Chapter 55

Making a U

“I don’t have to assume that I know”

“You know I picked a photographer that is unscrupulous?” his eyes glinted mirthfully

She realized she must smell like “spiced” up coconut oil, she added her own ingredients and prepped the oil for hours

She felt grimy and gross

“I mean I don’t know, she is taking pictures, who knows what she is going to do with it”

“She does this for a living Mrunalini”

“Oh yeah that makes everything OK” she nodded

“Why are you so unreasonably upset?” he peered

She felt the urge to taste his lips, an urgency she had been feeling subconsciously a weakish now

She felt a surge of shame when she realized this thought may not be in HIS mind

He had given her many lessons in sensuality that night, his lips scorching her naked b---sts, his hands grazing silkily, discovering her shuddering body, she could channel his moans right now

She had shut them out 10 f----g years and she remembered it now

His eyes held caressing interest in this mood, or in this stupid living room’s one bulb light

Mrs Gomes had planted a very modern looking light way up the ceiling, even with a ladder she was unable to pry the dead bulbs off the socket

“I am not… I am just protective of my child….. umm” … uh” she held herself back from uttering his name

She had chanted it a million times that night, ok not that high, OK fine a 100

He did not have a menacing stride or derisive glance

He didn’t even pay her any attention when he came to drop Dhru off

She had nothing to fear

“I am still waiting on when I can go register at his school” he stood inches from her and asked mundane questions

The black hair was thick and full combed back and ruffled up as her almost 10 year old drove him nuts she realized

She felt her own body react in sudden incredible tension

His eyes glittering between the long lashes

His eyes wandered over in cool relaxed examination, just male appreciation in purest form

Her throat closed in shock when she sensed what lay in his gaze

“Umm…. I just asked you a question” he muttered, his eyes gleaming like an ocean at night

“I don’t trust her you can if you want” she said firmly

He flashed pearly white teeth and moved his head side to side as if she was stupid

“Are you going to send me a bunch of links to how accomplished she is?”

She was rattled by how organized he was and how much information he sent over to prove his credentials

“No, I don’t have access to her documents”

He was laughing on her…. At her

How unfair of fate to give him such long lashes

Gawd!!

“U do know those lashes give you a wicked look, you can gain a one up on women you are trying to woo” she thought with a sigh

She became more and more nervous, more and more aware of him

“I would like to read the fine print of the contract”

“she is a friend Mrunalini” he said

She was beginning to have treacherous impulses zapping through her mind and she did not know if she had the resolve to shoot them at sight

He did say her name like they were lovers for centuries

“Do u usually get the question wrong?” he muttered

“About who?”

He smiled

“Nothing” he shook his head stifling amusement

“OK” she nodded

“Is OK ur way of dismissing me from your lair?” he asked softly

“It’s a Chaymbur flat” she said with her Marathi accent

He nodded, the hot glitter in his eyes made Mrunal miss multiple heart beats, when it finally caught up her chest hurt

They were having a moment

Neither was going to say it or talk about it

“I want to see every picture she has clicked”

“Sure?” he mocked

“Umm.. yeah… du(de)… yeah… yes… He is MY son”

“I mean there are many pictures of us to together” he was laughing at her

Him and his son he meant

“So? I wont look at you… finished” she muttered

He laughed hard

She was direct and she was merciless

“thanks” he nodded

“Send karne ka mujhe? theek hai?” she ordered

“was that Hindi” he mocked

She looked at him through crinkling eyes unable to get the drift

He was flirt/mocking

His astringent-y scent was strong

“I can speak Hindi” she explained

“Wow”

She slithered sideways and sighed

Her heart was pounding

Weird

“Next week Mrunalini?” he pressed

“Yeah u can send me” she nodded

“For Jai’s school”

She realized he was asking about THAT all along

She was beginning to lose her mind around him

Was he doing some voodoo?

She turned to glance at him

“No matter what I cant let you have Dhru” she told him off, out of the blue, unprovoked

“Oh” he gasped “I see”

“Ive had him and Ive raised him” she repeated

Dhru was her “vision board”, she repeated things she wanted happen, she was going to say it out loud as Sameena had said (NOT about Dhru but about dealing with her anxieties)

He approached her again, as she shrunk away

He reached for her hair

“Oh… do.. no.. I am OK” she stumbled back against her front door

He grabbed a falling U hair pin and handed it to her

“I oiled my hair” she explained stoically

“Oh?” he acted like he couldn’t see

“U have thick hair, so you don’t need to” she told him brusquely

“thanks” he smiled mischievously

He had unnerved her enough tonight for her to lob a compliment unknowingly