CHAPTER 26: ADDICTED

SORCHA'S POV

Dumiretso ako mula sa pagkakayuko ko sa halaman ko na kinakausap ko nang bumukas ang pintuan at iniluwa niyon ang kapatid ko na parang stress na stress sa buhay niya. Akala kasi madaling magkaroon ng solo case. Ngayon tuloy parang kulang na lang ay matulog siya habang nakatayo.

"I need to go back to Dagger."

"Okay?" patanong na sabi ko.

"I can't reach Pike and Warrick yet, but I'll send someone to stay with Daze. Habang mag-isa lang siya, pwede mo bang samahan muna?" Napakamot siya sa ulo niya. "I know you're already with him all day, most of that you spend annoyed with him, but can you stay with him for an hour tops?"

I wasn't annoyed all day. Maybe half of it. Iyong kalahati... well, I don't know what happened to the rest of the day. Mabuti na lang ay kahit nakapikit ay kabisado ko ang trabaho ko dahil parang robot na kumikilos na lang ako kasi nasa alapaap ang utak ko. At sa halik na pinagsaluhan namin.

Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko. It's clear that my brother hasn't heard about it yet, and I don't want to make it obvious to him. "Daze is not a child, you know? He's a grown up." So grown up, in fact. "Just tell him to stay in the house and don't let anyone in. The security in this subdivision is top-notch. No one can get in unless they have permission. At saka kahit naman ang ibang mga Dawson ay naiiwan nila ang mga Dawson wives sa mga bahay nila noong mga panahon na on-going pa ang cases nila." Exagerrated na suminghap ako. "O fall na fall ka kay Daze kaya napaparanoid ka kapag hindi mo alam ang ginagawa niya?"

Binato niya ako ng throw pillow na naabot niya na ikinatawa ko lang.

"I just don't want to mess this up," he murmured.

Bumuntong-hininga ako. It's in his personality. Laging para siyang may pinapatunayan kahit ba hindi naman siya pinepressure. Our parents were strict when it came to our studies and decisions in life, but it's not the toxic kind. Pero sabi nga nila ay kung walang problema, tayo mismong mga tao ang hahanap ng poproblemahin. Isang example no'n ang kapatid ko na laging iniistress ang sarili niya.

Some studies say that twins are most likely to be competitive. It's natural. But Kuya Nevan doesn't want to be better than me. He doesn't want to beat me so that he can take all the glory. He just wanted to be good at something. And he already is. Hindi pa nga lang niya nakikita iyon.

"You don't need to call anyone. Everyone's busy. I'll stay with him."

Kuminang ang mga mata niya. "Really? But I might be out for a couple of hours."

Nagkibit ako ng balikat. "I have a gun, and I know how to shoot it without thinking twice. At saka magkapitbahay lang tayo. Kung may kailangan ako pwede naman akong pumunta rito sa bahay." I waved my hand. "Sige na. Tsupi. Pagkatapos kong magdilig, pupuntahan ko iyong alaga mo."

Kinindatan niya ako. "Na alaga mo rin."

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa makalabas siya ng bahay. I wonder kung magmamadali siyang umuwi kapag nakarating na sa kaniya ang balita tungkol sa nangyari sa TDN. I wouldn't be surprise kung may kopya na ang mga katrabaho ko mula sa security camera na nandoon. Gawain na iyon ng mga taga-SP at sanay na ako sa kanila. Hindi ko nga lang alam na darating ang araw na ako na ang magiging laman ng mga tuksuhan nila.

I can't complain. I've been one of the people who's been asked to make a lot of copies from the footage that we collected. It hasn't been that long since Luna Dawson asked me to create copies of a video where her husband and brothers are so drunk that they pretend to ride a car in the middle of the living room. Since may approval ng kapatid niya na si Trace ay sumunod naman ako.

Kung tutuusin ay mas nakakagulat pa nga na clueless si Kuya sa mga kaganapan. Ganoon siya ka-busy.

"Kapag nalaman niya na, sure akong makakaabot iyon sa mga magulang namin," pagkausap ko sa sarili ko.

Tinapos ko muna ang pagdidilig bago ako pumunta sa kusina para isalin ang ginawa kong water spinach chips kanina na balak ko sanang kainin habang binabasa ang libro na binili ni Daze para sa akin. Inilagay ko iyon sa malaking may takip na container at tinakpan iyon.

I was about to exit the kitchen when I thought of something. Binuksan ko ang ref at kumuha ako ng dalawang can ng beer doon. I always have a stock of beers, not because I like drinking them but because of Kuya Nevan and Papa. I've tried drinking, but I don't see the need for it, so I don't do it. It's that simple.

After that, I went to the safe in my room and took my gun. Dala ang mga iyon na lumabas na ako ng bahay at tumuloy ako sa bahay ng kapatid ko. I didn't bother with knocking. Pinindot ko lang ang mga numero na alam kong siyang password ng pintuan.

I found Daze scouring the kitchen. Gulat na napalingon siya sa direksyon ko na napalitan kaagad ng kasiyahan nang makita niyang ako ang nakatayo roon.

"Kung naghahanap ka ng makakain, huwag ka ng umasa. I'm sure na hindi pa nakakapag-grocery si Kuya." We ate dinner together, but he's probably looking for snacks. "May dala ako pero hindi ko alam kung magugustuhan mo."

His eyes drop to what I'm carrying. Lumapit siya sa akin para tulungan ako pero napatigil siya at napataas ang kilay. "I like the food and beer, but I'm a little hesitant about the gun. Are you angry at me again, misis?"

I looked down, and I found the gun I just put on top of the lid of the food container. Eh sa ayoko ng magdala ng holster. It seems silly since I'm in my pajamas which are matching shorts and a top made of silk.

"Shut up." Inabot ko sa kaniya ang beer cans na nakapatong din sa ibabaw ng container. "Hold this."

"Guns and beers? You're a total badass," he grinned.

I blinked slowly. "And a bowl of crispy kangkong. Okay na ba?"

He chuckled, and then he tipped his head in the direction of the pool. "How about we have this outside? Para naman makalanghap tayo ng hangin na hindi galing sa aircon."

Nagkibit ako ng balikat. He's right. Maghapon na kaming nakakulong sa Dagger. I'm used to it, but he's not.

Sinundan ko siya hanggang sa makarating kami ng pool area. Nilagay niya ang mga beer sa maliit na lamesa na nasa pagitan ng dalawang lounger. Ibinaba ko rin doon ang container pero inilagay ko sa tabi ko ang baril.

"This might be a stupid question, but do you know how to use that?"

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "If I don't, would you run away?"

"Hindi ah. Kahit hindi ka marunong mag-drive, sasakay pa rin ako. Kapag sinabi mong pupunta tayo sa ibang bansa at ikaw ang magpapalipad ng eroplano sasakay pa rin ako kait wala kang lisensya. If I've been stabbed and you're the one to operate on me, even if you're not a doctor, I will still trust you."

Hinilot ko ang sentido ko. "Your question wasn't a stupid question, but you are stupid."

Pumainlang sa paligid ang malakas na pagtawa niya. Naiiling na binuksan ko ang container at kumuha ako roon ng kangkong chips. Hmm. I should do more and bring some to the office.

"Ang sarap!" Kinindatan niya ako. "Parang ikaw."

I cleared my throat. "Whatever."

"Healthy pa. Parang ikaw din." Nang lingunin ko siya ay nagkibit-balikat siya. "You're healthy for me. Some people can be detrimental for you, you know? But you're not."

"I think we just established today that I have a lot of red flags."

His eyes brightened up. "And I've told you that I love those things."

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kaniya at inabot ko ang beer. Lumagok ako ng marami niyon at napangiwi ako sa lasa. I really don't like this one.

"Hey, go easy on that." He looked really worried when he leaned towards me, wiping some of the liquid from the side of my lips. "If you don't like it, don't drink it."

"Tapos iinumin mo lahat? Gusto mong kurutin kita? Stop getting wasted. A drink or two is okay, but getting drunk to the point of blacking out is not good."

"Opo, misis."

Nilukutan ko siya ng ilong at padabog na kumuha ako ng chips. Hindi siya nililingon na tuloy lang ako sa pagkain pero ramdam kong nakatutok pa rin sa akin ang mga mata niya. From time to time, our hands will brush when we both reach out for food.

When I heard him laugh under his breath, I looked at him through narrowed eyes. "What?"

Umiling siya. "You just look so adorable when you're angry. I can never get tired of it. It's my second favorite in the world."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit kaagad napunta sa nakangiting mukha ni Briar Mason ang utak ko. "At ano ang first?"

"What else? Of course, the look you had after I kissed you."

Pakiramdam ko ay nalunok ko ang boses ko sa sinabi niya. Mukhang alam niya ang epekto no'n dahil tumayo siya at naglakad siya palapit sa pool.

"Want to swim?" he asked, turning towards me.

"I'm in my pajamas."

"So do I."

Nalaglag ang panga ko nang basta niya lang hinubad ang suot niya na t-shirt. Sinunod niya ang sweatpant niya at nag-iinit ang mga pisngi na tumingin ako sa ibang direksyon nang makita kong naka-boxers na lang siya.

"Come on, Red. Are you going to leave me hanging?"

Pinagkrus ko ang mga braso ko at pwersahan na ibinalik ko ang mga mata ko sa kaniya. He was already in the pool. "Ikaw ang may gusto niyan. Ang lamig-lamig tapos mag-su-swimming?"

"You know better than men that this pool is heated." He splashed me with the water. "Swim with me. We deserve to relax. Lalo na ikaw. Maghapon kang nagtrabaho." Nilingon ko ang bahay at pagkatapos ay nagbaba ako ng tingin sa baril. As if knowing what I was thinking, Daze added, "I told your brother that I don't mind staying here alone. I know I'm safe. Everything will be fine, Red."

He's right. The security cameras are connected to Dagger, and even if we don't have towering fences and people can easily climb in, the security in the subdivision will be alerted as well as Dagger.

Napapabuntong-hininga na lumapit ako sa pool. I gave him a look. "I'm not going to take my clothes off."

Ngiti lang ang sinagot niya sa akin at pagkatapos ay inangat niya ang mga kamay niya na parang sasaluhin ako. I would have jumped in the pool while ignoring his offer to help me, and by the look of surprise on his face, that was what he was expecting too, but instead of doing that, I jumped straight into his arms before I could overthink it and back out.

"Didn't expect that," he murmured.

"Y-You can let go of me now."

"Now that I have you in my arms?" Humigpit ang pagkakayakap niya sa akin. "Ayoko nga."

"Anong... anong ayaw mo?" Pinalo ko siya sa balikat. "Bitaw na."

Isinubsob niya ang mukha niya sa leeg ko. "Never." His warm breath on my neck is sending a tingling feeling throughout my body that I haven't felt before. "You wine and dine me. Panindigan mo ako."

"Hoy, Darien Zeon Henderson. Panindigan ka riyan? Beer ang dala ko at snacks."

"Same thing." Nag-angat siya ng mukha at pinakatitigan niya ako. "Sabi nila basta may alak may balak."

"At may balak ka sa akin?"

Umangat ang sulok ng mga labi niya. "Ikaw ang nagdala ng alak."

I hate that he's right. "Whatever."

Sinubukan kong kumawala sa kaniya pero hawak ako na umabante siya dahilan para mapadikit ang likod ko sa pader ng pool.

"Is that your signature move?" I asked through narrowed eyes. "Iyong isinasalya sa pader ang mga babae sa buhay mo?"

"Una, hindi ko babae si Briar. Pangalawa, hindi ko iyon signature move. Utos iyon ng director." Inilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin. "But this one, I just love doing with you."

"D-Dahil?"

"I love it when you can't go anywhere except to me. I think I'm addicted to you in my arms." His eyes dropped to my lips. "The way I'm addicted to kissing you."

Suddenly, it's like I finally realize how close we are right now to each other. We're skin to skin, with just our clothes separating us. My clothes since I'm wearing more than him.

"What happened to taking it slow?" I whispered.

"I still like it, but we didn't say anything about having some in advance, right?"

"Advance?"

"Advance kiss." He playfully bit my lower lip like he did earlier today. "Advance taste."

When I made the impulsive decision to try this with him, I really didn't think about what it would be for him. For me, it's like an experiment. To prove that I was right. But what if he's also trying to prove what he believes in? Something that is far from what I was thinking?

I brush the thoughts away. If there was one thing I learned from Daze, it's to stop the noises. To just feel and nothing else. Because if I try to think about a lot of things between us, I will be facing questions that I'm not ready to answer.

Kumapit ako sa balikat ni Daze bago bahagyang inikot ko ang sarili ko para lumingon sa bahay. Hinanap ko ang camera at nang makita ko iyon ay itinuro ko gamit ng dalawang daliri ko ang mga mata ko bago ko ginawa rin iyon sa direksyon ng camera.

"What are you doing?" natatawang tanong ni Daze.

"Threatening people so that they would look away."

"And why is that?" he asked.

"So I can do this."

Kung kanina ay ako ang ginulat niya, sa pagkakataon na ito ay siya naman ang nagulat nang basta ko na lang siyang halikan. But unlike me, he knows more about what to do. Something I decided not to get annoyed with since it means he knows what he is doing.

I felt his hand on the back of my head, pulling me closer as if we weren't close enough then his tongue darted out, probing my lips to part so that he could taste my mouth. A soft moan involuntarily escaped my lips.

The sound probably had an effect on him because he let out a growl, and that's when he began feasting.

It's hard to explain, but it's like he's devouring me. Something that should be scary, yet every sense I have is heightened with pleasure. He was lucky that my nails are short with how tight I'm hanging on to him, as he showed me what wonders kissing could do.

When we were both gasping for air, his lips went to the side of my neck. He hoisted me up so that I could wrap my legs around his waist and my back arch when I felt something hard rub against me. Holy shit.

There was both pain and delicious pleasure when he nipped the tip of my ear as well as the soft skin on my neck. Bumaba ang halik niya at napatigil lang siya nang makita niya ang suot ko na nakadikit na sa balat ko dahil basa na iyon ng tubig. I wasn't wearing a bra, so the globes of my breasts were fully highlighted by the thin fabric.

"You're going to kill me, Red," he said with a rough voice.

"Yes, I would. I will really kill you if you don't continue."

"I think we should take a break—"

"No." Hinigpitan ko ang pagkakapulupot ng mga binti ko sa kaniya dahilan para parehas naming maramdaman kung paanong wala ng natitirang espasyo sa pagitan namin. "Stopping is not in my vocabulary."

"My sweet sweet, Sorchie," he said quietly as he touched my lips.

"I'm going to be mad mad, Sorchie, if you stop." I bit on my lower lip, and I held on to him. I really don't know what's happening to my body. I know he's right. We need to take a breather. We're in my brother's pool, for heaven's sake! And yet it's like there's a fog on my brain—only it's not cold-induced fog but rather smoke-induced fog because something inside me is burning.

"Daze," I said, my voice coming out in a soft mewl.

Daze let out a curse under his breath, and the next second, his lips were back on mine. It was softer than before, but it was also deeper. The kiss stopped midway, but it didn't break the momentum. Instead, it was like a raging river where the flow just kept going.

Lumapat ang mga labi niya sa tapat ng tenga ko kasabay nang paglalakbay ng mga kamay niya. I gasped when I felt his hand inside the bands of my underwear, and in the next second, I could feel his warmth on the most sensitive part of my body.

"My Red needs to come," he whispered. "What my sweet Sorchie wants, my Sorchie gets."

There was an aching need between my thighs, and he knew what to do with it. I never thought one small part of me could give me so much pleasure, and yet he's showing me exactly that.

He expertly played with my opening, circling his finger just enough to drive me crazy. He did it again and again as he watched what it was making me feel across my face.

It's like I'm an open book. He's seeing everything and feeling everything. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't. It was like I was drowning in his eyes, which are flaring up as they're telling me that this is also doing things to him that I couldn't imagine.

"You're so beautiful, Red. You always have been, but now even more. I don't think I can ever have enough."

"Daze..."

"I'll have you addicted to me too. So you wouldn't have enough the way I won't."

Gumapang ang isa niyang kamay pataas at pumaloob iyon sa pang-itaas ko. He swallowed my moan when his large hand surrounded my breast, rolling the tip of my hard peak at the same time that he pressed his thumb on my swollen clit.

Sensation ripped through me, and I clung to him as a rush of heat flowed right out of me. Damn it. I think I'm addicted too.

__________________________End of Chapter 26.