“What the hell were you thinking?” She wanted to sound stern, but it came out breathless when she saw his unabashed grin. She hid her face in her hands, knowing her face was burning in embarrassment. “Tom could have walked at any moment. I pray he didn’t hear us.”
“The thrill of getting caught is half the fun.” He winked.
Mia rolled her eyes “You’re impossible!” Looking around, she grimaced at the state of her kitchen counter. “Huh, I have to sanitize everything and redo my prep.” She shook her head at the twinkle in his eyes. “Well, let me clear this up for now. I will get in early tomorrow and restart.”
“Sounds like a plan. For now, I have my own plans for you upstairs.”
“Again?” She gaped.
“Are you complaining?” He raised his eyebrow.
“Never.” Her husky reply almost threatened to undo him. In a sudden display of affection, she hugged him right in the middle of her kitchen. “I can never get enough of you. I love you, Armaan. I really do.” She blurted out. It wasn’t planned, but she didn’t worry about the consequences. After all her heartache in life, she knew he was the one for her.
Armaan subtly got out of her arms, his expression turning serious. “Honey, I get it that you’re sexually satisfied, and I am your first lover. Just...just don’t get confused between lust and love.”
Mia felt the blood drain out of her face.Was that what he thought?“After knowing me, is that what you think?”
“Let’s get real. I haven’t seen or experienced this so-called, undying love in my life so far. People usually have an agenda to be with another person. It could be money, companionship, great sex, anything. Look, all I’m saying is, don’t confuse this sexual rush for feelings.”
Mia stared at him, praying he stopped speaking. Each word of his was hurting her like a bullet.
Oblivious to her pain, he continued. “I know you’re experiencing this sexual high, the power of your sexuality for the first time in your life. And, frankly, it could be overwhelming. Especially after, after whatever happened with you, but…” He stopped when Mia held up her hand.
“Stop! I’ve heard enough. You think this is just sex, and I want you for your body or your skills in the bedroom? Really, Armaan? And you dare to bring in my past? Before I say something we both regret, please leave. If this is all our relationship means to you, I think we’re done.” She saw fury enter his eyes but steeled herself not to react.
“Is this final? I don’t beg and I never sleep with a woman once I’m done. Even if it’s you.”
Tears closed around her throat. She cleared her throat and spoke. “After a lot of difficulties, I am standing on my own, learning to accept me for who I am. I can’t go through someone else deciding for me - what I feel or who I am. I’m sorry.” Before he could see her tears that were threatening to spill, she turned away and ran up to her apartment.
It had only taken a few minutes for everything to be over.
Chapter 11
After four weeks of ugly crying every night and struggling to hide her pain during the day, Mia was lying on her couch in exhaustion on a Sunday afternoon. After two weeks of working without a break for more than fifteen hours a day, she finally had to stay back at home at Tom’s insistence. Work was her only cure against heartbreak. Well, a cure that didn’t seem to work at the moment! The nights were the hardest. She could still smell Armaan at her place, his presence looming despite his physical absence. However much she tried to tell her heart he wasn’t worth it, the damned organ didn’t seem to listen. She saw him everywhere she turned. They had christened every room with their lovemaking, even her shower. She couldn’t seem to escape his thoughts even if she wanted to.
Mia continued to brood about Armaan, when she heard the chime of her doorbell. Frowning, she got up to open the door, and her eyes widened, looking at Tanya and Natasha standing at the doorstep.
“Finally! Whatever has happened to you? You don’t talk to us anymore, you’re not getting out. What is the matter?” The firecracker Tanya charged on in her typical style.
“Tin-Tin, at least wait until we settle in. Honey, can we first get in?” The ever-empathetic Natasha handled it with more finesse, hoping to get to the bottom of whatever was troubling their friend.
“Yes. Yeah, come in.” A flustered Mia called the girls in, hurriedly righting her cushions and books.
“Oh wait, before anything else, I need to pee.” A visibly-pregnant Tanya almost ran to the bathroom, much to the amusement of the other two girls.
“You look pale, and you also seem to have lost weight. Is everything okay with you, Mia?” Natasha placed a gentle hand on her friend’s shoulder.
“Absolutely! And, losing weight is good for me. I’d kill for a body like yours.”
“Oh, sweetie. No! You are beautiful just the way you are. Come here now, gimme a hug,” Natasha embraced the other woman in a warm hug.
“Urghhh, I swear, I’m going to waddle in the next two months.” At almost six months pregnant, Tanya was blooming in health, her nausea now thankfully behind her.
Natasha and Mia broke apart, both smiling at the cute, pregnant woman. “I think she’s the only one who’s going to look cute all through her pregnancy.” Mia smiled some more at Natasha’s statement.
“I hate the word cute.” Tanya scrunched her nose. “All my life I’ve lived with it.”
“Well, your husband certainly finds your type of cute hot.” Natasha snickered.
