His Punishment (11 page)

After paying for the flowers for
our lovely ladies, we went back to wait for them outside. There were some girls
from school who keeps checking us both out. I know for sure that they are eager
to know for whom these flowers are for.

They left the shop with one bag
each. These girls are shopaholic. But I don’t mind. I can provide for her
whatever she wants and needs. Plus the fact she can buy it on her own. I
grinned widely when she saw me waiting for her. But that is beyond my point, I
would lavishly offer her everything that she would want and need if she was my
girl.

Hell! Now that was something! I
can’t believe I am having such thoughts. They were waaay too advanced than integrated
calculus or quantum mechanics.

I approached her and gave her my
floral gift. She reached it and smelled the rose while closing her eyes. Her
sight was giving me a mild stroke. My heart is beating faster at this lovely
scene in front of me. Yes, faster than my usual heartbeat after dunking the
basketball in the ring.

“Tara,” I murmured when I went to
whisper in her ear. Her vision is so distracting to me. How can simple gestures
like that stimulate my senses? She’s not even doing anything directly to me,
but her impact. It’s just so intense.

“It’s beautiful,” she said sweetly
and kissed me in the cheek.

I was shocked. Yes I wanted her
lips to touch my cheeks but I wasn’t expecting it now. I held her head for her
not to move away. Then I whispered to her, “Not as beautiful as you.” Then I
released her as I don’t want her to feel my heart pounding as if I ran the
track ten whole laps without stopping.

“Thanks James.” she smiled at me
again. Her sweet smile.

“Who told you I love yellow?” she
asked and I was surprised.

“You do?”

“You didn’t know?” she asked again
looking up at me. Actually, she is not that tall nor that short. She is just
perfectly standing near my chin.

We were so close together. I can
smell her signature scent. The same scent I smelled when I kissed her in the
parking lot and in the hotel suite. I have memorized her smell since then. Her
intoxicating smell that my nose had searched for weeks.

“No. It’s just every time I see
yellow flowers, I think of you. I don’t see you much of a ‘red flower person’.”
I answered.

“Yeah, I hate red flowers. FYI.”
she said.

“Will keep that in mind.” I told
her as I smiled back at her, then interlaced our fingers before we walked after
the couple in front of us.

Christian and Lyn were the ones who
decided on the restaurant. We waited for the server to usher us to our table
and we ordered.

“I’ll just go to the washroom.”
Tara said when she asked me to move from the booth we were sitting at.

“I’ll come with you.” Lyn offered.

The two ladies headed for the washroom
and left me and Christian.

“We don’t have much time.”
Christian said.

“What do you mean?” I didn’t know
what he was referring to.

“They won’t be away for long. Now
spill.” He told me waiting for me to tell him.

“I followed her yesterday when you
told me she asked Lyn to join her at the mall.” I told him slowly trying to
weave back my memory of yesterday.

“Then? Hurry!”

“I followed her at the restaurant
and she was a bit distant from me after I joined her. Then I went to get her
flowers to say sorry. But dude I was so restless I couldn’t give it to her. I
put it in the car in the parking lot where I saw her car and moved my car
beside it. Then went back and saw her entering the coffee shop. God dude, I had
two cups of coffee in less than 2 hours. I felt like palpitating but I don’t
know. I had to come near her.”

“You’re stalking her like she did
to you? You even parked at The Beach today!”

“That’s what she asked me this
morning. Anyway, last night I gave her the flowers as my apology. In her home.
I went there after dinner. She was a sight dude. I didn’t know she could be
that alluring!” I know my eyes glowed at my last sentence as my mind pictures
her again from last night.

“Maniac! Maniac!” he teased me.

“No! I was just admiring her
beauty.” I said defensively. “Then today, there’s something. You know I was
confused right?”

“Yeah. And . . .” urging me to go
on.

“Until that moment at the parking
lot, when we left for the mall . . .” My sentence trailed as I reminisced her
smile when she thanked me.

“Dude, say it. You like her?” as if
tugging my tail that was kept for so long.

“Yes!” I finally surrendered.

Christian laughed at me hard. Real
hard that I had to yank his head to stop.

“I knew you did!” he told me with
that big devil smile.

“So what’s your plan?” he
questioned once again.

“I got to tell her or it would kill
me.” I said exaggeratingly. “I know I wouldn’t be able to stand another minute
of not seeing her. And I don’t want her to be with any other man except me.”

“Are you sure you just like her?” he
eyes me again with that doubtful grin.

“I don’t know yet. But all I know
is that I have to tell her that I really like her and I’ll tell her at your
party.”

“Party! Shit! I forgot!” of course
he will forget. It wasn’t planned at all.

“I’ll fix it. I’ll tell the block.”
I told him for reassurance.

“You’ll tell the block what?” I
heard Tara say. I didn’t notice they’re back. I was relieved they didn’t come
back any sooner or it will spoil the idea that was forming in my mind.

“Christian’s party.” I murmured.

“Your party babe?” Lyn asked her
boy friend.

“Yeah. I forgot to tell you. It’s
this Saturday. I’ll pick you up at 8 pm.” Christian said as he moved for her to
sit beside him and kissed her.

“I’ll pick you up?” I turned to
Tara.

“No need. It’s near. I’ll just
drive.” she told me. Our houses are in the same village. But still I can’t help
being overprotective towards her. I want to do everything that would please her
and would make her realize that she is special to me.

“Please?” I asked her again.

She bit her lip. Why does she do
that? She must do that just in front of me or no saint would not be stirred up
with that. I continued staring at those gorgeous and enticing lips.

“Okay. 8 pm?” she asked.

“Great!” I felt like a thirteen
year old going on a date.

It’s almost seven in the evening
and James has been itching to call Tara and pick her up. Yesterday was hell. He
wasn’t able to talk to her or see her. She replied to his message though saying
she is out with her parents and some of their board of directors for a new
business venture. They are expanding their resort operations.

Today is Christian’s party. He has
called her a dozen times making sure she isn’t backing out from attending the
party. He wanted so much to be with her.

She had been so mad at his last
call. He knows he has been bugging her. But he was really excited. He wanted to
amaze her when he proposes to be her boyfriend. He fixed a little surprise for
her actually and he can’t wait for her to see it.

After thirty minutes of walking
around his house thinking about her nervously, he decided to leave and fetch
her. The drive to her house is just five minutes. But his eagerness and
excitement made him get out of his house earlier than what’s due.

At 7:36 p.m. he was in front of
Tara’s house. He didn’t know if he would go out of the car or just wait. He was
just too tensed. It was first time for him to be this anxious for his date. Not
even with Rhea. He was never late for dates but definitely never this early.

Honestly, he has thought of Rhea.
He wondered why he thought he loved her at all. It dawned to him that yes he
liked her a lot, but he wasn’t in love like he is with Tara. He contemplated to
himself and understood that the feelings for Rhea were more of sexual
attraction. He thought his protectiveness towards her was because of love. Just
lately, he found out, it was because he was afraid she’d go wander off.

7:40, he looked at his watch and
decided to go down and pick up Tara. He rang the bell and the security opened
the gate for him then he told him his name and that he was there to pick Tara
up.

He was ushered inside the house,
possibly because she left an instruction to their helper that he is coming for
her. He went inside the living room and his eyes wandered around the house. It
was as big as his. And the decorations were as expensive as the ones in his
house.

Her parents are not around and are
at their resort in Bohol. So he patiently waited for her to go down while he
skimmed the console table full of pictures, mostly of Tara’s. The collection
showed her how she grew up from a cheerful cute girl to an amazing lovely lady.
He was in high spirits as he scanned every photo that was showcased in front of
him. He was staring at a very charming lady definitely exquisite and poised as
she posed for one of her studio portraits with her parents.

“You’re early!” he heard her say to
him as she descends from the stairs.

He was surprised. She was walking
down the stairs with her medium length hair in front of her chest. She was
wearing a body hugging black zip front dress with a scooping c neck line. He
stared at her.
God this girl is hot!
 Even the way she held her light
peach colored clutch conveys elegance.

“Hi,” she kissed him in the cheek.
And felt her push his chin up to close his mouth.

He found himself bowled over at her
gesture. He continued staring at her and good thing he’s saliva didn’t drip
from his mouth. He is obviously drooling at the stunning lady.

She chuckled when she didn’t get
any response or reaction. She saw him frown and she frowned too then nibbled
her lower lip nervously.

“Change!” James ordered.

“What?” Tara blinked at what he
said.

“Go back and change.” he repeated.

“I heard you. What I’m asking is
what are you ordering me that for?”

“You’re going like that?” he asked
as if she was topless or something.

“But I don’t want to change,” she
said like a child.

“Put something on top then.” He
ordered again.

“But. .  .” she wanted to keep
protesting but his eyes were really fiery.

 “Okay dad!” she said once again
and stomped her feet back up the staircase.

He was still standing up and
looking at where she went. He felt some of his arm hair rose. Tara was so sexy
in that dress. And he felt he couldn’t share her with anyone. Even if it just
meant some of their team mates and block mates will be catching a glimpse of
the smooth white skin of her ¼ exposed breasts.

Still, he can’t handle the fact
that some eyes will be glued on his girl. Yes, his girl. Judging from how
possessive he is turning out to be, he has already mentally owned her.

After a few minutes, she was back
and was wearing a see-through light pashmina draped on her shoulders. He shook
his head. He can’t be too demanding as she is not yet his girlfriend. But he
made a mental note on his head, that once she became his girlfriend, he will
definitely take her shopping. And he will be the one to choose her clothes.

“You look so pretty,” he hugged
her. He can’t control himself. He thought a simple hug won’t hurt and so he
did.

“Thank you.” Tara whispered.

James felt the hug was a mistake.
He wanted to kiss her now. So he separated their bodies and got her hand to
guide her out and into the car.

After about ten minutes, they were
parking in Christian’s garage. The other cars are parked in the street, but of
course, James was allowed to park inside. They were buddies since kindergarten
days. It was his perk that he is considered as a family member.

He opened the passenger door and
got her hand to lead her down. He glimpsed at her silky long longs stretching
and getting down his 4x4. He felt Tara looking at him. She shook her head a
little. She saw James was staring at her legs. She was flattered, but of
course, she didn’t want him concentrating on her body parts instead of her.

“Sorry, it’s distracting me.” He
admitted.

She smiled when he said so. At
least, he wasn’t pretending. He was just being himself.

“Hi!” Lyn opened the door for them.
The two girls kissed each other in the cheeks. Then they all went inside the
house.

Luckily, Christian’s parents and
his siblings are in the U.S. for a vacation. So the house is all to themselves
tonight.

“Dude!” it was Howard. Their team
mates don’t have a clue about him and Tara yet. Though Lyn and Christian’s
relationship is already out in the open.

Howard was looking at Tara whose
hand was still held by James.

“Is this what I think it is?”
Howard asked them.

“Whoa!” they heard Matt yelped when
he saw them.

“What’s your . . . WOW!” Paco said
not being able to finish his sentence.

Tara bowed her head shyly, and
James lifted it gently. “It’s okay,” he told her.

“So as you see, I have a date!” he
proudly told them.

They were all shocked. But it was
clear in their faces that they were happy.

Tara smiled at them.

“Your stalking efforts paid off
hon!” she heard Lyn whispered to her.

“Yeah” and she giggled.

They were all having a good time.
Their block mates are there with their partners.

James was ecstatic he never left
Tara’s side. They were chatting like friends and they were enjoying each
other’s company. It was so easy to feel at ease with each other as they have
recently found that they have common interests.

Tara is still holding back though.
She can see that he seems really interested in her. She can’t help but think
until when he would be like this. She has come to know him from some mind-shattering
episodes these past weeks.

She has known James to have full
swings in his moods. One day he is good to her, then the next he is punishing
her with his kisses. One moment he is sweet, then the next he is ravaging her
body wildly despite her reluctance.

She knew in herself that she must
not be so carried away. They were at the porch in front of the house. All the
others are either inside partying or in the pool at the back of the house,
taking a swim and playing water games.

“Don’t drink too much, okay?” he
reminded her.

She was on her third bottle of
beer. Tara is really not used to drinking. So he thought it best to keep her to
his side just in case. He really felt so protective of her.

He saw her taking off her pashmina
and he tried to stop her.

“Oh please James, the alcohol is
making my temperature rise.” She was careful not to say that she is feeling
hot. Double meaning. She felt hot physically and she is aching for the guy
beside him. So she decided it was best not to be misunderstood with her words.

“Okay, but don’t stray away from
me,” he ordered again.

“Haha. Why? You think I would be
safe beside you?” she can feel herself a bit flirty.

“Tara. You know as much as I do
that I am sorry for what I did.” He said knowing she knew what he meant.

“Wait, no. I mean, I am sorry I
forced you. But you know that I am not sorry for THAT!” he said pointing out he
was not sorry he kissed her and had her.

“But that was not what I meant.”
She told him as she felt she hurt him with the nasty comment.

“But you know that I will never be
sorry for having you that night. You are something Tara. I don’t know if you
have any idea what you are doing to me.” He admitted the puzzle in his mind
that he was able to solve with her smile the other day.

“Hmmm . . .” Tara is affected by
the alcohol already.

“If I could only turn back time, I
would have been gentler and it would have been more special.” He felt the guilt
and the responsibility after his actions.

She kept silent but let out a low
groan.

“You are beautiful. You are cool.
You are smart. You are so delicious and painfully hot,” he whispers in her
ears. He can’t stop his aching senses especially after hearing her soft groan.

“You are exactly as you said I am.”
She replied with her tipsy eyes half closing.

“You think so?” he asked so happy
when he heard her. He touched her cheeks and made her blush. Seeing her eyes
that way teased every inch of his senses.

“Yes.” She replied after
reprimanding herself for being too honest.

He kissed her in the lips and she
responded. He was longing to do this to her for what seems like centuries ago.

His kiss was light and not
demanding. He was tracing her face with his fingertips as if memorizing every
curve of it. Her hands were on his chest as they continue to kiss each other.

“Tara, I want to show you
something,” he said between their kisses.

“Does it have to be now?” she asked
while still kissing him. Tara felt upset that he had to show her something
right in the midst of their lip locking, when she is starting to love the
feeling of their lips locked together.

“Yes, and I have something to tell
you.” He parted from their kiss and she opened her dreamy eyes.

“OK.” she sighed. She’s troubled.
She thought he desires her, but why did he opt to stop.

She saw James stood up and extended
his arm reaching for her hand. She stood up and followed him.

They saw that no one was inside the
house. They just assumed that everybody was at the back, playing in the pool.

He felt him guide her to go up the
stairs and she trailed behind.

She was nervous. She can feel that
he is taking her up into one of the rooms. She’s having mixed emotions. She
wanted him so much but she remembered the rude way he has been to her for a
couple times already.

She was getting scared. She knew
James never had flings and now that he and Rhea broke up she was frightened as
hell that he just wanted to get laid and she would be an easy conquest since he
knows she wants him so DESPERATELY as he put it years back.

They reached one of the doors of
the rooms upstairs and she heard him turn the knob and opened the door for her.
He made her go in before him.

When she entered she was so stunned
to see the bedroom full of yellow petals of different flowers. They were
scattered everywhere. She looked back at James who has now entered the room.
She saw him close the door.

She pushed him to the door and
looked at him straight in the eye.

“What do you want from me James?!”
she was starting to get mad at him.

Her head is spinning. She felt too
stupid. She knows now that she was right. He was pretending all along that he
was sweet and courteous and caring. And here she is caught in his trap.

She knows now that he has done all
those good stuff just because of one thing. He lost his wildcat girlfriend and
he expects her to replace Rhea.

“Answer me!” She demanded.

James was not able to answer her
the first time she asked. He was perplexed at her reaction. She looked furious.
What did I do? Isn’t it sweet that I want to ask her to be my girl friend
and I had the room fixed for the effects? I was here since this morning fixing
everything.

“WHAT?!” she shrieked at him again.

He got nervous. The sight of her
starting to get mad and the fact that he was insecure to propose got his tongue
but he still managed to tell her.

“Tara, I . . . I . . . want . . . you
. . . to . . .” he was stammering. He was tensed and a bit scared she would say
no, especially now that she looked so mad at him.

“I knew it!” she didn’t make him
finish his sentence.

She locked the door and kissed him
hard on the lips. James was so mystified about what happened. He wasn’t able to
finish his question and now she is lunging at him wildly.

He responded with the same
intensity as her kisses and was touching the top of her dress and exploring the
skin exposed on its neck line.

Tara moved away from him and looked
at him, her eyes still glaring. He was left with his back pinned at the door.

“TAKE ME!” she squealed at him and
pulled her zipper down until her dress is wide open.