almost

I can still feel his lips on mine, still feel his hands all over my body. His heat is still addicting, and his touch... how do I put it? His touch is unlike other guys who have touched me. Theirs is full of lust but Maverick's felt so genuine.

The feel of his tongue against my skin still lingers in my memory. And his firm and hard body that was pressed against mine seconds ago sent all the doubts and fears in my mind away. It chased the remaining inhibition I'm having the moment I saw his eyes staring hard at me.

I hugged myself under the covers and shivered. I felt cold for no reason. I remembered how it felt like to be inside his arms, how his heat felt so comfortable and safe.

The way he held me felt so possessive. As if he doesn't want me to be free from him. It's like he's afraid I might go running away. And what does he mean by what he said before I fell asleep? Could it be? No. It's impossible.

I reached for his pillow and smelled it. And then I closed my eyes and recalled how he kissed me.

The man is an expert kisser. The way he used his tongue to pleasure me is telling of what he's capable of. I'm really intrigued on how he's going to use it when he get down on me. Not that I think he's fond of doing it. I just knew he's an expert in pleasuring his lover. I got a taste earlier and I felt like I became addicted.

"At least my first would be with a great lover. I can't imagine giving myself to a lousy man who only wants his release. At least I can have an orgasm the first time I'm doing it."

I covered myself with the blanket and tried very hard to go back to sleep. I then buried my face in Maverick's pillow and smelled it.

It smelled of fruits. I can't help but smile. His smell is the first thing I noticed about him. It smelled familiar. He smells of flowers and fruits and a grown man combined if that's even possible. I cannot mistake him for a gay, that's for sure.

No gay man is that so good in kissing a woman. And the bulge. I felt it grow between my legs as he slowly thrust it against my femininity. He's big. Another fact.

I felt my lips again. What I have read and studied on the internet is nothing compared to what I have experienced today. I seem to have forgotten all of the countless forums I've spent my nights into. Now I really believe that theory in practice is more than the theory itself.

I froze when I realized what I've been thinking.

Did I just compliment him? Am I starting to like the guy?

I sat on the bed and straightened my messy hair.

"No, I'm just trying to be at ease with his presence. That's all. I don't want to push him or jump out when we're doing it."

I rolled my eyes at myself. Really, Femella? Is that the best reason you can give? You didn't even object earlier. You were just moaning and silently begging for more!

My face turned red at the thought.

Did.. Did Nay Paz perhaps heard us or the other people in the house? Shit!!

Why couldn't that man wait? What will people now think about me? Embarrassing!

I finally got up and made the bed. I folded the blanket and bedsheet and placed them on top of the pillow. I combed my hair with my hand and scratched my face for gound or dried saliva. Then I went out of the room and looked around. I'm searching for Maverick. I heard voices in front of the house so I stepped towards it.

I saw Maverick' back while talking to a thin tall man. It must have been some serious stuff they're talking about given the intensity in their voices and the worried expression on their faces. I saw Maverick tap the man on the shoulder before he ran away.

Maverick turned in my direction. Our eyes met. I was quite stunned by what I read in his eyes.

He's worried and so much more. He then approached me.

"Come on. We'll go to my house now."

He pulled me by the hand to the back of the house where the old woman was busy cooking. We said goodbye to Nay Paz who nodded immediately. Maybe she saw Maverick's worried face so she never bothered to stop us. He left me for a moment to get our things.

I also said goodbye to the Paz who smiled at me sweetly before saying "You are different from the women he had dated. Of all the women I have seen with him, only you have made me feel this comfortable. Take care of him, Femella. It looks like he's slowly returning to the old Mabmab I knew. "

I smiled back at her even though I was confused by what she meant. I also didn't have a chance to ask her about what she said because Maverick already came back with the traveling bag and pulled me by the hand again and said goodbye to Paz. I even caught a glimpse of her laughing while she looked tenderly at us.

Maverick helped me get into his relatively tall off-road car before he rolled into the driver's seat and started the engine. I looked at him. The worry and frustration are still on his face. I shrugged. None of my business.

I concentrated on the asphalt road. The view of the island is magnificent.

I could feel the breeze of salty-smelling air from the sea that was just on my horizon. The road is lined with coconut and mango trees on both sides. There are also a few islanders walking and carrying buckets from their sides which are full of harvested fruit and vegetable.

I gathered my hair to the side and held it with my left hand. And then I extended the other hand to feel the air. I felt the strong breeze on my arm.

I stared at the rising sun. I was kinda disappointed that I didn't get the chance to witness the sunrise. It would have been a perfect scene if the sun was only rising now. It would be like those in the movies. The hero and heroine are on the road driving their lover car on an island. Their hands in the air, the sun is just rising from the east and the breeze is their music. Perfect. But the only thing I can relate there is the breeze, the island and the car. Nothing else. Nothing more. I should not be forgetting who I am, what I'm doing here and who is my companion.

I lowered my hand and turned to the man next to me. His face was a bit relaxed now.

His hair swaying with the breeze, his shirt dancing to nature's tune. Rays of light illuminated his face. The guy is really blessed with the looks. I stared at him, trying to make him say the things I wanted to know.

He turned to me when he noticed my gaze.

"What?"

"I know it's not my business and you can always not answer the question but what happened earlier?"

"Andy' wife." He took a sharp breath. "His wife is in a life and death situation right now. I did tell you about his wife giving birth, right? There's been a complication. Apparently, she had given birth in their house. She bled so she needs immediate medical attention. But the medical facility here is not enough. His wife needs better medical intervention."

I took in what he said. "And? What did you do to help him? I'm sure you did. You've got money. It's as easy as a wave of the hand."

"I did. I already called my friend. On the way na ang air medical service." He sighed again and focused his eyes on the road.

"Oh so Maverick Fuentebella did have a heart after all. I'm surprised. I thought you're just another balloon in a circus ready to burst any moment. Well, with the amount of money in your bank accounts, I'm sure it'll not be a big deal to diminish at least a mote from it, right?

He snorted. "You really think I'm that bad, huh. I'm a very kind man, Femella. It's not just obvious."

"If you're really kind then let go of me now. Fly me back to the city. Only then would I believe that."

He chuckled. "No. I want you so much for myself to even think of doing that. One week. I need one week with you. Just think of me as another simple man within one week. I'm the balloon. You're the needle. Whenever you're near. I could just burst at any second."

My face instantly turned cherry at his insinuation.

"Pervert."

His laugh got louder.

"You're blushing again. I liked it."

I didn't say a word and just looked outside again. The drive was smooth sailing and I'm quite pleased that the road is already cemented. It's not as backward as I thought. A few moments passed and I saw a large gate in front of the road.

It's a black gate with a gold vine-like design on the upper part.

Maverick stopped the car next to the gate and got out. He gestured to me to stay in the car. After opening the gate, he returned to the vehicle and masterfully parked it in the garage.

I went down and looked around. There's a lone beach house on the front. It's a huge one. It's made up of wood and other indigenous materials to match the place. A rocker chair was placed on the front porch.

As soon as Maverick and I walked in with the key in his hand, the wind greeted us. It was blowing hard from the sea across the house. It's cold. Freshly cold.

"Come."

He opened the door for me. I went inside the house and looked around. The living room is quite big and spacious and is complete with modern appliances. The only difference is the wooden chairs with weird designs. Must have been an island product. To the right is the kitchen. There is no division yet so you get all the view of the kitchen from the living room.

And the one thing that left my mouth open is the floor to ceiling glass wall that directly offers you the breathtaking view of the splashing waves in the sea.

"Wow," I exclaimed. I couldn't stop myself from saying out of admiration.

"They all say that after seeing the view from here. It's why I put the house in this strategic place. I like the view from here."

I felt his arms wrapped around my waist and his tiny kisses on my neck.

I shivered. And got conscious.

I slipped out of his embrace and walked towards the refrigerator.

"I'm hungry. Do you have any supplies here?"

"No. I have only just returned to the island after how many months and it's unannounced. No chance for the cupboard to be filled."

He leaned against the wall and stared at me.

"I'm hungry. We could have stayed in Nay's Paz just for breakfast. You have no consideration. You're a billionaire and yet you can't let your sex slave eat?"

His face formed a grim at the choice of my words. I didn't back out. I held my eyes on him and stood my ground. He glanced at his wristwatch.

"The food will be here at any minute. Don't worry. As for the stocks, I ordered someone to buy the groceries. That too will come soon."

He turned and walked to the only door inside the house which I'm assuming is his room.

I opened the refrigerator. There's really nothing inside. It's empty. Not even water. I let out a sigh of annoyance. I'm hungry. I'm not used to eating late, especially at breakfast. I followed Maverick into the room but he came out before I could turn the knob. He's wearing pants and a t-shirt. My forehead furrowed.

"You're leaving?"

"Yup. I need to go to the city next to this island to attend to Andy and his wife. You stay here. I'll be going."

I stopped his arms. "I'll be going too."

He shook his head sternly.

"No. You stay here. I'll be busy. I can't keep an eye on you."

"No need for you to do that. I can perfectly care for myself."

"And I will risk you running away. No sweetheart. You'll be staying here."

I rolled my eyes. "Why? Isn't it easier to run away now because you're not here?"

He grinned and held my face. "No. I have my people to watch you. I'll be going."

"I hope you just left me with Nanay Paz. I must have been eating and enjoying myself by now."

"Not a fat chance. You can easily lure her to help you. You stay here, Fem. I'll be back later in the day."

I took a deep frustrated breath. I can't seem to find a hole with this man. I shot him a look.

"You said you'll go to the city?"

He nodded.

"Buy me contraceptive pills." He gave me a look. "Men! What? Will you pull out or use a condom? Whatever it is, I can't take a chance. Buy me some undies too."

"Okay, I'll buy it."

He walked towards me and pulled me. He gave me a full mouth kiss and then withdrawn himself. He gave me that hard stare again that dried my mouth.

"I'll be back in no time and when I'm here, I'll make all my fantasies about you come true," he whispered.

He let go of me and went out the door. I heard a car driving away after a minute.

I thumbed my lips. He kissed me even when he knew I hadn't brushed my teeth yet. Ew, Maverick. And only now have I also realized that what he did to my mouth before is even worse. I put my hand close to my mouth. I smelled my breath through my hand. It didn't stink. Thank goodness.

While waiting for the food to arrive, I first surveyed the whole house. I opened the bedroom door and entered. The king size bed immediately welcomed me. There is a side table and lamp shade on top. There's also a closet at the other end of the room. Other than that, there is no other furniture in the room.

The interior design is minimalistic. I opened the closet and rummaged inside. Just clothes. I sat on the floor and opened the drawers below. A shoe box caught my attention. It's a black box with a unique pattern on top. It was like an inverted carved rose. I reached for it and was about to open it when I was interrupted by the ringing of the door bell. It must have been the food. I returned the box and closed the closet. I went out of the room and opened the door to the living room. There's a young girl holding a bag of plastic in her hand. She is smiling shyly at me. I smiled back.

"Hi!" I greeted.

She smiled innocently to me.

"Here's your food, ma'am."

She handed me the plastic bag which I immediately grabbed. My stomach growled at the sight and smell of food.

"Thank you?"

"Anna."

I smiled again at her.

"Thank you, Ana. Come on. Come in. Come eat with me. "

I opened the door wider for her. The child quickly shook her head.

"Not anymore ma'am. I need to go home now. My mother needed me there. I just delivered what Sir Mabmab ordered."

She turned around and was about to run but she looked back at me and smiled.

"You're so beautiful, ma'am. You look like an angel."

She ran away after telling them to me.

I just watched Ana from the door while smiling to myself.

Youth. Innocence. When have I been like her? Have I experienced a life like Ana’s? Contented, happy and hopeful. Did I? I don't know. Maybe. Maybe I've forgotten about it too.

I brought the food to the kitchen and served it. Fried rice, eggs, fried bangus and mango. I made a sauce using the condiments in the cupboard. I just hope they haven't expired yet. After eating and washing, I took a bath. I found a spare toothbrush in the man’s toiletries so I used that. I also washed my undies and then turned on the air-conditioning system. I took Maverick’s pajamas and shirt out of his closet and put it on. I went back to the living room and stretched out on the sofa. I ended up watching TV and falling asleep.