Priya in Heels (Entangled Embrace)

by Ayesha Patel

  “Say what?”

  “Oh, please. He’s all over you. I’m surprised you guys didn’t go at it in the pool.”

  My body tingled just remembering his wet hard body flush against mine. “We haven’t kissed.”

  Although the memory of his glorious body made me want to smother him in kisses.

  Someone knocked on the door and I swung it open to find Raj holding up a bag of two-liter sodas.

  “Dr Pepper?”

  “Of course.” He smiled as I let him in. I really liked this guy.

  I placed the sodas on the counter and pulled down glasses. “How many people?”

  “The four of us plus Terrie. Steve’s not coming, right? So five,” Vicki answered.

  I set out five glasses and five plates as the oven timer went off. The pizzas cooled on top of the stove and filled the entire apartment with a spicy, cheesy aroma.

  “That looks good. My mouth’s watering.” Raj eyed the bubbling pizza.

  Terrie arrived with chips and dip. Her lively, infectious personality shook everyone awake.

  “Too bad Steve couldn’t make it,” I said.

  “He will another time, promise. Pizzas look great! Priya, did you make these?” Terrie asked.

  “Yeah, was nothing.”

  Vicki filled two large bowls with chips and placed the dip next to them. Everyone helped themselves. I had just put in Terrie’s DVD when Ty knocked.

  “Hey.” He placed a hand on my hip and kissed my cheek before I could respond. The way he said hello and good-bye to me, with hugs and kisses, were effortless on his part, as if things were supposed to be this way.

  “I brought chocolate cake. I didn’t know what else to bring,” he said, placing the dessert beside the rest of the food.

  “Thanks. You didn’t have to bring anything. Help yourself to some pizza and anything else.”

  I ended up sitting beside Ty on the loveseat, Raj and Vicki were on the couch, and Terrie sat on the chair.

  “It’s a little chilly all of a sudden,” Terrie noted.

  “That’s weird.” Vicki jumped up and turned on the heater, something we rarely did in Houston. She peeked outside. “Sheesh! Another flipping storm coming. I wasn’t cold before, but looking at that rain and wind…brrr!” She rubbed her arms up and down.

  “I’ll keep you warm,” Raj said.

  Before she sank into the snug spot beside him, she grabbed a throw and handed it to Terrie. Raj put his arm around Vicki, and everyone returned their focus to the movie.

  Now I shivered.

  “You cold, too, babe?” Ty asked. Maybe he’d spoken in a low voice or everyone chose to ignore him. Maybe they didn’t think anything of it. Or maybe they were fixated by the movie during a popular dance number.

  “Oh! I love this song!” Terrie bobbed her head.

  “This song won a ton of awards,” Raj added.

  While they spoke, Ty pulled down the throw blanket that hung over the loveseat, and pulled me at the same time so that I leaned against him. The blanket covered us both. He held me, his arms thick and warm. I crossed my arms in defense, although I really didn’t know how defensive that posture was. My skin exploded into pockets of goose pimples and I shivered even more.

  Ty rubbed my upper arm with his thumb and asked in my ear, “Is that better?”

  Nodding was all I could manage. Eventually, I melted against him. Yes, I secretly relished the warmth but tried to concentrate on the movie and willed my traitorous heart to slow down. More than that, I had to keep myself from snuggling against Ty. When two more songs went by and my neck cramped, I kept myself from turning onto my side and hugging him.

  “Okay,” Ty said after the second dance/song combo. “I don’t get it. These are all musicals?” By now, he held me with only one arm, with his hand resting on my hip. Every time I tried to readjust my position, my shirt rode up and his fingers touched skin, sending an electric jolt sizzling through me.

  “Yes,” Terrie answered, assuming the role of Bollywood trivia queen.

  “And everyone in India likes this?”

  “Yes. This is how movies are.”

  “All of them?”

  “Majority.”

  “I just don’t get how men like this. Women, kids maybe, and that’s stretching it. No offense, Raj.”

  “None taken,” Raj shot back without skipping a beat.

  I elbowed Ty.

  “What? I don’t do musicals.”

  “It’s the trademark of Bollywood movies: extravagant, beautiful, cultural dances and songs,” Terrie replied.

  “Because it would be boring without them?” He slumped behind me, and now I was practically laying on top of him.

  “You are so white bread.”

  “Too many subtitles. If I wanted to read, I’d read a book.”

  “You won’t offend us if you want to leave,” I said.

  He tightened his hold and muttered, “We can watch TV in your room.”

  I elbowed him again.

  “I don’t get the music part. Some of it applies, but most just takes you out of the story.”

  “Then pay attention to the plot,” I said. “This is one of the most famous Bollywood movies: Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, a.k.a. K3G. This happens to be one of my mom’s favorite movies. All about forbidden love, and opposing sides, and defying tradition.”

  “Okay,” he replied, sounding a little more interested.

  “Maybe Saturday we can try out that Latin club downtown,” Vicki suggested.

  I said, “No,” at the same time everyone else said, “Yes.”

  I twisted around to glare at Ty.

  He winked. “Now there’s music I can dance to.”

  …

  Saturday came around faster than I had anticipated. I combed my fingers through my hair as I spoke to Mummie on the phone. “I’m going out with Vicki.”

  “That’s nice to have such a good friend. Does she know Manuk?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Her parents know him.”

  “Her parents know everyone.”

  “They think he’s a good boy, too.”

  “Mmhmm.”

  “Have you thought about him?”

  “Mummie, you ask me this twice a week. I haven’t had time.”

  “He won’t wait forever. Talk to Vicki. Maybe she can help you make a decision faster.”

  “You mean make me agree faster.”

  “Of course. Why would you turn him down? Successful, prominent in the community, good family, nice, and he’s a good-looking boy.”

  “I’ll keep thinking.”

  “And I’ll keep asking.”

  I smirked and hung up. That was Mummie’s way when she was adamant about something I dragged my feet on—almost nagging, but not quite.

  I walked right into Vicki in the hallway. She had that mischievous look. I had hoped, perhaps not hard enough, it seemed, that Vicki had forgotten about tonight’s expedition.

  “You don’t look ready to dance,” Vicki said, almost singing.

  I moaned, “Noooo, Vicki. I don’t feel like going to a club. I’ve been working all day.”

  Vicki tapped her foot, fully decked out in a miniskirt and a plunging blouse. Interesting how her wardrobe had evolved these days.

  “Why are you looking so sexy? Has Tulsi finally taken you to the dark side?”

  She shrugged. “It’s nice feeling sexy. Even better to know I look sexy, so thanks. Why don’t you try some of my clothes?”

  “For what? Get some drunk losers to buy me drinks or fight off pushy guys who try to cop a feel?”

  Vicki pulled me along. Acting like dead weight didn’t help because Vicki was a strong beast.

  “Okay, okay.”

  “Working and studying and doing laundry will drive you mad! Try this.” She shoved a plaid miniskirt at me, knowing what I liked.

  “I’ll wear anything plaid.”

  “I know you will.”

  “This is brand-new. The
tag’s still on.”

  “It’s for you.”

  I shimmied out of my sweats and into the skirt. “Perfect fit.”

  “And this.”

  I peeled off my shirt and pulled on the low-cut, snug, green shirt.

  “Crap, girl. You look hot. Don’t stand near me. You might make me look like the ugly one, and I won’t get any free drinks.”

  “Shut up.”

  I watched our reflections in the bathroom mirror as Vicki worked my hair into sexy, loose, bouncy curls. She turned me one way, then another, as we both checked out the new hottie in the mirror, almost a complete stranger.

  “Boobs, butt, and thighs—lucky.”

  “Never seen so much of my own cleavage.” I pushed up the bra beneath the shirt, smoothed down the fabric over my stomach, and flicked away the skirt that ended at mid-thigh.

  “Heels!”

  “No, no. I stop at that.” I ran after Vicki into her bedroom.

  “You can’t wear flip flops or sneakers.”

  “I work on my feet all freaking day. No way I’m wearing heels.”

  “You won’t be on your feet the entire time.” She handed me a pair of Italian leather strapped sandals with a moderate two-inch heel. “And for God’s sake, put on some makeup.”

  I groaned but obeyed, and five minutes later sought Vicki’s approval.

  “Lipstick?” Vicki suggested.

  “Tastes like fish. Chapstick is fine.”

  “You’re hopeless.”

  I smirked.

  Naturally, we met Tulsi at the club. In a rare instance, the three of us looked like sisters: hot, sexy, borderline pimped-out sisters.

  “Where’s Jeeta?” Vicki inquired.

  “She won’t come here,” Tulsi replied with a roll of her big, brown eyes outlined in black liner and dusted with heavy shadow. “Let’s dance!”

  “I don’t dance.” I pulled away.

  Tulsi and Vicki hooked one arm each and forced me onto the dance floor. “Copy us!”

  I felt silly doing that, and even sillier dancing with two provocative girls. I downed a drink, okay, maybe a couple, and loosened up, not caring as much. I bought my own drinks, though Tulsi drank everything that came her way. Vicki, on the other hand, tied herself to Raj, who had popped up beside her.

  If Tulsi was good about one thing, it was not leaving me to dance alone, despite all the guys who crept up behind her or asked her to dance. She waved them off until someone behind me caught her eye.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tyler

  I knew we’d mentioned checking out a hot new Latin club, but this wasn’t the place I imagined Pree going to. The place was dark, loud, electric, and most of these girls could’ve been mistaken for hookers the way they were dressed. But this was the right place, according to Vicki’s text. I trusted her, and I was anxious to see what sort of surprise she promised.

  I saw Vicki on the dance floor grinding against Raj. Good for them. I caught her eye, and she pointed to the left. I recognized Tulsi, who gave me a look before returning her attention to the dark-haired girl in front of her.

  I expected Pree to be wearing jeans and a blouse, her usual go-to outfit. The girl in the heels and miniskirt couldn’t possibly be her. Her hair cascaded down her back in billowing curls that bounced with each seductive move she made. Her backside narrowed at her waist and tapered into a flirty, short skirt. Those legs went on forever.

  I walked up behind her, staking claim before some idiot tried to, and received the “do-yo’-thing” nod from Tulsi.

  This tasty morsel in tight, short clothes was Pree. Damn.

  I danced behind her, taking in her lavender scent as I spoke into her ear. “Can I have this dance?”

  She startled and spun to face me. Before she could say no or run off, I swung her back around, jerked her against me, and kept dancing. Pree stiffened at first, refusing to move, but I wanted her to dance like she was dancing before. I kept my hands on her hips, glued her to me, and moved with the slow, pulsating rhythm.

  “I prefer it from behind,” I said, my lips against her ear as I teased her with an accidental kiss.

  She trembled in my arms.

  Tulsi wagged her brows and rocked away from us, disappearing into the crowd to dance with a guy.

  “Come on, dance with me,” I urged Pree.

  She never stopped swaying. Being near her made my heart race. Touching her drove me insane. When her body was against mine, all bets were off. With every second, her rigidity melted away, and she danced, pressed against me. Her slim back and butt fit perfectly into my body, and she definitely knew how to move that butt against me. The way she danced almost made me drop to my knees. I wanted her. I needed her. In every way. I’d just wanted to talk to her, date her, but now, I wanted more. I wanted everything with her.

  I shuddered, and Pree continued to dance as if she knew what she did to me. I licked my lips and planted a palm flat against her stomach. My other hand slid down the length of her short skirt and touched the silky skin of her thigh.

  In response, Pree clutched the back of my neck as I panted in her ear. The room was hot, dizzying with so many moving bodies, but the second she touched me, the temperature shattered the roof.

  I groaned, “You’re killing me.”

  I was done for. By the sound of Pree’s escalating breathing, her heaving chest as I brushed my lips against her neck, hovering between grazes and kisses, I knew she wanted me, too. She could try to deny it, but her body could not lie to me.

  Surrounded by her scent, intoxicated with her touch, I was a moment away from taking her home when the song ended. The brief interlude while the music changed gears was enough to snap Pree out of her daze. She took a step to walk away, but I drew her back. This time, we faced each other. I wanted to see her expression while we danced, to see if desire transformed her features. I wanted to see if I made her feel good, if she felt as if she were surrendering like I was.

  I gave her a wink and she draped her wrists over my shoulders for a slower dance. Sweat beaded on her skin, catching the light so that she shimmered. It took everything in me not to lick her throat, her chest, and taste the saltiness of her skin.

  Because Pree was almost a foot shorter than me, I leaned down, my eyes intent on her soft lips before I spoke again in her ear. “You look good enough to eat.”

  She didn’t respond, but her gaze fell to my mouth when I pulled away. The corners of our lips touched. She pressed harder against me, almost inviting me when the music changed gears again, this time energetic and fast-paced.

  Pree broke away and looked around as if she’d been in a trance, and headed to the bar. I followed hot on her heels, wiping perspiration from my brow. I sat beside her and ordered a cherry vodka, her favorite, and pushed it toward her.

  “I’m good,” she said, refusing to make eye contact.

  “It’s already paid for, don’t waste it,” I insisted.

  “Want to split an appetizer?” she asked instead.

  “Sure.” I ordered and paid before she could dig into her tiny cross-shoulder purse.

  She slapped my thigh. “I was going to pay.”

  I covered her hand and kept it there when she tried to retract it. “You go to places like this often?”

  “First time. How did you know we were here?”

  “You still think I’m stalking you?”

  “Coincidence?”

  I sipped my drink. I didn’t release her hand until a plate full of hummus, warm pita slices, feta cheese, and olives arrived. Pree devoured most of it, and I helped finish the rest. “Want to dance some more?”

  “I don’t really dance. You getting two dances in one night is a miracle.”

  “I imagine if you danced like that all the time, more guys would be stalking you.”

  “So you admit it.”

  “No, but you are worth stalking.”

  “Compliment or creepy?”

  I chuckled.

  “Not working t
onight?” she asked.

  “What? I don’t work at night.”

  “No band stuff?”

  “No. What are you doing after the club?”

  “What normal people do—sleep.”

  “People do other stuff, too.” I stroked her arm.

  Pree gulped, looked down at her drink, and swirled the contents.

  I grabbed her bar stool and dragged her closer, then rested my arm on the back and leaned in. “I can name a few things people do in the middle of the night.”

  Looking away was a mistake. It exposed her neck, and my lips were eager to finally have a taste. While my hand found her upper thigh, beneath the skirt, my mouth made contact with her neck. I kissed her, and not a peck like I’d given her before on the cheek.

  She gasped. Turning to me was another mistake, because I caught her lips with mine. She froze, but her mouth remained open to everything my lips did. They matched my every move.

  “I knew those lips would taste good,” I muttered against her mouth.

  “I could’ve told you that.”

  When she didn’t move away, I kissed her again. I ran my fingers through her soft hair and cupped her cheek. I gently, ever so cautiously, darted my tongue past her lips while my hand on her thigh stroked higher. She sucked in a breath and clutched my shirt.

  “Come back to my apartment.”

  She pulled away. “That’s not a good idea.”

  “It’s a great idea,” I insisted.

  “No.”

  “Give me a good reason.”

  “I’m not that kind of girl.”

  “But you want me.”

  “Cocky.”

  “Honest.” I swirled a lock of her hair. “Are you scared?”

  “I fear nothing.”

  “Now who’s cocky?”

  “Honest.”

  “I think you’re afraid.”

  “Of what?”

  “If we were alone, you’d be all over me.”

  She scoffed.

  “One kiss alone and you’d be ripping my clothes off.”

  She shoved me away. “Get over yourself.”

  “Maybe you’re afraid to admit that you really like me.”

  Pree froze.

  “Because I really like you.”

  “Let’s get something straight.”

  “Hit me.”

  “Men will say anything to get into a girl’s bed. You will never get into the same bed with me. We will never hook up. I’m not one of these girls who forfeit their senses because they’re in heat.”