ecarté (ay'-kar-tay') This means to step aside/to deviate. A position where the leg is extended to the side.
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"Are you there?" Darren made a murmuring sound and I heard the faint squeak of leather as if he were adjusting himself on a chair. I was drifted back to the present time. With me, sitting on the couch of our old house in QC, I wondered if Darren, who was at the other side of the line, was at home and there the curiosity of what his home looked like, crawled on to my mind. Giving myself a shake, I tried to focus on the conversation.
As I sat in the couch with a People's magazine on my lap, calling Darren over the phone, I looked up and found Travis approaching and coming to my side. He was dressed for some morning jog and looked well put-together, as usual.
"Hi," His voice was husky enough to bring me out of my thoughts. He kissed my temple and as he stroked my hair, He glanced at my long-forgotten magazine on my lap. I blinked. I know for a certain fact of Travis not-so-subtle dislike on Darren and if my memory served me right, He doesn't even want me to associate myself near the proximity of his so-called rival.
I wouldn't say I didn't like it. On a contrary, it made me feel important that Travis' is afraid to lose me on some way. That, or I'm narcissistic much to consider it flattering.
"Sorry - yes." I said, trying to come up something at the back of my head—anything for that matter. "Uh, the basics yeah, your daughter's doing well in ballet," As lame as that sound, I really don't know what else to say. I glanced at Travis who was now beside me
"What?!" Darren exclaimed from the other side of the line. "He's there isn't he?" When I didn't answer back, I heard how Darren sighed and by the looks of it, I can't even help myself but imagine he was rolling his eyes "Seriously?"
"Yes," I said as I continued with the charade or at least, I tried to "I'll call you later if there's anything more. Bye"
Setting the magazine aside, I leaned toward Travis, wrapping an arm around his waist and he pressed his ear to my chest. I cradled his head, looking fondly upon him.
Of course the faded blue t-shirt pulling tight across his chest or the way he smelled like aftershave and fabric softener was at least partly responsible for my reaction.
"I suppose it's good to know I have some effect," he said with a smirk as he caught me just like a deer on a headlight. "Even if it is potentially life threatening. It makes me feel a little better about this whole stalker thing I'm trying to pull off."
I cleared my throat, trying to shake off thoughts of licking him and pay attention to what he was saying. "How'd you find me? Galing kang gym di'ba?"
"I was tempted to track your GPS but then again, I knew you so much that I could tell you'll end up here. In fact, Your Yaya Nena even wheeled me to the door, though I told her I could find you on my own."
"You know what I mean," I said with a wry look. "What are you doing here?"
Travis grinned at me, and my stomach did flips "Just lying here" He looked solemn, which added to my confusion., "Enjoying the peaceful rhythm of your heartbeat. Aren't you glad to see me?"
I flashed him an apologetic look before looking down at my feet. I fell onto my back on the couch and pressed my fingers against my eyelids. I felt a little guilty about killing the mood "Of course I am glad to see you."
"Thank God," he said, his voice sounding sincerely relieved. He leaned over me, his hands still tickling my bare skin under my top. He edged the shirt up and kissed my stomach, running his tongue around my belly button."I figured I had a fifty fifty shot at not getting beat up or arrested."
I couldn't help but laugh a little. It was so corny, but also so... Travis. But I quickly turned serious, "I'd say it's more like eighty-five fifteen," I said, nodding seriously.
"I'll take those odds." His smile dimmed only slightly and he looked at my eyes. "The payoff is worth it."
I blushed, embarrassed by the compliment and unsure how to reply.
"Aren't you suppose to be at work before noon?"
He lowered himself beside me. I could feel his breath on my neck as he whispered into my ear. "Are you seriously throwing me out?"
"Do you always answer a question with a question?" Travis' eyebrows rose
I wondered if he was thinking about the phone call. Quite frankly, I really didn't care at this point, because my breath caught and I was suddenly aware of how close he was and that I was still holding his hand open in my lap. He closed it around my fingers as if he knew what I was thinking.
"Well, that depends flower" He put extra emphasis on the last word. I loved how he called me 'flower' because every time it rolled off his tongue, I started imagining how sensual it was when he says it while thrusting into me. I was about to ask him what he meant by that but I coiled for the last minute
I was battling two competing impulses. One urged me to be honest with Travis, the other called for more caution. But was there anything left to be cautious about?
I was about to confess my heart out that I was on the phone with Darren but I decided against it on the last minute. A few minutes passed without us speaking, then Travis finally broke the silence.
"What?" he asked with a grin.
"I have a secret." I said
"Do you now?" he asked, running his hands up my sides. His warm breath sending chills of impending ecstasy throughout my body. I can't help but convulse a bit from his sensual touches. "Are you gonna tell me or do I need to tickle it out of you?" His lips curled into his signature smile and I couldn't help but to beam back at him.
"No! Don't tickle me." I giggled as I slapped his fingers away, then tried to compose myself and keep my face straight. "Stop that. This is a serious secret, I mean it."
"What is it?" he asked again, his grin fading a bit. He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear and looked deep into my eyes. I saw desire which were very much reflected. Travis was looking down at me and his arms were wrapped around me.
I wondered how things had come to this point in my life. Travis' brown eyes were focused and intense, and they were framed by functional wire-rimmed glasses he usually wore for work. If anything, that just made him more attractive, as if I was in on a titillating secret no one else knew about. I felt safe with Travis. I loved the sound of his laugh, the smell of his after-shave and the strong and protective grip he exerted whenever we held hands.
I think I love him so much to the point of sanity and I know that might sound lunatic to some but I think that's what is it when you're in love. You wouldn't mind being crazy at all. And this man right beside me is the breathing existence why they put madly before in love.
My chest was pressed against his and I was looking up at him. "I hope it doesn't scare you how much I need you, Trav"
Travis didn't react at first. Then a small smile crept on to one corner of his face, spreading until eventually he was positively beaming.
"What's with the smile?" I asked.
"I already knew that. Honestly how could you not?"
My smile quickly vanished in a snap and began to grab the pillow I was leaning on and hit him with it.
"Hey! What was that for?!"
"You ruined our moment!"
Travis laughed so hard he almost toppled off the couch, making my chuckle turn into a full out laugh. I couldn't help laughing. My man was obviously crazy, gorgeous but mostly crazy, I thought as I looked at his face for the nth time. It dawned me how I miss this kind of moments with him and I was sure as hell.. I'll never get tired of it.
Those great cheek bones, his nose and those lips. His hair was usually mess, a sexy mess; completely different from most of the men in the corporate world, whose hair was always perfect with not a strand out of place. I simply cannot keep my eyes off him. Travis has trapped me, without him even knowing or trying.
"There will be plenty more. So, considering we're officially back together is it okay if I do this?"
He gently grabbed the bottom of my chin and brought my face to his. His lips felt incredibly smooth and I tasted a subtly hint of cherry Chapstick mixed with the sweetness of champagne. He broke the kiss for a moment to look down at me one final time.
"I think it's very okay." I said as I could see the desire in his eyes
He slowly kissed the side of my neck and I involuntarily let out a small moan. I felt his hands moving up, slowly tracing the contours of my body.
His hands travelled to grasp my waist. My hands intertwined behind his neck as I moved closed to him. I wonder what Travis was thinking, but didn't ask him, as I was pondering a few things myself. Mostly, I had sensed that Travis needed to think about it before he could talk about it but I was sure that whatever it is bothering him at the moment, it was something huge.
"What is it, Trav?" I said as my hands rubbed on his now growing scruff. My hands caress the rest of his face, his neck, his hair. Instead of giving me out the answer, he grabbed my hand, looked into my eyes and started raining kisses on each of my fingers
He carefully looked at me with so much intensity, almost as if he was memorizing every little detail on my face for the very first time, "I can't promise you we won't hate each other time and time again, but I can promise you that I'd love you so much, that hate can never win. I can't promise you I won't ever fight with you, but I can promise you that I'd always fight for you."
Travis' voice put me into an almost-trance, and his words touched my heart in ways no one had ever done. Travis cradled my face between his hands, his thick fingers curling against my cheekbones. A single tear rolled down my cheek, which he softly wiped away with his hand.
He watched me for a long second before he leaned down and devoured my lips. Our lips moistened and slick from our frantic tongues. Our tongues met, a powerful, seductive dance together. He pulled his head close to mine, holding firmly. With one hand going into his brown hair, I found myself melting into him. My finger nails lightly scratch his back, feeling his muscles taut and tense.
His lips and tongue explore mine as I inhaled his erotic smells and intoxicating essence. Then Travis' mouth moves lower, kissing the torrid flesh of my neck. I leaned my head back as he began to trail kisses along the edge of my jaw to nibble gently on my earlobe. I moaned at that, pressing my cheek against him. Travis continued to nibble down my neck, nipping at my shoulder.
I grabbed on to his shoulder when I almost lost my stance. Then he grabbed the back of my thigh to lift my body against him. I instantly wrapped my legs around him as he grabbed my bum pulling me against his now throbbing erection. I moaned into his mouth as I craved to touch his chest, to feel if he was as hot for myself as I was for him. Soft moans and short gasps for breath told us everything
We broke away slightly for him to pull his tank top out of his pants. I saw the little tuff of hair on his stomach and licked my lips. A sudden movement caught my eye and right there, my smile faltered. I looked to see Yaya Nena in the door way which made my eyes wide as saucers. Travis froze when he followed my gaze.
"Holy shit!" I cussed as I pushed Travis off me. I tried to gather my wits together and to calm my nerves. I glanced at Travis who was equally dumbfounded as I did seconds ago. When he recovered, he grabbed his top and tried to appear decent by putting it back on.
"I'm sorry Miss Nikki" My Yaya began "I thought you needed snacks. I didn't know that—err"
"It's okay Yaya" I said, biting my inner cheek as to tame the situation but I was looking anywhere else but her "We were just..uhh—"
"Leaving" Travis continued my stalling. I chuckled nervously and hop on to the excuse just to get away
"Yeah.. we're leaving in a bit" Although.. I dont really know where, I thought
I felt my cheeks grow warm and pressed my lips together to prevent any further idiotic comments from escaping me.
I shot Travis a look of fond exasperation and sighed. He studied me for a moment, then tugged on my hand while trying his best not to let out a roar of laughter.
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"That was painfully awkward"
"That's understated"
"Hop in" He concealed his smug grin with an elaborate eyebrow lift and a motion towards his Maserati parked on our front gate.
I scooted across the seat and sat next to the passenger's. He poke his key and started the ignition until it the engine roared back to life and drove down out from our garage, back to the gravel road.
With his left hand on the steering wheel, Travis wrapped his right arm around my shoulders and I rested my head against his chest. The dashboard glowed and illuminated their faces. The warm air of Metro Manila once again filled the car. I inhaled deeply and let the scent of Travis and the leather in his Maserati fill my senses. I closed my eyes and tried to freeze the moment in my mind. It was hard not to imprint this at the back of my mind. These comforting memories, I know, would last.
I slid back to my seat and glanced over at Travis. "Where are you taking me exactly?" I have a grin pasted to my face, that was, until Travis said...
"To my office."
My eyes were about as wide as the Mississippi when I saw Travis' expression remain unfathomable "You can't be serious" I said in disbelief
"Oh hell, I am flower"
"Ang lakas ng trip mo! You're not even wearing a suit" I exclaimed as I glanced down at my outfit. I was wearing pink angora Forever 21 cardigan, a snug Givenchy denim skirt and Chanel loafers with no socks. "You could've warned me you know"
"I want to spend the remaining minutes with you before the meeting starts and besides, I got a built-in walk-in closet on my office for convenience's sake."
The drive didn't take quite as long as I had expected, Late morning traffic being much lighter than normal.
"My Dad moved the meeting this afternoon. Kuya Terrence's coming back from Boston. He stayed on there for almost three years for his Master's degree"
I remembered Kuya Terrence back in the days. He was a 12th grader by the time we were 8th. Terrence Quiñones, If I remembered correctly, was the friendly midfielder of our school team. He was a decent guy sans the arrogance that comes free with his group. He always has something up his sleeve and No one dared messing up with him.
And looking at Travis' right now, I could tell that he was a bit tense. Their sibling rivalry has been around too long that nobody really knew how it started. Travis pulled up in the Quiñones' building and on to the underground parking lot where the guard checked us out and a valet was waiting.
"Mas magaling ka, Trav"
"You don't know that, Flower. He's the favorite after all"
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. This was proving to be more difficult than I thought. I understood on some level that Travis had always thought of the silent competition with Kuya Terrence but I underestimated just how bad it was. I was not about to give up, however; if anything it made me more determined. Travis needed me the most right at the moment. I also realized, I couldn't show any of the frustration I was feeling, otherwise I wont get through the barricade he filled around him.
Travis gave me new life. Of that, I was certain. It was not an overnight process; there were still some struggles and times whenever Travis doubted himself. I gave his shoulders an affectionate squeeze.
"You're smart - you're...worldly, I don't know what it is about you, but - Christ, you're a catch. You know what I think Trav? I see a man who is athletic and dedicated. I see an intelligent man, smart enough to succeed at a work and lead a team to greatness along the way. I see a man who has overcome many challenges in his life to become a successful and genuinely good person. I see a man who, as great as he is, could be even greater if he would just believe and allow others to believe in him too. And that is all you, Travis"
Travis briefly considered this and then smiled. He was the first to break the silence. "You had a hugely positive impact on my life. You gave me plenty of encouragement and praise. You gave me support when I was experiencing difficulties even before. Thank you. For everything, flower."
I shook my head. "No, it is me who should be thanking you." I rested my forehead against his, stroking his face and running my fingers through his hair. He began stroking my back insistently, our eyes locked.
"I love you, Fleur Monique Callejo."
"And I love you, Johann Travis Quiñones."