“Can I get you something else?” asked the helpful waiter, his bright eyes running over her long, bare legs.
Even as she shook her head, a voice called out from near her, “That’s okay, Kevin, the lady’s with me.”
Kevin took one look at Shatrughan’s face and left in a hurry, calling out a ‘goodnight’.
Avantika laughed softly, seeing the other man’s speedy retreat, before turning to Shatru. “Are you done?”
He nodded, giving her a hand to help her off the barstool. She tottered a bit on her stiletto heeled, open-toed shoes that were the same red as her dress. Shatru slid an arm around her waist to hold her steady, saying, “Why do you girls need to wear stilts?”
She fluttered her lashes at him. “Do you deny that they make my legs look longer and sexier?”
Shatru ran his charcoal gaze over her legs. Her barely there dress flared from waist down, stopping somewhere mid thigh. And she was right! Her legs did appear longer with so much skin showing between the hem of her dress and her crazy shoes. For a second, he couldn’t help but imagine those legs wrapped around his middle as he made love to her. He shook his head, wanting to clear it of the sexy image, before saying anything.
“What? You don’t like?” she asked, pouting at him. Her moist lips, free of all traces of the red lipstick she’d been wearing earlier, beckoned to him invitingly.
“Of course not. I…” Seeing her frown, Shatru stopped mid-sentence, raising both his hands in front of him in defence. “That came out all wrong.” He took a deep breath before admitting, “I like—a lot. And yes, your legs look damn sexy in those stilettos.” He moved closer to her, his breath fanning her cheek.
“And you look hot,” said Avantika, turning her face to press her lips to his, melting in his arms as he placed them around her waist, gathering her close to his hard chest. She was thrilled when she felt him take over, his tongue seeking entry into her mouth. She was only too willing to oblige as she rubbed her tongue against his, making him groan.
It was a while before Shatru raised his head to say, “I think it’s best we leave. They will want to close the place.” He took her via the back door, directly to the car park. “How did you get here?”
“I took a cab.”
He escorted her to a motorbike that was leaning against a wall. “Can you manage to ride pillion on this in that little dress and crazy shoes?” he asked.
“Shatru, why do I get the impression that you don’t approve?” She stood away from him with a scowl, her legs apart, her hands fisted on her hips, her stance angry.
Shatru’s breath came out in a whoosh as he walked closer to her, his black eyes studying her keenly. “Whatever made you think that?” He was having a tough time keeping his hands off her. Why he bothered to stop himself was anybody’s guess.
“That’s twice you have commented on what I’m wearing,” she complained, “and neither time was a compliment.” Why had she even bothered to come chasing after him? She was startled to find his large hands cupping her hips as he pulled her close to his aroused body. Her eyes went wide when she felt the bulge against her belly. She locked eyes with his, even as she kept her upper body away from him, her arms swinging at her sides. He obviously wanted her. But she was in no mood to oblige now.
“Avantika…” Shatru’s voice was hoarse, his throat clogged with desire. “I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. My only excuse is that I find you irresistible. I…” He shrugged, still not clear how to deal with the deep attraction he felt for this woman. “You are my sister-in-law’s best friend. I can’t just…well, all I can offer you is an affair. I can’t…”
Avantika shut him up in the only way she knew. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, her small white teeth biting his sensuously thick lower lip. “Are you even aware that I’m dying to have you inside me?” she whispered sexily in his ear. “You refused to play ball the last time we met. But please don’t push me away, Shatru. I…”
He crushed her in his arms, kissing her fervently. It was a while before he raised his head to say, “Come, let’s go to my place.”
Avantika sat astride the bike, behind him, her arms wrapped tightly around his middle, her body pressed to his back, grinning from ear to ear as he tore through the empty streets of Melbourne on his mean machine, reaching his apartment block in record time.
As they removed their helmets, Shatru asked, “Are you sure?”
Avantika nodded, her curly hair tumbling all over her face, “Oh yes, absolutely!”
4
Shatru opened the door and waved her in, before walking behind her into his one-bedroom apartment. It was cosy and reflected his personality. Okay, maybe she didn’t know him that well. But she felt at home in the apartment as she could see his personal touches everywhere. Though it was a temporary abode, Shatru had managed to bring a sense of home with some photographs of his family, a large glass bowl with fresh flowers, a couple of books on a side table and a newspaper lying half folded on the sofa. Oh yeah, the house had his stamp all over it.
“Would you like to drink something? Or maybe eat? I have some eggs and bread that I could put together in a sandwich,” offered Shatru.
“Are you hungry?” she asked, her wide eyes studying his movements as he sat down on a sofa to remove his shoes and socks, before getting up to walk towards her, his large feet bare. She couldn’t wait for him to get the rest of his clothes off.
“For food? No. For you, yes,” he said in a whisper, pulling her in his arms.
“Shatru…” she moaned, raising her face for his kiss.
“You’ve been haunting my dreams since the time I met you at the wedding,” he said, tracing a forefinger over the side of her face, making her shudder with passion.
Avantika grinned. “Am I glad!” She bit his finger as he traced the shape of her lips, making him groan. Laughing, she took the finger into her mouth to suck on it.
He lifted her up in his arms and walked towards the bedroom, carrying her effortlessly as if she weighed nothing.
Avantika clung to him, thrilled to be swept off her feet. Her hands caressed the rippling muscles of his shoulders, revelling in the freedom that she’d been denied before.
Shatru placed her gently on the bed before pulling off his muscle shirt in a single movement. He saw her sitting there on his bed, her mouth wide open as she stared at his bared chest. “What?”
Avantika went on her knees on the bed to throw her arms around his waist, rubbing her face against his wide chest, loving the feel of his crisp chest hair against the soft skin of her face. She purred like a kitten, turning this way and that, her tongue peeping out to lick him.
“Avi…” he groaned, his hands in her curly hair, holding her head against his body. He pulled the zipper on the back of her dress, pushing it down to her waist, his large hands stroking her back. Encountering the strap of her bra, he paused.
Avantika lifted her head off his chest to look up at him through her tumbling hair. “Don’t you dare have second thoughts,” she threatened, removing the hook on her lacy red bra. Her breasts tumbled out of their confinement, filling Shatru’s waiting hands, making her moan, “Oh yes, please.”
Shatru stared at her plump breasts, adoring the feel of them, the tips hard with arousal. He bent down to press a kiss on the top of her left breast, making her jump off the bed. His mouth roved over her breasts, tracing a damp tongue in circles, keeping away from the puckered tips.
Avantika felt aroused to fever pitch, desperate to feel his mouth against her sensitised nipples, even as he drove her crazy with his tongue and hands. “Shatru…” she screamed, as he laughed softly against her, his body vibrating deliciously. She bucked in his arms, when finally she felt the heat of his mouth closing over a tip, driving her insane with need. She thrashed on the bed as he suckled her breast, his hand caressing the twin, tweaking the bud between his thumb and forefinger. Avantika sobbed, holding his head between her hands, pressing him closer to her tr
embling body.
He pulled her dress completely off her to press his hand against her feminine mound, caressing her softly through her lace panties. He moved up to capture the whimper that escaped her throat, kissing her deeply, even as he pulled the last garment off her. Her lips were swollen from his kisses as she responded with enthusiasm, her tongue tangling with his as he sucked on it.
She tried to open the button on his jeans, frustrated in her attempt when she felt his mouth close over the tip of her other breast. She felt weak with need, pressing her body closer to his face, relishing his caresses.
Shatru’s mouth moved down her body, nuzzling her stomach, his tongue swirling a circle in her belly button before moving further down, even as she raked her nails over his shoulders.
When she felt his lips against her inner thigh, Avantika jumped. “What are you doing?”
He raised his head to look at her with slumberous black eyes. “Loving you.”
“But Shatru, this is not fair. Why don’t you take your jeans off?” she complained, pouting at him, her lips a dark red from all the attention he’d been paying them.
“Okay,” said Shatru, getting off the bed to remove his jeans, his eyes continuing to rake over her supine form.
Avantika watched him avidly, her sherry brown eyes going wide as he stepped out of his jeans. She could see the shape of his erection straining against his briefs.
Shatru watched her watching him, colour running up his manly cheeks, even as Avantika got out of the bed to kneel in front of him.
“Here, let me help you.” She pushed his hands out of the way, peeling his briefs down his muscular thighs, her gaze fixed on his shaft, her mouth opening wide in an ‘O’. “Oh my God! You are big.”
He grinned, pulling her up from her kneeling position, into his arms. “Are you scared?” he asked.
She shook her head vigorously, her curls bouncing. “Nope, not scared. But…” She wasn’t going to tell him that she had never seen a man in all his naked glory, ever before.
“Hmm…” He kissed the pulse at her throat, his tongue stroking against it. Her soft breasts were crushed against his hard chest, the sensation arousing him all the more. He tumbled her on the bed, joining her, his hands running down her body from shoulder to thigh.
Avantika purred in his arms, her hands caressing the satiny finish of his broad back.
Shatru suckled on her breast again, his fingers tracing the shape of her vagina, finding her wet with desire. He could feel her buck beneath him when he dipped his fingers into her. “In a second,” he assured her, opening the bedside drawer to remove a condom. Sheathing himself, he rose above her, studying her passion-ridden face on his pillow, her hair spread like a dark halo. Her breasts were glistening from all the attention he had been paying them while her body trembled.
She opened slumberous brown eyes to see what was stopping him. “Shatru?”
He smiled, bending down to kiss her, parting her legs with his hands to enter her swiftly. Shock widened his obsidian eyes when he encountered the unexpected barrier, even as he noticed the same shock mirrored in her sherry coloured eyes. “Avi…” he groaned. “I’m sorry. Do you want me to stop?”
Avantika forgot her pain when she noticed the torture on his face as he worked at controlling his need. She shook her head, “No,” before throwing her arms around him, dragging him close. “Please don’t stop.”
Shatru groaned, pressing down further, hearing her gasp. He paused to kiss her on her forehead, waiting for her body to adjust to his invasion. When he felt her relaxing again, he pushed further. Hearing Avantika’s gentle sigh, he smiled in response, lifting her legs to place them around his waist. “Feeling better?” he asked her softly.
She nodded, her eyes looking deeply into his. They went wide when she felt him stir within her. Oh my God! It was incredible the way he went in and out, making her long for more. She held his muscular arms with her hands, unaware of her nails digging into his flesh, surprised by the moans coming out of her mouth. It was the most amazing experience of her life. But there was something eluding her, something just out of her reach. Avantika squeezed her legs around his waist, seeking the unreachable, as he pleasured her feminine core with his hard strokes. His lips found her breast as he suckled on her rhythmically, making her jump off the bed.
And then it happened. The explosion that blew her up, making her come apart in his arms. “Shatruuuuuu…” she screamed, biting into his shoulder, marking him for life.
Shatrughan groaned in response, his body shuddering as he followed her with his own climax. Spent, he flopped down beside her, his face buried in her neck. It had been the most phenomenal experience of his life as well.
5
Dawn was just breaking when Avantika opened her eyes in a slit. She smiled at the weight of Shatrughan’s arm around her waist. She was spooned close to his hard body, his right leg splayed over both of hers. What a wonderful way to wake up! She turned her head to kiss the arm that was around her, her smile turning wider when she noticed the dragon tattoo. She wrinkled her nose at the dragon before reaching up to kiss its nose.
Shatru stirred on feeling her kiss against his arm, tightening it around her, his hand automatically seeking her breast and cupping it gently, much to her delight. “Is it morning already?” His sleepy voice rumbled at the back of her neck.
Avantika stretched lazily, rubbing her back against him, pressing her breast into his caressing hand. “Not really,” she said, turning her head sideways to look up at him. Looking at his half-open eyes, she smiled. “Hello handsome.” She kissed him on his rough cheek, her tongue peeping out to stroke the corner of his lips.
“Hmm…” Shatru captured her lips in a soft kiss, sliding his tongue into her mouth, tracing the cavern, before rubbing it gently against hers.
She felt her heartbeat going up at the combined assault of his mouth on hers and his hands on her breasts, as he stroked them, his thumbs massaging the nipples, a delicious arousal birthing in her womb. She turned to caress his chest with her hands, walking her fingers down his washboard abs towards his manhood. She was delighted to find that he was hard and ready.
He raised his head to look at the gorgeous woman in his arms. Her body was flushed with arousal, her lips parted invitingly. The tips of her breasts perked up under his roving gaze, making him harder than ever. “Are you hurting from last night?” he asked her.
She shook her head, her hands caressing his hard shaft. “Not at all. And I want you inside me, please.”
Shatru grinned before gathering her in his arms, grunting with satisfaction as he entered her clamouring body. She felt so good, her velvet sheath fitting him like a glove. Sex had never been better than with Avantika. He rode her, first gently and then roughly as he felt her nails raking his back, her long legs holding him tightly around his waist. He smiled at the moans ensuing from her mouth even as he bent down to kiss her breasts. She was definitely a wild cat.
The world came tumbling down as they reached their climax together, their groans reverberating in the room.
Avantika cuddled close to her lover, satisfied in the aftermath of their lovemaking, a finger lazily tracing the shape of his tattoo. “He looks wild, doesn’t he?”
“Why do you presume it’s a ‘he’? What if it’s a she-dragon?” he asked her, tongue-in-cheek, his chest rumbling with mirth.
“What?”Avantika looked up to give Shatru a mock glare. “I’ll tear her glowing red eyes out if it’s a ‘she’. So, tell me, is that dragon a male or a female?”
“I’m a guy, right? Why would I want a male dragon on my arm?” he asked cheekily.
“She’ll have to go, in that case,” declared Avantika. “I’m not sharing my man with anyone.”
“Am I your man?” he asked in a hoarse voice, the laughter disappearing.
“Of course you are,” she scowled at him. “What sort of question is that?”
Shatrughan stared at her glowing face. Her amber eyes were shining
with joy and peace. She looked beautiful, her dark eyebrows like wings, her nose sharp, her generous lips pouting invitingly. She made his heart thunder with need. But…but, he wasn’t ready for commitment. Not yet, anyway.
“Avi, I…”
She placed a hand over his mouth, shaking her head. “I said you are my man. I am not expecting that I should be your woman.” She pressed her lips to his in a brief kiss.
Shatru stared at her. Was she for real? “I like you, a lot. I lust you, totally,” he said in a guttural voice. “But I…”
She grinned at him. “That works for me, perfectly. I’d rather you be honest with me, my dragon. I’m in Melbourne this week. Will you let me stay with you?”
Shatru’s charcoal gaze lit up. “One whole week? I’d love to have you stay here with me, sweetheart.” He kissed her nose.
“Then let’s just have fun this week, shall we?”
Shatrughan buried his face against her throat, taking deep breaths to calm his thumping heart. He couldn’t believe that Avantika could be so giving, not expecting much in return. “We will, I swear. Would you like me to show you the sights?” he asked in a whisper against her ear.
Avantika nodded vigorously, her curls tickling his lips. “And we’ll make love every night.”
He bit her earlobe, making her moan, his hand entwined with hers. “And the mornings, oh yes.”
Avantika noticed the red mark on his shoulder when the light from the window fell on it. She traced a delicate finger over it, asking, “That looks bad. What happened? Did you hurt yourself?” She looked up into his eyes before continuing, “Or did something bite you?” She rose to get her handbag, removing a tube of cream from it. “Here, let me apply this. I hope it’s not hurting you too badly.” She didn’t remember noticing it last night. But then, her focus hadn’t been his shoulder exactly.
Shatru grinned at her, not saying anything, letting her apply the cream, even as she blew on the mark.
Flaming Sun Collection 2: Marriages Made in India (Box Set with 5 novellas) Page 34