Blood Between Us

CHAPTER 16

“WELCOME to my simple abode,” Ciaran said as he opened the door of his penthouse with a faint smile plastered on his lips.

Esther stepped inside and inhaled. The place smells like cedarwood and something crisp, like clean air after the rain. She noticed the modern and quiet surroundings in Ciaran’s place. Everything was glass and dark wood.

Pero ramdam ni Esther na ligtas siya.

“Wow,” she whispered. “You live in a magazine?”

Ciaran chuckled. “A simple abode.”

Umingos si Esther. “Simple abode ka diyan? Parang castle nga ‘to, eh.”

“A lonely one,” Ciaran muttered under his breath, but loud enough for Esther to hear.

Tumingin si Esther kay Ciaran. Nagtatanong ang kaniyang mga mata.

Nagkibit ng balikat si Ciaran. “Si Lucien lang ang pumupunta rito.”

Ngumiti si Esther. “And me?” she asked.

“You’re my girlfriend. You’re special to me,” Ciaran answered, making Esther smile. He helped Esther to remove her coat and guided her to the couch. “May gusto ka ba? Tea? Wine?”

“Tea, please.”

Tumango naman si Ciaran saka tinungo ang kusina habang tinutupi ang manggas ng suot nitong long sleeve hanggang siko.

Habang gumagawa si Ciaran ng tsaa ni Esther, inabala naman ng dalaga ang pagtingin sa kabuuan ng penthouse ni Ciaran. Then her eyes settled on the coffee table. May mga folders doon pero hindi na niya ‘yon tinignan. Alam naman niya kung ano ang laman.

Later, Ciaran handed a mug of tea to Esther.

“Thanks.”

Ciaran looked at Esther. “Are you okay?”

“Ako ang dapat na nagtatanong niyan,” sabi ni Esther. “I mean, you’re letting someone into your sacred space. Are you not scared I’ll rearrange your books or judge your cologne shelf?”

Ngumisi si Ciaran. “I don’t wear cologne.”

Esther took a sip of her tea. Yeah, he smells natural.

“Anyway, you can rearrange this place to your liking. Feel at home.” Sabi ni Ciaran at umupo sa mahabang sofa. Tumabi naman sa kaniya si Esther.

“Why did you invite me?”

Napatitig si Ciaran at Esther. Then said, “Because this place never felt like home. But I imagined you sitting here, drinking tea… so…”

Ngumiti si Esther saka napatingin sa hawak na mug. Ibinaba niya ito sa may coffee table saka tinignan ang cellphone. She received a text from Mira.

‘Girl, just heed my advice.’

Esther turned off her phone.

“Ran, can I use your shower? I felt greasy.”

Tumango naman agad si Ciaran. “Come with me.”

Sumunod si Esther kay Ciaran.

“This is the bathroom.” Binuksan ni Ciaran ang pinto ng banyo. “Kumpleto na ang gamit diyan sa loob. There’s also unused tower and robe at the cabinet.”

Tumango si Esther.

“I’ll prepare our dinner.” Tumalikod na si Ciaran pero pinigilan siya ni Esther. “Bakit?” tanong niya sabay lingon sa dalaga.

“Hindi mo ako sasamahan?”

Nahigit ni Ciaran ang hininga at hindi agad nakasagot. “Esther…”

Tumawa si Esther. “Binibiro lang kita.” Sabi niya. She tiptoed and planted a kiss on Ciaran’s lips. “You’re welcome to join me if you want to.” She winked and entered the bathroom. She didn’t even close the door.

Ciaran swallowed hard and closed the door of the bathroom. Mabilis siyang lumayo sa may banyo bago pa man siya matukso at samahan si Esther sa loob.

He swallowed and looked at his crotch. “Damn!”

Napainom na lamang si Ciaran ng malamig na tubig para pakalmahin ang kaniyang sarili.

Ciaran prepared their dinner. But he reheated it because it was already gone cold. As he finished preparing for their dinner, Esther came into the kitchen. Pero hindi niya inaasahan na lalabas si Esther ng banyo na ganun ang hitsura. She was barefoot, hair tousled, wrapped in nothing but a soft robe, and loosely tied, and its edges brushing mid-thigh with her every step.

Ginawa lahat ni Ciaran ang kaniyang makakaya upang iiwas niya ang kaniyang tingin.

He was pouring himself a glass of water at the kitchen counter when Esther approached him. No words, just silence. And he saw something in her eyes that he hadn’t seen before.

Bumuka ang bibig niya upang magsalita. “Esther—”

But Esther reached him and pushed him gently down onto the chair.

Napakurap na lamang si Ciaran sa pagkabigal. “Esther, what—”

Esther straddled him, slow and deliberate, her bare legs on either side of his.

His hands instinctively hovered at her waist but didn’t grip.

Esther’s robe shifted slightly, and Ciaran caught a glimpse of her skin.

Ramdam ni Ciaran na nabubuhay ng pribadong parte ng katawan niya. The weight of her against him. The intention of her movement and the soft brush of her fingers at the back of his neck.

Ciaran swallowed hard. “Sweetheart…”

Esther leaned in, her breath feathering over his lips. “Don’t talk.”

Ciaran exhaled shakily. “Esther, anong ginagawa mo?”

Ngumiti si Esther saka pabulong na nagsalita. “I just… I need to feel something real tonight.”

Ciaran touched her. His hands finally settled on her waist, grounding both of them.

Esther’s lips quirked in the softest smile. Then, without permission, without hesitation, she kissed Ciaran.

And the kiss wasn’t polite. Her mouth claimed his, open and honest, and he responded like he’s been waiting for it since the moment she said his name for the first time.

Napahawak si Esther sa buhok ni Ciaran.

Ciaran’s hand slid up her back.

Bahagyang lumuwag ang roba ni Esther at lumitaw ang kaniyang cleavage, making Ciaran to freeze.

“Esther,” he whispered, breathing hard against her lips. “Tell me to stop.”

Umiling si Esther habang namumungay ang mga mata. “I don’t want you to stop.” She kissed him once more, this time, their tongue battle in dominance.

“Esther, lalamig na ang pagkain,” wika ni Ciaran. He was trying to control himself and give Esther a way out.

But Esther ignored it, and she leaned in, kissed, and bit his neck. “I trust you, Ran.”

Doon na napigtas ang pagpipigil ni Ciaran. Tumayo siya habang hawak si Esther at naglakad patungo sa kwarto.

Hiniga ang dalaga sa kama at kumubabaw rito. They kissed fervently, and as they kissed, their hands became naughty and explored each other’s bodies.

“Sweetheart,” Ciaran lifted his body, “are you sure about this?”

Esther nodded and smiled. “Just be gentle,” medyo nahihiya niyang turan.

Ciaran smiled and placed a deep kiss on Esther’s lips. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll be gentle.”

And with that, he claimed her lips.