CHAPTER 37
VIKRAM
When I reach the room, Maahi shifts on the bed. She’s reading a novel and has changed into a satin nightgown that barely touches her knee. I’ve never seen her in this kind of nightwear, and though it tickles every nerve in my body, I’m not in the right frame of mind. Mom and Dad have screwed my mood.
“You okay?” She gets down from the bed, but before she can reach me, I walk to the closet and pick my night pants.
“I’ll go change.”
She nods as I lock myself in the bathroom. I need a shower to ease off the tension created by my parents. Since when did business become more important to them than their son’s happiness? Or maybe it always was. They molded me to be like them. Thanks to Daadi and Maahi, I’ve kept my sanity.
“Vikram?” Maahi knocks on the bathroom door. I turn off the shower. She knocks again. “Vikram, what’s going on? Why are you taking so long?”
Did I take too long? I have no idea how long I’ve been standing under the shower, lost in thought. I quickly dry myself and, wearing only black boxers, step out of the bathroom. She takes a moment to realize I’m barely dressed.
“Uh… you don’t look good. What’s bothering you?”
“Nothing, Cub. Go to sleep. I have some work to do.”
“Now?” She groans. “Vikram, it’s almost 2:00 am. What work do you have now?”
“You wouldn’t understand,” I snap, and she gets mad.
“Then make me understand. Didn’t we promise to share everything with each other?”
“And didn’t you tell me not to involve you between me and my parents?”
She sighs in disappointment. “Fine. Don’t tell me anything and do whatever work you have to. Good night.”
She walks back to the bed and shuts off the lamp. Shit! I shouldn’t have said that. However angry I am with my parents, I can’t let those problems affect my marriage. We’re just starting to take baby steps toward each other. I can’t distance myself from her. I look at her and quickly settle behind her on the bed. As if sensing me, she rolls away. I’ve hurt her, and I need to make it up to her.
I spoon tight to Maahi from behind. She tries to move away, but I keep her glued to me.
“This feels good,” I murmur in her ear. Her skin is warm and soft. I gently stroke her waist and stomach over the satin gown. She finally gives in, but only for a moment.
“Care to share what’s bothering you?” she asks, pressing her back against my chest completely.
I finally decide to briefly explain without repeating everything Mom and Dad said.
“My meeting with Sabrina didn’t go well with my parents.” Maahi freezes and turns to face me.
“What do you mean? How can they let Sabrina be a part of your life despite knowing she wants to separate us?”
I love the jealousy in her voice.
“Okay, tell me this: if a woman were trying to lure your father, would your mom still maintain her friendships and ties with that woman and her family instead of saving her marriage?”
She’s right. Mom would have even killed any woman who eyed her husband.
“You know what?” Maahi mutters. “I’m going to ask your mom this tomorrow. Let’s see what she says then.”
Before she can continue, I kiss her nose, and she goes still.
“Keep talking,” I mumble, kissing her cheeks while stroking her back. I can’t believe I’m doing this and Maahi isn’t rejecting my touch.
A rush of love sweeps through me as she hides her head on my chest. I cuddle her tightly, feeling better already. Just a kiss to Maahi could do that to me.
“So, what did they ask you to do?” she asks.
“They want me to sit with her family and sort this out cordially.”
Maahi raises her head and meets my eyes.
“Don’t worry, that’s not happening.”
Her smile returns.
“Then how will you convince your parents they’re wrong?”
“I have a plan. I just need to sort a few things first.”
She’s happy that I’m taking the right action. The next instant, Maahi pulls me closer and covers my lips with hers. There’s nothing urgent in that kiss. It’s like we’re communicating our fears and pains through it, and it’s blissful. I can’t help but smile into the kiss. Who smiles into a kiss? Me. Maahi threads her fingers through my hair, showing her interest in me for the first time. I finally feel like Maahi is really mine—body, mind, heart, and soul. Our kiss goes on forever until I pull away and cup her jaw.
“I feel like the luckiest husband on the planet right now,” I grin.
She shakes her head and laughs.
“Finally, you’re taking our relationship seriously,” I add, fisting her hair and playing with it.
Her laughter fades into a soft smile, her eyes shimmering with something I can only describe as affection. It feels surreal, having her so close, willingly. She’s intoxicating.
I pull her closer, our bodies aligning perfectly as I kiss her again, this time with a bit more fervor. Her lips part slightly, and I take the invitation, my tongue gently exploring hers. The soft moan that escapes her makes my heart race. My hands begin to wander, sliding down her back, feeling the smooth satin of her nightie glide under my fingertips.
She responds by pressing herself closer to me, her hands roaming over my bare chest, sending shivers down my spine. Rolling her over I straddle her, trailing kisses down her jawline to her neck, feeling her pulse quicken under my lips. She gasps softly, her fingers tightening in my hair, and I can't help but grin against her skin.
“Vikram,” she whispers with a mix of need and hesitation.
Her voice ignites a fire in me. I kiss her deeply, passionately, my hands finding the hem of her nightie. As I slowly lift it, my fingers brush against the smooth skin of her thighs. Maahi shivers but doesn't stop me. Instead, she wraps her arms around my neck instead, pulling me closer.
“I want to taste every bit of you, Maahi,” I say, darting out my tongue to swirl it over her pulse just at the start of her cleavage.
She swallows as I gently nibble her sensitive point at the neck, where her pulse beats.
“But I won’t,” I add, holding my grin and pulling away to look into her eyes.
Maahi opens her haze filled eyes to know why I stopped and I don’t keep her guessing for long.
“Not until I have your consent and you beg for it,” I remind.
She bites her lip, a blush creeping up her cheeks as she recalls this is exactly what I'd promised her when she asked me not to touch her without her permission. Now, all she has to do is ask for it!
“At least give me a glimpse of what I’m getting if I beg?” she teases.
My fingers curl over the neckline of her nightie, which I pull down from over one of her breasts and place an open-mouthed kiss there, followed by nibbling at her swollen breast and leaving a mark. She arches to my touch, knowing very well what she's missing until she begs for it.
“Vikram,” she breathes, her voice trembling with need. I cup her breast giving it a gentle squeeze before withdrawing again.
“Tell me you want this, Maahi,” I demand kissing my way back up to her lips and capturing them in a deep, passionate kiss.
“I want... I want this… Please,” she moans softly, her breath coming in quick gasps, her fingers tangling in my hair, urging me on.
Just one please doesn’t count as begging, but my control slips the moment Maahi utters it.
With one swift motion, I slide the nightie up and over her head, tossing it aside. She’s breathtaking, lying under me in just her sexy bralette and matching underwear, her body flushed with desire. I can’t tear my eyes away, admiring the curves, the softness, everything about her that drives me wild.
I lift her gently, before unhooking the bralette and tossing it away. Her eyes never leave mine, filled with a mixture of trust and anticipation. I kiss her again, my hands exploring her body, every inch of her skin responding to my touch. She arches against me, needing more.
My lips trail down her neck, over her collarbone, and lower.
“Mmm,” I mumble appreciatively as I kiss every inch of her breasts and the rest of her upper body to my heart’s desire.
I can feel her heartbeat quicken, matching the rapid pace of mine as I kiss her soft belly. When I dart my tongue into her belly button and then placing butterfly kisses at the lace of her damp panties, Maahi hisses my name again.
My hands slide down to her hips, and I take a moment to look into her eyes, seeking any sign of hesitation. But all I see is love and desire. I discard the last piece of cloth covering her lower body before feasting over her core and lapping at her delicious juices. Her pouty lips open in a perfect O as I work her harder, sucking and licking every inch of hers that belongs to me, only me.
With her hands on my head and her nails lightly digging in, urging me to go faster, her moans grow louder. As I increase my pace, the sounds of our mingled breaths fill the room. Her body trembles beneath mine, and I know she's close.
“Vik…” she whimpers, instinctively shuffling forward, but I hold her in place.
When I graze my teeth over her swollen nub, she shudders and lets out a breathy cry of my name as she climaxes, just as I desired in my dirtiest dreams about her.
I move up, breathless and satisfied, and gently brush a strand of hair from her face, kissing her forehead softly.
“You… you won't… do that?” she tries to ask, referring to the final act of consummating our marriage.
I pull her close to my chest and kiss her forehead again.
“If I claim you as mine tonight, I wouldn't be able to let you go back to India, ever, Maahi,” I confess. “And I know that's not something you would want. So, for now, it's just this. The day we end our long-distance marriage, you’ll be mine in every sense. I promise.”
She strokes my chest shyly before snuggling closer and resting her head on my chest.
“But until then, I'm going to pleasure your sexy body with my mouth and fingers,” I add, before dipping my finger into her warmth. She arches at the sudden intrusion, but as I drape her leg over my waist and plunge two more fingers inside her, the haze of lust fills us again and she rides my fingers like a pro.