24. Booster Shot
24
Booster Shot
VERA
“ W ake up.”
A lazy smile tickled the edges of Vihaan’s kissable mouth and Vera felt an answering tug on her lips. The rise and fall of his chest was even, his face—relaxed. God, he was so beautiful, it ached to look at him sometimes.
She’d been waiting in the guest parkade for well over a half hour while Vihaan had slumbered, clearly needing the rest. Her face softened in sympathy, recalling the pain he’d tried to hide. With his eyes closed and his thick lashes casting shadows on the tops of his cheeks, he exuded a cherubic sort of innocence.
She snorted slightly, a smile finally breaking through. A horny cherub with a filthy mouth was what he was. The idea of him dressed in a diaper, flying about while uttering curses, winking, and outrageously flirting with everyone had her giggling to herself. Her palm cupped her mouth to muffle her soft laugh at the recollection of his stumped response to her driving ability, the mirth-filled gurgle that had broken out of him when she’d thrown out a random hippo fact, and the sheer childishness in his grumpy response to her scolding. She shouldn’t find his pouts endearing but she did, and it was utterly maddening having to control her smiles around him.
Nothing about their exchange felt new. They’d been through similar moments all through their childhood: interactions filled with snark, sneaky comments, banter, incredulous laughter. Somehow, despite the long passage of time, being in each other’s vicinity meant that they’d fallen back into old habits without effort. She’d be lying if she said that a part of her didn’t enjoy it. There was an unexplainable comfort in this familiarity. Throughout the drive here, Vera had found herself remembering past events that had made her chuckle. As the speed of the car ate the dark grey roads beneath them, lush trees and dusky scenery passing by in a blur of green, brown, and orange, Vera had revisited memories she’d pushed away for years, Vihaan’s close presence uncloaking them from whichever shroud she’d hidden them under.
Despite being tired, she’d waited in the car, loath to give up this unexpected lightness she was experiencing. But it had always been that way with them. Vihaan had been the only one to slip under her spiky exterior, charming her till she was struggling to hold back her laughter, coaxing sunshine to break through the thunderclouds darkening her heart. In a childhood where whispers of her being abandoned and unwanted had surrounded her, those moments of levity had stood out starkly, and become one of the reasons she’d fallen in love with him.
Because he’d been the only one besides Nanu who’d fought to stay with her. Who she’d felt safe with. Who she’d found comfort, happiness and acceptance with.
Or so she’d believed.
It was unbelievably cruel that, despite being the one who’d most hurt her, he still had the ability to make her laugh. She rubbed her chest where an uncomfortable ache had settled in, trying to massage it away, knowing that extending her wait tonight was only going to make this worse.
“Oi, Charming. Wake up! We’re home.”
He jerked awake, glancing around him, finally finding her crouched right outside the passenger side door next to him. “Home?” he confirmed, waiting till she stood back before he exited the car. He stretched his arms all the way up, letting out a singular yawn. He shuffled a bit, staring at his apartment building like it was the first time he was seeing it.
“Yes, you’re home.”
The jangle of keys brought his attention back to her.
“Thanks for driving me,” he said, reluctantly accepting the keys from her outstretched hands.
“How’s your headache?” she asked, tilting her head. Her gaze flickered over his face, trying to gauge his condition.
“Good, it’s. . . It’s gone. I’m groggy, but not in pain.”
“That’s good,” she replied, rocking on her feet as she ran out of questions to ask. “I’ll see you at work in a couple days. Have a good weekend.”
“Right.”
Neither moved away, both experiencing an awkwardness that was alien to them. Vera reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ears, chewing slightly on the inside of her cheek.
“If you have any thoughts about the scenes we shot today, let me know. Your. . . umm. . . sterling leadership definitely helped.”
He snorted. “No, it didn’t. You knew what you were doing already. Why are you bullshitting me?”
Right on cue, she rolled her eyes, all awkwardness petering out as sass made a speedy return.
“I was trying to be nice. Clearly, you’re a lost cause.”
His heartfelt sigh had her peering at him in curiosity.
“I didn’t have to come today, you know?” he admitted. “But I didn’t want to wait three days before seeing you again. ”
“Vi—”
“Hear me out. I don’t want you to quit.”
She reared back in surprise.
“I only say that because it’s fun to piss you off. Truthfully, you’re good at what you do.” He curled his lower lip in, as though unhappy with his declaration. “Fuck, you’re better than good,” he corrected immediately. “Ethos is lucky to have you.”
If she looked as gobsmacked as she felt, he didn’t notice.
“T-thank you. You’re. . . an excellent leader. It is clear your business sense and industry knowledge are sound.”
Vihaan's bashful smile at her response sent a familiar jolt of fondness simmering through her, his reaction reminding her of the times he’d eagerly wait for her approval regarding his test scores. Any praise from her had always left him beaming and it was no different even now. Which made her add— “Everyone I know looks up to you at Ethos.”
“Including you?” he asked softly.
Her heart clenched. She could lie. She could insult him. She could choose to maintain the distance between them that kept getting erased with every conversation. But his vulnerability demanded hers in return and she gave in.
“Including me.”
His grin brightened.
“What I’ll tell you now is not as your very impressive boss,” he teased, making her roll her eyes. “This is just Vihaan, speaking with Vera. I will never cross over this line again if you tell me to stop.”
“Stop what?” she asked, confused.
“Wanting you.”
A curiously pleasant sensation settled over her, like the slow spread of warm tingles after consuming potent alcohol. Her muscles began to relax, a welcome sort of fog descending upon that ever-niggling part of her brain which forced her to keep her shields activated.
She observed his handsome face light up with earnestness, his sincerity disarming her. Perhaps it was the time of the night, maybe it was that he’d caught her by surprise, but Vera found it impossible to dislike him then.
“This whole plan of fucking each other out of our systems over one night?” Vihaan said, “I don’t think it's enough. Like vaccinations. You need more than one dose to really mkhjfgygf—”
Vera pressed a palm to his mouth to stop him from rambling. Like instinct however, his hands dropped to her waist, pulling her into him. His gaze grew molten, soft, drawing her deeper into the enigma he was and once more, she didn’t want to fight him. She didn’t want to deny herself another night of feeling alive. Of feeling wanted.
“I think I need a booster shot, too,” she huskily admitted.
Whether they simply materialised outside his apartment after that or he carried her and ran all the way there, neither one could tell. By the time they got to his floor however, Vihaan and Vera had no capacity to wait much longer. Her back thumped against his solid wood door, her body arching when his lips found that spot right where her jaw met her neck. He suckled the sensitive skin hard enough to leave a mark, licking in small circles to soothe the sting. A pleasurable sigh escaped her, her thighs rubbing together when he pressed his body against her.
“So fucking sweet,” he rasped, his lips tracing the long length of her neck. He bent down to place open-mouthed kisses along her collar, his tongue dipping into her cleavage to taste the earthy salt on her skin.
Vera gasped, clutching at his silky hair when his hand roamed up to cup her breast right over her clothes. “This is just for tonight,” she announced, all other conditions melting away into an abyss of sensations when his thumb pressed over the tip, trying to find her nipple. Afraid of combusting, Vera was ready to strip herself naked, just to feel his touch on her body once more. “Open the damn door,” she ordered, pulling him up to scrape her teeth over the hollow at the base of his throat, causing him to shudder.
“Shit, hold on,” he grumbled. He began to punch in his lock code, faltering when her hand slid down his torso and cupped his erection, squeezing lightly. Two failed attempts later, Vihaan was visibly frustrated and painfully aroused. “If you make me come in my pants, I’ll tie you up and edge you till dawn, Princess,” he gritted out, causing her to huff out a chuckle against his shoulder.
With a naughty nip at his ear, she continued to stroke him over his trousers. “Is that a threat or a promise, Charming?”
The beep and corresponding click that unlocked the door felt like an answer to their unspoken prayers. He backed her into the hallway, kicking his door shut.
“Still have your box of toys?” she asked, winking saucily before turning to walk ahead of him. His hands on her hips tightened, pulling her back, their bodies touching as they moved together toward the living room.
“I’ll use every single one on you as payback,” he murmured in her ear, his pledge and the tickle of his stubble making her giggle in anticipation.
Her head turned to the left just when Vihaan kissed the side of her neck. “Aaargh!” Vera screeched, shoving a startled Vihaan off so hard that he landed on the ground nearby with a thump.
He yelped, rubbing his ass with one hand as he rolled to the side. “The fu… Oh.” His curse turned into a groan when he finally caught sight of what Vera was pointing at.
With varying degrees of shock etched upon their faces, stood four people in his living room, only one of whom Vera recognized.
“Umm, Vera,” he sighed. “Meet Arjun, Kaya, Rian and Aditi. In short, my ex -friends.”
Right on cue, Arjun cleared his throat. “I didn’t realise we were going to be treated to dinner and a show,” he muttered, rubbing his beard thoughtfully as Vihaan glared at him from the ground. “ Aditi’s father’s idea of using bleach to purify our eyes is turning out to be more appealing by the minute.”
Rian snorted, unable to help himself, causing Kaya to chuckle as well.
“Hi Vera,” Aditi chirped, an ungodly smile on her face. Vera stood ramrod straight, as if she’d been called for a testimony in court. She’d been hoping that everyone would focus on Vihaan and forget she existed. No such luck.
“Hi, Adi,” she resignedly waved.
“You know her?” The giant man standing next to Aditi pointed to her.
“Is he the one who went to Singapore?” Vera asked curiously, pointing right back.
“How’d you know?” Rian countered, surprised.
“Wow, this is nice,” Vihaan cut in, his sarcasm heavy as he pulled himself up to stand. “Everyone is here, getting along, socialising. How lovely. Hey, I have a question too. What the fuck are all of doing in my house?”
His friends stared at him like he was an idiot.
“It’s game night. Your turn to host,” Kaya finally spoke up.
“And you just let yourself in?”
“Obviously,” Arjun rolled his eyes. “Not the first time we’ve done it. Probably will be the last though.”
“Oh, it will,” Vihaan barked. “I’m changing the lock code tonight, jackass.”
“Lock us out. Lock yourself in. Just do it after we’re gone.” Arjun wagged a finger between Vera and Vihaan, as if his insinuation hadn’t been clear enough.
When Arjun raised an insolent brow at him, Vihaan turned calmly towards Kaya instead. “Why did you marry him?”
Instantly, Rian pulled Kaya around, his expression that of a worried man. “My question precisely. Kaya, pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time if you need help getting away from your crazy husband.”
Vihaan jogged a couple steps over to hold Kaya by the shoulder and turned her to face him next. “Don’t be afraid. We can sense your pain. Ask for help, Kaya, and you will receive it.”
Vera felt her mouth twitch, a smile threatening to escape at the dramatics of these friends. She had not seen Vihaan act so silly since they’d met. She’d begun to think that that goofy personality of his from their childhood had ceased to exist. She realised now that he only showed that side to a select few. This, she understood, as she saw all five friends bicker and rag on each other, was his inner sanctum. And she did not belong in it. Just like that, the little bubble of mirth in her burst, an unexplainable sadness taking its place instead.
“Hey! Ouch!” Arjun complained suddenly, drawing her attention to them again. “Stop bullying me! I have feelings, you assholes.”
“Assholes? Plural? Me too?” Kaya asked, her lower lip trembling.
“I called them assholes,” Arjun immediately assured her. “Not you. You know I love you.”
Rian and Vihaan both groaned, making retching sounds, and slapped an ‘L’ on their forehead, to which Arjun responded with a one finger salute.
“You’re pathetic,” Rian accused.
Vihaan immediately let out a laugh. “Oh, buddy, not a few days ago, you sang for your woman. In front of her entire family. I’d call that pathetic, too.”
“It was not!” Aditi immediately jumped into the foray to defend her man. “He’s got a wonderful voice. He was so cute.”
Vera looked at the mammoth man standing next to Aditi, taller than everyone else and built like a Viking. Cute? Aditi found this man cute?
“I thought he didn’t even want to be your friend?” she mused out loud .
“You know about that?” Rian gasped, looking betrayed. Suddenly, Vera could see the cuteness. Despite his size, Rian seemed like he was a bit of a softie. His eyes were kind, and his demeanour—non-threatening.
“Things have progressed since then,” Aditi revealed proudly, holding her hand up near her face, a stunning engagement ring shining on her finger.
“Oh my god! Congratulations! Nina didn’t tell me!”
“I asked Nina to keep it a secret. I was going to visit you sometime this week to invite you to the engagement party. I didn’t expect to see you. . . here.”
Crickets sounded in the background as four very curious pairs of eyes turned towards Vihaan and Vera.
“Who’s ready for game night?” Vihaan clapped his hand, making a shooing motion to get his friends to move into the living room and break the awkward silence.
“Right. Have fun everyone.” Vera waved to no one in particular. She’d only taken a few steps when her wrist was captured in a death grip. She spun around, her body naturally coming to rest closer to the man who’d held her back.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Vihaan questioned softly. He was looking at her like they didn’t have an audience. Vera chanced a glance over Vihaan’s shoulder and immediately Arjun, Kaya and Rian turned to look this way and that, pretending to inspect the ceiling, the floor, the furniture, the air. Aditi, on the other hand, kept staring as though she was watching a fascinating live show, until Rian picked her up and turned her away, shushing her protests.
“Your friends are here,” Vera mumbled under her breath, jerking her head towards the crazy pantomime beside them.
Vihaan shrugged. “So? It’s my house and I’m asking you to stay. ”
“I can’t—”
“I misspoke. I’m not asking. If you think you’re going to leave me alone to suffer their comments for the rest of the evening, that’s not happening.”
“But. . .”
“She’s staying!” he announced, and Aditi bounded over to them instantly with a large grin.
“Yes! You’ll be on my team,” she chirped.
“Wait, but dinner!” Vera tried to protest. “I don’t want to impose on your dinner.”
“Nonsense,” Aditi interrupted, holding her hand and pulling her down to take a seat next to Arjun. “We’re all friends now and we have more than enough food to go around, don’t we, Bugs?”
Rian grinned at his fiancée and nodded. Vera got the impression that Rian would agree with just about anything Aditi said. If he allowed her to call him ‘Bugs’ in front of everyone and still look at her like she’d confessed her eternal love with that one word, he must be a total simp.
She caught Vihaan’s eye, that awkward flip in her heart causing her to look away immediately. Unfortunately, her gaze landed on Arjun who winked across the room at Kaya, both sharing secret smiles.
She was stuck with two couples who were sickeningly in love while she’d stumbled into the room fully in lust with a man she wanted to kinda-sorta-hate-fuck.
Lovely.