She looked away when she heard him use that nickname. It never failed to raise her heartbeat whenever he used that silly name that he reserved just for her. “Sugar like a cookie, right?” She teased and looked at him, only to find him staring at her.
“Dough. Cookie dough.” His husky tone made her freeze in her seat. She bit her lip at his soft tone. His eyes darkened as he continued, “Soft, sweet, and good enough to eat.” Finally, after years of wondering what it would be like, he cupped her cheeks and fused his lips over hers.
Mia was still as a statue. Strangely, once the initial shock of his kiss wore out, she was surprised at his gentleness. Somehow, she’d always thought whenever Armaan kissed, it would only be for his pleasure. Yet, now she felt his lips - soft, moving, pleading, waiting for her response. That’s when she felt her hands creep up his arms slowly, of their volition, as if checking to see if this was indeed real.
The minute he felt her small hands caress him, her entire body unconsciously turning towards him, he moved in, quickly deepening the kiss. For once, he didn’t care about the consequences. He was done waiting for the right moment; done living with the gnawing hunger that burnt him hollow. Catching the back of her head, he brought her closer, tilting his head to caress the moist interiors of her mouth with his tongue.
Mia almost stopped breathing when she felt his bold caress. If it was possible, she wanted to crawl into him. It was the first time she felt this way. Struggling, she pushed herself forward and gave a startled yelp when she felt the stick poke her. Moving Armaan away with a light shove, she looked at him in shock and disbelief.Surely, this wasn’t happening after all these years? Why now? When I’ve almost given up?
“Don’t look so shocked. If you’re honest to yourself, you know this has been coming for a while now.”
Mia shook her head in mute disbelief. She wondered if she’d be able to find the right words anyway.
“What?” He noticed her lingering shock.
“I’m...I’m not even your type.” She laughed in self-deprecation.
“Apparently, my mind and body do not think so.” He shrugged, his boyish smile gracing his lips.
“Is...is this some sort of a game or something?” Her voice quivered, already bracing for the worst.
“What? No! What do you think I am?” He ran a hand through his hair, moving away with a frown. He got out of the car, coming around to help her out of the vehicle.
They walked towards her cafe, the ten seconds filled with tense silence. Armaan noticed her rigid posture, the defensive manner in which she held her shoulders, almost, as if waiting for him to attack. Immediately, his face tightened in anger. What the hell! She was behaving as if he was an animal who had no consideration for others’ wants.
“Look, I don’t know the kind of men you’ve been with, but…”
“Heyya! If this isn’t Armaan Mailk himself.”
Armaan broke off when he heard someone squeal his name. At the same time, Mia felt the color drain out of her face. She wanted to laugh hysterically. If this wasn’t history bizarrely repeating itself, she didn’t know what it was. She looked on as Armaan effortlessly slipped into the charming ladies’ man that he was known as.
“Hi! How have you been?” He stopped talking and laughed when he heard another squeal. “Okay, that’s double trouble.” He hugged the twin women who were ecstatic to see him. He was exchanging pleasantries with them and did not notice Mia’s pinched face or her quiet departure from that place.
She slowly went up to her apartment via the back entrance, not knowing whether she should thank destiny for intervening at the right time so that she didn’t fall for the same trap twice. She wanted to howl for being the same naive and stupid girl she’d been when she’d gotten married. Wouldn’t she ever learn? Men like Armaan would never fall for plain Janes like her. What had she been thinking? Allowing him to get under her skin? Only when she opened the door and stepped inside did she realize that her cheeks were wet with tears.No! I will not waste another tear over a man, she decided. She wiped the moisture away hastily and quickly sent a text to Armaan that she was retiring for the day.
∞∞∞
Armaan looked at the text for the nth time. It was short, almost rude.Armaan, I’m tired and done for the day. Thank you for bringing me back home.It was a dismissal. Clearly! That had been the only text or call or any sort of communication he’d received from Mia in the last three weeks. He’d tried calling and texting her only to be met with silence. Worry turned into impatience which soon morphed into anger. How dare she? How dare she blow hot and cold? This wasn’t the first time she’d tried to back off or run away when he tried getting closer. She seemed interested in him; her body language showed him that. Hell, her kiss proved him that. Yet, every time he wanted to ask her out or get close, she backed off. What the hell was wrong with her?
He took a swig directly from the bottle, continuing to stare at her text as if that would miraculously give him some answers. Just a few months into meeting her, and he was already feeling the familiar highs and lows. He’d even started drinking from the bottle again. Disgusted with himself, he placed the whiskey bottle away from him and walked unsteadily to his bed. He mentally told himself he’d deal with this once for all, soon, very soon!
The very next evening, he patiently waited until he knew she’d leave from the cafe to her residence upstairs. He rang the bell and jostled on his feet in impatience; one way or the other, he wanted an answer. Right from her fucking mouth!
Mia’s eyes widened when she saw a delicious-looking, furious Armaan at her doorstep. She'd not expected him to directly come over in-person. Not after her continued silence. “Hi.” Her voice sounded unnatural even to her ears.
“May I come in?” Neither his expression nor his voice conveyed the fury his eyes failed to conceal.
Seeing she had no other choice, Mia moved away and nodded for him to come in.
He was struck by the warmth of her place once again. He missed the cozy apartment, the smell of something sweet. Mia! Ignoring the pang in his chest, he finally let out his frustration. “What on earth is wrong with you? Why haven’t you been picking my calls or text? Are you even okay?”
Mia didn’t know what to make of his concern. Was it real? She looked down before she answered him. “I didn’t know if I could keep it casual between us. Not anymore. I...I can’t…” Her voice broke. She shook her head.
“Huh? Is it about the kiss? Look, I know I was probably out of line, and I apologize if I was. All you had to do was tell me you weren’t interested. I’d have respected your choice.” He gritted out, all the while wondering who was this man who was behaving in this strange manner. Armaan Malik did not offer explanations or beg women; ever! Yet, here he was, begging her.
“I wasn’t interested?” She gave a short, bitter laugh. “Oh no, you cannot put this one on me. Not this time! I was afraid you had a lot of choices to pick from. I still don’t know what you see in me. I’m sure whatever it is, it would be fleeting.”
“Are you saying you are interested in me? Then what the hell are you shutting me out for?” He practically shouted at her.
