It took him more than a couple of minutes to get his heart rate and his emotions under control. When he saw her look up at him with eyes that were shining, still kneeling, he felt humbled. Touched! “I hope…” He cleared his throat. “I hope that wasn’t pity.”
She got up with a flourish and grinned despite a furious blush covering her face. “We can always check if that’s the case, huh?” She shimmied out of her pajama bottoms and kicked her clothes away. “So, are you up for trying?”
“What the hell have I unleashed?” He laughed out loud, delighted at her new, confident self. Before she could reply, he carried her to the bed and placed her on it, not-so-gently. “Now, shall we see how pity sex works?”
“Shut up.” She giggled. Those were the only words that were heard for the next few hours in that room.
Chapter 14
Amonth after Mia returned to work, she was checking the stocks in the pantry. Her mind wandered now and then even as she noted down in her book periodically. After that evening of tumultuous pleasure, Armaan and she had settled into a relationship where neither spoke about the reason why they broke up, or about the future.
Although she was happy to have him back in her life, at times, she was scared of the whole thing. But this time, she was wiser; she forced herself to enjoy the moment. Armaan was the one for her. As far as she was concerned, she would love to spend the rest of her life with him. She didn’t even need the promise of a wedding or a house with a picket fence. With her business back on track, her team who had her back, and her wonderful girlfriends, she was a confident woman well on her way to success.
Despite her personal growth and her success, she was aware of the stark difference between her and Armaan’s life. When she’d stayed there for those three weeks, she’d noticed how his entire villa reeked of luxury. He had an entire team of housekeepers, a gardener, a chauffeur, a personal assistant, everyone to run his life. Be it business or something personal, with the snap of his fingers he had the means to get anything done. It had oddly touched her that he’d loved chilling with her in her little abode despite all that he had. What the world saw was a happy-go-lucky man who was labelled as a womanizer by the tabloids. The reality was anything but that. He was a sensitive, caring man, who had his share of burdens and vulnerabilities. That she was one of those rare people who got to see the real him, thrilled her to bits.
She put down the notebook and went on to complete the other tasks for the day. Armaan had travelled to Mumbai for business and was supposed to return the next day. She did miss him, but she was also proud of his achievements.
At the end of the day, an exhausted Mia went up to her room and soaked in a long bath. She was about to get into bed when she heard the knocker go off. Sighing, she got up and opened the door to find the object of her thoughts. “Hey! I thought you were back tomorrow?”
“Nah! I decided to cut the bullshit and get back home sooner.”
Her heart skipped when he referred to her place as “home”. “Come on in. Had something to eat?”
“Yeah, I guess. Couple of hours back.” He sounded and appeared tired.
“Know what? I’ll make you an omelette. Go ahead, take a shower if you want to.”
“Thanks, Sugar. I’d love that.” He kissed her forehead and took the bag his chauffeur had placed by the doorstep.
Once again, Mia was secretly pleased. Did he even realize he had a huge house with people to cook him a meal anytime he wanted? But then, he was here. He wanted to be here.That should mean something, right?she asked herself.
He quickly had the fluffy omelettes and fed her in between. They shared a coffee in pleasant silence, lounging on the couch. He leaned back and pulled her into his hard body. Kissing her neck, he tucked his arms around her waist, her back to his front. “When I met my dad the last time, he knew I’d found someone special.”
Mia’s eyes widened. She was thankful her face was away from him.She was special? He had meant me, she realized with fascination.
“I’d always thought of him as someone who didn’t believe in relationships. I’ve always looked at my parents’ marriage from a child’s perspective. But when I heard him this time…”
She half-turned towards him. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, yeah.” He kissed her hair. “You know, my dad loved my mom. He still loves her. I thought he married her for a readymade heir, but he genuinely loved her. Hell, still loves her. Even knowing she wasn’t a one-man woman and wanted an open marriage. He was...he was faithful to her even if she wasn’t. Only after they separated did he find other women.”
Mia turned around fully and cupped his cheek. “He must be a very special man.”
“He is. I never realized how much, not until a few years back.”
“How’s he now? His health?”
“Getting better. My mum and I both had a shock, of sorts. She came back immediately to him, the minute she knew he was admitted. She was with him first, even before I could reach. They...they are getting back together; after all these years. She told me something that shook me. I’d always thought she didn’t love me or dad, and that’s why she walked out on us. But she said she couldn’t stand dad’s unconditional love. She felt she didn’t deserve either one of us. She...they both love me. I never knew.”
Mia smiled through her tears. His parents weren’t perfect, but at least they loved him. In the end, that’s what mattered, she thought. “I’m so happy for them; happy for you.” She hugged him, sitting on his lap with her arms around him.
Armaan rubbed her back. “I thought I could just stay away from commitments. It was my dad who asked me to go back to my woman and my child. I was ready for marriage when I came to meet you because I wanted that. I wanted to get married to you. When I knew about our child, I knew I wanted this, wanted you for myself.”
“Armaan…”
“I know, I know! I’m not trying to rush you into anything. I just want you to know I meant what I said when I knew about our baby. And, yeah, there is love, I believe in it. I’m sorry I arrogantly assumed what you felt for me was only lust.”
Mia’s heart threatened to break open. Oh, my god! He was finally acknowledging her feelings. She hugged him tightly, hoping her love for him would seep through every pore in her body. She wasn’t sure if she wanted marriage or a serious commitment, but she wanted to be with him.
