Their whole team, which now included Sam's girlfriend Patricia, left early that morning on a rented van and boarded a ferry from Batangas to Mindoro. Martin was able to arrange an inland tour for the group. So after checking in at the resort and settled into their assigned rooms, they left for Ponderosa Golf Club for a bit of hiking.
Richard and Maine followed behind during the hike of about 2000 feet uphill, keeping a pace that Maine can follow so that she wouldn't exert too much. He was always right behind her, making sure that he was at arms reach in case she needed it. But Maine pressed on, stopping only a few times to drink some water Richard offered her and keeping up with the rest of the team. When they reached the summit and saw the breath taking view of the whole island, Maine immediately turned and wrapped her arms around his waist, stealing a quick peck on the cheek. She was clearly happy with her achievement and Richard felt proud of her accomplishment.
The group then decided to take the zipline downhill, a prospect that Maine was very excited to experience but at the same time apprehensive. When the team started to fall in line for their turn in the zipline, Richard noticed that Maine's hand were cold and the color was slowly draining from her face.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked as they watched Martin getting ready to go down.
Maine took a deep breath and replied, "yes. Just as long as you go down with me."
He took her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. He replied, "of course. You know I will."
When it was their turn on the zipline, Maine was holding on to Richard's arm a little too tightly that he was already feeling numb from her grip. But he kept silent and just watched her as she experienced both the excitement and the fear of the zipline. It was another first for Maine, so he endured the numbness as they slid down the line through the rainforest. Maine screamed with glee as she felt the wind rushing on her face and the forest below her. Richard was oblivious to all that as he centered his attention on her. The delight on her face, the hold on his arm, and the sound of her voice were the only thing that registered.
Their next stop was Tamaraw Falls. The place was famous for its history, as the falls was named after the now endangered species that used to inhabit the area. The group just checked the place out as they were awed by the way the different falls interconnect to meet at the bottom where man made pools were created. They didn't stay long but they maximized their time in viewing and admiring the place.
On their last stop, they were brought to the white sandy beach of Aplayang Munti where they were served a barbecued picnic lunch. Pleasant conversation flowed between the group as they made Patricia feel welcomed in the team. Ardee was also being teased as she would be heading a new team when they get back to Manila. Maine was saddened to see Ardee leave as she had become close to her in the last rotation, but she was also happy that Patty was a welcome addition to the group.
Richard could see Maine enjoying herself immensely that he just kept to the background, only letting himself known when she would reach out to him. There was a twinkle in her eyes that he loved so much. It was full of life and promise, that he swore to himself that he would keep that spark in her as much as he can.
-oo-
They were staying in one of the beach resorts in Puerto Galera. When they got back from the inland tour, Martin told the group that they had the time for themselves until the evening for the bonfire. So the team went their separate ways, checking out the different activities the Resort has to offer.
Richard and Maine though preferred to stay indoors. Martin insisted that they share a room as he hinted that it would be their arrangement when they start the experiment. Richard was about to argue but the look Martin sent him made him halt any attempt to argue. Martin can be a big scary gay man if he really wanted to.
So for the rest of their freetime, Richard played some songs for Maine in their room as he brought his guitar with him on this excursion. It was a left-handed guitar so he couldn't teach Maine with it. But she still found herself sandwiched between him and his guitar as he played the songs for her, stealing a kiss or two every now and then. They only went out to get some dinner, but quickly went back up to freshen up before the bonfire.
Richard went to shower first, and while he was inside, Maine rummaged through his luggage looking for a particular piece of clothing. She then immediately placed it in her bag with her toiletries and returned to the bed with her Kindle to wait for Richard to finish. He came out of the shower wearing a white v-neck shirt and boxer shorts. Maine immediately took her stuff and headed for the bathroom while it was Richard's turn to bring out his book and wait for her to finish.
Maine came out of the shower wearing one of Richard's shirts that covers her up to mid thighs. She was currently drying her hair with a towel as she watched Richard reading a book on his side of the bed.
"Your meds are on the table," he said without looking up from the book that he was reading.
Maine just smiled slightly as she shook her head in amusement. She knew that Richard was too engrossed on what he was reading at that moment, that you wouldn't be able to make him lose his concentration. She did what she was told, taking the meds that was already prepared for her. Once done she made her way towards the bed where Richard adjusted his position to accommodate Maine. She wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head on his chest, Richard held his book one handed, his other arm draped on Maine's shoulder, his fingers tracing lines up and down her upper arm. He kept reading as Maine tried to follow but gave up eventually as the scenes in the book didn't make sense to her anymore. She just sighed and relaxed in Richard's loose embrace. Even in this moment of silence between them, she still enjoyed his company. It gave her time for herself to get lost in her thoughts.
She was still contemplating on what she discussed with Dr. Vega. She was able to buy the pills discreetly while Richard was buying her meds. It was currently burning a hole in her bag, still sealed in its box and shoved at the very bottom. What if scenarios were forming in her head, some good and some were bad. She closed her eyes and hugged Richard tighter.
"I hope you could tell me what's going on in that head of yours, my Heart," Richard said as he kissed the top of her head. He closed the book and set it aside. He collected Maine in his arms and held her close to him.
For an answer, Maine pushed up and kissed him. He let her lead, as he slightly opened his mouth to receive her and just kept his arms around her waist and back. She started with teasing kisses on his lips, nipping on his lower lip before she kissed him fully on the mouth. He let her explore this time, feeling her warm tongue as she tasted him. He groaned as she delved deeper, her hands clutching the front of his shirt. He held her tighter as she moaned in pleasure when he returned her kiss with the same intensity. She left his mouth and trailed soft small kisses on his jawline and neck, Richard holding on to her as she teased and nipped at him. She went back to his lips and kissed him once more, letting him lead this time.
"You could have just said you didn't want to talk about it," he whispered as he trailed soft kisses to her jawline up to her ear.
"But this is much better, don't you think?" She replied with a gasp as Richard rolled them over so that her back was on the bed and he was on top of her.
"Are you sure you want me to continue?"
"Yes."
It came in a breathless whisper that Richard couldn't help the low growl that escaped his throat when he captured her lips one more time. The kiss was deep and full of pent up emotion that Maine couldn't help but moan. Richard's hand found the hem of her shirt and slowly dragged them up, his fingers leaving a trail of heat on her bare skin as he inched his way up her body, all the while his lips never leaving hers.
He finally broke the kiss when he took the shirt off. He paused as he saw Maine before him, completely naked except for her white cotton panty.
"Wow," he exclaimed as he soaked in the sight of her. Her arms raised over her head, her hair gloriously splayed over the pillows, her chest heaving with the scar clearly seen in between her full breast. Her eyes were looking at him with longing, as he was sure that his own eyes mirrored hers. "You're really breath taking, Maine."
Richard lowered himself again and kissed her once more, this time slow and deliberate, tasting every inch of her mouth. He felt her pull at his shirt, so he broke their kiss a second time to take his shirt off returning again to exploring her mouth. He heard her intake of breath as one of his hands found her breast. He slowly massaged it to the same rhythm of his mouth while his other hand teased the hem of her underwear. Maine slowly wrapped her arms around his neck and played with the hair on his nape. He left her mouth as he trained kisses down her jawline to her neck, then continued to trail down her chest until he reached her exposed breast.
"RJ!" She moaned as he captured her mound in his mouth, his tongue playing with her nipple. She whimpered as she squirmed underneath him. He did the same for its twin, his other hand now grabbing the breast he had just left, giving the same attention as the previous one.
Maine called out his name once more as she moaned in pleasure from the sensations she was feeling. Her breath was ragged, as Richard's mouth continued to explore her chest. He started trailing open mouthed kisses on her scar, starting from the cleavage, inching his way down to her rib cage. Her hands were now clutching the sheets tightly, his name the only thing that escaped her lips as she cried out over and over in between moans.
When he reached the end of her scar, he repeated the process, this time heading back up. Both his hands were on her waist pinning her down, as he let her know with his mouth how much he wanted her. When he reached her chest, he continued heading up, trailing her neck and jawline until he captured her mouth once more in a searing kiss. Their tongues danced to the rhythm of their hearts.
She wrapped her arms around his neck once more as they continued to kiss. One of his arms was wrapped around her, while his other hand was slowly lowering her underwear. She broke their kiss and gasped as she felt his finger brushed at her folds. He froze as he looked at her frightened eyes. But it was a different kind of fear that he saw this time, unlike before. He reached out and cupped one of her cheek, his thumb giving it a caress.
"Shh..." He whispered as he kissed her lips tentatively. "Just relax, my Heart. Am I going too fast for you? Do you want me to stop?"
"No!" She cried, as she held on to him tighter. "Please, Home. Please..."
He kissed her again with the same fervor as before. She responded in kind, bringing them back to the same high they were a moment ago. When he felt Maine relaxed underneath him, Richard once again slowly pulled down her underwear. He felt her intake of breath as he inched his finger into her folds. He broke their kiss as he trailed kisses down her neck, Maine moaning out his name. He continued to go down, following the line of her scar but continued downward still when he reached the end of the line.
"RJ..." Maine sighed as she felt his breath on her bare skin, his fingers sending tingles on her spine as he traced the side of her body as he moved down.
Richard reached her bellybutton and was about to play with his tongue when someone knocked on their door.
"Seriously?!?" Richard muttered as he turned to the offending door.
"Jase! Maine!" Jerald called from the other side. "Sam is about to start the bonfire! Martin wants everyone there."
Richard let out a series of expletives that he just muffled over by the pillow as Maine couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips. She called out to Jerald that they will follow in a couple of minutes.
When they heard Jerald left, they faced each other once more and started laughing. Richard leaned in again and kissed her softly, then he rolled off her to lie on his side, facing her.
Maine reached out with both hands to cup his cheeks. She was still catching her breath as she gave him a smile.
"Are you okay, Heart?" He asked as he reached out to brush the hair away from her eyes.
"It would depend on your definition of okay," Maine giggled as she snuggled closer to him. She felt his hardness as she pressed herself closer to him and she gasped.
"I need a cold shower," Richard muttered as he reluctantly extricated himself from her and stood up.
"But you just had one, Home," she replied, bewildered.
"Believe me, Heart," he remarked. "I really need another one. Get dressed. I'll be out in ten minutes."
"Do you want me to join you?" She teased as she moved to a sitting position, and hugged a pillow to her chest.
"It would defeat the purpose of the cold shower," he replied with a smile. "Besides, do you really want Martin to come up here again?"
"You have a point."
"Don't worry, my Heart," he said as he leaned his body on the doorframe of the bathroom. "We'll have our moment. Maybe tonight just isn't our night. But we'll get there. I promise."