Boxset: Destiny Decides.. & Destiny Embraces..

by P. G. Van

  Nick ate in silence as we narrated the conversation with Suzi about the NDA. He finally looked at Ann and said in a firm voice, "For the record, I don't appreciate what you did Ann.”

  "You got your favorite report on time because we had Sameera help us out so don't give me crap about it,” Ann fired back.

  "Ann, it doesn't matter who helped out in the last minute. You should have had a contingency plan in place. If you were having issues, why didn't you stop the deployment? Why is a four million dollar project dependent on one resource’s availability?” Nick growled at Ann as he stood up from the table and added, "My wife is not your consultant nor is she your backup plan.”

  "Nick, stop it,” I said looking at him trying to defend Ann.

  "Sameera, stay out of this,” Ann whispered in my ear and said looking at Nick, "I got it Nick. I will plan ahead. Thanks.”

  Nick's expression went from stern to being soft in a fraction of a second when he looked at me and said, "Sweetheart, finish up breakfast. We need to leave in ten minutes.”

  "Okay,” I said softly without looking away from him, upset with the way he spoke to Ann.

  Nick went upstairs to gather his things, and I looked at Ann and asked, "Are you okay, Ann?” and added when she nodded, "Why did you let him boss you around like that. I was more than happy to help. I don't know why he was so upset about it.”

  Ann smiled and said, "He can boss around because he is my boss. He was more concerned that I did not have a backup plan for one of the key implementations this year. I totally deserved that.”

  I looked at Ann in shock and asked, "What do you mean he is your boss?”

  "Did you not hear me last night when I said that you and Nick combined hold the largest share of our privately owned company? Nick may not have the title yet, but he operates as the CEO of the company,” Ann said with pride.

  I sat listening to Ann as she continued to speak about her younger brother with pride in her eyes. She went on and on about how she learned something new from him every single day. I sat in a daze as I processed what Ann told me about Nick. I wondered how Nick managed to be so calm with the responsibilities he had at work. I remembered Srini’s comments about how Nick was his boss when Nick came to our apartment for the first time.

  Nick came downstairs and found me sitting at the table all by myself toying with my food. He walked up to me looking crisp in his dark business suit and asked, "Ready to go, love?”

  "Yes,” I said in a weak voice and as if Nick sensed my internal turmoil, he put his palm on my shoulder and said, "Let's go. We can talk on our way.”

  A few minutes later, we pulled out of the estate entrance in the Range Rover with Mitch at the wheel. I sat quietly as I processed the events from that morning and just when Nick was about to say something to me, his phone started to ring.

  "Hey, sis,” Nick said smiling and listened to what she was saying and then said, "Really? That’s awesome.”

  He laughed at something she said and added, "I know what I put him through so I am surprised too. I will catch up with him later today.”

  He laughed and chatted with her for a few more minutes and hung up the phone.

  "Guess what? Ann and Srini are going to lead the team that is going to find out what happened to RajaRam Vaasi,” Nick declared smiling victoriously.

  "Nick, why?” I asked my voice trembling looking into his eyes overwhelmed with the pure love in his eyes and added, "Why did you put up with all of my nonsensical requests when you have so many important things to deal with at work?”

  I took deep breaths to fight back the knot that was forming in my stomach as Nick reached to put his arm around me and asked smiling, "Do you want me to be indifferent to your feelings just because I have more responsibilities at work?” He tightened his hold around me and added, "If I can’t take care of you and keep you happy, there is no value to my success at work. Our professions should never interfere with our personal lives.”

  I nodded in agreement looking at him and Nick added laughing, "Unless, I was pulling off car heists and kidnaps for a living.”

  When I did not smile at his comment, he put his fingers on my chin and said, "What you and I have for each other is nowhere near ordinary. I came for you because I saw no purpose to my life without you in spite of what I had accomplished. Isn't it silly of you to think something else is more important than our relationship, when a hundred year old love story kicked off our destiny even before we were born?”

  I stared into his eyes and went into a deeper level of daze as I was engulfed by the sheer intensity in his voice. I smiled at him putting my arm around his waist and took my cheek to rest on his chest. I regained my composure just from listening to the thumping in his chest and by taking in his masculine scent. He gently stroked my back in silence with his lips buried in my hair.

  "I am really sorry I put you through crap on our wedding night and made you wait for my own selfish reasons when I should have been supportive with the million things you have going on,” I said running my palm over his chest feeling the sculpted muscles through the soft silk of his shirt.

  Nick laughed and said, "I loved every bit of your silliness and all that waiting made Friday night that much more special,” he took a deep breath against my hair. “The time we spent away from each other when you were in India and the two weeks after we got back, taught me a deeper meaning of love that goes beyond anything. I thought that the feelings I had for you during our initial time together were the strongest, but I was pleasantly surprised that my love for you grows every minute. I also realized that doing something for the love of my life even if I didn't like it gave me the ultimate happiness.”

  I looked up at him planting a kiss on his cheek and said in a steady tone, "You do realize how mean you were to Ann this morning?”

  "It's how I am with anyone on my team when I have to make them realize their mistake. I was a bit on the edge with her because she was basking in the glory without realizing how catastrophic it would have been if you weren't around,” Nick declared and whispered nuzzling my ear. “Also, she totally needed that so she never peels you away from me after an amazing night like last night,” I giggled and took my lips to his. I said, “It really was amazing last night,” an added pulling back from him, “but I still feel bad for getting Ann in trouble.”

  "Ann is very cool about it, and she is going to take on solving the mystery about RajaRam Vaasi as a thank you to you for helping her out last night. Srini wants to help too,” Nick said smiling.

  "You guys are so cute,” I said looking into his deep eyes as I gently stroked his collarbone with my palm enjoying the soft feel of his shirt on my palm. He leaned towards me pushing away his shoulder strap and brought his palm up to my neck to caress the soft skin. He used the other arm to pull me closer to him.

  I felt Nick's lips meet mine very gently, but I could feel the deep need from the way his hand dug into my waist. I tightened my arm around him flattening my chest against his and felt the shudders that ran through his body. I felt my need urging me to pull him closer to me as his lips bore down slowly and gently while the seat belt dug into my shoulder.

  I moaned gently and fought back my pragmatic side that objected to his display of affection in the car, but the romantic in me did not want to break up the pleasure party that was kicking off inside me.

  As if Nick read my mind, he said against my lips, "Best bet you placed at a poker game,” and came down on my lips with a hungry passion as his teeth nipped at my lower lip.

  I gasped against his lips as I took in his deepening desire and pushed myself towards him. I compressed my soft peaks against his tight torso and felt him tighten his hold on me. My seat belt dug into my shoulder but everything around me was a blur as all I could hear was my own heartbeat and the rattling of my ribcage from the pulsation.

  Nick took his lips lower and buried his face in my neck as I fisted my fingers in his hair. I quivered at the looming intensity in his breath. He started
to come down on me and groaned deep inside as he was constrained by his seat belt. I heard his seat belt unclick as he came down hot and heavy.

  I moaned and before I could pull back to object to Nick removing his seat belt, I heard the firm order from Mitch, "Nick, seat belt back on. Now!!”

  I pulled back with my palms on my mouth uncontrollably giggling looking at Nick's disappointed look as he sat back and buckled himself securely in his seat.

  "Thanks Mitch,” I said planting a kiss on Nick's cheek.

  "Yes, thank you very much, Mitch,” Nick said with heavy sarcasm in his voice.

  "You are welcome, Nick. I am just doing my job,” Mitch said in a calm flat tone and my soft giggling erupted into hysterical laughter as Nick fumed at me.

  Chapter Twenty

  "Ann, what are you doing all by yourself in the kitchen?” I asked her cheerfully as I walked into the kitchen around six on Monday evening.

  "Remember our non-cash poker bet, I am supposed to cook without people helping me so I asked mom and dad to hang out in the den. Rahul is chilling at home, and he will come back at seven for the dinner setup. Paul is at the gym, Reetu and Sam will join us a little after seven,” Ann spoke without taking a break as she checked on the sauce that was simmering on the stove.

  "How can I help?” I asked as I walked up to look at the other dishes she had finished or had ready to go.

  "I just need you to try everything and tell me what you think,” Ann said starting to freak out.

  "Ann, everything looks and smells great,” I assured looking at the flavored rice with vegetables, which was cooking in the large rice cooker and the two curries that Ann was battling.

  "Sameera, what are you doing on Sunday?” Ann asked out of the blue.

  "I am meeting my friends for a reunion this weekend, but I should be back by ten on Sunday morning. Why do you ask Ann?” I asked munching on a piece of raw carrot.

  "I owe you a spa day, and I was thinking that the four of us can go out for brunch, and you and I can head out to the spa from there. We need a day of pampering,” Ann said flashing her pearly whites at me.

  "Sounds like fun, let me make sure Nick is up for brunch, and you need to make sure you only get the pre-natal stuff done,” I said cheerfully.

  "What are you guys so excited about?” Nick's voice pierced through our giggles, and we both froze. I wondered if he had heard the pre-natal comment I had made. I leaned over and whispered to Ann, "Sorry, but I am sure he didn't catch what I said.”

  Ann smiled at me with a wink and said smiling at Nick, "I am taking Sameera out for a spa day on Sunday.”

  Nick had changed into a comfortable t-shirt and his basketball shorts. He walked towards us planting a kiss on Ann's forehead and brushed his lips on mine. I swore I felt his hardness through the thin material of the shorts. I smiled to myself thinking of the car episode in the morning and wondered if there was a reason he sat in the front passenger seat with Mitch on our way back from work. I realized that he was more turned on that day, and I wondered what had triggered emotions that he could not contain.

  "Ann, I barely get time to hang out with Sameera during the weekdays because she is hanging out with you guys and now you are competing with my weekend time,” Nick grumbled and Ann responded, "yeah, keep whining. I am taking her out as soon as she gets back from her reunion.”

  "Wow, is that this weekend?” Nick asked in surprise.

  I nodded looking at him, and he just shook his head and went into the family room leaving us alone.

  "Sameera, I am almost done. Could you please grab some cilantro from the veggie patch?” Ann asked and I said, "I got it.” I walked past the family room to go to the back yard. Nick was sprawled on one side of the sectional flipping through TV channels when I stepped out into the warm summer evening. I picked up the garden scissors on my way out and walked gingerly around the younger stems to get to the more mature cilantro stems.

  I was busy picking and choosing the herbs, and I had not noticed Nick. He had walked up from behind and was standing only a few feet away.

  "Need help?” he asked smiling at me.

  "I am good. Almost done,” I said gathering the cilantro into a bunch and stepped away from the patch of herbs that were Nick's mom's pride and joy.

  I smiled at Nick with cilantro in one hand and the garden scissors in the other as he looked at me with an enigmatic look on his face.

  "Let's go,” I said walking past him and a few seconds later I heard the garden scissors hit the soft mud with a thud, and then all I heard was the deep pounding of my heart. Nick had completely taken me by surprise when he reached for me from behind with his arm around my waist. He brought my entirety pressed against the length of his body as his tongue explored the nape of my neck. He ran the tip of his tongue along the point collar of my drapey shirtdress. I felt his tight need for me dig into my lower back as he pulled the hair tie that had my locks in a low ponytail and brought his cool lips to the delicate skin to set it on fire.

  I moaned running my fingers through his thick hair and held on to him not trusting my knees. He caressed my delicate peak over the soft crepe material of my dress with his palm, while he lingered on my skin at the hem of the dress with his other hand just above my knees. Nick explored my neck with his tongue as he swirled his way to my ear and as he reached my outer ear, I asked in a rasped voice, "Nick, what got into you today?”

  He didn't respond, instead he gently dug his teeth into the soft skin of my ear. I yelped at the sudden surge of pain and pleasure and turned around to face him with his arm securely around my waist.

  "Nick, stop behaving like a teenager. I have to go give the cilantro to Ann,” I said in an annoying tone even though my body was begging him to continue.

  "What cilantro?” he said his voice muffled against my collarbone with his tongue exploring the peaks and dips. It was at that point I realized that I had no cilantro in my hand. I pulled away from him to find the garden scissors on one side and the small pile of cilantro on the soft soil a foot away from the scissors.

  I gave Nick a dirty look, as he seemed to be enjoying the lost expression on my face. I stepped away from his embrace picking up the garden scissors, and dusted off the cilantro stems and bunched them in my palm. I shook my head unable to remember at what point I had dropped the herbs on the ground. I picked up the stuff and walked back towards the deck with Nick right behind me; I didn't have to look at him to know that he was grinning.

  I took the cilantro into the kitchen and was washing it vigorously when Ann came out of the pantry and burst out laughing, looking at me. I looked up at her as I placed the damp cilantro on a towel to dry.

  "What happened to you? Did you have to fight the squirrels to bring me the cilantro?” Ann asked giggling.

  It then occurred to me that Ann was referring to my messy hair. Nick had pulled off my hair tie and had ruffled up my hair.

  "Yes, the squirrel named Nick,” I grumbled through clenched teeth as I smoothed out my hair.

  Ann let out a smooth endearment and said smiling at Nick, "You two are just plain cute,” and added, "It's fun, Sameera. Enjoy it.”

  I blushed as I had not expected Ann to give Nick the encouragement that he did not need.

  "I am yet to see Sam and Reetu be a cutesy couple. They are both overly reserved and behave like co-workers when they are with us. I just hope they are different when they are alone,” Ann said in a flat tone.

  "Easy, Ann. Since when have you started wondering what people do when they are alone?” Nick asked laughing.

  Ann shrugged her shoulders and said, "Not like what they do and stuff, Nick,” Ann said adding more weirdness to the discussion.

  "That's enough, sis. Not one more word about Sam’s love life. It's gross,” Nick said laughing and reached out to mess up my hair again.

  "Nick,” I said in an irritated tone and reached out to mess up his hair. He laughed and moved quickly to put his arms around me pinning my hands to my sides and s
aid looking into my eyes, “I love it when you react, and you look steaming hot with your hair messed up.” The admiration in his tone shattered the irritation that had built up from his silly actions a few minutes ago.

  “People around us feel uncomfortable when we do such things in public,” I said looking up at him.

  “Isn’t this what you wanted?” Nick asked and clarified immediately, “Living in the family residence with your loving husband. Too bad your husband can’t keep his hands off of you.”

  “Nick, you need to let her go now. I need help to finish up,” Ann called out interrupting what I was going to say to him. He released me after brushing his lips on my forehead. He left the kitchen to go back into the family room, and I joined Ann to wrap up dinner.

  “How often do you meet Reetu?” I asked Ann in a casual tone.

  “We would barely see her. It was only when we had an event at home but thanks to your family dinners, we see her more often now,” Ann said smiling and added putting her arm around me, “I feel bad that I haven’t been able to connect with her like how I connected with you.”

  “You are so sweet, Ann,” I said feeling the sisterly love and added, “I think that’s because you and I live in the same house. I think we should do something to build that relationship.”

  “I totally agree. Let’s chat up with her tonight and see what she would like to do,” Ann said with excitement.

  “Does she have siblings?” I asked Ann curiously.

  “Nope. She is an only child and had a pretty rough childhood, and from what Sam tells me, she grew up in an orphanage until she went to college,” Ann said in a grim voice.

  “I remember her mentioning having family here,” I said surprised that she had to live in an orphanage.

  “Yeah, her uncle lives here and he is her only family. Her father left her mom to fend for herself when Reetu was a toddler and her uncle was here so he couldn’t take care of her as she was in India.” Ann said and added in a flat tone, “Every time I think of Reetu, it makes me realize how blessed I am to be part of this family.”