by Sonia Rao
Once inside her room, VK gently laid her down on the bed. Then looking at her, he said, “Your people are waiting for you downstairs.” His words were practical but his eyes looked like he wanted to do nothing else but devour her.
“Sure. But first I want you to kiss me.” She felt bold and shameless but she did not care; she was beyond caring. She had been deprived of his presence for such a long time, it would take a lot of kisses to make up for it.
With a rough laugh and a “Certainly, M’am” VK lowered himself over her and set about doing her bidding. The satin sheets were cool to touch and their flaming bodies felt the coldness and they clung to each other, their own fires warming the other.
An hour later, their eyes were shining and bodies still throbbing with the closeness they felt with each other.
“Wanna eat something?” Shivalika asked.
“Only you.”
“Naughty.”
“Always. And talking of naughty, Misha has started a new venture. I don’t have details, but she’s taken Nate with her.”
Shivalika launched into a bout of loud laughter. “Nate, naughty and Misha. Omg, that is the worst definition of naughty there might ever have been.”
“You’re not upset about Nate?”
“Seriously, VK?”
“Yes, yes, I know. But you have given this red-blooded lover a lot of jealousy pangs.”
“Red-blooded lover. Mmmm...that sounds tastier than the chilli paneer I was planning to order.”
“Seems your last attempt at making it was very successful,” VK said, cocking an eyebrow at her.
Shivalika looked at him. “How did you know?”
“I’ve got my sources,” VK said, smiling like the cat that got the cream.
Shivalika’s eyes narrowed, and she looked thoughtful.
“Gramma...yes...Gramma...you’ve been in touch with her. So, you’ve been spying on me all this time.” Shivalika shouted.
VK nodded, watching her.
“And my job and making me agree to this trip?”
When VK nodded, Shivalika sat still, confused whether she should be angry about it or laugh. It seemed her whole family was into this conspiracy. Even Girish. She’d always thought there was something dicey about her appointment. Now it had been proved. But how did VK make Girish do his bidding?
“So, Girish...how did you…?”
“We’re college buddies...Stanford. And he’s not the only one. There are two more, TJ and Samkit. You’ll meet them soon.”
“But this is terrible. I got the job because of nepotism.” Shivalika looked crestfallen.
“That is not really the correct definition of nepotism, but yes, I got Girish to send you the offer right away because Gramma was worried that you were not sending out enough resumes or that you were falling into depression. You refused to take my calls, or anyone else’s and I couldn't come personally because I had to go to Delhi to tie up all the loose ends.”
Shivalika was still not convinced.
“It was a temporary measure. Do you think I would have let you waste your talent in a job? Heck, aren’t you and I are starting a new business together?”
Shivalika looked a bit mollified.
“And I wanted to keep you away from any Nates in any other company you would have joined.” VK looked a bit worried at her reaction.
This made Shivalika burst out laughing. “There was a Nate in Girish’s office too. Didn’t he tell you that?’
“He did and that motivated me to move faster on all those things that needed taking care of.” VK was glad Shivalika was back to her cheerful self. “Now, please call up Gramma and tell her about our engagement.”
Shivalika shook her head and, laughing, picked up the phone. “Bloody spies,” she said, in jest.
“Congratulations, my child. I’m over the moon to know this. VK is a wonderful person.” Vashu was thrilled her granddaughter had found someone who loved her as much as she did.
“Yes, he is. And I know all about your mutual admiration society. Here’s, talk to your blue-eyed boy,” she said, looking lovingly at VK as she handed over the phone.
Shivalika had ordered food and by the time they finished speaking with Gramma, and Girish and Aloka, the food arrived.
“Chilli paneer in France.” VK marvelled. “The world is really getting smaller.”
Shivalika picked up a piece of paneer with a fork and fed it to VK.
“Mmmm...quite delicious...but it’s got nothing on what you cook, right, darling?” VK was clearly pulling her leg.
“You gotta worry if my paneer chilli is edible,” she replied, in mock warning.
“We won’t let that ever happen,” he said, pulling her onto his lap. “I’ve got a maharaj to cook the food, Ramu Kaka and his team to keep the place clean and another team to run errands. The only job I refuse to outsource is yours,” he whispered, licking her jaw with the tip of his tongue.
“Which job? Designing?” Shivalika whispered, her heart beginning to do its thumping and fluttering.
“No, making love,” VK whispered, his voice hoarse with desire. “Are you hungry?’ he asked Shivalika, looking at the food.
“Yes, for you. And I want to begin my new job right now,” she said, her breath coming out in jagged bursts.
VK moaned. His lips were on hers, his possessive hands moving masterfully on her feminine curves. Her body arched towards him demanding deeper satisfaction. With a groan, he swiftly picked her up and with her legs crossed around his waist, he walked into the bedroom.
Both of them toppled into the bed, clinging to each other, still kissing madly. The fire was burning hot on both the sides. VK brushed his thumb and then his lips over her collar bone and was tempted to go lower. His heart pounded and throbbed with desire when he felt Shivalika’s fingers reach for the waistband of his jeans. But if they gave in now, there would be no turning back.
“Darling, are you sure?” VK stopped his roving hands and with a worried look on his face he asked her the question. “Why don’t we wait till we get married? Would you like that?” He wanted to be sure she wanted this as much as he did.
“What has marriage got to do with love?” Shivalika said. “I love you and I want to be with you and I don’t want to wait any longer and and if you love me you will not wait any longer too.”
“I love you, too, darling,” VK said. Shivalika pulled him over her and then they were entwined with each other, loving each other with their whole body, heart and soul.
VK knew he was going to spend their whole life making Shivalika happy and that he was going to enjoy doing it.
Dear Reader
In today’s scenario where our attention is being pulled in so many directions, my deepest thanks to you for picking up this book as your read for the day (week, month). Your time and attention are precious and you’ve spent them on this book, which makes my heart swell with warmth and pride.
If you enjoyed reading this story, do share your appreciation by putting up a couple of sentences of appreciation on Amazon which is where you must have got this book. If not that then perhaps, as we share all the wonderful things in our life with our friends, you could do the same with this book.
To get advance information about my forthcoming books and stories, send an email to [email protected] with the subject line: SWEET ROMANCE and I’ll add you to my special mailing list.
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Acknowledgements
Thank You: These are just two words and two syllables but contain within them a universe of gratitude that is so often difficult to put into words. But if the book’s out there, it’s because of these wonderful folks:
T
hank you, dear Universe, for making this dream find fruition.
My “kickass” soul sisters: Soul siblings don’t fight (well, not as much) but they kick you very hard—towards your soul’s desire. This is what Rubina Ramesh and Dola Basu Singh do. Thank you for being there for me, Dola & Rubina.
Sadhana Wadhwa: Thank you, Sadhana, for your sharp eyes and heart of gold, which, even very late at night, gave me just the right insights and inspiration that I desperately needed.
Minti: a reader like you can make every writer proud of their work. Thank you for being so fabulous.
My parents (both sets): They always believed in me-the-writer and I know they’re watching from above, sending me love and light, always. I feel blessed.
And last but definitely not the least,
Adit & Rome: Such cool dudes, they have always given me the space and time I’ve needed to write. Thank you, fam. You make my life magical. Sending tons of love your way, always.
Thanks, All, for making If You Let Me Go come to life
About the Author
Sonia Rao is a writer, editor, writing coach, TEDx speaker and an award-winning blogger. Her fiction has appeared in many prestigious anthologies such as Voices Old & New, Jest Like That (edited by renowned editor-writer Shinie Antony) and The Hellcats Anthology.
As NaNoWriMo’s Municipal Liaison for all-India and founder of the Wrimo India group on Facebook, Sonia has motivated thousands of people in India to write a novel every November since 2011. She has also curated and edited the first Wrimo India Anthology, Vengeance—A Sting In Every Tale.
Sonia likes to believe she is ‘high-minded’ but strangely, her fave hobby is thinking up torture devices for those autorickshawallahs who consider the roads to be their personal spittoon. Who knew?
You can read her blog here: https://soniaraowrites.wordpress.com/