Forbidden Pleasure

Chapter 7

 "But my mind knows the difference between wanting what you can't have and wanting what you shouldn't want. And I shouldn't want you." 
— Cassandra Clare

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CHAPTER 7

Pasimple kong tinapon sa loob ng kwarto ang damit na pinunit ko kanina at dinampot ang isang t-shirt na tingin ko talaga ay kay James. Nagmamadali kong sinuot ito habang kagat-kagat ang aking labi. Nang matapos ay tumungo ako palabas ng kwarto. Nadatnan ko naman si Kaius na nasa sala at naglilibot ng paningin sa kabuoan ng aking silid. The place is dim, kailangan ko pang kapain ang switch malapit sa pinto upang magliwanag ang paligid.

"Your place is very small," puna nito na ikinaangat ng kilay ko.

Nang-iinsulto ka ba?

I'm tipsy ngunit kaya ko pa naman. Nakatayo sa center table ang limang bote ng wine na naubos ko ng mag-isa. Umupo naman si Kaius sa inupuan ko kanina at pinatong ang paa sa mesa.

"I already declined my sister's offer. You should spend the night together, not bugging me in the middle of the night—"

"Ayoko rin namang magpunta ka," he cut me. "But I just want to give your sister what she wants. You see, Architect Kainashi, she's a month pregnant. You can just stay for just a day. Aalis ka rin naman bukas."

He's harsh. "Sabihin mo na lang kay ate na tulog na ako. I'll just visit her tomorrow."

"I told her that I'd come home with you," he replied.

I just took a deep breath and walked towards the center table. Pinulot ko ang isang bote ng alak at umupo sa mahabang sofa. I also rested my feet on the table and drank the wine 'til the very last drop. Napapikit ako nang maramdaman ko ang pait nito na gumuhit sa aking lalamunan.

Tanginang puso 'to, ang bilis tumibok.

"Susunod din ako, Mr. Imperial. I'll just pack my things para diretso na ang alis ko bukas. I have a car. Maaari na po kayong umuwi," I murmured before standing up. Medyo nahilo ako kaya muntikan na akong ma-out of balance.

Naramdaman ko ang isang braso humawak sa bewang ko upang panatilihin ang pagkakatayo ko. I held my temple and closed my eyes before heaving a deep breath. Doon ko lamang na-realize kung sino ang humawak sa bewang ko. I look up to see Kaius looking at me intently while holding my waist; our distance is just an inch apart.

Wala sa sariling napalunok ako at humakbang paatras, but his strong and firm arms held me back. "M-Mr. Imperial—"

"Hush," mahinang usal nito at pinikit ang kanyang mga mata. I saw how he inhaled my scent. "Your scent's familiar."

"Mr—"

"Kaius," sansala nito sa aking sasabihin. "Just call me Kaius."

"Kaius..." I feel like I'm starting to lose my breath.

He grinned. "Better."

Napaiwas ako dito ng tingin. Fuck, heartbeat. Just stop! Napasinghap ako nang mas hapitin niya pa ako palapit.

"B-bitiwan niyo po ako," kapos hininga kong saad.

"Why?" He lowered his head to level mine. "Does our distance bother you?"

"Yes." Wow. That's the first time you've been honest in front of him, Sam! "It really bothers me."

"Why?" he asked, and I smelled his menthol mouthwash and inhaled his manly scent.

His scent was too intoxicating for me. Damn it! "Because you're my sister's husband, and you're holding me inappropriately."

He just chuckled before letting go of my waist. "Pack your things. We need to go."