After I finished my pancakes, I pondered for a little bit. My eyes were also roaming around, assuring that there is no Ashton anywhere. At last, I rolled my eyes as I found no trace of him.
"Geez! Glad he's out. What a pain in the ass," I mumbled to myself.
I went out after I paid my bill. As soon as I grabbed my car's door handle, a hand grabbed mine too.
"Are you ready?" I looked at him. Shit!
"I thought you were gone somewhere else!" I shouted at him. I clenched my fist. Damn, anywhere that's not here, at least.
"C'mon, miss. You're the best damn thing I ever had." He gave me a grin.
"Alexander Stewart."
"W-what?"
"The singer, you can't fool a fooler," I arched my brow. "And in case you weren't informed, I am not yours." I smiled in a sassy way.
"Okay, fine." He scratched the back of his neck. "I just want to hang out with you tonight, just tonight."
And being cheesy is the way to do that.
"Oh, please!" I tapped his chest, he looked at my hands. "I'm irresistible, so I am telling you, if you hang out with me tonight, you'd want me for the rest of your life." The nail of my forefinger made contact with his chest, then I dragged it the whole way down to his abdomen. He flinched a bit.
I gave him a sexy smile as he looked at how I moved my finger.
"You seemed bothered. Just tell if you can't handle me." I pushed him away using a finger of mine.
"Sultry."
I smiled at the choice of his word.
I opened the car's door, playing hard to get.
He grabbed my arm. "Woah, wait! I'm not giving in."
"You mean, giving up?"
"Both."
"Okay, boy. Where are we going?" I said as an accept for his invitation. I find this as an opportunity to know this guy more. It can help me decide about that dare.
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The wind played with my hair. The speed was undeniably fast.
As I rode with him on his motorcycle, I felt comfortable. The breeze gave me that. I don't know where our destination is, but he said to just relax and see.
"I'm only available before midnight," I said. He just nodded.
The whole ride was quiet. All I could hear was the wind, the crickets, and the sound of this motorcycle.
He stopped and parked the motorcycle in front of a resort. "We're here." I examined the place. It's pretty quiet in here. "By this time of the night, people are asleep. That's why it's quiet," He said as if reading my mind.
"Defensive, huh." I shook my head.
"Of course, I already know what you're thinking."
"Yes, sure. You're a veteran in this. You know girls so much, how they react, and what they think about the place. Now, tell me, how many girls did you bring here before me?" I frankly asked. "Don't be shy, I already told you, we play the same game, not until I play a leveled-up one."
"Shut it." This time, he rolled his eyes. "Telling how many girls I brought here is just like telling you what number you start with when you count." He smirked. I tsked. He chuckled. "You wanna know who is the first one I brought here?"
"Whatever." I did not go with the flow.
"C'mon—"
"Can't we just go inside?"
"I know that you want to know." He smiled teasingly.
"Let's go inside."
"We're not going inside if—"
"Okay, fine!"
"Take two!!!" He said in victory. "You wanna know who is the first girl I brought here?"
"Who?"
"The first word in my question." You.
He slowly went closer to me, I was left still musing about what he said.
He lifted down my jacket's sleeves. Now, it's half-off me, revealing my sleeveless tank top.
He held my cheeks, he caressed my cheeks down to my shoulders, I did not flinch which made the moment more daring.
He tucked in my hair behind my ear. He looked at me straight into my eyes, then down to my lips. Both of his hands held my cheeks again. He started kissing me. At first, it was gentle, until it got fierce.
I responded to his kiss. I pushed him which caused him to lean into his motorcycle. He began to take off my jacket. The cold air kissed my skin, I flinched a bit as electricity ran through my body. I caressed his cheeks also without even interrupting our kiss. I played with his hair.
Moments passed, I felt so cold. That's where we ran out of air too from our non-stop kiss. I pulled out from our kiss and tapped his cheeks.
"PDA," I said, then walked straight to the entrance of the resort while hanging my jacket on my arm. I felt victorious at that moment as he was left standing there, enthralled.
I looked at the name sign above. Cuestanovas Resort and Suite.
I reached the counter area and then looked at where I left him. That's when I remembered that I left him there dumbfounded.
"Psst!" I called, he woke up from his fantasies. He started to walk towards me. "Don't blame me, I already told you that you might not be able to handle me."
The staff assigned to the counter area of this resort was just looking at us.
"You're new here?" Ashton asked the staff."Yes, sir."
"Oh well, get us a deluxe room--"
"We're not spending the whole night here, I need to go home before midnight," I interrupted.
"Just let me," he said, I gritted my teeth. "Get us a deluxe room," he told the staff.
"Name, sir?"
"Ashton Vans dela Cuesta."
I can see the shock on the face of the staff.
"Oh gosh! Sir dela Cuesta, pick any room you want, I will take care of everything." Ashton smiled, I curved my right brow.
"Let's go?" He said and offered his hand. I grabbed it.
I just followed his steps, our hands still holding each other. It was very unusual of me to accept an offered hand from a fling. It was not what I was looking for... but it felt nice.
"What's with that staff's reaction? She seemed so surprised about knowing your name," I dared asked.
"My dad is one of the biggest contributors to this resort. It also has perks." I nodded at what he said.
Yes, of course, he is a dela Cuesta. And I'm a McNeill.
Two different surnames, two different influences, two different powers.
"Now, what are you thinking, Ms. Brinley McNeill-dela Cuesta?" My sight caught his as he told me that. I grabbed his shirt to pull him closer to me.
I higher myself so I can reach his ear. "Slow down, dela Cuesta. Be careful of what you wish for." I brushed off the back of my hand against his cheek and then let go of him. Then I went to follow the staff who led our way to the room.
I looked back at him while walking, he just stood there, still. I shook my head then laughed. This guy dug his hole.
I continued to stride through the hallway of their suite. The place is nice, and the night's cold. I couldn't feel the sleepiness either. Why? Uhm, I'm guessing because this guy is starting to interest me with his personality. He seemed to be so persistent about pursuing me. Oh well, girls have tried him before I even could, and every girl seemed to be a cliché for him. And so are boys to me.
"Ma'am, this is your room together with Mr. dela Cuesta," the staff said and handed me the keys then she left immediately.
I went to the balcony while waiting for Ashton. What's taking him so long?
I inhaled some fresh air, it was so good. The sound of the waves from the sea, they're so peaceful.
The serenity made me think clearly.
"I dare you to hook up with Ashton Vans dela Cuesta."
It was the way Zaylee winked at me, she seemed to be so sure about me flirting with Ashton. But why? Is she that desperate to make me move on from my past? But from all the boys I've hooked up with, she seems to be so excited about this one. Yet, the rest of the squad seems to object.
Nah, it's maybe Zaylee being desperate for me to forget my past and the rest just afraid of risking a broken heart again.
"Hey there, beautiful." Yes, I know that voice.
I handed him the keys. "Your words are so used, you know. Try impressing me with something more, something new," I said then walked towards the door. He followed me then he unlocked the door.
"After you," he said and made way for me.
I sat on the bed then laid on it. He started to fix himself.
"You shouldn't have brought me here," I said then glanced at my wristwatch. "It's already 10 pm sharp. You only have an hour and 59 minutes to hang out with me. As you said, you asked for us to hang out, just for tonight. You'll miss me," I said confidently.
He sat beside me, "Let's see."
"You still wanna see me after this night?" I said then looked at him.
He stared at me first. "Of course." He combed his hair with his fingers.
I chuckled. "Let's see."
He laid beside me then wrapped his arms around me. I did not restrain. I turned to face him.
"We're inside a room, not PDA anymore," he said and grabbed me closer. He caressed my back, I did the same to him. Neither of us restrained, nor twitched.
I went on top of him, and I kissed him. He responded quickly.
As he was about to take off my sleeveless tank top, I pulled out from our kiss and stood up.
"Uh-uh," I told him and waved no.
He shook his head and plastered a wild smile on his face. He approached me, I wasn't intimidated. I stood still.
As he got closer to me, he grabbed me by my waist, I laced my arms around his neck. He gently pushed me and leaned me against the wall. I stared at his face first before he continued to kiss me. I did not attempt to take his shirt off, yet I started to run my fingers on his back. He started to kiss my neck, the sensation was passionate. I cannot deny that. He seems to know his way, he knows exactly what he's doing and where we're going. It was good, he's good!
I pushed him as he kissed my shoulder, just playing hard to get. He grabbed me then he embraced me. Due to the despair of him having me, he let himself fall to the bed together with me. I'm now on top of him.
I pinched his cheeks. "You know what, you're cute," I said, then I messed up with his hair.
"You're so hot, young lady." he tsked. "Stop leaving the moment hanging and for fuck's sake, let me have this night," he said in frustration.
"Nope, we are going somewhere else," I said and went off him.
"C'mon, if this is the 'just tonight', I am telling you, I'd rather have it my way," he protested.
"Sorry but no, besides, it's my decision too. So whether you like it or not, or want it or not, we are going somewhere else, okay?" I said and cunningly smiled at him.
"Hey, you're not the boss of me," he argued.
"And so are you. You're not my boss, so you can have me if I want, but if I want it another way, I'll go that way." I made him halt for a moment. "I am leaving, either I am going home alone, or maybe, you'd like to hang out with me for the last hour and minutes before this night ends. Up to you, boy!"
He thought about it for a second, "Ugh, fine!" I chuckled in front of him. Now, I partly got a hold of you, Ashton.
I wore my leather jacket again. He went closer to me, attempting to kiss me. "Nope," I said.
"Why do you keep on stopping this exciting night, huh?" He asked, now, he is the annoyed one.
"I like it more this way." His eyes squinted.
I went out first, then he followed me. I just walked and walked until we reached the exit of this resort.
"Wait," he said.
"I'll be waiting by your motorcycle," I said and walked. I guess he's just informing the staff that we're checking out. I realized that I made him do what he does not want to do. I smiled at that thought.
In a small period, he got here. He immediately started the engine of his motorcycle. I went to ride on it too.
"Why are you smiling there, lady?" He asked, I noticed that he saw me by the side mirror.
"Just shut up."
He started to drive.
"Can you please stop being bossy?" Pleading was visible in his voice.
"You asked me out tonight, you even begged for it. Then deal with me, okay?"
"If only you weren't that attractive, ugh," he said. Well, if I wasn't his type, he would've just let me go. That's what he meant.
"Oh, boys. Yes, maybe, that characteristic is why you are after girls, but I am telling you, you won't get over me that easy, or you will never even get over me," I said. "My existence will hunt you in your peaceful or sleepless nights. You'll never stop thinking about me." I chuckled in a sexy way.
"Confidence to the highest level." He laughed too. "Where do you want us to go?"
"Somewhere worth it, somewhere you won't ever forget," I answered.
"Just tell me where."
"Let me drive."
"What?!"
"You want to hang out with me or not?" I threatened.
"No way, I am not entrusting my big bike to you," he answered and he seemed to be so firm with his decision.
"I may be reckless, but I know how to handle things," I said in a persuading tone.
"Still no."
"Yes, you will."
"No."
"Stop right here, I am not going anywhere with you anymore."
"Fuck it! Just tell directions and I'll drive," he said in an annoyed tone.
"Let me drive or I won't go anywhere with you."
"Bullshit—"
"I'm going down—"
"Fine, you drive," he said in surrender then stopped the vehicle so we can switch positions.
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"Wow."
"I told you, this place is worth entrusting your motorcycle to me," I smiled at him then rolled my eyes. We both stood facing the whole city. We've been here for at least 40 minutes, the resort was at least 20 minutes away from here. 40 minutes being here only means that it's also been 40 minutes of him still admiring and complimenting the place.
"The whole city is visible from here, this place is also perfect for stargazing. And that spring in the middle of the forest. This cliff is mesmerizing, how'd you know this place?" He asked amidst his amazement.
"Alone time."
"Oh, I see. Why did you bring me here when you said this is your place when you want to be alone?" He asked out of curiosity. He faced me.
"You asked me where to go, I want to go here," I simply answered.
"Hey, you could've just told me you wanted me here with you." He chuckled in a teasing tone.
"Oh, whatever. This is just tonight. Just tonight and no more other nights." His features got lost. I bet, he doesn't know how to react. I don't know if those words just suddenly saddened him. "And as you said when we were at the resort, I was the first girl you brought there, if that was even true, I'd like to return the favor."
He just smiled. "It wasn't a favor, I chose to bring you there."
I stared at him, intensely.
I broke my stare. "We need to leave before 11:30, this place is half an hour away from our house if I'd drive that fast, faster than you." He chuckled at my statement.
"We both know that I can be faster than that." He played with my hair.
There was a gap in time before we actually decided to go home. The night was cozy but I hated the idea of staying any longer. I could've disobeyed my dad, but I didn't. I did not want to. At least not for him.
"You know what? We should go by now," he said while glancing at his wristwatch. "It's nearly 11:30." He smiled. I noticed that it was a forced smile.
He started to walk towards his motorcycle then immediately started the engine. "Let's go!"
As I got myself comfortable on his motorcycle, he started driving.
"Do you memorize this place already?" I asked.
"Yes, this guy has a photographic memory, take note." We laughed together.
"Just drop me off by the pancake house."
"Why? I can just take you home--"
"I left my car there, remember?" I said.
"Oh, yes. Of course."
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"Oh, whatever. This is just tonight. Just tonight and no more other nights."
I know that to myself, I lied about that. I lied about my statement.
He dropped me off by the pancake house, we kissed for the last time, for all we know. But we all know, I'm lying if I'd say that I wanted it to be the last time, or we are lying if he'd say the same thing too. We both know that we still want it that way. The way we're together, the way the atmosphere brings us closer, the way our lips make contact, and the sting of them parting away.
I got home by myself before midnight.
I grabbed my phone and called our group chat. My friends are still online by this time.
One by one, they answered the video call.
"Hey, what's up?" They greeted in chorus.
"I'm not doing the dare, but I can hook up with dela Cuesta," I announced.