That night Shlok Agnihotri felt at a loss for the first time in the thirty years of his existence. He had always got what he wanted, be it business or pleasure. He remembered a time in his life when he had been at the mercy of that man. That day he had decided he would always be in control of his life, his choices. That incident had triggered an almost insane need in Shlok Agnihotri to turn into the man he was today.
Shlok didn't know how to convince Astha Kirloskar. Well, her loss he decided finally. Shlok had carried on with his work and his business though he was unable to forget Astha Kirloskar and the kiss they had shared. He didn't seem to want anyone else. It had been almost three weeks since that incident. Shlok felt disgusted with himself. He buried himself more in work to come out of his weakness.
Astha too found it difficult to get Shlok Agnihotri out of her head. She relived the kiss so many times when she lay down to sleep at nights. During day times she managed to keep his thoughts at bay but the long, lonely nights were the worst. She could not ignore Shlok's thoughts. But that only made her more determined to forget him.
Astha was working towards an inter collegiate seminar about empowering women. Of course being a brilliant student, she was actively involved. Finally the day of the seminar arrived and she was seated on stage as the student representative. To her shock and dismay, she found Shlok Agnihotri entering the huge hall. Astha's heart accelerated at his mere presence. There was a murmur of appreciation from the women in the crowd as he entered.
As usual everyone and everything paled for Astha when he entered the hall. The dignitaries on stage stood to welcome him. He was the main trustee for her University and obviously he had to come. Astha hadn't even considered that fact till then but now she cursed herself for taking up the responsibilities of the seminar.
Shlok took long strides and gracefully climbed up the stairs to the stage. To her further dismay, he took the seat right next to hers. All of them seated down after he came up and Astha too sat down at last. Her breathing turned erratic at his mere presence next to hers. Her lips buzzed just thinking about the kiss.
Another student was delivering the welcome note but Astha's mind was hardly on it. She sneaked a look at Shlok sideways and was mortified to see him slant a gaze at her as well. Astha quickly looked away and bit her bottom lip. She sensed Shlok slightly stiffen next to her. He muttered a "Don't" under his breath so that only she could hear him.
Astha immediately sat straight and stared right ahead. She didn't know how the programme went on or how she gave her own speech. Everything just seemed to pass in a blur. Shlok stood up at some point and gave a short and humorous speech. But her mind refused to acknowledge anything. Her body was singing in happiness and her heart was about to burst in pleasure after seeing Shlok.
The valedictory speech happened and finally they all got up to leave. Astha went down and spoke to a couple of her friends. She then collected her stuff and was about to leave when one of the attenders from the principal's office came towards Astha. "Madam, you are wanted in the principal's office." Astha's heart started pounding. She went with the staff and found herself in the correspondent's cabin instead.
As expected, Shlok Agnihotri was standing in the middle of the room with his back to her. He was giving rapid instructions to someone in his usual terse voice. Shlok clicked the phone shut. No goodbye, no thank you. As usual! He turned as she came in. They faced each other and the atmosphere suddenly turned tense.
"What are your plans next Astha?" Shlok's voice was quite casual, yet his eyes were watching her like a hawk.
"What?" She hadn't expected that question.
"Your exams are getting over in a month's time. So what are you planning to do next? Have you started applying everywhere?"
"Yes."
"What about the Agnihotri group?"
"No." His eyes narrowed at her response. He didn't like it.
"Why?" He almost sounded angry.
"I...I didn't get around to it. That's all." She sounded defensive even to her own ears.
"Apply for an internship. I will see to it that you're absorbed in my office."
"Okay." Her voice was stilted. Immediately Astha decided she won't apply and she will definitely not live in his shadow.
"Where are you going after this?"
"Work." This further angered him. He clenched his fists slightly. Shlok said nothing to that. He simply said he will drop her to work.
"I can manage." Astha almost stuttered her response and felt disgusted with herself. Why was she behaving like a coward?
"Come." It was a command. No choice was given to her. She followed him at a distance. Shlok went to his car and she sat next to him. His car sped away quickly. Again Astha looked at him beneath her lashes. With the sun glasses, his crisp suit, and his neatly brushed hair, Shlok Agnihotri looked like every woman's dream come true.
He looked at her that very instant. Shlok's eyes instantly flared with desire. She saw the desire in his eyes and her body slightly shook. She chewed her lip and looked away. The car screeched to a halt. Astha looked in confusion. They were in a deserted by lane.
Shlok caught her shoulders roughly. He removed his coolers and his eyes bored into hers. "Don't ever do that in front of me again. Not if you want to go home safe." Astha's eyes clouded in confusion.
"What?" His hand cupped her chin roughly, and his lips neared hers.
"Your lips. Don't bite them. Every time you do it I want to bite it, only harder." Shlok's voice had turned husky and she could feel his breath on her. Astha's face turned crimson with mortified color. She realized they were in the middle of the road, inside his car.
Astha pushed him away with her small hands and shrunk away from him. Her tummy clenched at his words. He effortlessly triggered her desire with a few words. How much longer could she go through this?
Shlok started the car and they reached her office. Astha opened the door before he could come around. His words stopped her before she left him. "Even now it's not too late Astha. Come to me. I will make it worthwhile."
She slammed the door shut and went inside the office. By the time she sat at her desk, she was trembling with need and fear. Astha feared she will not be able to resist Shlok Agnihotri for long. Her senses were rekindled and all her buried emotions emerged out stronger.
Now it was going to be doubly hard to forget him. Dear God how will she forget those intense eyes and those drool worthy lips?
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