Chapter 10 - First kiss

I walked into the living area to talk to Swati.

I questioned, "What do you think about Ishaan now?"

“My impression of him has changed,” she said, looking at me while leaving her coffee mug on the table. “He had the chance to do whatever he wanted last night but chose not to.”

“That implies that he is a gentleman, right?”

He smiled at me and said, "Yes, but a gentleman is the waiting wolf."

“What does that mean, exactly?” I raised my eyebrow.

"It just means he won't force himself on you but won't let go of the opportunity if you force yourself on him." She chuckled.

"How is that even possible Swati," I said exasperated.

She laughed "You can date him."

"Aren’t, we are dating already?"

"Yeah, whatever you have my approval" and winked at me.

I felt happy. Ishaan came to see me that evening. He offered to just take me out for a drive as I wasn't in the mood to go partying or meet anyone from the group.

He drove, although I'm not sure how long. The vehicle was then stopped in the middle of nowhere.

"Would you mind telling me why you're so upset?" He asked.

“Do I seem upset?” I questioned.

“I am not a face reader, but I know you well enough to guess what you are feeling,” he continued.” Although I can't promise to change whatever has made you sad, I can try to help you feel better.”

"I am just upset about yesterday. If you were not there...."

His teeth clenched. "No man with a rationale would act in such a way. Whoever did it is a despicable individual. I will catch him.”

Why do you always come to my rescue when I'm in trouble? I feel like I'm weighing you down.

"Why is it that whenever I am in trouble you are there to save me. I feel as if I am a burden on you."

"Why do you think so? Any guy would be lucky to have you in his life."

I laughed "you are flattering me".

"No, I am serious. If I was that guy. I wouldn't let you go ever."

His words and the nearly perilous way he stated them made me start to sweat. My throat felt dry, I gulped.

"I would have stayed right beside you made sure that you don’t go away from me for even a minute".

"My God!" I whispered feeling almost mesmerized by his throaty voice not to mention brush of his hand on my cheeks which soon reached my lips.

"Yes," he said.

His hands moved and cupped my face.

"You are lovely Aarya. I would have been counting seconds to be with you. I would have made sure that no man ever looked at you.”

I was startled, and it was difficult for me to focus on anything but the way his thumb was stroking my cheekbones.

"And? What else you would have done?" I asked. I saw that I was leaning in his direction as my body seemed to turn on its own.

He said "I would have made you forget the existence of any other man. I would have made sure that you know you would be mine forever."

Our faces were so close that our lips almost touched. He leaned and then covered my mouth with his What started as a gentle touch of lips turned into an inferno. Shocked initially I soon melted in his heat. Our tongues touched, then entwined, then explored each other. He was not gentle instead he devoured me. A tiny voice inside my head did call out reminding me that this was not right, this was not supposed to happen, I should stop right now. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his neck caressing his hair. He hugged me tighter never leaving my mouth for a minute. Shaking I pressed harder against him tugging his hairs pulling him closer as if blocking his escape not that he made any efforts for escaping. Then suddenly he pulled back ending it as abruptly as it had begun. It felt like being deprived of my favorited ice cream. Then my eyes flew open. The enormity of what had just happened struck me. He looked the same as before, cheery, and relaxed. Still cupping my face, he was caressing it with his thumb.

I exclaimed, "OH NO !! we...we kissed!"

He said "So we did. Glad you noticed".

Noticed? got earth-shattering volcanic eruption inside me was more like it.

" Ishaan please leave me I can't think like this".

"What's there to think about it...hmmm," He asked.

"Please someone might see us" I lied.

The truth was if I remained in his proximity longer, I would fling myself on him, rip off his shirt, and devour that Greek God's body.

"I have been wanting to do that for weeks!" He spoke.

I blushed.

"Are you upset?"

Upset !! who would be upset after being kissed by this dream of a man.

I shook my head.

He pulled me close again our bodies pressed together. I closed my eyes and settled my head on his shoulders. We remained in that position for several minutes then I broke the silence.

"Ishaan why didn't you kiss me last night when I asked you."

"You remember that?"

"Yes, I wasn't blacked out then."

"You were not in your senses Aarya. If I had kissed, you it would have been me taking advantage of you."

We went quiet again.

"Ishaan," I said.

"Hmmm"

“Where is this going?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" He replied to his eyes still closed.

"Us? Where is this going?"

He opened his eyes and looked at me.

"Wherever you want Aarya. You are the most important person for me right now. I can't imagine my life without you."

"Love scares me Ishaan, I need time to think," I said.

He laughed "You over-analyse things."

"I am an analyst it’s my job! " Grinned at him.

I was still leaning on him. Our bodies pressed together. He stroked my arm with his hand. We stayed like that for don't know how long. If I had the power to stop time. I would have done.

"Ishaan, I think we should go back," I said.

"Hmmm, are you ok now?" He asked.

"Yes, thanks for making me feel better," I replied.

We drove back and he dropped me back home "Good night, Aarya. Will call you later".

I replied, "Good night, Ishaan".

I stood watching him till his car disappeared from the view.

I walked back home, my thoughts in a jumble and my lips still stinging from the onslaught of inferno called Ishaan. Unlocking the door, I walked in and the scene in front of me nearly knocked me off.

"What the hell!" I shouted.

Swati and Gaurav who were wrapped in a passionate embrace on the living room sofa sprang apart. Their expression froze into shock.

I fumbled "I am sorry I didn’t mean to walk upon you ...I... I better go to my room".

Averting my eyes, I ran off to my room. I locked myself in the bathroom and stood under the shower for an eternity. When I came out towelling my hair Swati was sitting in my room. Her face was still red.

"You have still not freshened up?" I asked.

Swati said "I... I. just...I don’t know how it happened. I guess I was too drunk".

I smiled "Swati Chill!! Nobody is judging you, no need to give any explanations. It's just that I walked in at the wrong time".

Swati sighed with relief "Well I sort of lost control...he is kind of cute." and grinned.

I thought "Tell me about losing control."

"So, you and Gaurav? huh?" I grinned at her.

Swati blushed probably for the first time in her life.

"Good I am happy for you. When did this happen?"

"Ummm spark was flying for some time and today we got the opportunity to confess, and you walked in. Where were you btw?"

I flushed remembering the searing kiss.

"Umm, we just went for a drive."

Swati gave a mischievous smile.

"Really!! The flat was empty, and you both were out on a drive!! how unromantic".

"Swati, you know there's nothing like that. How come I never noticed sparks between Gaurav and you".

"Because nowadays you don’t notice anything except Ishaan."

I rolled my eyes "Ok stop teasing me otherwise I will start teasing you about Gaurav and I do notice other things besides Ishaan".

" Oh really! Then do you know where we are going for Deepak's birthday this weekend?"

"What! Deepak has a birthday this weekend?"

She rolled her eyes "Everyone has got a birthday someday in a year."

"I need to buy a gift!" I said almost panicked.

"Don’t, worry we have decided the gift you can simply contribute unless you want to give something separately."

"Nah I will contribute. So where are we going?" I asked.

"Goa!" She grinned.

"What! When was this planned? Nobody tells me anything nowadays" I complained.

"You will know if you bother to check your W******p. And Ishaan is also invited so don't worry."

I gave a sheepish grin.

Swati left and I collapsed on my bed exhausted. I slept as soon as my head touched the pillow and I dreamed. I dreamed of Magnolia blossoms, Musky scents, Strong arms rippling muscles, and soft luscious lips.