Page 131 of One Hellish Desire

I’m too numb to reply. Vikram is really stepping ahead to make my dreams come true, something my friends only laughed about when I shared. He cups my face, letting out a sigh.

“Would you mind if we postponed the movie? I want to take you somewhere else today.”

I would never mind. He gets on the bike, starting the engine after my approval. This man looks great on a bike too.

“Hop on, Cub. We don’t have much time.”

We don’t? But we can spend the evening and night roaming together, can’t we? I don’t think much and quickly put on my helmet while he puts on his. It’s crazy to ride a motorbike in a dress like this, but the thrill excites me. I want to experience this city, which has been such a crucial part of Vikram’s life. Without wasting time, I hook the helmet and wrap my arms around his waist.

“Can you hear me?” he asks, and it’s surprising how well I can hear him despite the helmet. It must have advanced Bluetooth speakers and a mic for communication. Technology! I nod, and he finally accelerates the bike. It’s a bit scary at first, but Vikram doesn’t speed up, which relaxes me. He turns into my personal sexy guide as we cross various streets, explaining what’s where, and I’m loving it. He then stops to buy flowers for me, which I accept happily. Before he puts his helmet back on, I quickly kiss his earlobe. Vikram turns, surprised.

“That was for the flowers,” I say, hiding my face on his back. He doesn’t say a word, just grins and puts on his helmet again. Our ride continues. I’m enjoying this phase of my life. It doesn’t feel like I’m married to him; it feels like we’re dating, just as I once demanded from him. We make a stop at a café, enjoying two cappuccinos with sugar-free cookies and cakes, then he rides us to a park.

He parks the motorbike and leads me to Sunset Park. Now I know why he brought me here. It was another one of my desires from my bucket list: to watch a magical sunset with my partner. And this park in Brooklyn doesn’t disappoint. Its picturesque hill offers impressive sunset vistas behind the Manhattan skyscrapers. We sit in silence, my head leaning on his shoulder. It feels like a dream, and even if it is, I don’t want to wake up. Ever.

****************

I’m having the best time today with Prince Pompous. He didn’t just fulfill two of my bucket list wishes; he made me feel truly desired. After the city ride on his motorbike, we head for dinner, and Vikram makes it even more special. I’ve never had a candlelight dinner before, and having it in one of New York’s most romantic restaurants makes me blush like crazy. Sitting across from each other, he can’t keep his hands on my thigh, but he doesn’t seem disappointed. He just wants to show me a good time, and it is the best so far. The fruit champagne kicks my senses, even though it has no alcohol. I feel so high and silly, drooling over my husband like never before. He talks about his new business venture and how he manipulated competitors to bid lower and win the contract. I keep sipping the champagne, nodding and smiling to show him I am listening, while my mind processes his brooding features, the darkness in his expressions when he talks about the business challenges, the passion in his eyes, and his gestures. Damn! This man is getting under my skin.

“You’re not listening,” he says, putting his glass down.

How easily he figured out I wasn’t concentrating on his words but on his voice and those intense gestures.

“Does that disappoint you?” I ask, putting my glass down too.

His gaze intensifies. “Whatever is keeping you occupied is more profitable for me than you listening to my business talks.” He replies, leaning closer over the table.

I’m surprised. “You mean to say you know what I’m thinking?”

He laughs and rises from his seat to sit next to me. Our knees touch. He takes his time to gaze at my face as if admiring me for the first time. “Every thought of yours…” He drags his finger from my head towards my neck. “Comes from here…” He stops his finger at my heart. “So, I don’t have to read your mind; reading this…” he gently pokes his finger into my flush skin over my pulse, “is enough.”

His reply stirs something in me. I press my thighs together under the table. “That’s not the answer I was looking for,” I bite my lip. “Can you really tell me what I had in mind?”

“Are you ready to hear it from me without losing your resolve to take things slow between us? I doubt.” He challenges.

“Try me,” I challenge back.

He shakes his head as if knowing I will lose and comes to the point. “You wanted me to take you home, Cub. In our bedroom… shut the lights off because you didn’t want me to see how flushed you were…”

My smile vanishes. He’s right. Can I stop him from continuing?

“You wanted to get rid of my shirt first and…”

“Stop.” I shut his mouth with my finger.

I might have stopped him, but I can’t do anything about the way he’s gaping at me. This heat between us is getting too intense. He places a butterfly kiss on my finger and entwines our fingers.

Breaking our eye lock, he looks at the server who is almost at our table. “Check, please.”

When Vikram settles the bill and helps me up, I feel my legs jelly and losing balance. Is it the fruit champagne? Poor champagne, I’m blaming it for no reason. I know this tipsy-turvy state is because Vikram’s feelings have drugged me. I’m getting addicted to this man. If he’s doing this to extend my stay or make me move here permanently, he might be succeeding. I wish it were so easy. We get back to the lobby where now his car and driver who he called a while ago are ready to take us to the penthouse. Neither of us speaks, and if I’m right, he’s purposely ignoring me to keep his hands off my body or do anything that could ruin this moment for us.

VIKRAM

Mom intercepts us as soon as Maahi and I step inside the penthouse. I knew she’d be awake even though it’s midnight. We stop. Mom gives Maahi a quick glance, and I think it’s her attire that impresses her. Maahi is clinging to my arm, giving the impression that a lot more is happening between us, which I hope Mom is content about. Mom loves me and wants my wife to love me too.

“I need to speak to you,” Mom says loudly. “Alone.” She stares at Maahi again, whose grip on my arm loosens, but I hold her there, not letting her walk away.

“Maahi is my wife. I don’t need to hide anything from her.”

---