by P. G. Van
“No. You weren’t, and I am sorry to put you through the pain by asking about him,” Nick said in a soft voice.
“I am glad I talked about it Nick. I feel much better,” I said feeling the relief sweep over my body. If only Nick was around all those years, I probably would have been a very different person.
“Can I ask you something else?” he asked moving away to look at me.
“Sure,” I said looking up at his handsome face.
“I am asking you this for my own clarification and it doesn’t matter to me whatever your answer is to my question,” he added.
“What is it Nick?” I asked puzzled.
“You said that your ex tried to have sex with you. Does that mean he did not?” he asked very reluctantly.
I reached up to whisper in his ear, “I dated a few guys before I met my ex but did not feel connected enough to…” My voice trailed off as I caught Nick’s expression. His expression was unreadable but in the next instance, he hugged me and caressed my face very gently.
“I understand, Sameera. You just need to let me know when you are ready,” he said, his eyes filling with desire.
“I will,” I said burying my face in his chest.
I took deep breaths and swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. I welcomed the warmth from Nick’s embrace as he held me to him protectively. I replayed the evening in my head and smiled at the memory of Nick kissing me on the swing.
“I love that swing, Nick. Is that from India?” I asked in a soft voice after I regained my composure.
“I had someone make it for me here, less than year ago,” he said in a calm tone and added, “I still think the swing in your backyard is the best.”
“I know. I miss our house in Hyderabad. We ended up selling it after my dad passed away,” I said taking a deep breath.
“I can’t even begin to imagine what you went through, Sameera,” Nick said in a soft voice and added, “I am sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me.”
I took a deep breath fighting back memories of the days after my dad passed away and said, “I missed you, Nick,” and added in a shaky voice, “Even when we moved here with my stepdad, I had no hopes of seeing you again. I had made peace with the fact that our paths would never meet, but I am so glad we met again.”
I felt Nick’s heart pounding against his chest. He planted a kiss on my forehead and said in a soft voice, “me too, Sameera.”
“When I saw you on the bike,” I said as I pulled away to look into his eyes and said smiling, “I remembered your eyes, but I just could not place them and it drove me nuts for days.”
Nick laughed and did not say anything.
“Where were you headed on a bike that early in the morning on New Year’s Eve?” I asked curiously.
He smiled shaking his head and said, “Just riding my bike on a beautiful highway and blowing kisses to a beautiful girl.”
“Not funny, Nick,” I mocked.
“Your expression after I blew you a kiss was priceless,” Nick said laughing.
“Yeah, yeah. I am sure you were amused,” I said as I got out of bed and asked, “Which way is your kitchen? I need to go get some water.”
“I will go get you some water,” Nick said forcing me back to sit on the bed.
“Here you go,” Nick said as he handed me a glass of water a few minutes later.
“Thank you, Sir,” I teased as he climbed back onto the bed and sat down next to me as I flipped through TV channels trying to figure out what to watch. I felt completely at home at Nick’s apartment.
“Your house is massive, Nick. I can’t believe you have your own private apartment,” I teased.
“It’s technically my parents’ place, and I live on one side of the house,” Nick teased.
“It’s beautiful,” I said looking around the big bedroom.
“Are you hungry?” he asked putting his arm around me.
“Just a tiny bit. What do you have close by that is open at this time of the night?” I asked looking at my watch. It was half past ten.
“Anything you want,” Nick said smiling.
“Can we stop by a drive through when you take me home?” I asked and added, “And we should go now.”
“Why do you need to go? Please spend the night here, and I will take you home in the morning,” he said looking at me smiling.
“Seriously? Nick. Your parents live here too. C’mon, let’s go,” I urged.
“Sameera, relax. We are under the same roof, but we all have our own private lives. My mom and dad are very cool about that,” he said and added, “That entrance we used is my own private entrance, and no one else has access.”
“What? For real?” I asked surprised.
“Yes. Please relax,” he said tauntingly and asked, “Now, what would you like to eat?”
“I feel like eating some Indian food. Let me see if any of the restaurants are still open,” I said and pulled out my phone from my clutch.
Nick took my phone from me and said, “You are at my house, and I am going to get you something homemade”.
“Are you going to cook now?” I asked rolling my eyes.
“Just tell me what you feel like eating,” he asked.
“Okay, if you insist. I would like some butter naan, chicken tikka masala, and some Indian Chai,” I announced.
He leaned forward and brushed his lips on mine and said, “Be right back.” He came back strolling into the bedroom a few minutes later wearing the same t-shirt but had changed into his shorts. I blushed looking at his long muscular legs.
“Our food is cooking and someone will bring it up in twenty minutes. I also asked for some fruit,” he said coolly.
“Nick. It sounds like you ordered homemade food for delivery,” I giggled.
Nick looked at me and said without any expression, “Yes, that’s right.”
My giggles died and my jaw was virtually in the garage hanging from the third floor.
I said softly repeating what I had heard, “You have someone cooking my meal right now, and they will bring it up here in twenty minutes?”
“Yes,” Nick said smiling.
“Oh no, this is not real. Am I high? What did I eat?” I asked looking around the room.
“Stop it. Sameera. You are being a drama queen now,” he teased.
“Nick, but you said the entrance is private. How will they come up here?” I asked curiously.
“Silly, Sameera, I can either open the door over there that connects my space to the main house, or I can unlock the service elevator and the food will be delivered to the dining area,” he explained.
My head started to spin, as I was amazed at the idea of having round-the-clock domestic help, and at the realization that this level of luxury actually existed. I sat on the bed for a moment digesting the idea of this kind of lifestyle and said to Nick, “In spite of all these luxuries, you are not spoiled at all Nick.”
Nick laughed and added, “Spending those three years in India with my aunt was part of my training. My mom wanted me to understand what people do not have and how to value the things we have. My mom was very particular about her boys spending some time away from this lifestyle so we appreciate what we have and also understand the rich heritage and know our roots.”
“That’s right. Sam spent some time in India too,” I said to Nick.
“Yes, but I think I had more fun than he did in India,” Nick said smiling and added, “That’s because he didn’t have a friend like you.”
I smiled and said, “I won’t disagree with you, Nick.”
“I miss my aunt. She took such good care of me,” Nick said smiling and added, “My uncle’s side of the family were stringent communists and led a very modest life. I think my mom wanted me to live that way for a few years so I wasn’t as spoiled.”
“You were a good kid, Nick. I don’t remember you ever complaining about not having what you had here,” I said smiling at him.
“Ann was the only one who d
idn’t go to school in India,” Nick said smiling and added, “My mom was and is very possessive about her.”
“Where do Ann and her husband live?” I asked.
“Right here. The opposite wing on the third floor is all hers,” Nick said.
“Wow, they all have their own private entrances?” I stated looking like a deer in front of the headlights.
Nick snickered looking at the expression on my face.
“Yes,” he said smiling at me.
Nick’s phone buzzed around eleven, and he checked his phone and announced, “Your food is here.” He got up to go towards the dining area.
“Wait here,” he said as he closed the double doors of the bedroom slightly. A few minutes later, I heard the elevator door open and heard Nick talking to someone in a very friendly tone. It was another male voice, and I could tell that the other person was talking to Nick in a very casual and teasing manner. I heard the elevator door close, and Nick entered the bedroom pushing a small food trolley with covered dishes on it. I was stunned at the sight and covered my mouth with my hand as my mouth opened in surprise at the sight of the food actually being delivered.
“Nick,” I hesitated. He looked up at me and I added, “Do you have something I can change into before I eat? I don’t want to ruin my lehenga. This is a very special outfit.”
“Indeed,” he said and led me to his massive closet that had suits hanging on one side of the closet and casuals on the other. He opened one of the drawers and picked out a pair of sleep shorts for me.
“Here you go. You can change here,” he said as he turned away to walk towards the bedroom.
I took the shorts from him, held his hand, and said, “I need help. Could you please stay here?”
I heard him catch his breath, smiled at me, and said, “My pleasure.”
He watched me with hawk-like eyes as I removed the tikka, the ornament on my forehead, and my heavy earrings.
“Could you please put them away in a safe place for me?” I asked Nick as I handed him the jewelry pieces. He opened one of the drawers in the closet, put the stuff away, and turned around to look at me with his hands in his shorts pockets.
“The blouse I am wearing under the t-shirt has hooks in the back that I cannot reach,” I said and turned my back to him.
He gently put his palms on my waist for a few moments as if he was bracing himself. As he lifted the t-shirt and pulled it over my head, I heard his breath hiss and smiled to myself as I had a similar reaction to his touch. He slowly pushed my hair forward and gently pulled me against him and put his arms around my bare midriff. He dug his face into the nape of my neck and kissed gently. I shuddered at the intensity as his tongue drew circles along the breadth of my shoulders. I put my hands on Nick’s hands that were tightly wrapped around my waist caressing my navel.
Nick reached for the back of my blouse with one hand and very slowly started to unhook the hooks on the back of my blouse. As he got to the very last hook, he stopped short and said in a hoarse voice, “You are not wearing a bra.”
I smiled and said in a teasing tone, “Oh, I am sorry. I didn’t realize that was a piece of information I was supposed to share with the host.”
Nick’s breathing was haphazard as he unhooked the very last hook on my blouse and ran his hand along the length of my back. I turned around slowly to look at him. His eyes were dark and his mouth was open as he was taking in deep breaths. I took both his hands to my shoulders where my blouse was barely hanging on and directed his hands to pull my blouse off my shoulders and down over my wrists exposing my chest and the delicate peaks with my hardened nipples. He looked at me with primitive hunger but did not move.
Overcome by a sudden sense of shyness, I hugged him and flattened my breasts against his chest. He took in the sensation of my breasts against his chest through his thin t-shirt for a few moments before his hand came up to cup my breast with his palm. I arched backwards in reaction to his touch and his mouth found my nipple. His tongue did circular wonders on my nipple and if it weren’t for Nick’s hand holding me at my waist, I would have fallen to the closet floor. He caressed and sucked on my breasts with his lips as his hand stroked the length of my body.
I moaned in thrill and sweet pain and felt the center of my pleasure get dewy.
“Nikhil,” I moaned in pleasure as I felt his teeth digging into my nipple.
“Meera...if I don’t stop now, I can’t stop at all,” he moaned as he reached my neck and put his mouth on mine in a hungry kiss.
“I think we should stop and eat,” I declared against his lips.
“Whatever you say, baby,” he said against my ear and tugged on my ear lobe with his teeth.
Nick found the t-shirt I was wearing and slipped it over my head. The thin material of the t-shirt was no match to my hardened nipples and disguised nothing. I unzipped my full flare lehenga and let it fall to the floor as Nick stood a few feet away, his eyes on me. He looked at my waist adorned by my waist chain with a small coin shaped pendant and said “I knew I had not imagined that.”
“What do you mean?” I asked puzzled as I pulled on his shorts and pulled the drawstrings to tighten the waistband.
He slowly walked towards me and put his palms on my waist where my chain was and said, “When I put my arms around you for the first time in your apartment, I felt this chain through your silk tunic.”
I smiled and blushed.
“Let’s go eat,” I said taking his hand in mine. Nick followed me without any objection.
“Nick, this is too much food,” I said looking at the portions that were served. The Indian Chai tea was served in a thermos.
“Who was it that brought us our food?” I asked as I sat at the dining table.
“That was Raj, my assistant estate manager, and my very good friend,” he said and added, “Raj is a year older than me, and we went to the same school until I went to India for those few years.”
Nick continued to talk about the family that lived in the three-bedroom house built on the estate for the staff. Raj’s older brother is the head chef of the estate and also has his own catering business.
Raj’s mom and dad help with management of the daily labor for the garden and other maintenance tasks.
“Raj is the only guy who is allowed up here when I am home,” Nick said and added, “He is always around when the temp help is cleaning my room and takes care of my laundry and stuff.”
“Wow, I feel like ditching Nate and becoming your roommate,” I mocked.
Nick took a sharp breath and said, “You know I would love that, not you ditching Nethra part, the other one.” I smiled at him and did not say anything.
We chatted as we enjoyed the fresh naan, Indian bread, with the chicken curry. To top it off, the Indian tea was to die for, and I had two servings of the Chai knowing that it would keep me up all night.
Chapter Eight
I woke up with a sudden jerk to an unfamiliar movement, opened my eyes to a dark room, and looked around. It took me a few seconds to remember where I was and realized that the unfamiliar movement was Nick turning in his sleep. After consuming astronomical amounts of Chai earlier that night, I could not sleep so Nick lay down next to me and dozed off literally mid-sentence. I finally turned off the lights and forced myself to sleep and after a lot of tossing and turning, I finally fell asleep. I looked at my watch in the dim light in the room, and it was half past three in the morning. I sat up against the headboard as I was not sleepy. I reached for the bottle of water on the other side of the bed moving carefully not to wake up Nick.
I turned up the light just slightly so I could look at his beautiful calm face while he was in deep sleep. He was lying on his stomach with his face sideways and only half of his face visible. I gently ran my finger along his hairline before I lay down next to him on my tummy with my face right next to his face. He needed to be asleep for me to actually look at his face and breathe normally.
I moved closer and slowly nuzzled up to him.
My movements didn’t seem to bother him as his breathing was soft and steady. I stayed close to him relishing the scent of his body and his soft warm breath on my skin. A few minutes later, I wanted more than just being close to him so I gently inched away from him so I could see his face again. On impulse, I leaned forward, touched my lips to the edge of his mouth, and planted a very light kiss on his sleep soft lips. He winced in his sleep at that sensation, and I moved away from him as he rolled onto his back and looked at me. His eyes had the surprise in them when they initially shot open and then they smiled at me.
I smiled at him and said “Sorry, did I wake you?”
“Did you? What did you do that woke me up?” he asked in his sleepy, sexy voice, putting his arms under his head.
I blushed, put my face flat on the mattress, and shook my head.
He sat up and with his hands on my shoulder, turned me to my side, came down, and kissed me exactly how I kissed him in his sleep on the edge of the mouth.
“Were you awake when I kissed you?” I asked surprised.
“No, but that’s the only spot I can still feel you,” he said smiling at me.
Nick put his arm around me and lay next to me stroking my hair.
“I am sure there is a reason why you felt the need to wake me up. Do you know why?” Nick asked after looking at me in silence for a few seconds.
I looked into his eyes and very boldly said, “I love the warmth of your embrace, and I wanted to be in your arms.”
Nick smiled as clouds of desire darkened his deep eyes. His hand that was gently stroking my hair was now burning into my waist as his fingers were digging into my skin as he pulled me closer to him. He planted a gentle kiss on my lips and whispered looking into my eyes, “You are more than welcome to stay in my arms as long as you please.”
I winced inside and out in reaction to the intensity in his voice and unable to find my voice, nodded at him smiling. Encouraged by my smile, he started a series of sweet and soothing strokes on my chest as he gently pushed the t-shirt I had on over my head.
In reaction to the stroking, my body arched towards Nick, and he put his arm behind my back and brought his lips to my hardened nipple digging his teeth into my nipple. As the deep sharp pleasure hit me, I almost let out a loud cry of joy but bit my lip instead to stop myself.