While Anika was happily chattering away with Mrs. Roopa Raina's eight year old, she felt a familiar hand getting back to her waist. What was up with him? Why so much touch? Not that she did not like or want it. Curiosity was perhaps getting the better of her. She immediately straightened up glancing at him and then back at Mrs. Roopa smiling.

"Hello Mrs. Roopa, where is Saahil I haven't seen him around." Shivaay spoke looking at the little girl Anika had been chattering with.

"Oh he must be around with Vivek and Suraj. It's nice to see you after so long. How was your trip?"

"Amazing. " he replied. Anika managed a smile at his reply. "But being back home is altogether a blessing!" Her heart skipped a beat at that. His hand smoothed and moved a little on her waist. What was he doing! 

"Hey there!" Shivaay smiled at the girl. While Mrs.Roopa looked down at her shy daughter, Anika grabbed his hand casually and pushed it away without giving him a look. "I will be back."

Shivaay grinned slightly. The woman knew nothing of what she was doing to him. His patience and control both had reached the threshold. Her annoyance and embarrassment just made him tease her more. When would this party even get over?

No sooner than that thought had crossed his head Pinky and Shakti were called to the stage for the cake cutting. He quickly made it to the stage. While he stood beside his mother, she stood beside his father. Then there were her parents next to him. Happiness was togetherness of loved ones. He felt it. He loved how everybody was laughing, joking, smiling and enjoying. Everything seemed so perfect to be true. He took a piece of the cake feeding his parents and then her parents and finally his eyes were on her. Her expression changed when he approached her. She was trying best to eliminate proximity. It was driving her crazy. The more closer he came the more she felt her desires growing. He was a lethal threat to her sanity. Looking at others watching them, she opened her mouth a little for him to feed her. 

His eyes were shining. She knew something was on his mind. Before she could conclude, his fingers were in contact. The piece of cake was too small. He rubbed her lips in the process of feeding her. No, she wasn't mistaken. It was done on purpose and was planned. Someone handed her a piece to feed him. She could already see that smile growing into a smug one. She cautiously took her fingers up to his mouth. Before she knew he grabbed her wrist, making sure to rub his lips on her fingers he took a small bite. She was lost. In that pool of desire she saw in his eyes. She couldn't keep of the urge to wipe away the tiny patch of cream at the edge of his lips. All of this happened so fast and the others were so busy that none noticed the fireworks that were happening between the two. If it wasn't the freaking middle of a party at their home, Shivaay was sure he would have kissed her senselessly. Anika couldn't keep from wiping away the minutely little patch of cake at the edge of his lips. Her thumb wiping the edge of his lips didn't help. He knew she was as desperate as him. He loved this. They both were desperately waiting to love each other. 

Their trance was broken by the host of the party announcing the dance. Anika decided to quickly disappear and busy herself. Dance with him, at the moment only meant pouring fuel in fire- in abundance. He was faster to follow her and ask her hand. She gave him a look and then nodded in a no only he could perceive. He smiled and nodded in a yes. It was their way of communicating subtly. Her heart sank, knowing she had no other option. 

Once on the dance floor, they kept their eyes on each other. His one hand on her waist, other entwined with her hand, while her left on his shoulder - they redefined perfection. How long it had been! She smiled and he fell for her smile yet again. 

As they swayed Anika noted people looking at them. She blushed slightly. It was just three couples dancing - his parents , her parents and them. She locked her palms, tighter looking at him. He pulled her closer by her waist in response. She did not see it coming. A few minutes later the host invited other couples to join. Anika was glad the lights went dimmer and they were shadowed. Still with his shining eyes on her she still felt the center of attraction.

His other hand left her hand and rested on her waist. She automatically moved her hands locking it behind his neck. He was trying his best to eliminate distance and Anika her best to keep sanity. His hands now traveled up and down her waist sensually. She stared at him beginning to feel like a jelly. He tilted his head and dragged it a over her shoulder. She could hear his musical breaths. The music was lost, it was just them dancing to the tune of their mingled breaths and heartbeats.

She felt his hand make way to her shoulder, then to her neck. She knew it was going beyond the dance. His deep inhales were enough evidence. "I need to check on the Dinner arrangements." She whispered into his ears. Even that sounded sexy to him. He nodded, pulling away his hand with much effort. With one hand on her waist he walked her away. She slowly slipped away from his hold and disappeared without looking back. He kept looking at her. Expecting her to turn. A lover's hope. No matter how slim the chances a lover will always hope. In his case, strangely this time it worked. Just before turning round the pillar, she turned back and colored up realising he was watching her. Smiling to herself she left his line of sight. He grinned loosening his tie. "Anika!" 

One and a half hours later, he entered his room. The guests had all left. Her parents were staying over for the night. Once the guests had left he had given the gift to his parents with her by his side. Pinky was awestruck. He smiled. She had made shopping plans for the next day in less than two minutes of the news. She was now fretting on why the trip was the next night. Tomorrow would be a crazy day for Anika. Luckily her mother offered to help with packing and other stuff. 

He threw his tie and blazer. Loosening up a few buttons he threw himself on the bed. His thoughts all about her now. He hadn't dared to touch her after the dance. He wasn't sure of his self control any longer. Smiling he closed his eyes.

Anika walked steadily up the stairs. Her heartbeats frantic. He hadn't been playing around after the dance. She was sceptic cause she thought she knew why. She closed her eyes gaining her sanity. Why was she behaving like a newlywed wife on her first wedding night? Just enter quickly, make no conversation, aim for the bathroom, change and sleep. She took a deep breath sounded like a sane idea, but other possibilities were also there. How about walking in shutting the door and letting her lips find way to his? She pressed her hands on her cheeks. What was wrong with her! Remember, staying away? "Aaahhh!" She stomped her feet and entered the room flushing away all her thoughts.

The moment she was in, she saw him rise from bed. An awkward position she found herself in. Could he stop being sexy for a while? At least when she was disputed in her mind. It would be less distracting. He walked up to her. She was already dead thanks to her heart which was only skipping beats ever since the evening. Before she knew she was dragged to the wall. He held her arms, pinning it to the wall a over her head. She gasped. Her eyes interlocked with his gaze. That fire in his eyes was just like fire on ice. It would melt you steadily and burn you mercilessly. 

She expected an aim for her lips. He had other plans. His lips were on the side of her neck. His stubble pricking her skin and invoking sensations. As he left a wet kiss there she gasped. His hands pushing her hands against the wall harder. Oh no! She was loosing the little control she had. She struggled to free her hand, maybe today wasn't the day. He wanted control today. Fuck.

His soft lips dragged down against her neck wall. She was a mess. Her hands battled with his, but only ended up engaging in fight of love. She moaned as he kissed her exposed shoulder. He looked at her through those flames in his eyes. Not breaking the gaze he kissed her jawline. Anika closed her eyes, as he sent shivers down her spine. He inched to her lips and she turned away. Smirking he bit and kissed her skin at the neck. "Shi--iv--aa--ay!" She gasped. Leaving her hands, his hands traveled to hear head. Right slipped to the back of her head through her silky tresses while the left rested in her right cheek. He made her look at him. Her eyes. Those merciless beauties looking at his soul. 

"Anika!" He whispered huskily his nose rubbing against her neck and then cheeks. His lips almost centimeters away from her ears. " Do you want this?" He asked breathing heavily, struggling to say the words. He couldn't erase from his memory her rejection that night. For once he couldn't understand what she wanted and what she did not.

"Tell.me now if it's a NO." He said in broken whispers, his hand away from her body on the wall. He had made space between their bodies. He wanted her heart's decision not her body's.

She closed her eyes. Wishing he hadn't asked. Because her answer was something her body loathed. "No."

He took in a sharp breath. A few seconds later he stepped back. "I will be in the next room." His voice was more straight and grabbing his night clothes he left the left the room. Without turning to look at her. 

Complicated much? 😅

Love

-Anami!