Chapter 22

Shilpa walked inside her room in daze.. She recalled the incident which had left her in shock.. Who was that man who had tried to kill her.. A chill ran down her spine as she thought of it.. Was it plan of them to get rid of her .. What if Steve was included in this plan..

No.. It cant be.. He just saved my life.. Shilpa reminded herself with a smile.. Deep inside maybe he did care for her.. though he had no memory of her.. The thought made her sad..

Maybe I should take a bath.. She headed to the cupboard when someone knocked the door.. Hesitantly Shilpa opened the door..

"Steve.. " Shilpa murmured softly...

Steve narrowed his eyes at her.. "I want you to be ready at 7Pm tonight.. Where the dress I bought you.."

"But " Shilpa tried to protest..

"No excuses.. Do what I say.. " He muttered leaning down at her.. "You better get this in your pretty mind.. Listen to me, follow what I say orelse die.. "

Shilpa's eyes grew hard as she stared at him in anger.. Before he could guess she took a step back and closed the door..

Right on his face..

Steve stood stunned for a while.. "Whatever.. " He walked away embarrassed..

"Arav ! No don't play with your food.. " Shilpa put away the pudding before he could attack it again.. "That is for eating not for applying on your face.. "

Arav grinned at her sheepishly and started to pull her hair.. "Oww Arav that hurts baby.. "

They had alone arrived the restaurant for some lunch. Shilpa felt peaceful being away from all the dangerous people. A alone time with her son gave peace to her heart..

"That's enough Arav. Let's go now you badly need a shower.. " Shilpa picked him up and made her way towards the exit.. Just then she bumped into a lady..

"Oh ! I am so sorry mam.. " Shilpa apologized instantly..

The old women gave her a big smile.. Her eyes were warm with kindness. Shilpa felt a relief pour inside her..

"It is ok darling.. Wow what a handsome baby you have.. " The lady stared at Arav who was smiling at her.. "And he has got your beautiful smile.."

Shilpa blushed "Thank you.. I am Shilpa Mallik.. This is my son Arav.. "

"I am Suzan.. Oh here comes my husband William.. William say hello to Shilpa.. " She gestured to her husband who gave a warm smile to Shilpa..

"Hi there Ms.Shilpa.. You have a handsome kid.."

"Thank you Sir.. Are you both in holiday... "

Suzan beamed.. "We are taking a vacation as William has finally retired.. The cruise is amazing.. It is such a good experience.. "

Shilpa smiled genuinely.. "Agree it is a beautiful cruise.. "

"Are you here alone with you son.. " William inquired..

"Umm actually I am here with my husband.. " Shilpa hesitated.. "On vacation.. "

"Oh darling that is so nice.. may god bless you.. " Suzan held her hand.. "We must meet again and have a lunch together.. I have a feeling we can be good friends.."

Shilpa's eyes went misty with the kindness of old lady. "Thank you Suzan.. I hope we meet again. And sure I would love to come for lunch oneday.. "

"Ok bybyee dear.. "

"Bye.. " Shilpa whispered and started to leave. Just then an idea came in her mind.. She hurried back to Suzan with a smile..

"Excuse me Suzan... "

"Yes dear " She smiled at Shilpa..

"Actually.. I need your help... " Shilpa spoke expectantly...

When Steve entered the party, it was on full swing.. He studied the atmosphere studying people.. He spotted David and the gang who was lounging in the corner of the party..

"Hey guys.. " Steve drawled as he joined them and took a seat in sofa.. "So how is the party.."

"Rocking! " Devlin grinned.. "So many hot chicks.. "

Steve grinned at him "That must be a jackpot for you huh.. "

"So steve.. " David interrupted them.. "Where is your lady love..?"

Steve tensed.. "She is no such thing of mine.."

"Doesn't look like so.. " Logan smirked..

Steve tried to reply back when Robin interrupted..

"And look who just walked inside the party.." Robin drawled.

Steve's eyes instantly went to the door.. His eyes stilled as he took in her appearance..

She was beautiful...

The dress which he had chosen clung to her body like second skin.. She looked like a goddess who has emerged from the sea.. Steve closed his eyes trying to control the feelings arising inside him..

His opened his eyes to see her looking around worriedly.. There was no single man who didn't have their lustful eyes on her.. The thought made him angry for a second..

Devlin interrupted his moment.. "And Steve gets a heartattack.. "

"Shut up Devlin.. " Steve snapped as he got up instantly... "I will be back.. "

"Why does he keep running after her.. " Logan complained irritated.. "Come on David..When are you going to bring a end to this nonsense.. "

"Soon.. " David murmured.. "Very soon"

Shilpa stood worried as she looked around for him.. Where was he.. The dress was making herself conscious.. She could easily feel hard stares which were coming towards her. She didn't want to give anyone wrong signal.. Where was Steve.. ?

Shilpa bit her lip and touched her dress feeling uncomfortable..

"Don't worry. " Came the husky voice behind her.. She turned around and clashed into his deep rich eyes..

His gaze ran down her body with his desire-filled eyes.. "You look terrific.. "

She went red instantly.. Touching her hair shyly she whispered.. "Thank you.."

The small move surprised him. She looked so innocent as she played with her hair nervously.. This lady was dangerous. She was making him feel things which he hadn't felt from past year.. What was it about this women..

He cleared his throat and took her hand.. "Come with me.. "

David narrowed his eyes as Steve cameback with Ms.Shilpa.. His eyes went to their locked hand.. And he decided he didn't like this..

Shilpa was nervous.. She could feel them stare at her in anger.. She kept her gaze on floor as they set in the sofa.. She jumped back surprised as she felt a tap of her shoulder..

"Oh Sorry ! " Devlin exclaimed.. "I didn't mean to scare you darling... Do you know you look so sexy tonight.." He spoke in his sexy voice..

Shilpa felt a relief seeing someone was acting normal with her.. Just then Steve interrupted them.. "Get away from her Devlin. Go and find someone of your age.. " He warned him..

Devlin just grinned at him and got up.. "So insecure.. Dude one must think you have fall in love."

Shilpa stiffened as Steve gritted his teeth.. "Get lost Devlin.. "

As Devlin left David glanced at Steve.. "May I ask why you have invited this lady to the party.. We have a meeting to do with Mr Cezar Kane.." he spoke dangerously..

Steve leaned to the sofa.. "My choice.. And we have time for the meeting.. " He spoke calmly..

David gave a cruel smile and leaned forward.. "Just make sure you don't screw it Steve.. " He glanced at Shilpa who shifted uncomfortably.. "Never trust women.. They could ruin your plans"

Steve didn't bother a reply. Instead he glanced at Shilpa who was staring at him expectantly..

"What.. " He asked..

"Can I go back.. " She hesitantly glanced at David and Logan who was now getting cozy with some girls.. "I don't feel good here.. "

Steve gave a amused look .. "Remember what I said.. " He leaned forward and whispered in her ear.. "You leave when I say.. Not before it.. "

Steve was going crazy with the seductiveness of her perfume.. He leaned forward intending to kiss her neck when suddenly..

"Hey guys ! " Came the sultry voice behind him.. He swore and set back instantly..

"Hi Lisa " David greeted her smiling... "Just take a seat near Steve.. " He gave a naughty look to Steve.. "I am sure he is not at all busy.. "

Shilpa didn't wish to repeat the same incident... She decided to leave. As she tried to get up he held her hand.. "Not yet ! " He warned her softly..

Shilpa glared at him and looked straight ahead not willing to see Lisa brown flirt with him..

" Hey Steve Darling.. " Lisa spoke huskily as she took a seat near Steve.. Too close.. "How are you doing..."

Shilpa hated her voice..She closed her eyes and blanked her expressions. There was no way she would will herself to react..

"What are you doing here. " Steve muttered angrily.. "Last I know no one invited you here.. "

"Oh come on Steve.. " Lisa pouted.. "I was invited by David.. Now stop sulking up and give me a kiss.."

That's it ! Shilpa got up instantly before her heart would break into pieces.. She started to walk away when she heard him call her from behind.. But not paying any heeds she headed to the dance floor when suddenly...

"Where the hell are you going ?? " Steve growled as he took in her arms and held her tightly...

"I am leaving..."

"No you cant.. You only leave when I say ! "

"So wrong Steve.. GO back to you Lisa " She spat angrily...

"I have no bloody interest in her.. " Steve pulled her in his arms and held her..

"What are you doing.. " Shilpa gasped..

"Dance with me.. "Steve spoke softly...

Lost in trance she started to move along with him to the sensual music.. Shilpa stared at his rugged cold face while he stared back at her blankly..

"Why ?? " Shilpa asked suddenly..

"What ? " Steve asked confused..

"You just said.. " She spoke hesitantly.. "That you have no interest in Lisa.. Why ? "

He didn't answer.. Instead he stared at her for a long time.. And the he leaned down and whispered.. "That is because you Intrigue me.. "

Shilpa felt her breath hitch.. She looked away from him and took a step back.. "I feel thirsty.."

"Waiter. " Steve signaled him.. "Get me some water.. "

As he brought the glass Steve passed it to her.. Shilpa took it in her hand when suddenly the glass broke. Shilpa let out a scream and looked down at the glass horrified.. The music was too loud for anyone else to hear..

Steve cursed angrily and started to look around.. "Someone just shot the glass.."

That's when he noticed the masked man who stood in the corner.. He had a shining piece in his left arm..

He realized it was a gun..

Steve started to make his away to him.. The man hurried and ran off before he could catch him...

"Damn ! So close.. " Steve muttered in anger.. He glanced back at Shilpa who stood rooted on spot in shock..

"Let's get you out of here..

Shilpa followed him in daze.. He took her outside and stood near the railing.. Both of them staring at the calm sea.. Shilpa sighed and turned towards him with her eyes filled in tears..

"Why would anyone try to kill me.. " She asked brokenly..

He was thrown off with the question.. Such a innocent question for which he had no answer..

"This is so unfair.. " She spoke sniffing while tears kept coming...

"Life is never fair.. " He snapped at her.. But instantly regretted as she started to cry again...

"Listen to me.. " He cupped her face and cleared her tears... "Until you are her e with me.. No one can touch you..Trust me.. "

Shilpa stared at him with a hopeful smile... "Promise ? "

Steve hesitated... And then whispered "Promise.. "

Suddenly she gave her beautiful smile.. His breath hitched as he drank her beauty.. Licking his dry lips he stared down at her inviting lips.. They were soft and so inviting.. He felt himself loosing control..

"Oh damn... " He muttered... Before she could guess, he crashed his lips on hers.. Devouring those soft petals.. She gasped with the bold act of him.. She kissed him back equal passion.. He nipped her lower lips as she nipped his upper lips. His hands ran down her back bringing her close to him.. He held her cheeks and deepened the kiss. His hands traveled down further.. And made his way to the slit in dressed.. From there he touched her intimately while kissing and kissing her.. Her moans and gasps filled out in the silence and the dark...

As he broke the kiss she sighed blissfully... " Mmm "

Suddenly he grew tensed.. he backed away from her and stared at her with a cold look.. Without even saying a word he stormed back into the hallway while leaving behind a stunned shilpa..

Steve woke up in the middle of the night... His forehead sweating as he recalled the blurry image about of making love to Shilpa.. But it felt so good.. Way too good that he felt disappointed when he woke up.. Armaan felt frustrated.. He ran his hand in his hair and lay back on the bed.. As he closed his eyes he realized something..

He no longer heard the voice of plea in his dreams..

Note : Hey guys :P Am back lets say after month.. Deeply sorry for my behavior.. Finally i have take time off nd nw i aim to do fast udpates. Please do read and share ur views about the part and do press the LIKE button.