Page 111 of Tiger's Dream
“I think you lookhot, Sunil,” Nilima said triumphantly.
Just as he leapt, she threw the contents of the glass in his face. She squealed and raced away, but he caught her, picking her up at the waist and leaping into the pool, dragging her along with him. Nilima rose to the surface, gasping and sputtering. He emerged and sucked in a breath. “You deserved that, woman. You have been slowly driving me crazy for months.”
“And what about you?” she spat back as she smoothed her hair away from her face and started swimming to the steps. “You’ve been a thorn in my side since you got here!”
“You are so prickly I’m surprised you would notice a small thorn like me,” he replied, trailing behind her.
“I wish you were one of my employees so I could give you notice,” she hollered back. “And no, I’m not explaining that one. Figure it out for yourself!”
Sunil had cornered her at the side of the pool. She turned to him and made a halfhearted attempt to escape, but soon gave up. Her breaths were quick and sharp and her eyes were full of fire.
“So,” he said, touching his finger to a wet strand of hair and pushing it over her shoulder, his fingers grazing her skin. “You finally admit that youhavebeen noticing me.”
“How dare you! I…”
Sunil swept closer and closed his mouth over hers. She pushed against him for a moment, but he took her hand from his chest and put it around his neck instead. When she moaned softly and slid her hand into his hair, he took hold of her waist and pulled her tightly to him. They kissed as passionately as they’d fought. But, then, his kisses gentled and slowed and he drew away before she wanted him to.
He pressed his forehead against hers. “Nilima,” he said, running a hand down the length of her wet hair. “Tell me you love me.”
She pulled away from him but she didn’t go far. “No, Sunil. I don’t…” Nilima paused, the words frozen on her lips.
Sunil touched her neck, his thumb grazing her jaw. He moved closer and her eyes dropped to his lips. He smiled. “Fine, you stubborn girl. Then I will say it first.” He cupped her face in his large hands. “I love you more than anything in this world. More than the cherished memories of my past and more than the miracles of the present. I lay my future at your feet. I would walk the unknown with you at my side and discover every new thing this world has to offer. Be my bride, Nilima. You don’t have to say you love me. Just say you will marry me and I’ll work every day to earn the rest.”
Nilima blinked, the water lapping at her shoulders. “Oh, Sunil,” she said with a sigh.
“Do you mean to crush my heart? My spirit?” he said with a mock expression of horror. He put his hands on her shoulders and shook her lightly. “Confess your feelings. I know you have them. Inside this cold exterior,” he said, poking her arm, “lies a very warm woman. I should know,” he added, raising his eyebrows meaningfully. Loudly then, he pronounced, “She denies me her affections, but continues to attack me scandalously in every dark corner she can, completely compromising my reputation. And now she has pushed me into a pool to have her way with me!”
“Stop it! Stop!” she laughed, covering his mouth with her hand.
His eyes twinkled as he kissed her palm and each fingertip. “Say you will marry me, Nilima,” he begged softly. “Please.”
She pressed her hand against his cheek. “Yes, Sunil. I’ll marry you.”
Sunil laughed joyfully and grabbed her, spinning her around until she shrieked and laughed with him, her arms holding on to him tightly. “And now say you love me.”
“I love you,” she echoed.
He slowed, setting her down, and added, “With all your heart.”
Running her hand across the angled planes of his chest, and stopping when her palm reached his heart, she agreed, “With all my heart.”
Then, with his hand sliding over hers, he ducked his head, capturing her lips once again.
Ana squeezed my hand and the scene before us disappeared.
Chapter 25
A Cave and a Circus
We rematerialized in a thick forest of trees. The air was warm but clouds were gathering overhead. I inhaled and I recognized the place immediately.
“Oregon,” I said. “Why are we here?”
Anamika started forward through the trees and said, over her shoulder, “We have to free Ren.”
I frowned and trailed after her. “Free him? From what exactly?”
“He is currently trapped as a tiger. This is something you inflicted upon him when he was captured, correct?”
