Arhi SS : Chemistry #1 [ Completed ] - Page 68

Arhi SS : Chemistry - Part 8

She tasted divine and Arnav was losing himself in her essence. His one hand splayed over her lower back, pulling her firmly to himself while his other cupped her delicate face to not let her slip away from this passionate kiss. The air in the cabin was thick with passion and all Arnav could feel was the softness of Khushi's body pressed intimately to his. His tongue toyed with hers, teasing, tasting and exploring the warm recesses of her delicious mouth. The hunger and desperation from before, had now slowed its pace into a slow smoldering fire that would probably stay ignited for a really long time in their lives.

He sipped on her lips and let her explore him, just the way he had done with her. He could feel her desperation to get closer and the reluctance to let go. He knew that she was thinking on the same lines as him... that the spell casted on them would break the moment they broke the kiss. However, he wanted to assure her that he wasn't letting her go anytime soon and this was definitely not the last time she would be kissing him. It had taken him just about three days away from her, to come to the conclusion, that Khushi had become a necessity and staying away was not an option anymore. Now that he had accepted the truth, it was time she did too.

Slowing down the kiss, Arnav pulled away from her. He looked at her flushed face, her eyes closed in pleasure... her soft, luscious lips swollen and red with his thorough ministrations. Just to make certain that they had kissed, Arnav rubbed his thumb over her trembling bottom lip, marking his territory. She opened her doe eyes and looked right at him... her eyes that always seemed to talk more than she did... gave him a glimpse of her soul. He could read the confusion and embarrassment clouding those hazel eyes. He knew they needed to talk, yet he could not help swooping down to get a small taste of her again... a small taste was what he had told himself.

However, once he began kissing her, he simply couldn't get enough. Threading his fingers through her hair that had come undone, he held onto her nape, demanding more of her. It was the most erotic kiss he had ever experienced... the simple mating of their tongues had the power to unman him and his mind had to fight a battle with his body to take things slowly between the two of them. They needed to talk, to sort out things, to be able to trust each other before things spiraled out of their hands. With immense effort, he pulled himself away from her yet again, unable to control the few tender kisses that he dropped on her soft cheeks and button nose before ending this sizzling encounter.

She refused to meet his eyes and he smiled at her cuteness. Their breathing was still uneven due to the kiss, and he could feel his heart hammering in his chest rapidly. Seeing the speedy rise and fall of Khushi's chest as well, it wasn't difficult to understand her state either. Holding her chin tenderly between his fingers, he urged her to look at him and when she did he whispered, "Khushi..." It felt good to say her name at this particular moment... somehow there was a certain intimacy to it. She lowered her lashes and he wasn't going to allow her to regret what had just happened.

He was about to speak, when he heard her soft whisper, "This shouldn't have happened..." her words trailed into silence and he cupped her face urging her to repeat what she had just said. "This shouldn't have happened, Arnav," she said with more conviction in her voice, yet her eyes gave away a completely different story. He rushed to complete her sentence and said, "... and yet it seems inevitable, Khushi."

She looked surprised at his response, probably because it was the first time he had voiced his true affections for her. She found her voice and said, "This will only complicate things..." He countered, "...or this may just simplify things between us." She tried to get out of his hold and he only seemed to tighten it further, drawing him to her... not letting her slip out of his hands this time... especially when he was sure of what he wanted. She looked at him through confused eyelashes and he knew he had to tell her what he felt for her.

"I like you Khushi... a lot. After our Saturday rendezvous, I was a little unsure of my feelings. All this is new to me. The way I am drawn to you... it is something simply unexplainable. I have my own baggage of a past, scarred by the harsh realities of life and that is one reason I have never let any woman come close to my heart. Yet... with you... things never seemed to be in my hand. From the first time I laid my eyes on you, something stirred within me. I was drawn in by your simplicity and charm. I know this sounds cheesy and filmy, but it's the truth."

Arnav paused, letting all the information seep into her fuzzy head. He stroked the soft skin of her cheek with his thumb and he felt her leaning into his palm. He knew she was waiting for him to complete his side of the story and he continued, "I know you have just gotten over your broken relationship with NK and are still in limbo about coming to terms with his friendship. I also know working with me and having this complicated relationship may seem like a deja vu to you. However, I don't know what else to do, but try to work this out between us."

"It won't work out Arnav. We barely know each other for a few weeks. This is insane. I knew NK for years before committing to him. I am just not that kind of a girl to plunge into something spontaneous," Khushi replied, trying her best to contradict him. He could sense her own doubt about what she had just said and he smiled at her. His eyes drifted towards her lips yet again and he slowly bowed, taking her lips in a chaste kiss. He felt her hands tightening its hold on his shoulders as his lips suckled on her bottom lip, his tongue teasing the seam, eliciting a moan from her.

Her words from earlier were now completely drowned by the humming of her body. He drew back and smiled at her tenderly saying, "This is what is going to work Khushi... if for nothing else... let us just try to work things out for what is between us. Because I for sure know that it is not a common occurrence and if it is that special, then we must give it a shot." She looked at him so innocently, that he felt the strong urge to pull her closer and never let go. How could a woman who had such strong astute business mind, be so naive at the callings of her heart?

Not that he was a professional at it. However, the last three days away from her and definitely put things in perspective for him. The last nail in the coffin was to have seen Khushi laughing freely with that Jha. Her laughter was reserved for only him and any other man being at its receiving end, was completely unacceptable. He had directed his anger at her and also knew the reason for it. It was the same reason that had made him come down to Mumbai, a day prior to his original plan. The reason was as simple as happiness... his happiness... that seem to be being with Khushi.

"Hmmm... Arnav. I know what is between us is something even I haven't truly felt ever. Sheetal always goaded me about lacking chemistry with NK... and if this is what it is then I am scared of its repercussions... because I lose semblance of everything else when I am with you... like right now, we are in my cabin where anyone could walk in on us... and see, I am here standing shamelessly in your arms," she said naively, which had him smiling at her.

Arnav kissed her lips gently and whispered against them, "Well then, lets quickly wrap up work and head out to dinner, where we can work on our equation better. Does that suit you?" All she could do was nod in agreement and he reluctantly had to let her go. He saw her readjusting her attire and he could not help but comb her silken hair with his fingers, straightening them as best as he could. "Come lets discuss all the pending work. I know you must be troubled with the pile of things that need to be sorted out," he urged her towards her chair, pulling out his phone to dial Jai's number. With a quick request to gather all the pending work and set up the conference room in the next fifteen minutes, he cut the call to see Khushi glaring at him.

"You definitely need to sort things out Mr Raizada. Do you have any clue about how many things you left unattended? I was a mess in the last three days, managing the changing dynamics of this merger... all-alone! How could you just leave like that, Arnav?" Khushi vented, suddenly remembering all the chaos he had left behind, before going to Singapore. She continued her tirade, "And your cold behavior. What were you thinking Arnav? Your hot and cold temperament was giving me a whiplash."

Arnav noticed her agitated face and cursed himself mentally for having caused her so much distress. He reached out to her, held her hand within his and said earnestly, "I am sorry... can you forgive me for being an ass? I am here now and lets get back to completing the tasks at hand. I promise I will never leave you alone again." She gave him a pointed look and pulled her hand away in a rush... especially affected by his parting words. He himself was surprised with the promise, yet felt it could never feel more appropriate. Giving him mock attitude, she walked out of her cabin, leaving him behind to simply chuckle at her adorability. He wanted to trouble her a little more... flirting with her amused him to no extent... her flustered face, the rosy blush rising up her soft cheeks, her inability to form coherent responses... it was thrilling to see that he could affect her to such extent. Controlling his haywire thoughts, he walked out of her cabin, with the sole motive of wrapping up work in record time... only to take her out for a nice romantic dinner. Things still were a little blurred about their relationship and the only way for clarity was conversations.

x----------------------------------------------------x

Arnav enjoyed the tasty pasta made by his nani and said, "Nani... this is delicious. You make the best Italian dishes. Looking at you no one would imagine that you would be such a huge fan of international cuisine." Devyani laughed and teased, "What do you mean by looking at me... huh? You think my fashion is outdated? I wear the best silk and khadi sarees... so what if they are pale in colour? That is my... what do you say it these days??... hmmm... fashion statement?"

Arnav laughed at her and replied, "I wouldn't dare to call you outdated nani. Mujhe apni zindagi badi pyaari hai. But seriously, how do you manage to cook up such innovative dishes all the time? It is one reason why I love homemade food over eating dinner at restaurants... they just don't stand a chance." Devyani twisted Arnav's ear playfully and said, "What is wrong with you today? You rarely ever compliment me... but someone seems to be in a good mood. You look so happy beta. Kya raaz hai iss Khushi ka?"

Before Arnav could answer, he heard the most annoying voice replying to her question. The bane of his existence, his cousin seemed to have barged into their dinner yet again. "Khushi... nani, Khushi ki hi toh baat hai... now that Arnav has managed to sign one more deal," Akash teased. Arnav coughed over his food, controlling the strong urge to grab Akash by his throat. The man did not have a filter to his mouth and despite all his intelligence; he always got Arnav into trouble with his nani. He was her blue-eyed boy, intelligent, geeky, well mannered and obedient... who would one day engrave his name besides Steve Jobs.

"Arrey Akash beta, I am glad you came. Sit and have your favourite pasta. I had promised I will try this different recipe, remember?" Devyani said, serving some pasta into a fresh plate. Arnav looked at the duo incredulously. So the pasta was not really for him... and his achievement did not even get him a compliment? Glaring at Akash, who seemed to be trying hard to control his laughter, Arnav quickly finished his dinner and stood up to rush into his room. It was tragic enough that Khushi and his dinner plans had to be cancelled, that now he would have to sit back and listen to Akash's wisecracks.

"Arnav, sit with us till Akash finishes his food," Devyani urged him and he seemed to be in two minds before responding. He did not want to lie to his nani and the option of truth was not really feasible yet. How was he to tell her, that he wanted to call Khushi and talk to her till he fell asleep? Listening to her voice soothed him in ways he could never explain. He was broken out of his reverie when Akash answered for him, "Nani, let him go. Usse bhi toh apni Khushi celebrate karni hogi... with his friends I mean. Isn't it bro? Go go... I will see you as soon as I finish dinner."

Arnav muttered under his breath, "Take your time, idiot!" before leaving for his room. Drawing out his phone he pressed quick buttons to dial her number. After a couple of rings, she answered... her sweet voice filling up his heart with strange sensations. "Hello, Arnav?" she asked and all he could respond was with an "Hmmm..." What was it that he had to say? What was this urgency to hear her voice? Why was his heart beating erratically? Clueless at the matters of the heart, Arnav tried to focus back to their conversation.

"Did you manage to help Garima aunty?" he finally asked, thinking it to be safe to begin their conversation with a neutral topic. "Hmmm... yes. She required some immediate help with the new plans she has been working on for the NGO. I am sorry for bailing out of our dinner plan, but its just that mom never asks anything of me, unless necessary and I..." he cut her apology short and said, "Its ok Khushi. I understand and we can dine some other time. It's just that after our... hmmm... conversation at work today... I wanted to spend some time with you... alone."

He could imagine her flushed cheeks at the reminder of their evening rendezvous and he silently wished she had been there in front of him. What would he do then? Kiss her senseless, his heart answered. God! After that mind-blowing kiss in the office, all he could think was about her intoxicating scent, her honeyed taste, and her lush body brushing sensuously against his. He heard her clearing her throat, suddenly aware of the awkward silence they were engulfed in. "Done with dinner?" he rasped the first thing that came to his hazed mind, other than those absolutely scandalous thoughts.

"Yes and what about you?" she queried. "Yes, me too had delicious pasta for dinner. Someday you should come over and eat my nani ke haath ka khana. She cooks fabulously and experiments with various cuisines," he said earnestly. "Oh that sounds great, but how can I barge in uninvited, Thakur? Some people just don't bother to invite us home..." she teased him as he smiled at her taunt and also the way she had called him "Thakur." It felt good to see that their easy camaraderie still existed, despite their relationship... or whatever it was between them, moving forward leaps and bounds within a short span of a day. He rushed to grab the perfect opportunity she was offering him, to spend some time with her over the weekend.

"Just because you are complaining about those some people, I am inviting you for lunch on Sunday. Let me speak to dad if he would like to invite Garima aunty and Shashi uncle aswell. What say, Gabbar?" he asked excitedly. She laughed at his craziness and that made him smile as well. "Sounds great! I overheard mom and dad discussing about visiting your nani sometime soon. Ajay uncle has been inviting them over for quite some time," she replied earnestly.

"Well I think this family bonding is going to cause us a little trouble. I don't think I am going to get any private time with you, especially with the elders around," Arnav cribbed as an afterthought. "And what work do you have with me in private, may I ask Thakur?" she teased and all he could do was smirk at her cheekiness. Had she been on front of him, he would have shown her what exactly he would do in private... and some more.

"Gabbar, I think you get a tad bit bolder when you are on the phone, than when you are in front of me. I think we will have to do a dinner tomorrow night, so I can show you exactly what I intend to do with our privacy. Have you forgotten about today early eveni..." his brazen talks were cut short by a flustered Khushi who said, "Ok ok... I get it. Now I have to go and finish replying to a few mails."

Arnav got a little irritated with her reply and said, "Khushi stop working after work hours. One should always draw a line between professional and personal life. I know how hard you work throughout the day, so its only fair that you get to relax and unwind in the night. You are not opening your laptop ok. Go and watch some Bollywood flick with your parents... and before you ask me how I know of your routine... Shashi uncle had mentioned about it once. He does talk about you a lot and even before meeting you, I felt I knew you pretty well."

He heard Khushi laugh at his rambling and continued, "Badi hassi aa rahi hai? Only because this phone separates us, am I not being able to shut you up. You know how efficient I am at this shutting up business, don't you Gabbar? But looks like you need a reminder. Tomorrow night... I promise." He heard her gasp at his audacity and heard a quick "Goodnight," before the call was cut abruptly. He laughed freely, comfortably settling on his lounger, completely unaware of Akash grinning at him wickedly from the door. Some curses and abuses were heard from Arnav's room that night.

Part 9

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