LOVE MATCH
Imprint: TO DIE FOR
E.D.G.E. SERIES 1
XANDER
by kat madrid
ROXI was smiling when she reached the clearing near the river. Medyo nabawasan ang kaba niya. She could at least reach a safe route before night time.
Imprint: TO DIE FOR
E.D.G.E. SERIES 1
XANDER
by kat madrid
ROXI was smiling when she reached the clearing near the river. Medyo nabawasan ang kaba niya. She could at least reach a safe route before night time.
She was about to take another step to reach her destination when she found herself surrounded by five armed men, with all their guns pointed and ready to fire. Teka…the guns are pointed at her! Goodness! Anong nagawa niyang kasalanan? She was in total shock! Hindi siya naka-react agad sa sitwasyon.
One of the armed men took the air gun from her hands and checked it. Diyos ko, mukha pa namang totoong baril ang hitsura ng airgun na pinasadya ni Tito Ped, saisip niya.
A tall guy approached from her side. It was obvious that he was the leader of the group. She had to raise her head to face the man who was about 6’2 tall. And then her eyes collided with green ones. She let out a silent gasp.
The guy was the most gorgeous man she had ever met.
He looked like a Greek god of war: deep-set green eyes, a strong masculine nose and a sensual mouth. His hair was dark brown and had a tendency to curl. He was tanned and his body was muscled yet whip-cord…like that of a sleek animal. From his stance alone, it was obvious that he was a leader among lesser men. A born conqueror.
Walang sinabi dito ang mga male models ni Calvin Klein. This guy oozed undiluted masculine sex appeal. And danger. And he was looking at her like she was his prey. Roxi snapped out of the spell. The nerve of this guy! Sino ba ito para i-hostage siya? Wala siyang naaalalang atraso kahit kanino! Who is this man? Talaga bang Philippine Army ito? Kasama yata ito sa Balikatan Exercises! Pero, imposible. Ang alam niya’y suspended ang Balikatan Exercises dahil sa dispute over the Visiting Forces Agreement!
"Sino ka?! At bakit nakatutok sa akin ang mga baril ninyo?" galit na tanong niya sa lalaki.
"Capt. Benavidez-Thorne, Philippine Army," tipid na sagot nito.
Although matatas itong magtagalog, may bahagyang American inflection pa rin ang pananagalog nito. The man said it in a tone na animo’y nang-uuyam. Tulad ng inaasahan, lalong sumiklab ang inis ni Roxi sa tonong ginamit ng lalaki.
"Kapitan, kung gusto mong huwag akong mag-press ng charges against you and your men, alisin niyo sa harapan ko ang mga iyan at baka aksidente ninyong maiputok! Hindi pa updated ang hulog ko sa insurance!" asik niya.
Ni hindi man lang natinag ang lalaki sa kinatatayuan, hindi nagbigay ng senyales sa mga tauhan nito. Unti-unting nakadama ng hysteria si Roxi. Naisip niyang baka mga nagpapanggap na sundalo lang ang mga ito ngunit ang totoo’y mga miyembro pala ng NPA. What? NPA na Kano?
"Kung gusto niyo akong i-hostage para ipatubos, nagkamali kayo ng tinarget dahil I’m penniless and I’m also an orphan," dagdag pa niya, pilit na pinalalakas ang sariling loob.
Sarkastikong tumawa ang lider ng grupo sa kanya.
"Bilib ako sa iyo, miss. Kahit napaka-far fetched ng ideya ay nagawa mong maging believable. But we know who you are. You’re Commander Marian of the New People’s Army. And whether you like it or not, you are now under the control of the Philippine Government," mariing tugon ng lalaki.
"What?! Saang action flick mo nakuha yan?! This is a mistake! My name is Roxi! Roxanna Hidalgo. Hindi ako ang taong sinasabi ninyo!" paggigiit ni Roxi. This guy is nuts!
The guy crossed his muscular arms in front of his chest and looked at her with mockery, "Prove it. Give me any valid identification," hamon ng kapitan.
"Nagpapatawa ka ba? I’m on vacation and you expect me to bring identification at a place like this?! Are you dumb?! I am a guest of Mayor Pedro Navarro. Kasama ko sa banda ang anak niya. Nag-nature trek lang kami kanina and I got lost!" pangangatwiran niya.
Umiling ang lider, "Sorry, your story is not good enough for me. You have to remain in our custody. We’ll check your alleged claims mamaya pag nasa loob na tayo ng kampo." Sumenyas ang lalaki sa isa nitong kasamahan, "Perez, i-secure niyo."
Doon na humilagpos ang magkahalong takot at galit ni Roxi. Tinalon niya ang kausap para sampalin ito at pagkakalmutin, pero mabilis na nahawakan ng lalaki ang bisig niya at mismong ito na ang naglagay ng restraints sa kanyang mga kamay.
"Bastos! Walang modo! Irereklamo ko kayong lahat, lalo na ikaw!" nagsisisigaw si Roxi. She never felt so helpless in her life!
Bago maisakay sa Army helicopter ay parang tigre si Roxi. Lalo pa niyang pinagbuti ang kakasigaw at kakapadyak. She felt temporary satisfaction when she managed to hit the hateful captain in the groin. But the satisfaction was short-lived. Kitang-kita niyang nag-register sa mga mata nito ang sakit pero through sheer will and control, hindi ito natinag sa pagkakatayo. Sa halip, the bastard got a new set of restraints and tied her feet. And that wasn’t the end of her humiliation. The hateful guy hauled her like a sack and finally dumped her in the chopper. When she cursed him to perdition, he told her to shut up and taped her mouth to keep her quiet.
At ang lalo pang nakapagpakulo nang dugo niya ay nang umupo ang impaktong lalaki sa harapan at tila naa-amuse pang nakatingin ito sa kanya. Ahhh… if only she could kill him with just a stare…he’d probably be stone-cold by now from her dagger-like gaze. She swore that she would definitely file a case against the arrogant man in the military tribunal. Arresting her because she remotely resembled a notorious rebel chief! This was really absurd! Natatapakan ang human rights niya!
She was a hellcat…a beautiful pain in the ass who tested the limits of his patience. Ang buong akala niya’y titigil na ito sa kakaalipusta sa kanyang pagkatao nang nilagyan niya ito ng restraints. He was wrong. The restraints added fuel to the fire. By the time he and his men reached the chopper, she was shouting, screaming like a banshee at him, giving him no choice but to tape her beautiful and tempting mouth.
Napabuntong-hininga si Xander. He found himself wishing hindi ito ang NPA leader na pinaghahanap nila. As of the moment, she fit the description, so he had no choice but take her under custody
Damn. She was utterly beautiful, lalo na sa malapitan. He had seen his share of beautiful women, but her face was unforgettable: deep-set eyes fringed with thick eyelashes, a determined chin, high cheekbones, a small but perfectly formed nose that announced Castillian ancestry, somewhere in her background and full, sensual lips that promised a million pleasures. Her skin was unblemished, pinkish yet creamy-white, as fine as the most expensive porcelain. She possessed a body that incited instant lust in him: her full, high breasts were now thrown into a more prominent position dahil sa pagkakatali ng dalawang kamay nito sa likod. Napakaliit ng beywang nito. I can probably span it with my hands, he thought. Her hips flared temptingly…giving her the curves of an alluringly sensual woman. And her legs were another story. She had the best pair of legs he had ever seen. In fact, he could picture those legs deliciously wrapping around him while…Shit! Don’t even go there! This child-woman had completely bewitched him, made him think and behave like a randy sixteen-year old. And he again found himself wishing she’s not a rebel and that he would rather have his reputation as one of the best trackers in the Philippine Army ripped into shreds.
He mentally shrugged. He was thinking with his loins, for crying out loud! He strained himself to think methodically and logically, willed himself to look at her, assess her, like one who would look at a beautiful sculpture. It seemed to be working: though he still had an annoying hard-on, he managed his libido from going into overdrive.
She was looking at him with utter hatred in her eyes. He chuckled. Yes, he can definitely see murder there. If she was not the rebel as she claimed, things will be diverting. Definitely diverting.
One of the armed men took the air gun from her hands and checked it. Diyos ko, mukha pa namang totoong baril ang hitsura ng airgun na pinasadya ni Tito Ped, saisip niya.
A tall guy approached from her side. It was obvious that he was the leader of the group. She had to raise her head to face the man who was about 6’2 tall. And then her eyes collided with green ones. She let out a silent gasp.
The guy was the most gorgeous man she had ever met.
He looked like a Greek god of war: deep-set green eyes, a strong masculine nose and a sensual mouth. His hair was dark brown and had a tendency to curl. He was tanned and his body was muscled yet whip-cord…like that of a sleek animal. From his stance alone, it was obvious that he was a leader among lesser men. A born conqueror.
Walang sinabi dito ang mga male models ni Calvin Klein. This guy oozed undiluted masculine sex appeal. And danger. And he was looking at her like she was his prey. Roxi snapped out of the spell. The nerve of this guy! Sino ba ito para i-hostage siya? Wala siyang naaalalang atraso kahit kanino! Who is this man? Talaga bang Philippine Army ito? Kasama yata ito sa Balikatan Exercises! Pero, imposible. Ang alam niya’y suspended ang Balikatan Exercises dahil sa dispute over the Visiting Forces Agreement!
"Sino ka?! At bakit nakatutok sa akin ang mga baril ninyo?" galit na tanong niya sa lalaki.
"Capt. Benavidez-Thorne, Philippine Army," tipid na sagot nito.
Although matatas itong magtagalog, may bahagyang American inflection pa rin ang pananagalog nito. The man said it in a tone na animo’y nang-uuyam. Tulad ng inaasahan, lalong sumiklab ang inis ni Roxi sa tonong ginamit ng lalaki.
"Kapitan, kung gusto mong huwag akong mag-press ng charges against you and your men, alisin niyo sa harapan ko ang mga iyan at baka aksidente ninyong maiputok! Hindi pa updated ang hulog ko sa insurance!" asik niya.
Ni hindi man lang natinag ang lalaki sa kinatatayuan, hindi nagbigay ng senyales sa mga tauhan nito. Unti-unting nakadama ng hysteria si Roxi. Naisip niyang baka mga nagpapanggap na sundalo lang ang mga ito ngunit ang totoo’y mga miyembro pala ng NPA. What? NPA na Kano?
"Kung gusto niyo akong i-hostage para ipatubos, nagkamali kayo ng tinarget dahil I’m penniless and I’m also an orphan," dagdag pa niya, pilit na pinalalakas ang sariling loob.
Sarkastikong tumawa ang lider ng grupo sa kanya.
"Bilib ako sa iyo, miss. Kahit napaka-far fetched ng ideya ay nagawa mong maging believable. But we know who you are. You’re Commander Marian of the New People’s Army. And whether you like it or not, you are now under the control of the Philippine Government," mariing tugon ng lalaki.
"What?! Saang action flick mo nakuha yan?! This is a mistake! My name is Roxi! Roxanna Hidalgo. Hindi ako ang taong sinasabi ninyo!" paggigiit ni Roxi. This guy is nuts!
The guy crossed his muscular arms in front of his chest and looked at her with mockery, "Prove it. Give me any valid identification," hamon ng kapitan.
"Nagpapatawa ka ba? I’m on vacation and you expect me to bring identification at a place like this?! Are you dumb?! I am a guest of Mayor Pedro Navarro. Kasama ko sa banda ang anak niya. Nag-nature trek lang kami kanina and I got lost!" pangangatwiran niya.
Umiling ang lider, "Sorry, your story is not good enough for me. You have to remain in our custody. We’ll check your alleged claims mamaya pag nasa loob na tayo ng kampo." Sumenyas ang lalaki sa isa nitong kasamahan, "Perez, i-secure niyo."
Doon na humilagpos ang magkahalong takot at galit ni Roxi. Tinalon niya ang kausap para sampalin ito at pagkakalmutin, pero mabilis na nahawakan ng lalaki ang bisig niya at mismong ito na ang naglagay ng restraints sa kanyang mga kamay.
"Bastos! Walang modo! Irereklamo ko kayong lahat, lalo na ikaw!" nagsisisigaw si Roxi. She never felt so helpless in her life!
Bago maisakay sa Army helicopter ay parang tigre si Roxi. Lalo pa niyang pinagbuti ang kakasigaw at kakapadyak. She felt temporary satisfaction when she managed to hit the hateful captain in the groin. But the satisfaction was short-lived. Kitang-kita niyang nag-register sa mga mata nito ang sakit pero through sheer will and control, hindi ito natinag sa pagkakatayo. Sa halip, the bastard got a new set of restraints and tied her feet. And that wasn’t the end of her humiliation. The hateful guy hauled her like a sack and finally dumped her in the chopper. When she cursed him to perdition, he told her to shut up and taped her mouth to keep her quiet.
At ang lalo pang nakapagpakulo nang dugo niya ay nang umupo ang impaktong lalaki sa harapan at tila naa-amuse pang nakatingin ito sa kanya. Ahhh… if only she could kill him with just a stare…he’d probably be stone-cold by now from her dagger-like gaze. She swore that she would definitely file a case against the arrogant man in the military tribunal. Arresting her because she remotely resembled a notorious rebel chief! This was really absurd! Natatapakan ang human rights niya!
She was a hellcat…a beautiful pain in the ass who tested the limits of his patience. Ang buong akala niya’y titigil na ito sa kakaalipusta sa kanyang pagkatao nang nilagyan niya ito ng restraints. He was wrong. The restraints added fuel to the fire. By the time he and his men reached the chopper, she was shouting, screaming like a banshee at him, giving him no choice but to tape her beautiful and tempting mouth.
Napabuntong-hininga si Xander. He found himself wishing hindi ito ang NPA leader na pinaghahanap nila. As of the moment, she fit the description, so he had no choice but take her under custody
Damn. She was utterly beautiful, lalo na sa malapitan. He had seen his share of beautiful women, but her face was unforgettable: deep-set eyes fringed with thick eyelashes, a determined chin, high cheekbones, a small but perfectly formed nose that announced Castillian ancestry, somewhere in her background and full, sensual lips that promised a million pleasures. Her skin was unblemished, pinkish yet creamy-white, as fine as the most expensive porcelain. She possessed a body that incited instant lust in him: her full, high breasts were now thrown into a more prominent position dahil sa pagkakatali ng dalawang kamay nito sa likod. Napakaliit ng beywang nito. I can probably span it with my hands, he thought. Her hips flared temptingly…giving her the curves of an alluringly sensual woman. And her legs were another story. She had the best pair of legs he had ever seen. In fact, he could picture those legs deliciously wrapping around him while…Shit! Don’t even go there! This child-woman had completely bewitched him, made him think and behave like a randy sixteen-year old. And he again found himself wishing she’s not a rebel and that he would rather have his reputation as one of the best trackers in the Philippine Army ripped into shreds.
He mentally shrugged. He was thinking with his loins, for crying out loud! He strained himself to think methodically and logically, willed himself to look at her, assess her, like one who would look at a beautiful sculpture. It seemed to be working: though he still had an annoying hard-on, he managed his libido from going into overdrive.
She was looking at him with utter hatred in her eyes. He chuckled. Yes, he can definitely see murder there. If she was not the rebel as she claimed, things will be diverting. Definitely diverting.