'Maan!' The ecstasy became too much for her to bear her voice pleaded, and his body, hard and strong, came back to her, compelling a further surrender, his possession tender until she cried aloud for satisfaction and he crushed her against him with the same urgency he had shown before.

She was trembling uncontrollably as she spiraled back to earth, her eyes deep and dark on his face, awe and wonder in their black depths, and he watched her for one long moment before tossing the towels to the floor and pulling her back into his arms, covering them with the cool sheets.

'You're tired,' he said softly, his fingers tracing her tremulous lips.

'Yes.' She was languid, wondering why she couldn't speak, why his eyes seemed to fill the whole world. 'Yes, I'm tired.'

'Then sleep with me, darling.'

The word rang through her brain like a crystal bell, and she turned her head to his shoulder as her eyes closed. This was not what her mind had imagined for so long. This was a heaven, a belonging she had never known.

'Maan!' She whispered his name and he seemed to understand without further words. His arms enclosed her in safety and she slept.

It was almost noon before Geet awoke, and Maan was not there. The sheets were twisted around her waist and she felt a ridiculous burst of anxiety that he should have seen her like this. She would not let her mind think of what had happened. He had sent her away and she had come back. She had slept with Maan because she had wanted to. How did he feel now, in the bright light of day?

Her clothes were where she had dropped them, and she picked them up, folding them slowly before going to see if there was any water left. There was, and she used it sparingly before dressing in the only other clothes she had; the white dress she had arrived in. Even so, she lingered. Here in this room was the memory of happiness, more than happiness. She realized that she was afraid to leave it behind and step into the day as the memories of past came flashing before her eyes......

Precap: Past...