TUM SE HI (MG) Thread 1 - Page 96

TWENTY NINE

Maan closed the door behind him, then swept her into his arms, his mouth capturing hers, parting her lips; his tongue seeking and finding hers in the sweet darkness.

Geet flung her arms around his neck and moulded her body to his, returning in kind the hungry, urgent force of the kiss.

This was Maan, her mind said. Maan was here. She'd miss him terribly, and was so very glad he was back.

Maan lifted his head to meet her gaze, but didn't release her. He drew a rough breath before he spoke.

"I missed you," he said, then brushed his lips over hers.

"I missed you too."

"I swear, Geet, never before have blueprints, floor plans and designs seemed like such ridiculous subjects to be pitching to a roomful of investors. All I could think of was getting out of there and coming home to you."

Geet's heart missed a beat.

Coming home to you.

Home.

Geet, don't, she told herself. Maan hadn't meant that the way it sounded. This was her home, not his, not theirs. This was where she lived, alone.

"Did you get the contract?" she asked.

"Yes. The contract is signed, and delivered." He stared into space and sniffed the air. "Either you have a new and unusual perfume, or a smell the delicious scent of a chicken."

Geet laughed and stepped back, instantly wishing she was near him.

"The aroma of that chicken is all you're going to get for a while," she said smiling. "I'm officially declaring myself a disaster as a cook. I forgot to turn on the oven. We're going to dine very late. Come in by the fire. I can at least offer you a drink, some crackers."

"Done," he said putting one arm around her shoulders. "I really like that dress you're wearing."

As they went into the living room, she said "You look good too, sir."

He was gorgeous, she thought. Wearing black trousers and a maroon shirt that was the exact shade of her dress, Maan looked fabulous. They looked fabulous, together.

"Wine, and crackers?" she said, remaining standing as Maan sat down on the sofa.

"Great. Do you need some help?"

"No, I'm your official hostess this evening."

"Then you are supposed to say, 'Coffee, tea or me?' That's the rule."

Geet laughed as she started towards the kitchen.

Maan watched her go, filling his senses with the sight of her, the way she'd felt in his arms, the remembrance of her honey filled lips, the sound of her laughter.

Just as Geet returned carrying a tray, his mobile rang.

She set the tray on a small table, then moved it in front of the sofa. Looking at Maan, she frowned as she realized that he was stiff and was now sitting on the edge of the cushion.

"Maan?" she said. "What is it?"

"You're sure, you're really sure?" he said, into the phone. "She'd had a couple of false alarms, Dev. I know she felt it was different this time. The doctor said that'''? Oh, God, this is it." He leapt to his feet. "You and Meera are going over there now'..? I am not repeating everything you say''Of course, I'm coming. Quit bothering me, will you, so I can get moving!"

"Maan?" Geet said again.

"Stay calm, Maan," he said. "You'll drive into a tree if you don't get it together."

"Maan Singh Khurana," Geet yelled, "Would you talk to me?"

"Oh," he said, jerking from his thought from her yelling. "Sorry. It's Anvesha. She and Arjun are at the hospital, and the doctor says this is it. That was Dev on the phone. The doctor said the babies are only a couple of weeks early, so that's good. That's good. Dev and Meera are leaving for the hospital now." He grabbed Geet's hand. "Come on. We've got to get over there."

"You want me to come with you?"

He frowned. "Don't you want to?"

"Yes, of course I do, but this is a family event, Maan. I am not sure that it would be appropriate for me to intrude. I mean I am Annie's friend, but --"

"Geet, trust me, it's fine. I think Pari will be there too."

"Well, if you're sure. Let's see. The safety screen is in front of the fire, and'Oh the chicken. I've got to tun the over off."

"I am sorry about the dinner," he said, as she started towards the kitchen.

"Don't be. It wasn't exactly going to be a gourmet delight, anyway. I need to grab a shawl, then we're off and running."

She returned in few minutes and frowned as she looked at Maan.

"You're so serious," she said, "Are you worried about Annie?"

"Yeah I guess I am. Maybe it's one of those things a person can't ever become casual about. I have seen Dev and Meera, but I think I'd probably pass out if it was my wife, having my baby. Oh man, I'd never hear the end of that from my family. Okay, let's hit the road."

The drive to the hospital was made in silence as Maan concentrated on the traffic with more intensity than usual, due to the fact that he was driving far above the speed limit.

Geet welcomed the silence, using the time to attempt to sort the confusion in her mind.

When Maan had spoken of his wife, having his baby, she'd had a vision, to her surprise and dismay, of that woman being her. As he'd said those words, the image had clicked into place as naturally as breathing. Forcing it away, pushing it from her mind had not been an easy task.

Why had that happened? She knew she didn't wish to ever marry again. She knew that. She was also very aware that she had made a career choice that allowed no room for a husband and children.

Well, yes, she was familiar with many successful authors who combined their writing with a family, but her methods for completing a novel were etched in stone, were the way she had to do it to achieve her goals.

If she made the foolish mistake of falling in love with Maan Singh Khurana, it was not going to erase her past or the course she had set for her future.

And that was that.

But as she realized she was about to meet Maan's entire family and be swept up in the excitement of the soon-to-arrive babies, she wished she'd stayed home with her stupid, half-baked chicken.