Enticed by you (Miraculous Love Book 1)

by Meghana Sarathy

  “More than that,” I flash her another small smile. “Time sure flies. Last I heard you were with Sean. You guys got married? Don’t mind my lack of knowledge. I’m not much in touch with my college friends.”

  “I understand, and it’s fine, I’m not much in touch my friends either. I moved to Seattle just few weeks back and regarding Sean, we got divorced three years back. I’m single now.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. And your kids?”

  “I have a son. He’s fifteen and his name is Jacob. I’ve got his custody. He does visit his dad once a month or so, and they’re pretty close. No issues there.”

  “Glad to hear that. So how’s life coming along? New job prospects? Anything interesting?”

  Small talks are so pointless and boring, but I’m used to it. She’ll eventually come to the point.

  “My life’s boring. Still in marketing. I make good money, so no complaints there. You tell me, how’s your life?”

  “I keep it interesting. You know me. Learning new stuff, experimenting new roles. It’s going good, but there’s no great achievements to boast about.”

  She rolls her eyes as I take a bite of my dinner. “Come on now. A good friend of mine, Steve, works in your company. He’s told me about your status and achievements so far. You’re in line of becoming the next director of your business unit, right? Now that’s huge.”

  I know the guy. He had been my subordinate for a project before. A decent guy, but not someone who’d ever been in Mathilda’s radar.

  “There’s still time for that but I can hope for the best. But my ambition doesn’t end at that. I have other bigger dreams and I’m still working towards them.”

  “Great. So, you still with Cecilia?”

  Now we are coming to the meaty topic. This is where her true curiosity lies.

  “Yeah. We are good. Does that come as a surprise to you?”

  “To be honest, yeah. I’m aware of the circumstances under which you got married. I didn’t expect for it to last this long.” Going by her tone, it feels like she’s actually sad that her hypothesis didn’t come true.

  “Well, it was a vow. A promise. And I had every intention of keeping it. It didn’t start out on a good note, but eventually Cecilia and I found a common ground and since then we have been doing good together. I have two kids. My son is eighteen and my daughter is fifteen. I actually dote over them, which is probably unlike the Nathan you once knew. What can I say? I love my family a lot.”

  “I always knew you would turn out to be a great dad.”

  How she knows that or can possibly gauge the same is beyond me.

  “I’m pretty sure you’re a good husband too, keeping Cecilia happy and satisfied. But the real question is, are you really happy, Nathan?”

  I continue to eat, seeming unperturbed by her line of questioning. In fact, I’m not surprised, though I didn’t expect her to be so upfront about it in our very first meeting. I believed she would be over me and what we had temporarily.

  “I’m not sure what you’re going for, but I’m happy. This is not how I had envisioned my life back in my twenties. Might not be the happiest, but again, I’m not complaining.”

  “You knew me well, so I can share this with you. I liked Sean but he wasn’t enough. I got involved with this other guy. It was supposed to be a sling, but he became too attached. I wasn’t serious with that guy but then again, I didn’t wish to wrong Sean ‘cause I knew I wanted more and he wouldn’t understand.”

  I sigh, rubbing the scruff on my jaw. “That’s unfortunate, but it’s good that you made a wise choice when you had the chance to. It’s better than living a lie.”

  “I know that. I also know what I want and what we had, Nathan. Though it was temporary and rather short, it was real and exactly what I needed back then and even now.” She pauses and when I don’t comment, she continues, “It’s just not the sex, you know? It’s about what comes after and how we deal with it. We are similar that way and know what to make of it. We don’t let our emotions into the mix and still remain friends. It’s something I seek now. I’ve been lonely and you alone can probably help me in chasing it away.”

  “That’s what brought you here? You came seeking me?” My tone is accusatory but I can’t help it. She can’t be fucking serious.

  “No. Don’t think I’m stalking you or anything. My job brought me here, but I did hope to run into you eventually. I’m just leaping on the chance.”

  Scrubbing my face, I vehemently shake my head. “No. Look, I’m not judging you. I get your desperation and to an extent, I also understand your loneliness but you’re approaching the wrong guy. I’m over all this. It was a thing of the past.”

  “That’s what I believed too. Then I met Oliver and everything changed. You never know when these habits are reborn and start to take control of our lives. Sometimes, it’ wiser to realize and accept this earlier and develop a safer coping mechanism. And I know you’re not the one who would have any issues leading a dual life. It’s something you’ve always been an expert at.”

  Folding my arms across my chest, I sit back, scrutinizing her. “And you failed at leading this dual life? Let me guess. Was that why you and Sean got divorced? He found out about your extramarital affair and that’s when you decided it’s better to call it quits.”

  “I wouldn’t term it as an affair,” she tells flatly.

  “That’s just how you see it, but your activities are what the society at least, terms as an affair. You can’t deny it. It’s perhaps how Sean saw it too.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” She huffs and lifts her eyes to meet mine again. “It’s a thing of the past. I should have been more careful, but this is not about me. It’s about you and what you have always sought in life. Just accept it, Nate, Cecilia is never the one you wanted. You might be settling with what you have now, but given a chance, you wouldn’t even hesitate before rewriting your life.”

  “Maybe,” I shrug nonchalantly. “But I don’t want that chance at all. It was my past and I’m over those days. Cecilia keeps me satisfied. I’m not desperate or in search of anything more.”

  “You’re lying to yourself,” She argues. “I know you.”

  “Correction. You knew me. I’m not the same Nathan you were once acquainted with. I’m no longer reckless and careless. My likings and cravings have changed.” You no longer hold my interest. I have my eyes set on someone else. But it’s just an attraction for now. I might not even act on it. I’m not too sure, though. Anything can happen. “I’m a family man. My family is my responsibility and I’ll always be standing by them. I don’t have time for any other distractions. I’m a busy man.” Again, not a lie, but I can always make time for that someone.

  She scoffs and smiles wryly. “Since when are you a family man? I spoke to Stephanie a few years ago and she happened to tell me about your short fling with her. I’m certain that was after your wedding with your beloved Cecilia.”

  Coking my brows, I return her sardonic smile. “That was nineteen years ago. It was just for two nights. Back then, I was still coping with the fact that I was married and was very frustrated in life. I wouldn’t even term it as a short fling. It’s not something I’m proud of.”

  “A mistake then? A careless one that you regret till date?”

  “No. It’s something I did consciously but I don’t wish to do ever again. Especially after the promise that I made to Cecilia. Not with her and definitely not with you.”

  Sara? Maybe. I shouldn’t be thinking about her, but it’s so easy to get lost in her thoughts.

  “We are cut from the same cloth, Nathan. You’ll eventually come to realize the same,” she quips.

  I take my last bite and use the tissue to wipe my mouth. “If that day ever comes, I’ll surely seek you. Until then, bye and take care.”

  I bolt from my seat, and without even giving her a second glance, I walk out of the restaurant.

  Chapter 7

  Sara

  The buzzing of th
e phone makes me snap my eyes open, but barely. I just trace my phone that’s incessantly ringing on my night table, before closing my eyes shut again. I don’t even remember how late it was before I closed my laptop, shot a message to Nate informing the activity is successfully completed and just fell flat on the bed. The entire time my phone was in general mode to alert me to Nate’s calls or messages..anything. But I didn’t hear a peep from him. Nothing. Not even a message asking for an update. So not only was I frustrated and tired, I was also annoyed at a particular person, who has also been getting under my skin lately. In all that anger and irritation, I stupidly didn’t turn off my phone before sleeping. I’m now paying for my stupidity. I doubt I even slept for three hours and three hours is very less sleep for a person like me. After deciding to break up with Bryce and informing him about it, I haven’t been getting proper sleep. He is not yet back from his holiday, so the face to face conversation with him is still pending. He can’t convince me otherwise. I’ve already made up my mind.

  I toss and turn around, crumpling the sheets and making a mess of my bed. I’m too lazy and tired to grab my phone and turn it off. Working your ass for nearly eighteen hours straight does it to you. It makes you insane. But this is no longer about me. My sleep is already broken and if I don‘t act now, it’ll be my sister losing her sleep next and I won’t let her suffer because of my work. No way. I’m better than that.

  Somehow, without even forcing my eyes open again, I remove the sheets and sit upright on the bed. Taking deep breaths, I fish for my phone and grab hold of it. Running my fingers along the corner, I manage to find the power button and I’m about to press it when I instinctively open one of my eyes to catch the name of the caller. Nate’s dazzling smile greets my eyes and I immediately hover my fingers over the screen, sliding it up.

  So much for being pissed at him. I’m dying to talk to him.

  “Sara.”

  Just one word and it’s my undoing. He should really stop taking my name like that – a silky, sexy whisper.

  “Nate?” I offer.

  I had plans of shouting at him. To question him for his absence and lack of interest. But now I’m way too tired and sleepy to put up a decent fight. So I’m saying to excuse my behavior when in all honesty, I just want his attention.

  “I saw your mail. Congratulations. You truly deserve accolades for this and I’ll be sure to let others know about your efforts. Good job.”

  I’m happy and a little sad too. There is that twang of sadness that he has called only as my boss. At least he did that. My manager, on the other hand, is totally unaware of what I’m even doing. Have I ever even denied Nate being a good Boss?

  “Thanks, Nate. I’m glad I could pull it off.” Great, Sara. So much for being mad at him.

  No. I’m being professional. Working for long hours in issues and sacrificing sleep is no big deal. It might be for me, but clearly not for Nate.

  “John had no idea. I dropping him a mail first, covering everything you did before replying to your mail. He ought to give credit where it’s due.”

  John is my manager. I should really be happy that Nate is being so thoughtful, but clearly I’m fishing for more than just compliments from him.

  “Thanks for that, Nate. So if that’s all you have to say, I think I’ll just get back to bed. You probably overlooked the fact that I barely slept for three hours. I’m really tried.”

  That’s better. I shouldn’t be going all gaga over this guy, giving him the reins to play with me with his misleading and confusing intentions. If it’s purely business, then even I’ll keep it the same. I’m done talking to my boss on an early Sunday morning.

  “I know that.” The vigor is once again back in his voice. “This was the best time I could call, so I’m making the best of the situation. But if you’re too tired, baby, then it’s ok, I understand. We can negotiate our terms some other time.”

  He should really stop calling me baby. The way he says it – my heart can possibly melt and become a puddle at his foot.

  I almost lost what he said next – negotiating our terms. I know exactly what he’s talking about and I’m totally up for this conversation.

  Bye, bye, sleep. I have way more interesting stuff to do now.

  “Well, now that’s a difficult conversation to have given my present state, but considering how you leap onto every chance you get with me, I think it’s high time we get down to some action and settle our terms.”

  Holy shit. Did I just say that to my boss? So many innuendos in just one statement? Didn’t I decide the day I broke up with Bryce that this ‘thing’ with Nate would just be a distraction for me? A game? Something to get my mind off Bryce? A mere change? But still..I never actually wished for it to take any sexual route. And yet, I’m more or less instigating the same.

  “Where are you, Sara? Is anyone around?” His tone has somehow become deeper, almost gravelly.

  “Why?” Sometimes I think I’m way too naïve.

  “Such conversations are supposed to happen in private. Definitely not in front of an audience,” he states in an ‘obvious’ tone.

  “I’m in my room. All alone. How about you?”

  “For now, I’m all alone too. Don’t ask what I’m up to. Until we negotiate our terms, it might be inappropriate for you to hear.”

  I can think of a lot of things..but the most striking and obvious one is that he’s rubbing himself. Is he? Really? Should I dare ask? Or he might just be playing me, making me pose such questions when he might just be undressing…watching porn? Endless possibilities.

  “Put a speed break to your thoughts. All you have to do is ask and I promise I’ll be honest. I’ve nothing to lose.”

  He is playing alright, but what do I have to lose?

  Sanity?

  Heart?

  Job? That’s totally at risk. I’m pretty sure there is a strict policy about not sleeping with the boss. If the cat gets out the bag, then I’ll be sacked for sure. The company won’t ever let go of an asset like Nathan.

  I have lots to lose but still, my curiosity always gets the best of me.

  “Are you jerking yourself off to me, Nathan?”

  “Hold your horses, Sara,” he lets out a short and light chuckle. “A single yes from you and I’ll be doing a lot more, which doesn’t just involve my pleasure.”

  I was at least on the right track.

  “Well, if you have already breached the topic…”

  “I did?” He cuts me. “Weren’t you the one who wished to seep into my fantasies while I masturbate?”

  “No, I never said that,” I exclaim in my defense.

  He chuckles again. “So, are you saying you’re not interested in indulging in my fantasies?”

  “I never said that either.” I worry my lip between my teeth, clearly losing this game. Until I sort through my feelings and decide what I want, I should stop giving into him this easily.

  “You’re clearly confusing me, Sara and as much as I like indulging you, I don’t have time all day, baby. You need to be clear with me.”

  So it’s all on me now? I wasn’t the one to start any of this.

  “I’ll make it simple for you,” I start. “Just answer in a yes or no.”

  “This tone of yours…” he starts.

  “No. You should just give me straight, to the point answers. No side talk. Understood?”

  “Right. Shoot.”

  He seems happy. Good. Now I’ll finally get all my answers.

  “You’re clearly interested in me?”

  “Yes.”

  “You never leave a chance to flirt with me.”

  “I make most of my chances. Yes. But I would still not term it flirting.”

  “Being attracted to a person, trying to talk to them while making your interest pretty evident and trying to set a good impression, is what is termed as flirting. So if you’re not flirting, then what is it that you’re doing?”

  “You’re totally leaving out the sexual innuendo, w
hich I must add, I’m an expert at,” he tells casually.

  “That is taking casual flirting to the next level,” I stress.

  “Well, I like the sound of that. You can say I’m doing that.”

  “But why?” I ask stupidly.

  “Do you want me to lay it out for you?”

  I suck in a breath. Maybe I want just that.

  “I’m not stopping you.”

  “I’m physically attracted to you, Sara. Something about you, the sexiness of your voice, the innocence in your eyes, the lure of your curves, the unabashed tongue of yours….I can go on and on. I’m no poet, far from it. But the effect you’re having on me in such a short period of time is not short of a miracle. You’re making me set out on a path that I had long bid adieu to, but honestly, I’m not even trying hard to resist. I’ll make do with whatever you’re ready to offer.”

  Such a big confession at a single go? I knew he fancied me. That was pretty obvious from our earlier conversations, but I honestly didn’t expect him to be so forthcoming about his feelings. Overcoming the hoard of conflicting feelings – pure glee and happiness shines through. Am I really so desperate for love that I’m giving a free pass to Nathan to rule over my heart? He’s even making it pretty evident that it’s only physical lure.

  “These are big words, Nate. You sure you can back them with action?” I tease.

  “What kind of action do you have in mind, Sara? It all depends on that.”

  “I don’t know, to be honest. I’ve never done this before. I mean, I always got into serious relationships and this is ……”

  “Casual,” he interjects. “No relationship. Let’s not even bring that into the picture, please.”

  “I know, I’m just saying..”

  “I know what you’re saying. I get it. Just don’t overthink this. I like you and since you’re giving me time of your day and encouraging this conversation, I can safely assume that you’re interested too,” he concludes.

  “In you,” I clarify. “I find you enticing and I’m admitting it.”

  “Good,” he tells without even letting me complete. “So that means we are on the same page, right?”