Chapter 35

AQUAMARINE blue sea and white powder-like sand welcomed Caroline’s eyes. Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol, took her breath away. She closed her eyes and let the hot breeze of beach wind touched her already flushed skin.

“Too much sun exposure can hurt your skin.”

It’s from Benjamin. Caroline was sure of it. That remarkable low and rough voice were embedded in her memory for the rest of her life. She turned around and was welcomed by his painstakingly handsome face. What happened earlier inside their room was still in her mind. She can still feel the warmth of his lips on her skin and his hands exploring her body.

Caroline couldn’t believe that what happened between Benjamin and her was real. Or was she just dreaming? Just like now, her eyes were mesmerized by the approaching god-like man with porcelain skin—and he was smiling at her.

“Hi, handsome…” she purred. “Are you alone in this paradise?”

Benjamin chuckled. “I’m not anymore,” he said, his forehead was slightly frowned because of sunlight. “I was looking for you.”

Caroline’s heart jump inside her chest. She looked into his eyes and held his stare. “I’ve waited for you to found me finally.”

The corners of his mouth turned up into a smile. “I have found you before, but you hid from me.”

Those words hit something inside her chest. A line appeared between Caroline’s brows. “What do you mean…?”

“I saw you were walking out the villa a while ago. I called you but, you hid behind the SUV,” Benjamin explained. “Where did you go?”

Caroline released a sigh of relief. She’s over-thinking again. “I-I just want to be alone for a while…”

“I thought you don’t want to feel alone?” Benjamin’s voice was like a frozen dagger teasing to cut her skin—painful but pleasurable.

“Well, just for a couple of minutes, I guess,” she said and looked away from him. “It’s beautiful here…”

“And, so are you…” she heard him whispered, and just after a few moments, she felt his fingers intertwining with hers. “About a while ago, Caroline…”

“Don’t think about it, Benjamin,” she said. “I know your emotions just carried you away—”

“No, Caroline,” he said with a stern voice that made her looked back at him again. “I mean it…” he said as their gaze met again. “I’m sorry if I ask you those personal questions—”

“It’s nothing,” she cut off. Completely disappointed that he was sorry for what he did to her—for kissing her wildly and passionately, for almost claiming her body.

Benjamin stared at her as if he was trying to read her expression. “Sun exposure is making your cheeks flushed and pinkish,” he said and reached to touch her face. “Don’t cry again, please?”

But, her heart was telling her otherwise. Just by looking at him, thinking that he won’t love her makes her heart bleed in pain. How could she prevent herself from crying? If the person that can hurt her badly was also the person that can stop the pain?

Caroline forced a smile on her face. As long as he’ll never leave me, I’ll be okay. “Don’t worry about me, Benjamin. I’ll be fine.”

He smiled back at her and tugged her hand to him. “The kids were planning to ride a boat around the island. Mario will be with them.”

Caroline’s eyes caught a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Aren’t we going with them?”

Benjamin's brows raised. “I want to, but the boat capacity is for four persons only.”

“Oh…” She nodded and clung to his arm. “Then, let’s enjoy the beach!”

Without a second thought, Caroline pulled Ardin to water. They landed together to the shore, and the coming wave hit both. The seawater was warm, and so was their body.

Caroline moved to stand up, but Benjamin’s hand on her back prevented her from doing so, making their soaked body pressed against each other. Benjamin groaned when she tried to move her legs.

“S-Sorry…” she whispered; their lips were almost touching.

“Just stay still, Caroline…” he said, his eyes were fixated on her. “Don’t move your head. The sun will hurt my eyes.”

“Benjamin, how are we going to stand up, and you’re not allowing me to move?” Caroline asked and tried to pull herself again, but Benjamin just hugged her even more tightly.

“Caroline, is there a chance that you’ll fall for someone like me?”

Caroline was stunned by his question. She heard it right, right? Benjamin asked her if she’ll fall for him. But it’s impossible. Benjamin wasn’t the type of guy that would ask such questions out of the blue. Maybe she’s just hallucinating. Right, this paradise was making her think about her fantasies.

“Never mind,” he said and managed to sit up by himself, making her sitting on top of him now. When she tried to stand up also, Benjamin grabbed her waist to stop her. “I told you not to move.”

Caroline knotted her forehead. She doesn’t understand what was with Benjamin now, but whatever kind of spell or spirit dawned on him, she likes it.

“So, what are we going to do here? Let the waves slapped ourselves?” she asked, trying her best not to look at him in the eyes while ignoring the growing bulge under her.

“Why are you avoiding my gaze?” Benjamin murmured. “Am I not worth your eyes?”

Caroline’s gaze locked with his. “Benjamin—”

But before she could finish her words, Benjamin captured her lips. Caroline was surprised that her lips parted, and it allowed him to deepen his kiss. The waves rushed through them, soaking half of their body, but it didn’t make Benjamin stop ravishing her lips.

A low moaned escape her lips when Benjamin tried to slide his tongue inside her mouth. “Benjamin…” she murmured, but he sealed her lips again with a kiss.

Benjamin’s hand grabbed her hips to pull her closer and harder against his lap. They both groaned when her mound pressed on his bulge. “Shit…” he grunted and kissed her neck. “Tell me to stop, Caroline…” he whispered while raining kisses on her shoulder back to her neck.

“Benjamin…” Caroline gasped. His lips were making her delirious in pleasure. “Oh, Benjamin…”

“Tell me to stop…” He glided his tongue on her earlobe back to the side of her cheek. “I don’t want to take you here.”

Those words from him were like a cold sea wave rushed through their steaming body. Caroline pushed him, and she quickly got off his lap. But, before she could walk away, Benjamin caught her hand. It made her heart stopped beating, just like how it made her mind drifted back to the present—to what’s real and possible to happen.

“I told you to stop me,” Benjamin said in a hoarse voice. He looked up at her, eyes squinting because of sunlight. “But I didn’t say that you can leave me.”

***