Arnav had already packed his bags and was now waiting for Khushi at her house to come downstairs once she was ready. And when she did, Arnav almost stopped breathing. She looked gorgeous in a sleeveless white shirt and a skirt. She smiled when she saw Arnav. He looked devastatingly handsome in his royal-blue shirt and dark brown slacks. "Hi" he said when she descended the last step and placed a modest kiss on her cheek, to which she smiled and greeted him back. Hari Kaaka helped Arnav's driver in loading Khushi's luggage in the car, while Khushi hugged her Dad. "Take care Papa, I'll miss you" She said and he placed a kiss on her forehead. "You too take care and enjoy yourself Baccha. Don't trouble Arnav with your silly mischief" He said and patted her cheek, to which she laughed. He then asked her to wait in Arnav's car as he had to talk to Arnav about the business deal and it would take a few minutes, to which she agreed and made herself comfortable in the back seat of Arnav's SUV. Mr. Gupta placed his hands on Arnav's shoulder. "Arnav, I know my daughter loves you a lot. I see that in her eyes" Arnav smiled and nodded. "My daughter means everything to me, Arnav. You may not understand that feeling now. Perhaps, someday, when you have a daughter of your own, you'll know. I'm sending her with you because I trust you both" Suddenly, his grip on Arnav's shoulders increased lightly. "Don't hurt her, or do anything that will break her heart." Arnav understood the elderly man's concern. "You need not worry, Sir. She'll be fine, I promise." Mr. Gupta nodded and wished Arnav a safe journey, after he hugged him. And before he left, he called out to Arnav and said, "You need to get into a habit of calling me Papa, henceforth" Arnav did not know how to react. He felt a mix of emotions take over him. He chose to nod, saying, "We'll be back soon... Papa" Mr. Gupta just smiled as he waved out to the departing car.
"Kindly buckle your seatbelts as we will be ready for takeoff in five minutes" The voice boomed through the speakers of Arnav's private jet. Khushi made sure twice that her seatbelt was intact. Arnav had an amused smile as he saw her hands tremble and her lips making a silent prayer to all the Gods and Goddesses she remembered, Devi Maiyya being her favourite one. He held her hand, which was almost cold, and kissed the back of her hand. She did not seem to register the kiss as she was too focused on the departure. "Khushi" he called out to her, drawing her attention to him. "There are a few more minutes before we actually takeoff. Let's play something till then" She looked at him like he was bitten by a rabid dog. "Arnav, I know you're doing this to take my mind off the flight, but I cannot. I get sick when I fly" she said, making sure that the brown bag was at her disposal in case she felt nauseous. "Huh! Say that you're scared that you'll lose against me." That did it. Khushi focused all of her attention from the runway to that statement he just made. "Oh please, Arnav! I never lose okay! Fine. You want to play? Let's play" Arnav smiled. At least she was back to normal.
"What is the capital of Texas?" Arnav asked. It was his turn to question, and Khushi's turn to reply. "Austin" she said with a smile. The flight was just preparing to take off. Arnav narrowed his eyes. "You got that right, and it was easy. Ask me" Khushi closed her eyes for a moment and then asked, "What is the atomic number of Actinium?" she was sure he would get that wrong. "Hmm... 88 or 89. Wait, 88 is Radium. So it's 89" he said, and shrugged his shoulders when Khushi told him that he was right. "Okay my turn. In ancient Greece, what's a Petasus?" Khushi looked at him with a frown. "You cannot ask such questions! How would I know?" she whined at him, while the flight ran across the runway. Arnav grinned. At least she is not worried about takeoff. "Alright! Petasus means a hat. Okay, now you ask me something difficult!" She scratched her forehead for a while and grinned when the question struck her mind. "What was the name of Alison's twin sister in Pretty Little Liars?" "What the f**k is that?" he said, not knowing the category on which the question was based on. "Arnav! Language!" she glared at him, and continued, "You asked me to ask you a question. I did. Now answer!"
"I don't know" he admitted in a low tone. "What? Arnav Raizada doesn't know the answer? Not so smart eh?"Khushi giggled, teasing him. When she saw him frown, she pulled his cheek and said, "The answer is Courtney DiLaurentis. Okay you ask now" He scratched his chin and asked, "Name four band members of ABBA" Khushi grinned. This one she knew. "Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny, Anni-Frid" she said, counting the four names on her fingers. By now the flight was miles above the land, up in the sky. "You're not even trying hard, Arnav! Looks like you want to deliberately lose?" she grinned and waved her hands in the air, doing some imaginary wacky dance. "I don't lose. Ever." Arnav challenged and continued, "Okay, now answer this. Name a position from the Kamasutra" His lips twitched into a devilish grin when he saw the look on Khushi's face. "Arnav! You cannot ask such... such... raunchy questions!" she drank a sip of water in exasperation. "Well, I can. Or maybe you don't know the answer. Which means, Khushi Gupta loses!" He exclaimed with a wide grin. She sat quietly for a second or two. Arnav spoke up again. "So you don't know the answer! Does that mean I've won?" he said and almost raised his collar in victory when she whacked his arm. "No you haven't won" she gave him a challenging look. "Well, give me the answer!" He smirked at her. She sighed angrily and pursed her lips. "Fine. The Splitting Bamboo" Arnav stared at her for a whole minute and burst out laughing, ignoring the whack from her elbow into his rib. "You get a bonus point for that answer" he said, still laughing, causing Khushi to join his laugh, her cheeks already red with embarrassment. When the laughter died down, he traced her cheek with his finger and tipped her chin, making her look at him. "By the way, darling, when do we try?" Khushi looked perplexed. "Try what, Arnav?" "The Splitting Bamboo" he said with the most serious expression, and burst into laughter again, as she laughed and turned to a deeper shade of red while looking out of the window. The rest of the journey passed in a haze.
Mr. Antonio Paulos met the couple at the airport. The familiar hum of a jet caught his attention. Glancing at his watch he smiled, "Right on time!" Within minutes, Arnav's private jet was just rumbling down the laneway toward him. The jet's engines powered down and the door opened. Paulos watched Arnav emerge holding Khushi's hand. He stepped forward to greet them, shaking Arnav's hand and kissing Khushi politely on the cheek, telling her she looked more beautiful than the last time he saw her. He was pleasantly surprised to see the huge shiny rock on her ring-finger. Arnav tightened his grip on Khushi's hand possessively, not missing the look of interest in Paulos' eyes. If that man thought he was even getting near her, he was out of his mind. Unknown to Khushi, Arnav would be sharing the same room with her, whether she liked it or not. He was confident enough in his abilities as a man, to know she wouldn't argue. And although he wouldn't compromise her virtue, he sure as hell wanted to. However Arnav wasn't the only protective man around Khushi. Rohan threatened to disembowel him if he laid a hand on her. Khushi wasn't the type for a one night stand and Arnav was well aware of it.
"You're sister is not to be seen, Mr. Paulos" Khushi asked. Not that she was interested in meeting Heleena. She just did not want her to stick to Arnav, like she did last time. "She isn't here, in Greece. She is in Paris for a holiday, and won't be back until next month" Khushi nodded her head at Antonio's reply, and was relieved. At least she did not have to put up a fight to keep the bitch away from her man. Arnav looked down at Khushi as she asked Paulos a few general questions. She was beautiful, and had an even more beautiful heart. He couldn't ask for anything more in a future wife. Already, he knew she'd be passionate in bed, because he was experienced enough to see that unleashed desire in her eyes and he knew he wouldn't be wrong. She kissed like Aphrodite, and at the moment, his hands were itching to just grab her and kiss her senseless. He studied her profile for another moment and she suddenly turned her head toward him and smiled. He returned her warm smile and just hoped he could keep his hands off her this weekend; or else, Rohan and her dad would get together and bury him alive.
The luggage was loaded and the three of them got into the car. As it cruised through the city towards his family's property, Paulos explained the heritage of the buildings and surrounding scenery. Khushi listened with intense interest. She'd never been to Greece before in her life. Arnav saw the eagerness in her eyes and expression. After they were married, he would take her to his property in France for a month and he told her so. She swung her gaze to him with even more keen interest. "Really Arnav?" "Anything for you, sweetheart" He said, forgetting that Paulos was sitting across from them. The look of excitement on her beautiful face was to blame for that. She was radiant. Paulos knew that Arnav's affection was true and genuine. He smiled at the two, and looked out of the window.
The car pulled up to an immaculate villa that must've had at least twenty rooms. Khushi surveyed impressively. Equally impressive was the inside. Arnav still had a hold of her hand as their luggage was brought in. "Put it in the same room." He advised the servants in Greek, who nodded and disappeared up the stairs. He turned to Khushi, "Go with them Khushi, I need a word with Mr. Paulos" he said softly. She nodded, glanced past him to Paulos, smiled, then turned and went up the stairs. Arnav watched her go, admiring the sway of her sexy backside before he turned to Paulos, who couldn't help but be mildly disappointed. Obviously, Arnav had already laid claim to that delicious woman, and if his instincts served him right, she was virtually untouched. His eyes also followed Khushi's walk up the stairs. "We need to talk." Arnav interrupted his view "Privately." He added. Paulos took a deep breath, "This way." He motioned him forward to the side doors of his private study room.
Shutting the door, he offered Arnav a drink which he accepted. "She's mine, Antonio." He said with severity. "I would do anything for her." "I see that." Paulos answered without contest, handing him a glass of amber liquid. "Khushi is very important to me and I'm willing to even give up our deal for her, if I have to choose." After a length of silence, Paulos finally nodded. Any man that would risk such a deal must love the woman very much. Something Paulos would have never thought possible, for he usually had two or more mistresses at a time. "I wanted you to know the connection I have with her; it is unbreakable." Arnav added, "She means more to me than anything." Antonio studied Arnav's expressions for a minute and said, "I envy you, Arnav. She is rare. And I can see that she has her eyes only for you. However, I have one thing to ask of you." Arnav frowned. "Fire away" He said with some apprehension. "Does she have a sister?" Antonio asked amusedly, at which Arnav burst into laughter.
Upstairs in her room, Khushi noticed that both sets of luggage were set on the large King sized bed, but it really didn't strike her until the servants left and she was standing there staring at Arnav's suitcase. Shortly after, Arnav came in and started to undo his tie. "Arnav? Why is your luggage here, in my room?" She said pointing to his luggage. "Well, we are engaged. And you're my bride-to-be. And, it's perfectly alright for a man to stay with his to-be-wife in one room. So, we're sharing a room" He did not tell her that he was keeping her close to him, so that Antonio would not have a single opportunity of talking to Khushi when she was alone. He intended to be at her side, all the time. She looked visibly shocked at his statement. He managed a slow sensual grin, "Afraid of sharing a bed with me, honey?" She flushed instantly, "Share a bed?" He walked up to her until their bodies were inches apart, peering down at her with a heated gaze, "Yes, I'm afraid you'll be sleeping with me... I mean, sleeping next to me this weekend." She was shocked at his words. "Arnav, what are you suggesting?" He grinned and leaned down to brush his lips across her forehead, "Don't panic Khushi, I'll be good. I promise. You're a big girl, I'm sure you can handle sharing a bed with me in the most plutonic sense. I swear I don't even snore." He lifted his head and studied her baffled expression, "Sweetheart, your Dad and Rohan almost threatened to kill me if I did anything with you. Hell, I even brought pyjamas, and honey, I usually never wear pyjamas at night." He added with a sinful grin.
She looked at him with her jaw hanging open. "I don't know what to think. It's just that you're a man in his prime and you do have you're... how do I put it as... err... needs... and me sleeping next to you..." She exclaimed trying to ignore the tingling on her skin where he kissed her and his deeply voiced words. He barked with laughter. "Khushi, for God's sake, I'm not a sex maniac. I assure you I can do without it, if I need to. Trust me, I will not do anything. At the most, I may kiss you or may touch you. But most definitely, I won't get you pregnant." Her eyes widened at his bold statement. "I can't talk about this." She mumbled and turned to leave, but he caught her shoulders. "You're a grown woman Khushi! Are you telling me you can't discuss sex with me?" "It's a private matter." She said unable to look him in the eyes, but kept her gaze averted to the open buttons of his shirt. His tie hung loosely just below there because he hadn't finished removing it. She could see the dust of black hair there and it was almost impossible to drag her eyes away from that appealing sight. Arnav saw where her eyes were and the longing in them. He reached up and finished removing his tie. Then he undid a few more buttons on his shirt. Finally her eyes guided up to his. "W... what are you doing?" she asked. "Changing my shirt" he said huskily, "Greece is hot." "I'll leave..." "No you won't." he said, "You running out of the room wearing that blush on your cheeks, will make people think we've been busy." Of course he couldn't care a bit about that. If she wanted to see him without his shirt, he was going to oblige to her need. He knew he had to take it slow with her and hopefully he could keep himself in check long enough to do just that. But he wanted her hands on him, as much as she wanted to touch him.
Khushi's blush deepened, "Nothing happened." She said with wide innocent eyes. "Not yet." He said slyly, stripping off his shirt lazily and tossing it on the bed. Khushi's eyes were no longer controlled by her. They became independent of her brain's thinking, as they roved over his male form. His thick chest was dusted with dark hair, and it went all the way down his flat stomach to his washboard abs to his navel, and disappeared into the waistband of his belted slacks. "Here." He spoke huskily while lifting her hand and flattening it on his chest, "Touch me Khushi." She froze and finally brought her eyes up to his, "Arnav, what are you doing?" She had touched him earlier, but that was in a heated moment. Not like the way he was encouraging her to do it right now. "I'm doing what you want, but don't have the courage to follow through." He answered as he guided his hand across the contours of his chest.
Gosh! He felt amazing! Warm, hard and sexy. She tried one last time to resist him. From where she got the effort while she was running her hand over him, God only knew. "Arnav we shouldn't..." "We're engaged" he interrupted bending his head towards hers. "Not yet" She murmured as her eyes flicked to his sensual mouth. "Uh-huh" he said absently as his mouth lightly brushed hers, causing it to part in a silent gasp. She stood with her hand on his chest and her eyes closed in anticipation of a kiss. Then she heard her name, deeply spoken. Her eyes popped open and he was looking at her, with his face inches from hers. Arnav smiled arrogantly and lowered his head again. This time he kissed her parted mouth and toyed with her bottom lip between his, suckling and teasing her. Familiar heat started building deep in her pelvis and her knees felt like jelly. Then he nibbled her bottom lip and ran his tongue along it in such a sensual gesture that she found herself melting. She wound her arms around his neck and opened her mouth further to comply with his coaxing.
Arnav slanted his head to capture her mouth completely and moved with a controlled rhythm. She pressed against him and moaned as she tasted his mouth. His arms wrapped around her and lifted her off the floor as their kisses grew more feverish. A small "clunk" was heard as one of her shoes fell of her foot as he began walking toward the bed. Slowly and carefully as not to break his hold on her, he bent over and lowered her onto the mattress bringing his body down, on top of her, while edging one of his long legs between hers. Then he reached down and pushed the skirt of her dress up so he could grip her soft thigh and pull it up to his hip settling himself more intimately against her. She moaned as his fingers slid over the skin of her inner thigh. Everything about her was captivating and passionate. She responded to him like she was on fire and it aroused him. He shifted himself and pressed his obvious need into her pelvis and she gasped. Finally with the last shred of resistance he had he lifted his head and looked down at her. Her eyes were wide with wonder like two bright emeralds, her mouth was slightly swollen and her cheeks were flushed with passion. She was stunning and he could only imagine how much more beautiful she was, with that flush all over her naked body. As it was, her soft clothed body was torturing him. He wanted to tear her clothes off and touch every soft, warm inch of her with his tongue just to see if she tasted that good all over.
He brought both of his fingers to her shirt and hurriedly flicked those tiny buttons open, until the shirt hung loose on her. Khushi's capacity of thinking had gone lost long time back. She could only feel herself getting scorched by his touch and wanted him to go on. He traced her creamy mounds visible above her cream laced bra, and found himself turning rock hard as his fingers brushed over her already hardened peaks. Soon, his mouth followed his fingers and he tortured her as he suckled on her swollen orbs through the fabric. Khushi could no longer hold herself and arched upwards, pushing herself towards him, as his fingers and mouth worked on her heaving bosoms. Simultaneously, he pushed his hips into hers again causing her eyes to widen as she felt his hardened member poking against her. This was the first time they were so intimate.
There was a loud knock on the door interrupting them, followed by a voice in Greek. Arnav turned his head and answered whoever it was without getting off her. "Who was that?" she whispered, unable to find her voice. He smiled searching her flushed face with his pale eyes, "Dinner time." He said it as if it had nothing to do with food, "Oh" she said starting to become aware of the position they were in and started getting more embarrassed, "Arnav... could you..." He chuckled and rolled off her with a sigh. She took the opportunity to escape and jumped out of the bed, quickly buttoning her shirt. He just lay there flat on his back staring at the ceiling with a smile on his face and looking absolutely heavenly bare to the waist. His eyes suddenly flicked to her, causing her to blush for being caught staring. "Sorry." She managed. "What for?" he said sitting up and grabbing his suitcase like what had just occurred was a normal every day event, "I don't mind if you look at me, Khushi. Look all you want."
Without a word she turned and went into the bathroom, completely ashamed at her wanton behaviour. He smiled as he stared at the closed door. He opened his luggage and removed a cool white silk shirt and tan chinos. He purposely tried not to make a big deal about what had just happened between them because he knew she was knocked off balance, and he didn't want to lend more to her discomfort. The truth was that he was in deep, deep trouble. Nothing would help him this time. So much for trying to keep his mind on the business deal. There was no way in hell he was going to be able to concentrate on anything but her.
In the bathroom, Khushi was staring at her reflection in the mirror appalled at her behaviour and even more appalled at Arnav's. He kissed her earlier. But what happened was way too much. What if someone hadn't knocked at the door? "Well, you would be lying naked under that hot body, having some hot steaming sex with that hunk of a Greek God" her erratic heart told her. All sorts of things were flooding into her brain with that. Her head started playing sinful pictures in her head. Arnav was all male. She knew that when she had touched his naked upper half. She wondered how his lower half felt like. And then she blushed when she thought about how he brushed his member against her soft form. She blew a strand of hair out of her eyes and looked at her messy reflection. She brushed out her hair and smoothed the lines of her dress before she went back to the room, just to stop suddenly. Arnav was waiting for her and he looked so devastatingly handsome in his casual clothes with his hair mused up while leaning against one of the bed posts with his arms across his chest. He gave her a boyish grin when she emerged and the blush that she just got rid of, came back with a vengeance.
"You look good enough to eat." He said straightening up and running his gaze over her. She just stared at him unable to figure out this mood of his. He was behaving like he was a hungry lion and she was some delicious morsel. He held his hand out to her. "Come on baby, I don't bite" he grinned and added in a husky tone, "...unless you want me to bite you." He winked at her, as she understood the profound meaning of his statement. "Arnav, you need to behave." She said, finally taking his hand and shooting him a helpless look. He chuckled, "Would you believe that I am behaving!" He actually was. Every cell in his body was screaming to drag her back to bed, have her naked body under him and completely misbehave with her, but he needed to take this slow. "No, I wouldn't believe you" she said with a slight smile as he led her out the door, causing him to grin mischievously.
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