At a leisurely pace he slowly took the car into the street and saw a beautiful, dimly lit farm house. He stretched his 6’1’’ frame as he got out of his car and looked around. He knew this was not the destination he had expected so he double-checked the GPS dashboard and chuckled as the name of this farmhouse was same as that of his hotel. Just as he was thinking of getting back in his car he caught some movement by the roadside and saw the silhouette of a girl with lights shining behind her.
Her hair was open and a few strands flew in the mild wind. The girl looked surreal in this place, with the light accentuating her lean yet shapely figure. Then he realized she was unaware of his presence. She was so engrossed in whatever she was doing, that she had not registered the presence of a stranger there in this windy night. This moment was giving him a feeling of being drugged and the aroma of the flowers around were not helping. He chuckled thinking how it was a great setting for a seduction scene. She stood there completely immersed in her dream world, like a wood nymph, waiting. But waiting for what?
As he closed the distance between them he realized she was humming a beautiful tune. He leaned against the green house pole and watched as she continued picking flowers and arranging them. Then he noticed three vans fitted with climate controllers with the farm’s logo. He was surprised to see a full scale nursery. He watched as she floated around humming and produced one flower bouquet after another as if by magic. She wore flowing parallels which could easily be mistaken as a skirt with a loose Kurta. As he moved closer he saw that she had ear phones on.
He didn’t know how long he stood there watching her. She smiled as she moved around, and did a dancing step or two. The woman was oozing sensuality, literally seducing him without realizing it. He hadn’t felt this attracted to a woman for a long time.
He stepped closer as she turned so that she almost collided with him. He reached out and held her tiny waist, steadying her. Her eyes grew wide and surprised. He looked deep into her black eyes. So deep, he thought. She was almost frozen with fear and surprise.
“Are you a wood nymph?”
“Hmmm?” her soft voice strummed his heart beats to increase its tempo. She looked so fresh and beautiful. Her hair was slightly curly and long, almost brushing her derriere. He wished he could play with her hair just like the wind did.
“Are you real?” He asked her. She frowned, realized her hands were full and held them away from their bodies so as not to crush the flowers. He slowly let her move away.
“Wood nymph?” he asked again and laughed when she nodded, soon falling into the growing attraction.
“And what are you?” she asked.
He tilted his head and watched this little wood nymph who seemed so untouched by the world around. And she was trying to flirt with him.
“Hmmm . . . Now, what would I be?” His eyes still held hers.
“A Greek God?” she asked mischievously. He threw his head back and laughed.
“A Greek God! I like the sound of it. And what could be my purpose here?”
“To seduce a wood nymph into giving up her flower bed which blooms throughout the year?”
“I like that.”
Her laughter chimed in the night air. She walked along.
“Hey, you can’t leave. Remember I need to seduce you and get your flower bed?”
She chuckled and moved on, her naivety obvious.
For a moment he felt all the alarm bells ringing. He never did serious relationships. He always made sure the woman he was involved with knew the basic rules: no long term relationship and no ‘M’ or ‘L’ word.
And to make it worse he didn’t have time to spend on women. He had few flings now and then and due to his unavailability, the woman often backed away. But here the case was different. Usually, the women knew the game. But this girl seemed too innocent.
He knew that the time to bow out was now. But he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her shy eyes finding his, the way she moved around glancing at him now and then. God! Did she know how sensual she looked? Salim shook his head. She has to be in her mid-twenties. I must leave, he thought. He took a deep breath and was about to turn away when she turned and faced him, her eyes wide and sparkling, as if sensing his departure. Her expectant eyes stopped him on track. His eyes held hers and he minutely studied every feature of her face, making sure his appraisal was not hidden from her. It had been long since he had played this kind of sensual game with a woman. He felt way too old. Was it the magic of the night that made him want to throw all caution away? His eyes lingered on her lips and she seemed aware of it because her lips quivered and she ran her tongue nervously over them. He felt his need building. Somehow he knew it was not a conscious effort to attract him. She was nervous and her innocent gestures were driving him mad. But the game had just begun and he needed to continue it. Or what was the fun?
Ananya: Age old game of seduction
Salim’s eyes slid to her neck. He saw her blushing and her breathing turned heavy which drew his eyes to her perky mounds. She turned her head away and held on to the edge of a stand that held her flowering plants. He let his hands trap her to the stands, and leaned forward just enough so his lips were close to her ear, yet not touching. “Ask me to leave, before it’s too late.” he whispered.
She took an audible breath hearing his rough, husky voice. Her shoulders rose, but she didn’t say anything.
He smiled and moved back. “Till what time do you work?”
“Till about 2:00 am or until I load the next day’s flower arrangement. But sometimes I have to deliver the flowers when no one else is available” she said in a soft voice, turning away slowly. Her voice was intoxicating him. With a slight nod and a slanted smile, he moved a little away. She stood transfixed for a couple of seconds and as if coming out of a trance, turned and started doing her work. He knew his presence was disturbing her. She was as aware of him as he was of her. She continued her work a little unsteady, still expertly cutting and making the bouquet. Then she started moving her arrangements to the vehicle he had seen earlier. Soon he started helping her. She set the climate control of the van, closed it and came out. Soon she was cleaning up, as he stood around trying to keep out of her work yet lingering around her. He noticed she had started hurrying as if she had a train to catch. He saw it was just about to be one o’ clock. She had mentioned she used to work till 2:00 am. ‘So why was she hurrying?’ A wicked satisfaction stole over his being. He moved to a corner to avoid coming in her way. Soon she wrapped up all her work, secured the place and turned to find him by the green house watching her every move.
“I have to deliver this consignment to a resort. It will take another hour or two.” Her voice sounded a little unsure.
Salim checked his watch. It was going to be two. He nodded. After a hectic month of seminars and conferences, he was forced to take it easy this weekend. He needed to relax a little. It was long since he had actually stopped to be with a woman.
“I will follow you.”
She smiled and it lit up the whole night. He smiled back; sad that Ananya didn’t know how rare his smiles were.
Ananya: Full of Life
When she delivered the consignments Ananya was asked to decorate two rooms, so he waited for her. He was surprised to know she had four or five decors to do sometimes. Usually she happily obliged the resort manager but today she was doubtful. He asked if she needed any help. She was surprised, then a bit confused, then made up her mind.
“Yes, please.” Her voice had an odd determination. He realized she wanted to see if he was ready not only to wait but if he was willing to help her in something entirely alien to him. He smiled. She was in for a surprise because he could easily turn the tables. Will she be able to work efficiently with his distracting presence? He gave a wicked grin when she led him into the resort. The resort management was not very happy at first but when Salim talked to them about wanting to spend maximum time with Ananya before he went back this Sunday evening, they fell for what t
hey believed to be undying love. He shook his head at how easily he could manipulate them. “How old are you?” Salim asked as they took a small path to the rooms she needed to decorate. “I . . . I am 24. Is that a problem?” She stopped in her tracks and looked at him. In the semi darkness, he could not read her face but he could sense her doubts. He smiled.
“No. Everything is fine. Let’s not waste any time. I just wanted to make sure you are old enough to know what is happening between us.”
“I know. I know what I am doing.”
He tilted his head and smiled. Did he hear hesitancy in her voice?
They reached a cottage by the beach. He could hear the waves crashing on the shore. As they entered with the card they got from the main desk, Salim helped her to push the baggage cart into the cottage. Soon she set to work. He purposefully stood in her way to make sure she had to find a way around him to get her stuff, brushing her arms slightly with the back of his hand or her shoulders with his arms. She asked him to put a couple of her arrangements in the living area and she went to decorate the bedroom. He chuckled; he knew he was the last person she wanted to be with in the bedroom! ‘Here.’ He did what she asked him to do and joined her in the bedroom and stopped mid track. She had made an amazing flower arrangement right at the foot of the bed. There were designs by the walls and the side table. His eyes found her as she kneeled on the soft bed that almost swallowed her till waist.
Salim noticed she wore a sports bra underneath her white chikankari kurta. Her Parallels were probably blue linen, he thought.
Ananya was so engrossed in her work, furrowing her brows in concentration, that she didn’t notice his presence. He felt a sudden urge to pounce on her, to feel her soft body pressed against his hard one. He wanted to feel her racing pulse with his lips. He wanted to pull her out of her clothes, to feel the weight of her mounds on his palm. And he wanted to bury himself in her, forgetting all propriety. And he wanted to see how she would react to his wild approach. But he stopped himself as he didn’t want to ruin her work. Instead, he pointed toward the intricate floral arrangement she had done on the bed.
“It’s not going to last more than a couple of minutes unless the couple doesn’t make it to the bed.”
She looked at him startled.
Had she forgotten his very presence in the last couple of minutes? He didn’t like that feeling.
“Hmm. . . . Oh . . . yes! But we got to do what we got to do.” she answered.
Soon they were done with the cottage and were taken to a conference room. It was to be used to discuss the wedding of a rich businessman’s daughter. So the manager wanted the guests to have a feel of a wedding. She went with soft colors for the room, except for one corner where she placed a rich bouquet of flowers. It was one of the biggest flower-arrangements he had ever seen. The design was so intricate and beautiful. He was surprised he never noticed the floral décors before and now he realized how it was an art by itself, creating such beautiful arrangement with just flowers and leaves. He felt sad to know it wouldn’t last. He said as much.
“Sad that these flowers won’t last”
“But that gives us the opportunity to do something else the next time; more beautiful, more special.”
She looked so animated and beautiful amongst her own creations. He could see how such a beauty like her could create such piece of art every day.
Soon he was following her van, as he had not even asked where she lived. Not that he would have known even if she mentioned. She seemed a confident driver, especially to drive a van of that size so smoothly. The more time he spent with her the more he was impressed by her. Soon she left the highway and got into a narrow road, which was leading them further in. Slowly he noticed a small Victorian style cottage emerge from behind the shrubs. It looked straight out of a fairy tale. He shook his head with a smile; this night certainly had all the elements of magic straight out of a fairy tale. She parked by the side of the house and he parked a little away. He noticed there was enough space for her to park all the three vans from her flower farm.
Ananya stood waiting by the door of the house and he could see how nervous she was. He locked his car and walked slowly, watching her carefully. Does she want to back out? As soon as he came near her she opened the door and walked in, holding the door open for him. She closed the door as he entered. He looked around. The house was furnished with old furniture. They were more like antiques, but all well maintained. The house was bright with colors and small metal figurines added to the richness of the house.
“What about your family?”
“I have a twin sister. She still lives in Shimla.”
“Interesting!”
“We are identical. But our different styles give us away.” Ananya walked over to the side table and picked up a photo. He looked at the photo. It was like looking at a ‘before and after’ photo of the same person. There was Ananya as she looked now and by her side, with her arms around her, was another Ananya who didn’t have as bright a smile, with her hair in a tight braid. This other girl had no makeup on at all. She wore a loose fitting kurta and jeans whereas Ananya was wearing a bright yellow skirt and a white top. How can twins be that different? He gave the photo frame back. He had removed his suit jacket which hung on his arms and his tie was loosened at his neck.
“Please sit down.” she motioned towards the sofa. “Would you like to have something to drink?”
Ananya: Bliss of being together
“Ananya!” Salim whispered. “Are you sure you want this? This is not some romance novel thing.” Taking a deep breath Salim continued “I don’t do romance. I am not into love or marriage or anything like that. I will be with you till I am interested which often is just a couple of days. Just one word from you and I will be gone.”
She watched him with her lips parted. He could see the wheels in her brain turning. She frowned, then swallowed and then finally nodded her head.
“You agree?” He didn’t want her to feel pressured. He could go away. He didn’t want to leave her scarred. His usual association was always with women who knew the scores. But it was obvious she was very new to this game.
“I want this.” Her voice was low. “I know your sophisticated world is way different. But I want to be with you till you do.”
He watched her silently as she kept looking at something on the coffee table between them.
He let his suit drop on the sofa by his side. He eased off his shoes and his socks followed. As if approaching a prey he walked slowly towards her. He noticed her breathing was becoming heavy. Pulling his loosened tie he came and stood near her and in one swift motion removed his tie and threw it on the sofa where he had dropped his suit. His hands stopped at his buttons.
“Help me!”
She frowned at the statement, her lips parted.
“Help me out of this.” Salim said, pointing toward his shirt. Startled by his demand, her eyes dropped to the buttons on his shirt and with shaking fingers she fumbled on them. With great difficulty she eased one button out, and went for the second one when his hands captured hers. She bit down on her lower lip.
“What is it?” He raised her chin trying to look into her eyes. “Ananya?”
“If I tell you something will you leave me and go?”
He felt his heart lose a beat. He placed his free hand on her shoulder.
“Do you want me to go?” He asked.
“No!” She shook her head fervently, her voice barely a whisper.
“Then I won’t!”
“But I fear you might want to leave.”
Now it was his turn to worry. What could so bad that he would want to leave? “I have never done this before.” She said with her eyes shut.
“Of course!” he said, letting out a breath. “Why else would I ask if you want me to leave.” He let his hand comb through his hair. “Being with a stranger you have just met, about whom you know absolutely nothing. . .” He stopped mid-sentence as she shook her head vehemently.
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br /> “No! Not that. I–I–I have never been with anyone like this.”
“Do you mean you have never been with any man?” He asked.
She nodded her head.
“And still you want to be with me?”
She nodded again.
“Knowing I am not a ‘forever’ haul?”
She nodded again, vigorously so.
He let his hands cup her face. “God! Do you have any clue what dilemma you have put me in?” With one quick movement he pulled her to him and lifted her. She gasped, having not expected such a move from him. He walked without any strain as if she weighed like a feather. He let her slide down to the floor as he realized a little teasing would help her to get rid of her nervousness. He felt nervous too. She seemed like a delicate china doll. Her eyes widened as she slid down, brushing against his body. Swallowing hard she rested her hands on his chest, her eyes still holding his. His hands now spanned her small waist. Lips quivering, her eyes dipped, and slowly her tongue slipped out to wet her lips. He noticed the tell-tale signs of their physical attraction, the need gnawing them both. Smiling, he started moving to imaginary music. Spinning her, he pinned her back to him as his big hands pressed right under her soft swells, yet not touching them. Her back pressed against the hard contours of his body. Her breathing was becoming erratic. His lips hovered close to her ears and he hummed a tune. He turned her to face him with a jerk. She slammed into him. The crazy electricity surging between them was creating a searing need. He felt her eyes widening as she realized the difference in his body, his need pressing against her. She blushed even more.
Yours To Love Yours To Take: Salim And Anita's Sanctum (Verma Clan's Sanctum Series) Page 6