MehRya FF: Discovering the Magic Chapter28 pg148 (10/12) - Page 70

Chapter #18

He pressed a bit more of his weight on her, hoping to thwart the incessant writhing that was sure to do more harm than good, should he give in to the temptation of her movements and respond as his body ached to. However, accepting that her squirming was in no way an indication of her desire, Shaurya knew that the only thing that mattered right now, was for him to show her that this wasn't the complete disaster that she clearly believed it to be. His masculine pride demanded no less.

"Keep still for a second and let your body get accustomed, Ms. Sharma. It will get better, I promise."

She pushed futilely against his chest. "Nahi, just let me up, Shaurya."

The tear-filled voice affirmed that any trace of the passion that had led them to this moment had evaporated when he had claimed her, and now she sounded as if she was seconds from entering a complete state of panic.

Capturing her hands above her head to hold her fast, Shaurya brushed his lips against hers: softly with an infinite amount of patience in order to help her relax; for if nothing else, he had come to know that she loved his kisses. It took a minute or two, but soon he felt the tension easing from her body, and so he upped the stakes; releasing her, and then supplementing his lingering kisses with a sensual caress that began with a soft touch to her face and worked its way down. With an endurance, he would never have imagined he had, he ignored his own desires as he paid homage to her body with his mouth and hands, until he was rewarded with the indicators that hinted to his success in arousing her ardor once more. Nuzzling her throat, he tested the theory and shifted slightly, smiling to himself when Mehek threw her head back, emitting a breathy sigh as she did. In this, she looked to be perfect as well: honest to a fault in her passion. The man who finally took her as his life partner would be the luckiest man on earth, Shaurya thought. Briefly he wondered if after tonight, would she still look to her mystery man. He would be a lying bas***d if he didn't feel some satisfaction that it was him here with her, and not some lothario who had caught her eye. Then again, who would have imagined that egged on by one champagne induced kiss, that their night would end with him being offered what was never, in a million years, meant for the likes of him either. He felt her arms come around him to pull him closer to her, and for a moment was awash with guilt for the way he had beguiled her into this. Had he the slightest bit of honor, he should have discouraged her innocent overtures, not used them to his advantage, but his body had wanted her instantly and still did. In fact, it was laughable that now that she was fully pliant in his arms, that he would be the one to hesitate. And still, despite the fact that she was more ready than even she knew, he couldn't proceed.

"Mehek," he began unsure what he would follow up with considering the precariousness of their position. She didn't respond immediately, too caught up in the sensations he had pressed on her. Raising himself, he caressed her cheek, while trying not to be affected by the way she nuzzled against his palm. For endless moments he remained transfixed at the sight of the blossoming of a woman about to discover her true female power. She was truly mesmerizing

And then the little minx nipped at his finger.

"Oh, for God's sake, Shaurya how much more encouragement do you need to get on with it," she complained, before finally affixing her gaze one him. The tip of her tongue flicked out to lick her lips, and Shaurya's breath caught in his throat. Gone in an instant was the chaste girl he feared he may have done irreparable harm to; replaced by a siren, whose sultry eyes made him understand that not only did she know what she wanted, but more importantly, she knew exactly how to go about getting it. The bold moves she made with her hips, that drew him in deeper, made that perfectly clear. He felt the bite of her nails at his nape when she pulled his head back down to her. "Must I do everything, or you actually going to participate in this, Shaurya," she whispered before she kissed him deeply, and with a skill no virgin should ever have known, deliberately matched the rhythm of her swirling tongue to her undulations, when she began rocking torturously slow, against him.

It took a minute, but finally he regained his bearings and took up the mantle in their lovemaking. Inexplicably, when he did, Mehek seemed to revert to the innocent Shaurya knew her to be, a bit awkward in her response, but still incredibly giving. Even her tight hold on him loosened, and when it did, Shaurya raised his head to stare at the woman who shared his bed, and finally he understood when she met his gaze with her tear-filled ones.

"I love you, Dost."

His heart beating wildly in his chest and his body throbbing with unsated desire, Shaurya bolted upright in his bed, unsure as to whether he had just escaped Heaven or Hell. In his imaginings, he had gone where decency had prevented him last night, and looked to have met his perfect match. And now, because the dream had been so convincingly real, he found himself cautiously looking to the side, on the off-chance that his fantasies had been spurred on by actual events. Alone then. He closed his eyes on the discovery, although he wasn't quite sure if it was relief or disappointment he was feeling now. He suspected the latter, which was ludicrous. However, while the physical needs of his body still overruled his brain, he seriously doubted his ability for rational thought anyway.

Fifty-five minutes later Shaurya stopped and, with his hands on his hips walked around to cool down before going back inside. His run should have taken at least the immediate edge off, but alone in the solitude of his property, his thoughts had headed straight back to the night before. Though the insatiable throbbing was now a mere pulse, he couldn't fully escape the aftermath of either his dreams or his memories.

Mehek Sharma: only she could complicate his life like this.

It hadn't even the best of kisses: he somehow doubted that Mehek Sharma was very practiced in this, but somehow had it had been more than enough to shake his foundation. For certain, it had permeated his soul, as he had yet to get it or her out his mind. Okay perhaps he hadn't helped the situation much either, but he had only done what any hot-blooded man would have under the circumstances. Taking the extra step in guiding her into a slower rhythm and showing exactly what a kiss should be, had been second nature. That she was an apt pupil and had left him brimming with the need to be the one to teach her more than she had learned, was his penance. He closed his eyes, recalling when he finally found the strength to step back from her, when those errant thoughts had crowded his mind. Her resulting state hadn't helped: she had been dazed, but completely unrepentant. And damn if that, in itself, hadn't been appealing than nothing was. He had been on fire then, just as he was now. And equally, if not more just as guilt ridden.

He had to set his shower to the lowest temperature possible. If he had any hopes of starting his day, it was time for a tried and true method to cure him of the unabated lust he found himself in the throes of. Now, he just needed someone to knock him over his head, as he had no clue short of a concussion how to extract himself from the memories of her and especially of the erotic encounter his subconscious had created as he slept. He stepped in praying that the icy rivulets would do the trick.

************

"You're not listening to what is not being said, Nehal," Sonal exclaimed. "Just because Shaurya was the perfect gentleman, doesn't mean that your sister acted like a lady last night." She smiled smugly when her best friend cheek's warmed noticeably.

Nehal's mouth dropped open.

"Di!"

Mehek turned her back to the two of them, and began rifling in earnest through her bedroom closet. It offered but a second's reprieve when they encroached on her personal space: one on each side of her, allowing no avenue to escape. They mimicked each other, both crossing their arms as they waited for Mehek to give them some insight into her evening.

She ignored them as she went through every hanger, pulling out one piece after another, seeking the dupatta that matched her suit. Halfway through her belongings, she reached up to throw the stole that had slipped off her shoulder back around her neck. The very one she had spent the last few minutes looking for.

Sonal and Nehal burst out laughing at her.

She finally turned around. "Sonal I only have today to teach you that recipe. Either come now, or don't bother. And you Nehal," she continued to her sister, "Don't you have some errands to run for Kanta Chachi? Need I remind you that..."

"No fair, Di. You just want me out of your hair, so that I miss all of the good stuff you will tell Sonal!"

Sonal spoke up for friend. "Go Nehal. Mehek is right...it's her business and we shouldn't intrude..."

"Okay already: you will find out in a couple of days anyway when the show airs, but he wore blue, so we did end up matching. But that's it; that's all I'm going to tell until we take care of our morning chores." Mehek folded her arms now, and glared at the two girls. "Now the choice is in your hands."

**************

"Mehek, I would like to speak to you immediately, after you are done with Sonal."

Mehek nodded in response and watched her aunt vacate the kitchen. There had been a sternness in Kanta Chachi's voice, that neither girl could ignore. For Mehek's part, she expected the grilling that Chachi had put off last night, after she waited up to assure herself of her niece's safe return after her dinner.

Sonal instantly commiserated with her friend. "I expect Chachi is still upset over the time you've spent with Shaurya, but you have nothing to worry about. Obviously, nothing happened, so jus..."

"I kissed him Sonal."

Her friend looked up from stirring the pan simmering on the cooktop. "You what," she hissed. "But...Mehek you do not kiss people...well not on a regular basis. I mean...once, twice tops...Oh my God. What did he do? How did he react? "

Mehek lowered her head, but not before the tell-tale blush had returned to her face.

"Was it a good-night kiss? Did Chachi see you," Sonal implored, voicing her concern. Just the mere thought that had happened was scary beyond comprehension.

Mehek shook her head. "Nahi, we had just finished dancing, and the subject of my leaving came up...and I just couldn't stop myself."

"Wait, you danced with him as well: in the middle of his restaurant, and then..."

"We dined in a private room. It was really, very nice. Anyway, I had asked him to dance."

"OMG Mehek, you really made a move on Shaurya Khanaa?"

"Sonal stop...just listen."

She proceeded to her explain everything: how her slightly inebriated state, combined with the playing of her favorite song had driven her into action of first asking him to dance. She had had no intention of ending the dance with a kiss, but when the opportunity had arisen, she had gone for it.

"And..." Sonal asked...

"He kissed me back. After the initial shock; he definitely kissed me back, Sonal. And then he set me aside."

Sonal stared at her friend in wonderment, for it seemed the fact that Shaurya had backed off had excited as much as their kissing had. "And that's a good thing, Mehek?"

"Haan, Sonal, a very good thing."

Her mind flashed back to the previous night. She had been aware that she was under the influence, something which Daman had basically confirmed in speaking to his employer. It hadn't mattered that much, as she was mostly in control of her faculties; not rip-roaring drunk, but she would agree that it was her condition that had led to her sudden need to dance with him when one of her favorite songs had played. That had not been any part of her strategy of getting more insight into Shaurya Khanna via their shared meal. And forget kissing: that was nowhere on the radar of her plans. But both had happened, and she was glad it had. For one, she had realized that it truly was possible to leave the past behind; her being in his arms had definitely proved that. And of course, the kiss spoke for itself. Or at least to her way of thinking, it had when he had taken over. He felt something for her, this she had no reservations about, but she was sure it was his regards for another that had stopped him. Undoubtedly, he could have enjoyed the best of both worlds, with none the wiser last night, but it had mattered to him that he not betray her: his MS. She could read it in his eyes, as soon as he stepped back.

"Wow, I think I really could use a cold drink about now," she had said fanning herself.

When it looked that Shaurya would use her wish as an excuse to leave, she had held his hand.

"She is a very lucky girl Shaurya, and not only because you're a great kisser, but because you are an even better man. You needn't feel any remorse, Shaurya. I instigated it, not you." She stared at him, as he stood silent. If only she could read minds, she thought. "I won't mind if you want to end the night now, Shaurya, it's quite alright."

He hadn't, although he was much more reserved the remainder of the evening. Complemented by the remainder of their dinner and a couple of tall glasses of lime water, they had kept their conversation to the safe topic of her final appearance of ICS tomorrow and the show's launch party that would be held later that evening post shooting. He was possibly counting the seconds that he could get rid of her Mehek suspected. However, his determination to have her at least on her way to being sober, overruled the clear misgivings he had now, and when at last, he escorted her to her door, she told him as much. "I know it would have been easier just to rid yourself of me, Shaurya, but I'm glad you didn't. I think it would have been a tough sell otherwise, but please don't blame yourself, for anything that happened tonight. Oh, and give your wine steward a break, thik hai?"

He nodded at her. "Good Night Mehek."

He made to leave, when she called him back.

"Shaurya, I truly believe that in a couple of days we will be laughing at all of this, so really, please don't stress over it."

He paused. "And should we not be, Ms. Sharma?"

"Then I will give you one more day to realize what an idiot you are, and wait for you to come to senses."

He raised an eyebrow, but also grinned, which she was relieved to see. "And I suppose that you fully expect me to come around to your way of thinking, I gather?"

"Haan Dost, I do," she answered before she slipped inside.

**********

She had laid out two sets of clothing on her bed: one the seafoam blue and black saree she would make her final appearance on India's Super Cook in, and the second: the dress that she would be wear on what she intended to be one of the most momentous days of her life. If she crashed and burned, at least she will look good. The risk factor had risen, particularly after last night, but she trusted that their feelings would allow them to circumvent Shaurya's initial misgivings of everything she had done. Just as she informed him, she expected that this entire experience to be one, that they would look back fondly on. She placed her shoes on the bed below the dress and the accessories she had selected beside it. The look was perfect, which is exactly what she was going for. Impulsively, she pulled out her phone and snapped a photo of the ensemble and sent it the image to the two women who this would best understand.

...T minus 24 hours to a brand-new memory!

Even though both were very busy women, the responses were instantaneous. She wouldn't be surprised if the pair were together when they had received her chat.

...Rock that dress and that man's world, Mehek

...All the best, but don't forget the lingerie...for you, of course.

Mehek was still laughing when she sensed someone in her room. She looked up and then immediately stood, clicking off her messages as she did.

"Chachi, I'm so sorry... I totally forgot."

Kanta stared at the items spread out on her niece's bed. "It seems you have forgotten a number of things, Mehek," she stated frostily before offering her a stern look, an expression of her absolute dismay with her niece. Without preamble, she spoke what she felt needed to be said. "Shaurya Khanna is not a good man, and yet you have let yourself fall for his charming facade, despite everything..."

"Nahi Chachi, you're wrong, he isn't the same man: believe me. He has shown me nothing but respect since I've been back, and even before..."

Her aunt raised her hand. "You are young and inexperienced Mehek, and I will not see you throw away your dreams and the chance for the decent life you deserve on the likes of Shaurya Khanna. And don't even bother to try and deny this isn't fact. Do you not think I don't know what the three of you girls have been whispering and giggling all week? Sonal and Nehal are not the ones from whom you should be seeking guidance; they know nothing of the world. You have a fantastic opportunity in front of you, and yet none of your elders have heard you express your intentions for when you return to America. I doubt you have even thought about the contract that you are due to hand in in less than a week now."

Mehek swallowed. Chachi was right, but things were just different.

"Actually, it's not something I will want to do. It's a three-year contract, and don't you think that is too long for me to be away from my family?"

Kanta scoffed. "If that was your truth, then yes, I would fully support you, Mehek. At least be honest with me. You have argued the matter all week, at least say that you don't be wish to be away from him."

She couldn't deny it.

"If he was worth anything he would support you career advancement, Mehek, not wish to hold you back. You have made such strides already in the short time you have been away. Imagine the possibilities of how far you can go. Don't give it up for a man who you have no hopes with." She looked at the dress on the bed. "This is not you Mehek. The daughter I've raised would not look to flaunt herself so provocatively, solely for a man." She continued before Mehek would interrupt. "And don't even think to being Nehal into this. Her choices are that, a personal style that has nothing to do with a man. I may not agree with her choices, but there has never been an ulterior motive behind them." She grabbed Mehek by the shoulders. "You have a contract to fulfill, and the chance to make your way in the world, following your passion. Dare I say, you even have the friendship of a decent respectable gentleman who can be of great support to you. I won't lie to you Mehek, it's one like your Chef Malik you should aspire to be with. I would prefer you to be thousands of miles away with someone like him, then next door with the likes of Shaurya Khanna. His truth show out in the end, and I don't want you anywhere near when it does. I fear what it will do to you, beta."

"Chachi," Mehek pled.

"I've said what I've had to say Mehek. I just needed you to hear me out. I understand that you are committed to one final day of that show, but I need you to think on everything I've said. You are my daughter, and I will always only want what's best for you. And that man is not it."

Left alone, Mehek locked her door, needing to be alone with no chance of interruption. Methodically, she packed her outfits away and pulled out the contract she had avoided all week. She read it in its entirety twice and then set it aside. Three years was a long time, but when would she ever get such an opportunity again? The transition had been a lot easier than she ever expected, and although the permanency of the job offer would bring about more change: she certainly couldn't expect to be housed in a hotel suite forever, she expected that she would adapt to that as well. As Chachi had indicated, she had made friends who would be there for her. Although she wasn't ready to sign the contract right this very minute, she realized that she shouldn't discount a sure thing for anyone. There was only one thing left to do now.

... Shaurya, I've made a decision, and it's that I think this online friendship has run its course.

Chapter19