Chapter 11

“Arnav, wake-up sleepy head …”

Whispering inside his ear, I push away the overgrown strands from his forehead. In hopes he will open his eyes, I go as far as caressing his face. But it’s evident he has no intention of waking up.

But he has an important conference call with the Delhi office at seven o’clock. One that he needs to attend. As I glance up at the wall clock, I notice he only has thirty minutes.

For someone who brags about being a light sleeper, that clearly is not the case. He has slept the entire night without getting up, or at least I did not hear him.

Then it makes me wonder if he’s okay. I find myself feeling anxious, placing my hand on his forehead. There is no temperature, and his breathing is normal, which puts me at ease.

How do I wake this man up?

“Arnav…”  My tone a bit higher, nudging his shoulder. At least it causes him to shift his head up back, sinking further inside the pillow.

His exposed neck draws my attention, bringing a wicked thought forward. And I know just the trick that will have this man awake in no time.

Okay Khushi, you can do it… go for it!

A few encouraging words to myself, and I smirk at the thought of what his reaction is going to be.

Leaning in closer, my lips caress his neck, before kissing it. But again, there is no reaction from. Nor has he moved.

How could this be?

Deciding to take this a step further, I place my parted lips on his neck. Just as I am about to kiss him, he pulls me towards him, making me gasp out loud.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He asks, turning on his side to face me, and helps me slip onto the sofa to lie beside him.

“Taking revenge, what else?”

He wraps his arms around me, as my finger trails slowly down his neck.

“Guess you weren’t quick enough. You have been here for at least a few minutes, and only managed a mere kiss on my neck. If it was me, do you have any idea what I would have done to you?”

“Besharam! That’s all you think about. So you’ve been awake all this time?  And here I am trying to wake you up. Seriously, you’re too much,” I shake my head, and lightly hit his chest.

“Let’s just say I was curious to see what you would do. And I admire where you were headed. But Sweetheart, there is no way I can allow you to mark my neck.  Unlike you, I can’t pull off the stylish scarf look. It might give everyone the wrong impression about me.”

“So let me get this straight, it’s okay for you to mark me. Not once, but twice?  Now, how is that fair…”

“That was different. I didn’t mean to do it the first time, which you know. It happened in the heat of the moment. But if you really want to, you can mark me anywhere below my neck.” He whispers into my ears, sending shivers down my spine.

I gaze up at him, as I feel a warm blush spread across my cheeks.

“We will have to save that for another day, Mr. Raizada, because you have a conference call to attend.”

“Call?” He raises a questioning eyebrow, before it dawns on him what I am referring to. “Shit! How the hell did I forget? And I was supposed to work last night to take care of a few things prior to the call. What time is it?”

“Relax, you still have some time. No need to worry, since I have taken care of some of the points we discussed during dinner. I think I may have solved your problem. Now go freshen up. There’s a toothbrush and towel in the bathroom for you on the counter. Would you like for me to make you some breakfast?”

I get up from the sofa, extending my hand towards him. But he remains on the sofa, the expression on his face giving away he is shocked.   

“Let’s go Mr. Raizada, you have twenty minutes, and I need ten of those to explain what I have put together.”

He finally takes my hand to get up, then surprises me by pulling me into a tight embrace.

“I don’t know what to say, but I will start with a, thank you!”  He takes a deep breath, before pulling away, and kisses my forehead. “Can I please get a strong black coffee?”

“Sure, I will meet you in the study when you are ready.”

A few moments later, Arnav walks inside the study and pulls up a chair besides me. I gesture at his cup of black coffee, and start up my laptop. I can feel him watching my every move from the corner of my eye, and it makes me nervous for some reason. I instantly shake it off, getting down to business with the very little time we have before the call.

“After our discussion last night at dinner, I remembered one of my colleagues who had worked on a few Aviation clients. So I called him later to get some information. Lucky for us, he happened to have intel on the company you acquired a few months ago. Based on my conversation, and the research I was able to do, I put together a high level analysis. There are also some immediate action items for your consideration. If you implement the top three, it should deal with the short terms issues you are facing.  The rest you can execute over the next six months. But I strongly recommend you sell it off after that. Here, take a look…”

We spend the next few minutes walking through the analysis with me taking the lead. I can’t help but appreciate him for allowing me to take charge, along with considering my inputs. Seeing him at the office in meetings, I am well aware the man rarely gives up control. It makes me realize that my initial nervousness was unwarranted.

“Arnav, I apologize if I have stepped out of line, but this is something I wanted to do for you. This problem has been lurking over you the past week, and I know you barely slept. And seeing you peacefully sleeping last night, I didn’t have it in me to wake you up.” There’s no guilt in my confession for taking this on solely based on personal reasons. It’s something that felt right.

He looks up at me, his pen halting from jotting down notes for the call, and smiles.

“Are you kidding me, Khushi?  First of all, I owe you big time for taking on this mess. I am serious, name it and it’s yours. You have no idea, but I have been wracking my brain the last couple of months with this company. I swear if we didn’t get anywhere with them today, my plan was to liquidate them. Now thanks to you, we might be able to salvage the company, and sell it off with a profit. This is absolutely brilliant work. You are a genius… my genius!”  He says, sliding his chair closer to me.

“You don’t owe me anything, not even a thanks. That is not why I did this. Though I would like it if you slowed down a bit. This can’t be good for your health.”

I raise my hand to his face, and pull him down for a gentle kiss. My heart soars when he kisses me back with piercing intensity.

It’s isn’t till we hear the meeting alert on his phone, that we pull away.  

“Sorry Khushi, this call is probably going to take me a couple of hours. Would it be alright if I stayed in here?” He asks, continuing to hold onto my hands.

“Sure, you can also use my laptop. Everything I have put together is saved onto my desktop, and you should be able to access the shared folders as well from here. If it’s okay with you, I am going to go out for a run. But text me if you have any questions.”

Grabbing my phone from the desk, I make my way towards the door. But his husky voice stops me in my tracks, and I turn to face him.

“Have a great run, sweetheart.”

*****

“Khushi!”

“I am in the bedroom, Arnav.”  I yell out, grabbing my shoes from the closet just as he walks into the room.

“Wow, Ms. Gupta you look scrumptious. This dress shows off your curves in all the right places. How am I going to keep my hands off of you today?” He walks towards to me, taking in my green pebble cap sheath dress. He stops in front of me, and wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me up against him.

“Well, since we’re both going to be busy today, you won’t have an opportunity to put your hands on me. Are you done with your call?” Seeing the frown on his face, I know he isn’t happy at the reminder. Though the quick kiss, brings a smile to his face.

“Unfortunately, no. Can’t believe I have been on the phone for two hours with another hour to go. But, I know you need to get to the office.”

“Yes I do need to go in, but you can stay here, and use my laptop. I can work off of my iPad till you come in. Plus, I am in meetings all morning so won’t be needing it. Oh, before I forget…”  I get out of his hold to walk over to get my bag laying on the chair in the corner of the room.

“Sorry about this, but note to self to bring my laptop in the future. By the way, your analysis is right on target. I am going to need you to work with the team on some of the points you noted, and lead some of the implementations.”

“Sure, I will set-up time with them this week. Here…” He furrows his eyebrows together, looking at the steel object in my hand. “It’s the key to my apartment. For you. That way you can lock it on your way out, and… have it whenever you decide to stop by. And, I agree, Mr. Raizada. To be on the safe side, bring your laptop. You never know, when you will fall asleep on my couch again.”

He stares at me for a long moment, before taking the key, then puts it inside his jean pocket. He wraps his arms around my neck, leaning his forehead against mine.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Very sure. Remember, you do pay half the rent you know. Toh haq banta hai.”

“While that couch was comfortable, the bed looks much more inviting.”

He gives me a mischievous wink, gesturing behind me at the bed. I gasp at where his thoughts are headed, and push him away.

“You need to behave, since work awaits. Do you want me to make you an omelet before I head out?”

“Yes please, but only if you have time.”

“For you, I can make the time. I will bring it over before I leave.”

Placing my hand on his shoulder, I slide on my heels. As I proceed to walk away, he grasps my hand.

The intent is clear in his darkened gaze, as he takes my lips for a desperate kiss. His hands caress my body, and I kiss him back with equal fervor, trembling at his touch.

We pull apart for much needed air, holding onto each other tightly.

“That was amazing, sweetheart, and should hold me till later.” He winks shamelessly, before walking out of my bedroom.

I would have to agree, it was amazing!  

*****

“I am so sorry Aakash, I don’t know how I missed the meeting. When I had looked at my calendar earlier, it wasn’t there.”

“That’s okay Khushi, don’t worry about it. Though it’s strange, since I had it on my calendar. I even came by your office to get you, and since you weren’t there, I assumed you were busy with something else.”

“Thanks for filling in for me. I will see you later.”

How could this happen?

I have never missed a meeting before, that too, an important one. My mind is flooded with thoughts trying to figure out what may have gone wrong, as I leave Aakash’s office.

“Ms. Gupta… Can you please come here?”

My thoughts are broken hearing Arnav’s voice. When I turn around, I spot him standing in front of  Lavanya’s cubicle.

Did he just yell out for me in the middle of the corridor?

As I glance around, walking towards him, I notice it has caught everyone’s attention.

When I approach Lavanya’s desk, he is in the midst of a conversation.

“You can set-up the call for early next week. I will be meeting with Ms. Gupta for the next hour, so hold my calls. I don’t want any interruptions.”

“Sure, ASR. Khushi, do you need me to tell Sheetal to reschedule anything while you are meeting with ASR?”

“No it’s okay, I am free right now… thanks Lavanya.”

“Ms. Gupta, I need to fill you in on the Delhi project. Shall we?” He leads me inside his office, closing the door behind him. But as he proceeds to lock the door, I speak up.

“What are you doing, Arnav?!”

“This is to ensure no one walks in here. We need some alone time, don’t you agree?” He shrugs, walking towards me with a wicked half-smile curving at the corner of his lip.

“But I thought you wanted to discuss the project…  Arnav, what are you up to?  I don’t have time for this right now.”

“Excuse me? Did you just snap at me? I figured we could spend some time together, while I gave you your laptop back. Especially after last night. What’s wrong with you?”

His annoyance comes right through, abruptly walking over to his desk. Even as far as aggressively picking up my laptop, before he brings it to me.

“Here, sorry for assuming you would want the same thing…”

His sharp gaze meets mine, and guilt claws at me for taking out my earlier frustration on him. My mind has been consumed with missing a meeting that had nothing to do with him.

Here he is trying to give us time, and I am pushing him away. After telling him how much I missed him, us, during the week.

Hesitantly, I take my laptop from his hand, and without looking at me he proceeds to walk away. And there’s only one thing for me to do. Stop him. As I grab a hold of his hand, he refuses to face me.

I need to make this right for us.

Placing the laptop down on the table, I walk round to face him. I look into his molten caramel eyes, as he narrows his gaze on me.

“I am sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. My mind was preoccupied elsewhere… can we please start over?”

He stares at me for a moment, as I bury myself inside his arms. The contentment I find in his arms was exactly what I needed. I allow my eyes to shut, resting my head on his chest and wrap my arms round his back.

We remain that way for a few minutes in silence, as I listen to his rapidly beating heartbeat which mirrors mine.

Why do I feel so connected to him, and don’t want to let go?

He presses his lips on my hair, and whispers.

“Sweetheart…”

My arms tighten around him at this endearment he uses for me, which warms my heart.

He lifts my chin looking for answers, but what do I even say?  

“Are you going to tell me what had you distracted enough to snap at me? It’s unlike you.”

“It’s just work, nothing for you to be concerned over. It can wait, I rather not waste our time discussing it. Did you just get here?”

“About twenty minutes ago. You were in Aakash’s office when I got here. So when I saw you walking out of his office, I figured we could meet right now.” He says taking my hand, leading us towards the sofa.

He sits down first, and puts his hand out for me. The confusion marring my face, seems to have amused him.

“I want you to sit here… please.”  He says, pointing to his lap.

“But we… I…”

There is no time for me to get further with my incoherent words, as he pulls me onto his lap. He laughs, while there’s a blush spreading across my cheekbones.

“Now that I am your boyfriend, you can sit here. Haq hai tumhara.” He whispers inside my ears, as I shift closer to him, wrapping my arms around him.  

“You do realize we are in the office?”  I whisper back.

“It’s my office, I can do whatever I want, since I own this company. And as you saw, I have already taken precautions so that we are not interrupted. We hardly had any time last night, since I fell asleep waiting for you. How long were you on the phone with Di? Seriously, you talk to my sister more than me…”

“Are you jealous of your own sister? It’s good you reminded me, they want me to go over this weekend. And, since you will be busy working this weekend, I can go with Aakash tomorrow evening after work.”

“After that you ask me if I am jealous of my sister? I can’t believe you said yes. Unbelievable!”

Unable to stop myself, I burst into laughter, as he glares at me.

“You find this funny? If you keep going there, when the hell are you ever going to come to my place?” He says with all seriousness, catching me off guard.

It quickly dawns on me what he has just stated, and I immediately stop laughing. The last few weekends have consisted of us going to Anjali’s or my place, that I haven’t had an opportunity to go to his place.

“How would I have come over, if you’ve never invited me?”

“Are you serious, Khushi? You don’t need an invitation, look at me, I just come over whenever I want. I was hoping you would come over this weekend. But it looks like my girlfriend has made plans without talking to me about it.”

“I guess I did…” I keep a straight face deciding to keep up the act about my so called plans.

“And, you want to go there?”

“Yes, Arnav. Do you know why?” I whisper, wrapping my arms tighter around his neck.

“No. And I really don’t care.”

“We are planning a Gol Gappa and Chaat party. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water, so so yummy. It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s been over a month, and I am craving it. In Delhi, I used to have it at least once a week, but I can’t do that here.”

“Why not? There are places in the city that probably have that. Have you even checked?”

“No I haven’t. But it’s always fun eating it with company. And, since you don’t enjoy that type of food, I will go there. Will you miss me for two whole days Arnav?” I ask softly, resting my head on his shoulder.

“That is true, I don’t, you go enjoy yourself. While I can keep myself occupied here with work and more work. Seeing how busy I will be, I won’t have time to miss you. The question is, will you miss me?”

I jerk my head up from his shoulder, and stare at him for a moment, as he raises a questioning eyebrow.

“Are you saying you will be too busy to miss me, your girlfriend?” I shake my head in disbelief.

“You wanted to go, plus my family keeps you occupied. I can guarantee you won’t even think about me.”

“Who said I wanted to go?”

“You did, if I remember correctly. So, what is it… do you want to go or not?”

His smirk gives away he is onto me, time to fess up.

“For your kind information, I did not commit to going since I wanted to check with you first.”

“How about I make you a deal? You come over to my place tomorrow night, and I will take you there on Saturday, only if we come back home at night. I need to work on Sunday, but we can do dinner in the evening. Deal?

“How can I turn that down? Deal.”

While I put my hand forward, he shakes his head.

“This deal needs to be sealed with a kiss.” He smiles, waiting for me to make the first move. And I don’t hesitate, caressing my lips with his before kissing him gently.

With his hand behind my waist, he shifts me closer to him, deepening the kiss. He runs his hand down my back, sliding me down on the sofa. Pulling away, he presses his lips down my neck placing gentle kisses.

I hold him tight close to me, as we try to catch our breath. He lifts his head, and I move my hand to his face, caressing his stubble down to his neck.

“We need to make this a regular thing for us.”

“What, meeting in your office, like this?”

“Yes, have one on ones on this couch.” He laughs, getting up with a glint in his eyes, and helps me up.

“Actually, I won’t oppose the idea. Though I think we need to take care of some work.”

“Do you think about anything else besides work?”

I walk up to him, and whisper.

“If only you knew what I think about. Let’s just say it doesn’t only include work. However, it does include you and me.”

I softly kiss him, then caress his lips with my fingers. I pull away, and take my laptop from the table before walking towards the door. When I turn around, his devilish gaze is penetrating through me.

“And, you shall tell me what that is tomorrow night at my place. Knix that, show me.”

Did I really have to be bold? Me and my big mouth. Jai Ho Khushi. I think to myself as I make my way out of his office.

Tomorrow night should be interesting…

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