That fast, Neil caught her and devoured her lips. She parted instantly, whimpering when he deepened the kiss. He led her to the couch, pushing her back against the cushion. Before Tanya realized what was happening, she was pressed back by Neil’s body, her hands held above her head. Neil looked at the beautiful woman beneath him, hardly believing it was the same girl who’d asked for his help a few months back. His body reacted, almost painfully, as he noticed her innocent sensuality. She arched against him, pleading without words. When her body grazed his hardness, she gasped at the contact. Tanya’s glazed eyes looked at him with confusion. She felt an acute hunger that refused to be appeased. She arched again, craving that delicious friction again and again.
“Don’t!” Neil’s gritted his teeth, fighting against the overwhelming urge to sink into her. His one hand tightened on her wrists while his other hand grazed the patch of skin below her t-shirt. Sliding underneath the pink cloth, Neil’s hands slowly crept towards her breast.
Tanya writhed underneath his hard body, wanting more. Neil raised her t-shirt softly. Just as the cloth touched the underside of her breasts, they were stopped abruptly by the ringing of her phone. For a minute Tanya didn’t know where the sound was coming from. She looked into Neil’s desire-filled eyes in shock and confusion.
Neil swore at the untimely interruption. “Your phone.” His voice was gruff, gravely.
As Tanya slowly became aware of her surroundings, she stiffened and pushed him away. The cool air hitting her midriff made her hastily adjust her dress. She winced as the material grazed her sensitive nipples. Neil got up in a single movement, and she flushed when she saw him adjust his clothing. She moved her eyes hurriedly away as she noticed his eyes darken with desire once more. Tanya picked her phone and bit her lip when she saw Ritwik’s missed call.
Neil followed her movements. His hands clenched as he noticed the caller’s name. Unwilling to get into yet another fight, he simply went out, slamming the door behind him.
∞∞∞
The next morning, a miserable looking Tanya sat at a breakfast table. “You look disgustingly fresh.”
Ritwik grinned at her irritated mumble. “Well, I hit the bed early these days. No wonder I am up early.” He grinned again and shrugged.
‘About that...Ritwik.” Her eyes clouded with worry.
His easy smile slipped. “What? What happened?”
Tanya’s eyes watered even as she uttered the dreaded words. “I think we should break up.”
“TinTin...why are you crying?”He hurriedly thrust a tissue in her hand.
“Because I am a fool and you totally deserve better than me.” Tanya hiccuped, her cheeks wet.
“Care to tell me what really happened?” Ritwik caught her cheeks and made her look at him.
“I am a bad person. I don’t think I deserve your friendship. Please don’t hate me.” She whispered the last few words.
Ritwik sighed. “Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad. Tell me.”
“I..I kissed someone. Someone who’s not you.” Tanya looked down, feeling guilty and disgusted with herself.
To her surprise, he smiled and wiped her eyes. “’Lucky bastard.”
“Wh..what?”
“It took you so long to figure out, isn’t it?”
“Figure out what?”
“C’mon, TinTin. Do you think I have ever gone out with a woman for months without some action? I realized you didn’t want me, not that way, on our very first date. You weren’t comfortable at the thought of kissing me. And, that has never happened with my dates so far.” Ritwik finished with a wry grin.
“Why the hell didn’t you talk to me about this earlier? Why did you hang around this long?” Tanya was angry and confused, not to mention astonished.
“I didn’t know how to break up with you without hurting your feelings. I wanted to give you the time to figure it out. I couldn’t risk losing our friendship. Think about it, if I’d said something that day, you would have considered it as rejection. You wouldn’t have spoken to me after that. Admit it!”
She bit her lip and looked at Ritwik. Unable to deny his statement, she finished her coffee and got up. “Thank you. I didn’t realize…I have blocked your love life all these months, eh? Sorry about that!” She gave him a sheepish smile.
Ritwik laughed. “It’s okay, I’ll live. I’m tired of casual, Tanya. I want more, and I’m glad to say these last few months have made me realize it.”
Tanya smiled and hugged her friend, glad to sort this out once for all. They walked together into Ritwik’s apartment just as he finally asked the dreaded question. “So, who’s he?”
She swallowed before answering, “Neil.”
“Son of a bitch!” Ritwik and Tanya looked at the third figure in astonishment.
