Boxset: Destiny Decides.. & Destiny Embraces..

by P. G. Van

  Nick and I lay on each other speechless for a few minutes until Nick broke the silence and teased, “You are a warrior princess that knows how to ride.”

  “Do I?” I mocked looking up at him with my head on his chest.

  “Yes, babe,” Nick said tightening his hold around me and added, “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Nick, we can’t go back to the family room looking like this,” I said as I sat up to adjust my hair and my top.

  “Let’s go up to our wing. I doubt if people were expecting us to be back,” Nick said as he helped me get out of the car and added grinning, “We are still newlyweds so I am sure they’ll understand.”

  I reached out to smooth his hair as he pulled up his shorts and said, “I love messing up your hair.”

  Nick pulled me into his arms nuzzling my ear and said in a muffled voice, “and I thought I was going to explode when you ran your locks on my face,” I blushed and felt a deep sense of pride when he complimented me for my actions.

  “You never fail to surprise me in bed,” Nick said smiling at me.

  “Can you handle more tonight?” I teased as he led me into the elevator to go back to our private wing.

  “You know I can,” Nick grinned and asked as we stepped out of the elevator, “Are you planning to go back to talk to Ann and Reetu?”

  “I don’t feel like it Nick,” I said and teased, “I’d rather hang out with my husband.”

  Nick chuckled and pulled me to him as the elevator doors closed smoothly. He slammed me against the elevator wall as his lips came down on me with immense pressure. I moaned welcoming the pain and ran my palms on his bottom pulling him closer to me.

  I felt him harden against my body as he explored my mouth with his tongue. I gasped against his lips when I felt his cool fingertips on my hardened nipple.

  Nick trailed his lips lower as he flattened my back to one side of the elevator.

  “Nick, hit the button,” I said my voice shaky as he started to suck on my neck and added, “Let’s go upstairs.”

  Nick groaned against my neck and said, “I can’t wait that long, baby.”

  He ran his palms on my bottom and pulled me up as my back slid into one corner of the elevator. I wrapped my legs around him feeling the thrill of the spontaneous outburst of emotions. I wrapped my arms around his head as he nipped on my lower lip. I ran my fingers through his hair and pulled him towards me as I sucked on his lower lip.

  He looked at me with his breathing strained as I tugged on his lower lip with my teeth. I smiled at him and ran my tongue along his lower lip.

  “It is so hot when you tease me like that,” Nick whispered running his lips lower to my chin. He placed a gentle kiss on my chin before taking it between his teeth. My body whimpered with the excitement and joy of being in Nick’s arms.

  Nick and I jumped when we heard a familiar ding, and I looked in horror as the elevator doors started to open.

  “Nick, let me go,” I said uncoiling my legs wrapped around his waist and almost crashed to the elevator floor.

  Ann was standing outside the elevator looking at us in shock for a second, and burst out laughing.

  “Looks like you guys didn’t make it out of the elevator this evening,” she teased and added, “I should have guessed when I heard all kinds of noises in the elevator.”

  I blushed adjusting my dress as Ann continued to giggle at the sight in front of her.

  “Ann, wrong elevator,” Nick said sheepishly running his fingers through his hair.

  Ann laughed and said, “I know that. I was going to drop off Meera’s phone at your place.”

  “Thanks Ann. Good night,” I said taking my phone from her.

  “Sorry for the interruption, please continue,” Ann teased as the elevator doors closed.

  I burst out laughing putting my arms around Nick and said, “I am so glad it was Ann and not someone else.” I planted a kiss on his cheek and said, “We have to finish up what we started here but not today.”

  Nick put his arms around me as we rode up to our private space.

  “Did you give Ann the access code to our elevator?” Nick asked as we stepped out of the elevator.

  “Yes, I did,” I said smiling and turned to look at him.

  My smile evaporated when I saw the grim expression on his face. He looked at me with his lips pressed together without saying anything. I looked at him in silence wondering why he was upset about Ann having access to the elevator.

  He took a deep breath taking a few steps towards me and said in a stern voice, “Please do not share our access codes with anyone else.”

  “Nick, it’s Ann...” my voice trailed off when I saw Nick shake his head.

  “It doesn’t matter. I am going to change all the passcodes, and I trust you to keep them to yourself,” Nick said pulling out his phone.

  I stood rooted to my spot as he pressed numerous buttons on his phone and finally said, “Next time you log into the app, you will get the new codes.”

  When I continued to look at him with simmering anger, he took a deep breath putting his arms around me and said, “You know how I feel about being interrupted when we were so hot for each other.”

  I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing and asked, “Were you upset that Ann had access or because she caught us in the elevator?”

  Nick took a deep breath and said, “It’s my elevator, and I can do what I want to do with my wife in it.”

  “That’s not what I asked, Nick,” I snapped.

  “Our private space is only ours, and I don’t want anyone else to invade it,” Nick declared and brought his lips to mine and said, “I am obviously upset because we were interrupted.”

  I pulled back to look at him and mocked, “You didn’t need to read me the riot act for that and be mean to me.”

  “Sameera, I don’t want you to share our access codes with anybody, period,” Nick said in a stern voice and added, “It’s best for everybody.”

  “I don’t agree with you on that, but I will comply just this time,” I said softly and added as I took his earlobe between my teeth and added, “I am complying only because I need to be penalized for letting Ann interrupt our elevator party.”

  I heard Nick’s sharp intake of breath followed by a groan as he wrapped his arms around me crushing me to him. He brought his lips to mine as he gripped my hair and teased, “Yes, and I know how to do that.”

  I giggled enjoying the roughness of his embrace and let him discipline me with his desire.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  I stepped outside and instantly felt the warm air against my cool cheeks. It wasn’t a typical San Francisco summer day as the temperatures were to hit records highs that day. I had debated between picking up a salad from the cafeteria but decided to grab my favorite pepper turkey sandwich from a local sandwich place that was a few blocks away from my office building.

  I was at the intersection waiting for a walk signal, and I saw him walk towards me. He had not seen me yet and I stood rooted to my spot with mixed emotions, as I saw him approach me. He saw me when he was half way through the walkway and his expression froze, and a moment later a smile broke on his face as he saw me smiling at him.

  “Meera, how are you?” he asked cheerfully.

  “Hi Sanjay, I am doing well. How are you doing?” I asked looking at the guy who broke my heart in college.

  “It is so good to see you after all these years,” he said maintaining a cool tone.

  “Same here. I didn’t realize you were in San Francisco. When did you move here?” I asked casually.

  “I am here for a conference. I flew in on Monday for a conference, and I am flying back tonight to Boston,” he said smiling and added, “I really need to go now, but I would like to talk to you before I leave tonight. Can we meet for coffee?”

  I hesitated and he immediately said, “Please, Meera. I really need to talk to you.”

  I smiled and said, “I should be able meet you for coffee before
I head home. Can I confirm after I check my schedule?”

  “Sounds good. Do you still have the same phone number?” he asked as he pulled out his phone.

  I nodded and he said smiling, “I will text you the location. I am so glad I ran into to you today.”

  I smiled without saying anything and headed to pick up my sandwich for lunch.

  Thirty minutes later, Sanjay texted me almost begging me to meet him for a coffee at five-thirty.

  I texted Nick before I responded to Sanjay.

  Me: Nick, what time will you be done today?

  Nick: hey babe, I have a meeting at 6 with Srini

  Nick: I will take you home and then head out to my meeting with Srini

  Me: Oh...I met Sanjay at lunch today

  Me: I haven’t seen him since college and I was planning to go meet him for coffee after work.

  Nick: I can move my meeting if I need to go with you

  Me: No, you go ahead with your meeting. I will go home after I meet him

  Nick: Got it…I will have Mitch come get you from work and take you to meet the guy and then take you home.

  Me: Sounds good. What time will you be home?

  Nick: I should be home by seven…see you later love

  Me: Love you!!

  I took a deep breath and texted Sanjay back to let him know that I could meet him at half past five.

  *****

  “Good afternoon, Ms. Nick,” Mitch said as he held the door open for me. I left work a little after five to meet Sanjay at the coffee shop.

  “Hi, Mitch. Thanks for picking me up,” I said as I got into the back seat of the Range Rover.

  “Where to Ms. Nick?” Mitch asked as he got into the driver’s seat.

  “Here is the address, Mitch,” I said handing him my phone.

  “Got it, Ms. Nick. It’s not too far from here. We should be there in fifteen minutes,” Mitch said as he pulled away from the curb.

  “Did Nick leave already?” I asked Mitch.

  “He left at four-thirty for a meeting,” Mitch said looking at the traffic on the street.

  Mitch pulled in front of the coffee shop a few minutes before five-thirty. I got out of the car and made my way into the coffee shop to see if Sanjay was already inside and when I did not see him inside, I sat down at one of the tables next to the window with a view of the San Francisco bay.

  Mitch managed to find parking right outside the coffee shop, and he stayed in the car. I looked around the coffee shop admiring the cute plants that they had hanging from the ceiling and noticed the friendly staff interacting with ease with each other promoting the bright ambience of the coffee shop. I looked out of the window and realized that Mitch had parked in such a way that he had a very clear view of my table from the car. I smiled and wondered if Nick had given him special instructions about security, especially after the episode in the parking area a few weeks ago with the carjackers.

  I was looking out of the large window at the bay when I noticed a familiar structure walk towards the coffee shop. Even though the person was almost a block away, I could tell that it was Sanjay.

  Sanjay walked through the entrance of the coffee shop, and his face lit up when he saw me smiling at him.

  “So sorry, I made you wait,” he said apologetically and added, “I kind of got lost.”

  “No worries. I got here just a few minutes ago,” I said looking at him as he sat down.

  “How was your conference?” I asked in a casual tone.

  “It was good, but I am ready to go back home,” he said smiling and added, “What would you like to drink?”

  “I’ll get a Chai latte, please,” I said getting up from the table and Sanjay stood up and said, “I got it. I will be right back.”

  “So, what’s new Meera? How is Nethra doing?” Sanjay asked after he sat down at the table after placing the order for our drinks.

  “Nate is doing well. She got married a little over a month ago,” I said cheerfully and purposely did not give out any of my details.

  “Wow, that’s awesome!!” he said smiling at me.

  “How do you like Boston? Do you miss California?” I asked smiling at him.

  “I do miss California, but Boston is not too bad. I kind of like it there,” he said looking out of the window.

  “How long have you been working in San Francisco?” Sanjay asked curiously.

  “I have been with the company for a few years now. I started off with an internship, and then I became an associate after grad school,” I said casually.

  The coffee shop staff member brought us our drinks and when I reached to take my drink, Sanjay asked in surprise, “Are you married too?”

  I figured he noticed my engagement ring and my wedding band and I smiled and said, “Yes, I got married at the same time as Nate.”

  “Oh, I had no idea. Congrats and who is the lucky guy?” Sanjay asked in a shaky voice.

  “Nick and I were friends in India and we met again earlier this year,” I said in a casual tone.

  “Congrats!!” Sanjay said smiling and added with a touch of sarcasm in his tone, “Very interesting.”

  I smiled and asked, “What is so interesting about it?”

  “Don’t get me wrong, but the Meera I knew did not make life changing decisions within a few months so I am a little surprised that you met him earlier this year and you are already married to him,” Sanjay said with caution.

  “I know, but when you find true love, time is not a factor,” I smiled with confidence.

  I saw his expression change and he became very withdrawn from that point and kept the conversation to very general topics.

  “I am so glad we were able to catch up Sanjay,” I said as I got up from the table around six o’clock.

  “Same here. Please keep in touch, and I know I have said this before but I am sorry for everything I put you through,” he said apologetically and added, “I am very glad to hear that you are happily married.”

  The three simple words clarified and released so many of my unresolved emotions. After I broke up with Sanjay, I had completely shut myself from him. On the day of his graduation, he tried to talk to me to apologize, but I did not give him the opportunity to do so. I realized a year later that I had forgiven him but ended up hanging on to the pain, as I did not have closure.

  “Take care, Sanjay,” I said smiling at him as I stepped out of the coffee shop.

  Sanjay reached out and put one arm around my shoulders and gave me a hug and said, “You too, and I wish you all the very best with everything.”

  “Thanks Sanjay,” I said as we walked towards the Range Rover.

  Mitch came around opening the door for me and smiled at me.

  “Mitch, this is Sanjay. We went to college together,” I said looking at Sanjay’s surprised face.

  Mitch and Sanjay shook hands and as I was about to get into the car, I realized I had not offered Sanjay a ride.

  “Sanjay, do you need a ride?” I asked in a cool tone.

  “Actually, yes. Thanks for asking,” Sanjay said smiling sheepishly.

  “Where do you need to go?” I asked and he responded, “I am staying at the Hyatt on Market Street. I hope it’s not out of your way.”

  “I don’t think so. Mitch is it on our way?” I said looking at Mitch for confirmation.

  “It’s on our way, Ms. Nick,” Mitch confirmed.

  “Ok, great. Let’s go Sanjay,” I said as I got into the back seat.

  Sanjay sat next to me in the back seat and asked curiously, “Ms. Nick?”

  “Yes. I can’t get Mitch to call me by my name. I have to be associated with my husband,” I said smiling as Mitch got into the driver’s seat.

  “Is he like your chauffer?” Sanjay leaned over and whispered.

  “He is our friend that takes care of transporting us in safety,” I clarified smiling at Sanjay.

  “What does your husband do for a living?” Sanjay teased.

  “I smiled and said, “He works
in the construction business.”

  Sanjay and I had a casual conversation for the next ten minutes as Mitch maneuvered through expert traffic.

  “Take care, Meera,” Sanjay said as he got out of the Range Rover.

  “You too. Bye, Sanjay,” I said waving at him.

  I sat in silence on my home and took the time to reflect on my emotions and feelings. I had no anger or pain or any ill feelings for Sanjay. It was a clear sign that I was no longer a victim of a broken heart. I smiled when I realized that I had let go of the pent up pain the night I told Nick about Sanjay. I knew Nick’s love was all I needed in this world.

  *****

  “Nick, I am home,” I announced, as I stepped out of the elevator. I saw his car in the garage so I knew he was home. I walked around the private wing but no Nick. I put my purse away and was walking to the main entrance of the house when I noticed Nick standing on one side of the roof garden all by himself with his back to me.

  I gingerly stepped out into the roof garden so I could sneak up behind Nick. I approached him quietly and put my arms around him from behind flattening my chest against his back.

  “Nick, what are you doing here all by yourself?” I asked as I placed my cheek on his upper back.

  Nick did not move or say anything, and it was a few seconds later that I realized something was wrong. I released him and turned him to face me.

  “Nick, what is the matter. Why...” My voice trailed off when I saw the cold expression on his face, and my heart took a nosedive to my stomach when I saw him holding a cigarette in his hands.

  “Nick, you smoke?” I asked completely taken aback.

  “Yes, sometimes,” he said his voice as cold as the Arctic ice as he took another puff of the cigarette.

  “I don’t believe this,” I said and in a quick snap pulled the cigarette from his hands and stubbed out the cigarette.

  “Sameera, what do you think you are doing?” Nick asked in rage.

  I was surprised by the way Nick seethed at me taking a step back in shock and said in a calm voice, “I do not appreciate you talking to me in this manner. If you are in no position to control your anger, come talk to me when you have figured it out.”