Lahat ng Kabanata ng Craving The Enemy: Kabanata 51 - Kabanata 60

CHAPTER 51TYLER The water was too hot, scalding against my skin, but I didn’t care. I sat on the tiled floor of the shower stall, knees pulled to my chest, arms wrapped tight around myself.I couldn’t scrub my father’s voice out of my head.Pathetic. Weak. Shameful.It echoed louder than the water pounding down.My chest hurt so badly I thought I might actually be choking.The door creaked open.I stiffened instantly.A second later, Mason’s shadow slipped past the curtain, and then he was inside, crouching down in front of me like it was the most natural thing in the world. His clothes got soaked immediately, but he didn’t care.“Ty,” he said softly, his hand reaching for my wrist.I turned my face away. “Go away.”“No.” His grip was steady, grounding. “You’re not okay. I’m not leaving you like this.”My jaw clenched. “I said I’m fine.”“Bullshit.” His voice sharpened, but not at me — at the situation. At my father, maybe. “You’re shaking.”“I’m not.”He moved closer until his knee

CHAPTER 53TYLER By five o’clock, I was standing in front of the familiar black gates of the Reyes estate. It always looked more like a museum than a home.The driver opened my door, but before I could even take a step, I saw her.“Ty!”My mom came rushing down the stairs, small as ever in her cream dress, her arms wide. She barely reached my chest, but when she hugged me, it was like everything else stilled.“Hi, Ma.” I bent down, hugging her tight. Her perfume—floral, warm—was the only softness in this house.“You didn’t lose weight, right?” She cupped my face, eyes scanning me like she could see straight through the exhaustion. “Have you been eating?”“Ma, I’m fine.” I smiled a little. “Practice is just intense, you know that.”She sighed like I’d just confessed to running a marathon barefoot. “Come in. They’ve been waiting for you.”“They?” I raised a brow, stepping inside.“The dressing crew, of course.” Her voice was casual, but her grip on my arm tightened. “Your father wants

CHAPTER 55TYLER The second the door clicked shut, Mason’s hands were on me.“Hey—” My protest broke off when he spun me, pressing me against the marble counter like he’d been waiting all night to do it.“Mason,” I hissed, eyes darting to the door. “We’re at a gala. My dad is out there.”He smirked, like that was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. “Your dad’s too busy pretending to tolerate mine. Relax.”His fingers dug into my hips, hot and possessive. “God, Tyler. Do you know what you’re doing to me walking around in this suit?”I scoffed, trying to ignore how my chest was rising too fast. “It’s just a suit. Everyone’s wearing one.”“Not like you,” he muttered, lips brushing my ear. “Not with that ass.”My whole body went still. “Excuse me?”“You heard me.” His palm slid down, cupping me shamelessly.I yelped, slapping at his wrist. “Mason!”“What? You do have a bubble butt. Perfect for me.”“Oh my god—stop talking.”But then his hand squeezed and I nearly lost it.“You like it,”

CHAPTER 57MASONThe gala dragged. Fake smiles, boring speeches, my mom introducing me to people I didn’t care about. When it finally ended, I hugged my mom, kissed her cheek, clapped my dad on the shoulder, and promised I’d call tomorrow.“Be good,” my mom said.“When am I not?” I grinned, earning a sharp, everyday look from her.Then I slipped into the car and let it take me back to the retreat center.The whole ride, I kept thinking about Tyler. The way he looked tonight, sharp in that suit, dark hair slicked back, his mom hovering, his dad glaring at me like I was poison. And then later, the way he slipped away like smoke. I hadn’t seen him again after the gala.So as soon as I got to the retreat, I pulled out my phone.Me: Where are you?Tyler: Home.Me: …What?Tyler: My dad wanted me to stay the night. I’ll be back tomorrow. Don’t miss me too much.I stared at the text.Tomorrow?I called instead.He picked up after three rings. His voice was quiet. “Mason?”“Yeah. What the hell

CHAPTER 59TYLERI woke up tangled in Mason’s arms, his breath hot against the back of my neck. For a second, I forgot about the fish. Forgot about Markus. Forgot about everything except how damn warm he was.Then reality hit.Crap.I moved, careful not to wake him, but his grip tightened instantly.“Where do you think you’re going?” Mason’s voice was groggy, low, like gravel.I rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see me. “To shower. Or is that forbidden too, boss?”His chuckle vibrated through my back. “I’ll allow it.”“Wow. Generous.”“Or…” He nuzzled into my shoulder. “We could shower together.”“Mason.”“Tyler.”“I said no before. I’m saying no again.”He groaned dramatically, finally letting me go. “You’re killing me.”“You’ll live.” I slipped out of bed, grabbed clean clothes, and practically ran into the bathroom.By the time I came out, Mason was already dressed in practice gear, hair damp from his shower. Mf had gone to shower somewhere else.He smirked at me like he knew