The Code of Intimacy

Chapter 6

Cherry’s POV

He was too close.

Too damn close.

I could almost feel my own breathing hitched.

The thumping of my heart was the worst compared to what I had experienced before. I swear, I could die at how hard it beat against my chest like it wanted to come out and leave me lifeless. His closeness ‘caused all of these. He was so close literally pressing me against his sculpted body. I could feel my body shake from the proximity. My skin always reject any kind of touch like it was being sliced invisibly even with a slight caress. Especially from men. I had no problem with women when I know them, but with men, it didn’t matter if I know them or not. If I was close to them or not, so imagine how could I survive being held by a stranger.

“Shhhh.. Relax, Apple”, I heard him whispered. I closed my eyes because I could not bear looking at him. It made me nauseous enough to feel his body on me but to see him up close could add salt to my wound and make my situation worse.

His breath kissed my face whenever he spoke. He could have misunderstood my body reaction when shivers ran up my spine and he noticed.

“What are you afraid of?”, his question was buried in his deep enchanting voice. I’ve never met someone who has voice as deep as his like it was paired with the ocean’s depth. It was attracting. I would love to hear his voice over and over again if not for him caging me between his body and the counter.

“N-Nothing”, I answered and I knew how weak my tone was. No one would ever believe me using that tone.

“Hmmmm… at first I thought you would be like any other girl who would love my touch and I would be glad to give you more”, the way he stated his sentence made me annoyed at some point. So he was just like any other men who loved playing and toying with women and to think he put me on the same line as those whores was just insulting.

“But now that I looked closely, I know you are afraid of something. I would hate to think if you would say that you fear me. No. That would probably annoy the hell out of me. I know you are not like the other girls ‘cause let me guess, I’ve had a hunch just now. The way your body respond to me, I would say…”, he then touched my face with the back of his hand and that had me flinch noticeably. I felt my head moving backwards trying to avoid it.

“You hate my touch”, his words were low but edged.

“I..I…”, I slowly opened my eyes when I felt his presence moved away. A good distance for me to regain my composure and take my time to breathe properly. I took the chance to move even farther. Slowly taking side steps to my right and I knew he was watching my every move.

“Stop right there, Apple, I’m not done talking. You’re lucky I have this stupid interest in you if not, I would haul you up and manhandled you roughly for trying to disrespect me. I’m the master of this house. Remember that”, of all the things he could have said, the way he stated that he actually had interest on me shocked me and making me stop any possible escape I could do.

“W-What are you talking about?”, I asked him looking at his darkened eyes.

“I’m interested in you”

“How? What?”, I was confused and I could not believe I was hearing this from a stranger. A handsome stranger.

“Let’s not play dumb right here, okay? I am not actually fond of beating around the bush. I’m more of the straightforward guy”, he crossed his arms against his chest and I caught the sight of his muscles moved deliciously.

Really, Cherry? At this time, you think of that? I scolded myself.

“That’s impossible. We just met. I don’t even know you and you don’t know me”

His brows rose at my words and suddenly chuckled lightly. I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Wait, darling. I’ve known this type of… what do they call this... ah…assumption”, I watched him carefully. He seemed amused with the situation.

“I said I am interested in you but spare me the conclusion that it’s like I said the ‘L’ word. It’s only natural for a man and a woman to get attracted to each other so don’t ask me. Ask the nature”, I looked away somehow embarrassed. I didn’t know why but his words were at point.

“I’m sorry. It’s just I’ve never met someone as straightforward as you. People don’t go around telling they are interested at someone at their first meeting you know”, I gritted my teeth trying to hide my embarrassment.

“People are stupid. Trying to go around at things when they can just say it all at once. It would be a problem to confuse someone with vague words and actions, wouldn’t it?”, again, he had a point.

“I-I guess”

“Now, that’s what I’d like to hear. We are coming to agreement. It pleases me”

I remained silent trying to figure out what else could I do or say to this man. I knew he was dangerous. He was intelligent, witty and could be shrewd with everything that he was.

He was dangerous. One proof was his unheard steps. I didn’t even notice him approaching me again not until I felt his body heat close to mine.”

“Don’t move”, he commanded. I didn’t know how he did it but it was like my body just followed his words. He was not touching me but I felt trapped at his closeness, again.

“I won’t be touching you so don’t move”, he bent down and I stiffened when his breath hit the base of my throat.

“If you move, I’m going to bite you right here”

“What?”, but before I could even ask further, we heard footsteps approaching to where we were. I heard an annoyed sound from him and before I knew it, he pulled me in to the closest room slamming the door firmly before slamming me on it. I was surprised at this and tried to get away from him and I thought I was successful. I moved past him but he trapped me again after a few steps I had.

Fear swallowed me again. But the tremble I had was confusing right now.

He touched the strand of my hair while I am being a prisoner between the cold hard wall against my back and him, with his hovering dark features.

“Let’s play a game”, he said wrapping his fingers around my hair.

“W-What game?”, I whispered. I was confused. I could feel my heart still beating hardly but the fear I had was slowly fading. I tried to hide the excitement and nervousness and the involuntary shivers his words sent to me.

“Yes…” he whispered back leaning closely to me.

Too close.

I could feel his lips brushing against mine whenever he speaks.

What was he doing to me? I could say that something inside me was shifting. My breaths were turning heavy while he was so calm and collected.

“And you can’t say no, Apple”, that’s not my name but I wondered why he always calls me that when I was named Cherry.

“Why?”, I watched his eyes when he levelled them with mine. They were gleaming against the darkness of the room and they looked dangerous.

Excitingly dangerous.

“Because I said so. And because in this game, I set the rules. My rules and you follow or we wouldn’t like the consequences, no would we?”, I inhaled sharply as I caught the warning and edge in his voice but then again, I loved it that way.