sake!

"What is it?" I opened my eyes but I didn't move inside his embrace. I heard and felt him sighed.

"Stop doing that." His tone's low I hardly heard him.

"What's that?" I was confused. I didn't know what he was talking about. Again, I heard him sighed. The air fanned my neck was hot and it sent shivers down my spine.

"Are you okay now?" He asked me that instead. He changed the topic and avoided my question. "You're not afraid of me anymore?"

I turned slightly to him. "Why did you say that?"

He sighed again. "I can see in your actions. Why are you afraid of me?"

"I am not." I'm not really afraid of him. I was afraid of myself. I'm not ready for this yet but my body's reaction is surprising. I spontaneously and eagerly respond to him and to his kisses.

"Okay. You shouldn't be afraid of me. I won't do anything that you don't want me to."

"What is it?"

He laughed slightly. "Nothing." He pinched my nose. It didn't hurt but I was still surprised. I felt him suddenly hug me tightly. Slowly, he made me face him.

Here is my abnormal heartbeat again. In our position now, even though it was a bit dark I could still see his eyes. His eyes became hazy and deep staring at me. He's on top of me holding my hand and gripping my waist.

He did not hesitate to kiss me. His lips touched mine unmoving at first but suddenly deepened. His kind of kiss became inquisitive. Looking for a response.

This is really what I'm afraid of. I stopped thinking and suddenly responded to his sweet kiss. He moaned as I bit his lower lip. My mouth opened and he took the opportunity. He slides his tongue inside my mouth and explored every corner. I was taken aback by the strange feeling it brought inside of me.

Our kiss lasted until I realized that he had just kissed me on the cheek towards my ear. It went down to my neck and he lingered there again. My series of moan came out spontaneously. I closed my eyes tightly and tugged at his hair. His kiss went down to the opening of my chest.

I was stunned and pushed him slightly. He seemed surprised at what I did. His lips were still parted when he looked at me. "S-sorry." He said and lay down beside me.

"Sorry, I was just surprised." I cupped my head. We shouldn't have gotten to that yet. I lay down next to him and stared at the ceiling. We were silent for a while and just stared at the ceiling. Only our rapid breathing could be heard inside the room.

"You're just the first guy to kiss me like that." I don't want him to think differently of me. So I wanted to tell him that truth. I felt him turn to me.

"Really? Ah, I mean .. Why?"

I laughed at his reaction. His voice was happy but he suddenly became serious. Is he that glad knowing he's my first? "I don't know."

He laughed too. He held my hand tightly. "I'm sorry. I really can't help myself."

"You shouldn't apologize. You know that's insulting, don't you?" I'm still joking. I know he's just apologizing because he's a little over my boundary.

He faced me again. He caressed my cheek gently. "Next time, I won't apologize."

We slept in each other's arms and had a smile on our lips. I am happy because he is here beside me. I'm so happy when I'm with him. I am so happy we sleep together but nothing happened to us aside from sleeping.

I woke up with my back to him. As he had two hands clasped around me. He hug me and he seemed like he didn't want me to let go anymore. We're on spooning position. It felt great and I felt secured. I moved to face him but he suddenly spoke.

"Good morning." He whispered behind my ear. It was my first time hearing his bedroom voice. He sounds so sexy.

"Good morning."

"How's your sleep?" He still won't let me go.

"Good. How about you?"

"Better." I noticed it was still dark outside.

"What time is it?"

"It's four in the morning." And yet he still holding me tight. Does he have no plans to go home? Because I still don't seem to want to go home. I like my position now. He hugged me tightly and sniffed my hair while whispering nothings.

"Are you happy?"

"Yes. Thank you for bringing me here."

"Will you still come with me the next time I come here?"

"Will you still take me?"

He laughed softly. "Why not?"

"Maybe someone else will be with you next time." I was joking with him. But I seem to feel a twinge of jealousy when I mention that.

"I didn't know my girlfriend was jealous."

"I'm not jealous."

"Don't deny it." He spoke very softly. "There's nothing wrong with being jealous. It just means, you really like me. But this is what you'll remember, I won't let you be jealous of anyone."

I secretly smiled. Why is he so sweet?

"So don't think like that anymore."

"You're really corny. I was just kidding. I'm not the jealous type." I lied again. "But I'm a normal person so I will expect to feel that, I don't know when."

"The next time we go here, it's just the two of us."

"I don't know about you."

Our conversation was interrupted when we heard a series of knocks. "Bro? Ali?"

Glaiza and Cedrick. They were also awake. We have no choice but to get up. But I secretly looked forward to what he said that we would come back here. When it was just the two of us. I'm looking forward to that, baby. I also secretly smiled and thrilled.

I helped him clean and arrange our bed. "Who cleans here?"

"We have a caretaker at the resort who comes here to clean up." I just nodded in response.

"Good morning." We greeted the two at the same time when we got out. As usual, Glaiza secretly teased me.

We quietly drove home. I hugged him tightly as we followed Glaiza and Cedrick. He wasn't driving fast unlike his usual, that's what I noticed.

A simple goodbye happened to Niko and me when we parted outside Glaiza's house. Simple but full of regret. He said we would meet later at school. So somehow I felt better.

But immediately nervousness kicked in my chest as my cellphone vibrated one after another. I turn it off last night because there was no signal. My bodyguards also entered my mind. I peeked in the rear view mirror and saw them following me. Did they track us down last night? Maybe. But I know they also know how to respect my privacy.

Honestly, they disappeared from my mind last night. Since I sat at Nikolai's back in his motorbike, I don't remember them anymore. I was clouded by the feeling Niko brought me.

I didn't read the messages from Aunt Caroline and Uncle Dan first. I stepped aside that first and called Cliff.

"Can we talk?" I abruptly told him even though he hadn't spoken yet.

"Yes, Miss." I turned off the call and saw the van stop behind my car. I saw Cliff come out of the car and walk closer to where I was. He got into the passenger seat of my car.

"Where were you last night?" I immediately asked as he sat down.

"Just outside the cave, Miss."

"You didn't go in and guard the lagoon?"

"It was evening when we did that, Miss." I nodded. "I received many messages and calls from your Aunt Caroline, Miss. There was no signal there so it just came in this morning."

"Have you three eaten?" I asked him instead.

"We're done, Miss."

"I'll be the one to talk to Aunt and Uncle. I'd like to ask you something, Cliff."

"What is it, Miss Alitha?" I turned to him and sighed.

"Can you please don't mention Nikolai to them? I'll explain everything to them."

"But Miss, how's your Daddy?"

"Can you please don't tell him first? I'll take care of them. Don't worry, I'll take care of you and your companions."

He slightly nod. "Okay, Miss."

"Thank you, Cliff. I owe it to you, big time."

"You're welcome, Miss. As long as you take card of yourself, we'll stop worrying anymore." I smiled at him.

"You may go so we can go home. I'm sorry, Cliff, I've only just experienced this."

"I understand, Miss. We're just here to protect you."

"Thank you so much."

We crossed the road home again. When we arrived, all the guards looked at me. I saw the sudden brightness of their faces upon seeing me unharmed.