“Armaan?” She placed her hand on his shoulder. As soon as he turned around, she hugged him tightly, pouring all that she wanted to say in the single gesture. “I’m sorry.” She whispered. “I’m sorry you had to go through this. I wish I’d known all this sooner.”I wouldn’t have left no matter what, she finished mentally.
He simply hugged her back, not saying a word. Neither knew how long they stood by the window, their arms around each other. Finally, her stomach rumbled, making them part with a laugh. “Dinner? Should I order in?” He whipped his phone.
“Don’t bother. I have some chicken and rice left in the refrigerator. That is if you don’t mind eating leftovers, Mr fancy billionaire.”
“Are you kidding me? I’d die for your food.” He sniffed appreciatively, making her smile. Before she turned away, he gently caught her elbow. “Wait! So...so, you aren’t mad I kissed you?”
Mia couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The vulnerability in this man’s eyes almost brought her to her knees. The same man who wined and dined stunning ladies from all around the world was asking if she was offended by his kiss. She bit her lip. She wondered how she would convey the problem wasn’t him, but her. Her insecurities, her inability to please…
“Mia?”
She startled when she heard him call out her name for the second time. “Sorry! I was lost. No, I’m not mad.” She gave him a shy smile and moved towards her open kitchen.
After a blissful meal followed by her homemade, peanut butter cookies, Armaan looked at the time. “Shoot, is it this late already? I need to leave; I got to rush for a meeting tomorrow. Thank fuck, it’s Friday tomorrow.” He sighed.
She smiled and walked him to the door. Before he got out, he quickly pecked her on her lips. “Goodbye, Sugar. Sleep tight.” He winked flashing his famous, charming smile, and left a blushing Mia at the door.
She stood there for a moment, hoping and praying it would be different this time. For once, she wanted to be in a normal relationship. With Armaan. Only with Armaan.
∞∞∞
After that heart-to-heart, it was as if a dam had burst from either side. They constantly texted each other throughout the week, even as Armaan travelled for work. They caught up with their lives over the last five years, their common friends, her path to her business, his successes, literally everything. One thing they both didn’t touch was her marriage. Why she’d gotten married to Peter when she’d looked forward to dating Armaan? That was a line both were unwilling to cross. Not yet!
The next Saturday, Mia was getting ready for a movie with the gang. She was even more excited when Armaan had texted an hour back saying he’d join them. She wore her favorite pink dress with a floral cardigan. After slathering some Vanilla body lotion and body mist, she brushed her hair as best as she could. She picked her wallet and her phone, locked her door, and got down in search of her cab.
As soon as she got out of the cab, she spotted Natasha. With a quick wave, she walked towards her and her husband, Arjun. “Hello. How are you guys doing? Here are some treats for Cookie.” She handed some homemade biscuits for the pet.
“Wow! Thank you so much. You’re such a darling.” Natasha hugged her with a bright smile.
“C’mon, let’s get in.” Arjun urged the ladies to move. They travelled to the topmost floor of the Multiplex to see Armaan, Tanya, and Neil waiting for them.
Mia’s heart skipped a beat or several when she saw a very handsome Armaan staring back at her with a smile, clad in blue denim and a black t-shirt. They sat next to each other in their couple's seat, happy to see each other again. “Hi.” His voice was low as the movie started. It was an action thriller; one they’d all wanted to watch.
“Hey yourself.” She snuggled by his side after smiling at him.
“You okay?” He felt her nod in response. That’s all the conversation they had throughout the movie.
Mia hardly understood what was happening on the screen, nor did she remember anything about them dispersing after a quick chat. She felt as if her skin was on fire after the constant little touches from him for three hours. His fingers had moved on her wrist, her arm, her hair. She sat through the tortuous hours, rigid, unable to move her limbs or legs even if she wanted to. She was at the receiving end of a touch from another man after years; would it result in disaster or pleasure, she asked herself repeatedly.
Her intense preoccupation was probably the reason why she wasn’t really shocked when he parked the car in his villa. He opened the door and pulled her in, not allowing her to look around or take in the decor. Before she could utter a word, he pushed her against the foyer wall and drove his mouth on hers. “I’ve been dying to do this for a week.” He panted in between kisses.
“Your dresses and your little sweaters always drive me mad, playing peek-a-boo with my senses.” He punctuated kisses in between his sexual rant.
Mia’s head was spinning at the sheer speed at which he was progressing. His hands pulled her cardigan and threw it away. She felt his lips move to her neck, simultaneously pulling her to himself. She gave a soundless gasp at his ardor, her hips already noticing the changed contours of his body. She tried to catch up, her hands frantically trying to hold on to something.
Armaan’s hands moved from her face, his fingers quickly trying to push the strap of her sundress away. Mia felt the familiar constriction in her throat at the action. She felt his lips on her shoulder and lower, sucking and nibbling. She relaxed a little.It would be okay. It has to be okay, she chanted in her mind. Suddenly, she felt him lift her.What?
“No, I’m way too heavy. Just put me down. Armaan!”
If he heard her, he paid no heed, but his face betrayed his single-minded focus on finding the nearest horizontal surface. Somewhere at the back of his mind, warning bells rang. He wasn’t in control. The same voice asked him to go slow, but he rationalized that voice immediately. Five years was a long time. He was starving for Mia. If he could ravish her quickly the first time, he could then slow down and savor her subsequently. Of course, he’d ensure her pleasure whatever be the speed, he told himself. Congratulating himself on finding the way out, he lowered her on the huge, comfortable couch.
Armaan kissed her once and again, hard, demanding her to open up. He removed his t-shirt in a smooth, single move before noticing the obstructing dress. Frustrated at the mechanics and zip, he simply pushed the fabric to reveal pale pink lace underneath. Grunting in impatience, he tore the lace and lowered his lips to trace her exposed curves.
At the sound of fabric tearing, Mia lost all the concept of time. She went back to another room, another man. Mia felt the pinch where Armaan’s hands dug into her waist. His eyes had a hard glint that she’d never seen before. When she felt him bite her, his hands moving down from her waist and roughly pulling her clothes apart, real fear skittered down her spine.No! No, no no!She didn’t want this.
Armaan frowned when he felt her trembling, and that’s when he realized she wasn’t with him. Mia’s eyes were tightly shut. She held herself rigid, like a corpse, and her hands were fisted by her sides. When he moved away and touched her shoulder, she froze even more before her eyes shot open.
“Please! Please don’t hu...hurt me. I ca...can’t do this. I can’t. I’ll do anything you say, please do..don’t f..fo...force me.”
