Flaming Sun Collection 2: Marriages Made in India (Box Set with 5 novellas)

by Sundari Venkatraman

  A bit of intelligent conversation? Someone who talked a little less about himself? Ugh!

  Lakshman wasn’t very talkative. But she felt so comfortable chatting with him. And the heated glances from his black-as-sin eyes sent her up in flames every time they touched her, which was pretty often.

  It had been so unexpected, his turning up like that after two months. And they had conversed like old friends, talking about every damn thing under the weather. He was a baker. She was definitely curious to know more. And was she glad that he wasn’t another boring money maker, running a dumb business of buy and sell!

  What would her parents think of Lakshman? Her father was probably malleable. But her mother…Ruma knew it was next to impossible to change her mind. But then, she had to try, right? She wasn’t going to give up on the chance of falling in love with a fascinating man like Laki and instead tie the knot with an idiot, just because her parents said so.

  With that clarity in mind, Ruma plumped up her pillows and closed her eyes. She smiled automatically as scenes from the evening ran through her mind. She went to sleep, thinking of Lakshman.

  They hung out at Select CITYWALK the whole day of Saturday, trying their best to keep away from the crowd, which wasn’t easy. Since they had got in early, they managed to secure a corner table at Starbucks and chatted cosily over coffee and snacks for a few hours. The more she spent with Lakshman, the better Ruma was convinced that she wanted him in her life. There was just no way she’d marry Bunty Vaswani now.

  “Like I told you yesterday, my parents are old-fashioned. My dad’s keen that I wed Bunty Vaswani, the son of his business associate.”

  “Do you want to?” came the soft question.

  “Of course not.” She glared at Lakshman as if he was responsible for the situation and was startled when he grinned widely, obviously pleased with her answer. She couldn’t contain the answering smile on her face as she grumbled, “What’s funny now?”

  He took her hand in his, his thumb tracing the fast-beating pulse at her wrist. “Not funny. I’m just glad that you don’t want to marry this Vaswani.”

  She poked a tongue at him rudely. “What does it matter to you?”

  “Haven’t you realised? I plan to make you mine.”

  Ruma’s eyes rounded with shock. That was some declaration for a man as quiet as Lakshman. And not even a by-your-leave. Was he taking her for granted?

  “And how do you plan to do that?” she challenged, glaring at him, her pointed chin thrust out aggressively.

  “By wooing you,” he smiled. “How else? You’ll get so used to me and my adoration that you wouldn’t want anyone else.”

  That sure knocked the wind out of her sails. Ruma turned a brilliant shade of red as she caught his ebony gaze on her. His adoration! Yeah, she could feel it in every single cell of her body.

  They walked to Om Book Shop where Lakshman insisted on buying every book she browsed. “Laki, are you mad? I don’t need so many books.”

  “I need to buy them for you,” was the quiet reply.

  She stopped arguing after that, enjoying being pampered. They took the two large bags containing the twenty-odd books and stored them in his car, before going to PVR Cinema.

  They watched Vicky Donor, arguing a lot as they discussed the film during dinner at Punjab Grill. Ruma had never had so much fun. Lakshman had a quirky sense of humour that set her off every few seconds. Her ribs hurt from laughing so much.

  He drove her home at past eleven, insisting on leaving her at her building gates. “The car’s windows are tinted. Just get out fast and go home before anyone gets a chance to see me.” She got out in a hurry when the car stopped, rushing through the gate, without stopping to say ‘bye’. Not that he minded. She was going to spend Sunday with him at Ranveer’s row house. Lakshman sighed happily, navigating the traffic to reach home. Life was damn good!

  7

  As promised, Ranveer and Chanda left by nine in the morning. “Let me make some breakfast for you,” offered Chanda, even as Lakshman shook his head.

  “Don’t bother, Chanda. I’ll manage.”

  “But…” Chanda was confused. Her husband was rushing her, which was pretty unusual for him. And Lakshman…what was wrong with her brother? He loved her cooking. But he appeared to be lost in a world of his own.

  Ranveer started the car before talking to his wife. “Lakshman is in love and is still trying to woo his woman. He’s best left alone. You…”

  “How do you know?” asked Chanda.

  “Maybe because I underwent something similar a few months back?” said Ranveer, grinning cheekily at her. “Relax, sweetheart. Your brother will be fine.”

  Chanda sighed, resting her head against Ranveer’s shoulder. “I suppose.”

  They were gone barely forty-five minutes before an auto-rickshaw arrived, carrying Ruma in it. She looked up eagerly as the door opened even before she paid the driver. “Hey,” she waved, accepting the change before rushing towards the row house.

  Lakshman pulled her inside, shut the door and hugged her. “At last.” He held her close, his arms around her slim waist, his head buried in the crook of her neck, taking deep breaths to calm his pounding heart. She felt perfect in his arms, her lush breasts pressed against his flat chest. She smelled amazing, with a citrusy fragrance that teased his senses.

  Ruma’s arms were clasped around his hard back, her bags having fallen down. She could feel his hot breath on her neck and his arousal against her belly. She was falling for him, hard. And it felt so good being in his arms. Wasn’t she glad that they had the house to themselves for the day?!

  They broke apart at the same time and smiled at each other. Ruma bent down to pick up her bags. “I got you the breakfast I promised. You’ve got the coffee ready?”

  Lakshman nodded, taking her handbag and placing it on a side table. He helped her out of her parka and hung it on an old-fashioned wooden clotheshorse near the entrance. He stopped to admire her body-hugging, button-down, collarless shirt in a bright shade of aqua. A couple of buttons were left open at the top, giving him a view of her luscious curves. “You look gorgeous,” he breathed, bending down to place a soft kiss on her silky cheek, bringing colour to her face.

  He guided her to the kitchen that also had a dining area. It was already set for two. Lakshman heated some milk before making coffee in two tall mugs and carrying them to the table. Ruma had already opened the food parcels and placed the doughnuts, croissants and vegetable puffs on a tray.

  “I’ve gone vegetarian today,” she declared, picking up a mug of coffee and sipping from it. “Hmm…this is heavenly.”

  They munched their way through breakfast as they chatted desultorily, even as their eyes held a separate dialogue at an altogether different level.

  “Do you want more coffee?” Ruma got up to refill her cup.

  “No,” said Lakshman, unable to take his eyes off her snug bottom encased in stretch jeans. The lady was all sexy curves. “Ruma…”

  She turned as she heard him get up, her nerveless fingers leaving the coffee cup on the kitchen platform in a rush. A couple of steps and she was in his arms, her own clinging to his neck.

  He steered her towards the sofa, sitting down and pulling her on his lap, her back against his chest, his arms around her waist.

  He raised a hand to shift her long, silky hair to her left shoulder, his lips tracing her jaw line. His moustache brushed against her skin, giving her goose bumps. She was delighted by the sensation. Ruma’s head fell back against his shoulder as she gave him better access to her face and neck, a deep sigh shuddering through her. She took his right hand and placed it against her throbbing breast.

  Lakshman’s hand squeezed the globe gently, revelling in the softness. His tongue traced the contours of her velvety lips, seeking entry into her mouth. Ruma pulled his head closer, opening her mouth to him, her tongue tangling with his. He tasted so good and all male!

  His touch was feather light as he traced a fi
nger down the opening of her shirt, his lips playing havoc with her mouth. He opened a few more buttons to palm her left breast that was almost spilling out of her lace bra that was a shade of blue, darker than her top. Her nipple turned taut under his caressing thumb as Ruma moaned into his mouth. His wet lips traced a path down her throat, settling at the top of her breasts as he took gentle bites.

  Ruma buried her hands into his thick curls, pulling his head closer. Her eyes shut tight as she felt bombarded by the sensations created by his lips, teeth and fingers on her breasts. She felt his hand at her back, fiddling with the hook of her bra. She moved away from him to help him release it. The next second, both her top and bra were on the floor in a heap as Lakshman pulled them off in a single move.

  She opened her eyes to look at his face as he stared in fascination at the twin mounds, his big hands supporting her back, his thumbs resting at the sides. While she was slim to a fault, she was well endowed in the breasts department and wore a D cup. She turned a deep shade of red as she saw the hungry expression on his face. He was eyeing a part of her body that no other man had set eyes on. She felt aroused by his hot black gaze.

  He met her melting chocolate eyes, his own glazed with desire. “You look amazing.” He lifted a thumb, without moving his hand, to trace a flushed tip. It quivered at his touch, puckering up as blood rushed to that part of her body. “Laki…”

  He bent down to touch the same nipple with the tip of a wet tongue, rubbing it tenderly back and forth, bringing a shuddering sigh from Ruma. His mouth closed over her breast and he sucked on it, as Ruma groaned deeply in reaction, her body aroused to fever pitch. She moved restlessly under the onslaught of his mouth, her womb calling out for a mate. She moved impatient hands across his back, pulling his shirt out of his jeans. She explored the satiny finish of his skin, her hands tensing as she felt the tug of his teeth on her breast.

  “Laki, I…”

  He lifted his head reluctantly to look down at her, his eyes half-closed behind heavy eyelids, his breath coming out in gasps. He realised what she wanted of him and pulled off his shirt, exposing his wide, hair-roughened chest to her wild eyes. She gazed her fill of him, running her eyes from his muscular shoulders to his narrow waist.

  “You look so handsome,” she said, rubbing her hands across his chest, adoring the rough texture.

  He pulled her close to his body, her soft breasts crushed against his hard chest. “I love you, Ruma. I know…” as she whimpered, “I’m asking for nothing. Just let me hold you.” He paused for a second, as if thinking, before continuing. “I’m sorry if I’m going too fast.” His body shuddered, as he fought for control. He had to give her time.

  He removed his arms from around her and set her away from him. Bending down, he picked up their discarded clothes and handed her bra and top to her, before donning his shirt. “Please forgive me.”

  Ruma watched him, holding her clothes against her body, not sure what had hit her. One minute there, he was making passionate love to her, and the next, he had stopped. Her left breast tingled, remembering his caresses, while her right one protested at the step-motherly treatment. But she could see that the moment was lost, at least for now.

  Sighing deeply, unable to stop herself from admiring his restraint, Ruma wore her bra. She was startled when she felt his fingers at her back, helping her with the hook. “I’m sorry Ruma, both for arousing you and for stopping so abruptly. I want you too much. But I don’t want you to regret it later.” His gravelly voice was a rough whisper in her ears.

  But it was she who craved his lovemaking. It was she who had taken his hand and placed it against her breast. He had only responded to her invitation. She realised that he was one of those rare breed in today’s generation—a gentleman.

  She moved a couple of steps away from him and turned around deliberately, her shoulders straight. She felt cherished by his fiery gaze on her lace-clad upper body as she thrust an arm into her shirt. “I think I’m falling for you too, Laki, especially the gentleman in you,” she said. She gave him a broad wink, hoping to bring some lightness into a situation that was suddenly fraught with tension.

  Lakshman gave her a weak smile, his body still painfully aroused. It didn’t really matter if she was half naked or fully clothed, did it?

  8

  Lakshman and Ruma continued to be in touch long distance. They chatted a lot on WhatsApp during the day and invariably, he called her every night. He was simply adorable, making verbal love to her pretty often. Ruma was no less as she responded with alacrity, driving him nuts. Both their schedules were too crammed up for them to travel. Not that it stopped Ruma from falling in love with him.

  It was almost three months before Lakshman and Ruma could meet again. It became possible only because Ruma decided to land up at his factory in the middle of the week. On an impulse, she took a couple of days off, told her parents that she was going out with her friends, packed a backpack with a change of clothes and took an early morning flight to Jaipur. She was going to surprise Lakshman.

  “Hey, good morning.”

  “Sweetheart, so glad to hear your voice, good morning.” He had tried her cell a few minutes ago and had found it unreachable. Only, he wasn’t aware that it had been on flight mode.

  “Yeah, early, isn’t it? What are you doing?”

  “On my way to the factory. And you?”

  “I’m on my way too,” she said vaguely, curbing a smile. Let him presume that she was going to her office.

  “I miss you, love. But this weekend is also taken up. Hey, do you want to come down?” asked Lakshman. She wouldn’t agree to stay at his place. But then, even he wasn’t comfortable. They were still getting to know each other and he didn’t want his family around.

  “Let me see. Laki, I’ll catch you later. I’m getting a call.” Her OLA driver was calling her. She said a rushed, “bye” before taking the other call, excitement beating a tattoo in her heart. She was going to meet him after what felt like a long, long time.

  She gave the driver the address to Lakshman’s factory. Perfect! She had been wary of landing up at his home. While she knew his family members were pretty open and forward, she wasn’t keen to meet them yet. She hadn’t had a chance to speak to her mother. Anyway, she didn’t want to, yet. Their relationship was still in the fragile stage.

  She had the OLA stop at the gates to a large compound, her heart bouncing inside her chest. She crossed her fingers, hoping that Lakshman would be happy with her surprise. What if she gave him a shock!

  Ruma shook her head to herself. This wasn’t the time for procrastination. She paid for the cab and started walking towards the entrance to the factory. Just then, she saw Lakshman about to step in and called out loudly, “Laki.”

  Lakshman turned with a jerk. That sounded like Ruma. Was he dreaming again? A wide smile split his face in two when he saw the woman of his dreams coming towards him in a half-run. “Ruma,” he growled, pulling her into his arms. “What a surprise!”

  He let her go, still holding her hands, gazing at her with his blazing dark eyes. She looked as gorgeous as ever.

  “I hope I didn’t give you a heart attack,” she said, her eyes shining as she studied his handsome features.

  “There are heart attacks and then some,” he grinned, turning her towards his office, his left arm wrapped around her shoulder. “Am I glad you’re here! I’ve been missing you like crazy.”

  It was barely eight in the morning and the office staff were yet to arrive. He signed her through security and took her up the steps, and directly to the back of the large office, to his cabin. The office boy had obviously cleaned the place and had switched the air-conditioner on. “Welcome to my den,” said Lakshman, letting her walk in ahead of him into the swanky office.

  “Some baker,” said Ruma, eyeing the official looking table that had a plush office chair in black leather behind it. There were three visitors’ chairs on this side of the table. She took in the cabinets on one wall and the p
hotos on the other. Before she could check them out, she felt his arms go around her, his lips brushing her ear.

  “Sweetheart.” He turned her around in his arms, his lips seeking hers desperately. His hands spanned her waist as he pulled her closer.

  Ruma threw her arms around his neck, so glad that she had made the trip to meet him. She could feel his hair was longer as she ran her fingers through the silky curls at his nape.

  She buried her face on his broad chest when they came up for air. “I missed you too, Laki,” she whispered. Raising her head to look up at him, “Do you think I’m falling in love with you?” she asked, looking deeply into his black eyes, shivering at the desire burning in them.

  His hand moved down to trace the shape of her lush bottom through her cotton pants. He pressed his forehead against hers and said, “You tell me.”

  “I keep thinking of you all my waking hours. And dream of you when asleep. By the way, you distract me too much when I’m at work. You probably need to tell your brother-in-law not to sack me,” she said, tongue-in-cheek.

  Lakshman grinned, holding her hand and walking towards his swivelling chair. He sat on it and pulled her on his lap. “So, you bunked work today?” he teased.

  “And tomorrow,” she replied, nibbling his jaw, her hand tracing the shape of his moustache. It felt so good to be in his arms after all this long. Maybe she’d propose marriage. “Laki, will you marry me?”

  “Huh?” his eyebrows went up, his gaze amused, “are you proposing to me?”

  “What else to do? You aren’t asking me.” She pretended to be miffed. She felt such a sense of freedom with him, with absolutely no need for pretence. She couldn’t do it in her own home. Lakshman accepted her, exactly the way she was. Though they had spent just two days with each other, she had realised that much about him.

  “Well, I’d love to. So where’s my ring?” he asked cheekily, grinning at her startled look. “And shouldn’t you be on your knees?”