Chapter 41
*****
The next morning, she made coffee and left it on the counter for him, then disappeared into the office before he woke up.
She started giving him space, real space.
No more lingering looks, no more excuses to be near him.
When he came home late, she made sure to be visibly busy with something else, not waiting up like she had been.
If she didn’t have anything to work on, she made sure to be in bed.
The truth was, she missed being around him. Even though she didn’t interact with him, she missed him in ways that made her chest tight and her hands shake. But watching him sleep on that couch, seeing what her selfishness had cost him, she realized that wanting him wasn’t worth driving him away.
It made sense why he adamantly stayed away from her. It was a simple solution in her mind to get over the sheer pull they felt for each other but if something went sideways, it would affect their relationship and eventually that would impact the twins.
If distance was what he needed, she would comply. Probably best for everyone!
But three days into her new resolve, she caught him watching her from the other side of the office room doors, something unreadable in his expression. When their eyes met, he didn’t look away this time. It felt like he was waiting there to talk to her.
“Come in,” she murmured, gesturing to him to come into the office.
He nodded before stepping into the room, holding up the coffee mug in his hand. “Thanks for the coffee and I hope I’m not interrupting.”
She shook her head, suddenly aware of his proximity. “Of course, not.” She flicked her hair and let out a chuckle of excitement.
Cut it out. Control. He doesn’t want anything to do with you.
“I have some good news.” He smiled.
“What?” It had been a long time since she had heard anything good so it kind of scared her.
“I just heard from Aravinda. Looks like we are going home soon.” His eyes sparkled as he approached her as if to celebrate the news.
Unsure of what it is that he wanted to do, she stood frozen for a second before stretching her arm out, to shake his hand. It was the best thing to do given how explosive it got the other night when they were close.
She was surprised when he slapped her hand and wrapped his arms around her.
“Thanks to you I guess for the convincing spin on this arrangement.” It was a platonic, bear hug from his side but when she felt his warmth against her soft body, she let out a gaspy moan, close to his ear.
As if in response, she felt a shudder pass through him and on instinct she slightly tightened her hold on him, even as he held her to him, her feet off the ground. Moments passed and their breathing was coming fast as every time they came close to each other.
She dared not to move, worried what her colluded mind and body would do to complicate the situation that was already balancing in thin ice.
A brief moment later, he slowly let her feet back on the floor but held her to him. Her breathing was ragged as she gasped for air, her heart drumming in her chest. She slowly lowered her palms along the length of his back taking in the heat and intensity from the touch.
Unable to step away from the comfort of being in his arms, she stayed where she was, her arms loosely wrapped around him as they stood in the middle of the large office room. She knew it was a matter of time before he would take a step away from her and she held on, unable to pull away.
It was as if she needed to be close to him to even breathe!
The silence extended and when she finally dared to look up, he was staring down at her, his jaw tight and his eyes darker than a stormy night sky.
“Ashok,” she said finally. “I…I want—”
Her words were lost when his lips crashed on hers. Every time they kissed, it felt like it was the first time they were kissing, hungry, impatient, like they were discovering something entirely new about each other.
His hands fisted in her hair, angling her head as he deepened the kiss. She responded with her hand sliding up his neck, her fingers digging on the side. He explored every sweet corner of her mouth like he needed to memorize the feel of her.
When he pressed her back against the heavy bookcase on one side of the office, she gasped against his mouth.
He took advantage, his tongue sliding against hers in a way that made her knees weak.
The cold glass on the door bit into her back, but all she could focus on was the heat of his body caging her in, the way he kissed her like he was drowning and she was air.
“God,” he breathed against her lips, his forehead pressed to hers. “This is crazy.”
“Then we need to stop,” she whispered, her voice shaky with want. “We need to stop fighting this.”
His eyes were dark and deep with desire. “This is crazy,” he repeated and before he could say more, she silenced him with another kiss, this one softer but no less intense.
She poured everything into it. It was everything she wanted him to know, her apology for pushing him, her desperation for his touch, her longing for him to stop avoiding her.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, she could see the caution creep back into his eyes. He wanted her and she had no idea why he was fighting so hard.
At that moment she decided not to push him anymore. But it only frustrated her further.
She stepped away from him, creating a distance as she walked toward the desk. “I guess we have to prepare to travel. The twins will have so much fun.”
He nodded and she could see his guard go up again. He was fighting it and she knew it had to be so the situation was not further complicated and she could not agree more that he was right.
He was right but it annoyed her. How dare he be so rational?
Maybe he has a secret girlfriend or a woman he was interested in marrying. Is that why he was so excited to go to his island?
Shit!