Flaming Sun Collection 1: Happily Ever Afters from India Box Set (The Malhotra Bride; Meghna; The Runaway Bridegroom)

by Sundari Venkatraman

  All the guests enjoyed the sumptuous and elaborate lunch served at one end of the marquee. Akshay and Sunita sat on their chairs at the other end as the guests queued up to offer their best wishes.

  Twenty-one

  It was six by the time the newlyweds left for their honeymoon suite at Taj Lands End. Leela gave her daughter a tearful farewell. Sandhya hugged her younger sister wishing her luck. Gokul appeared rather shaken that his newfound daughter was leaving him. He hugged her awkwardly, at a loss for words. Sunita broke down in tears when she went up to Grandpa Ratan to take his leave. Dadaji held her close to his heart and consoled her, his own eyes wet.

  “Go, my child, and lead a happy life with Akshay. He’s a good boy and loves you so much that he’ll cherish you till the end of your lives.”

  Sunita looked at Dadaji, unable to tell him the truth. She felt sad that he was taken in by their playacting. She wondered what would happen after three years. Will she have the strength to leave the man she loved with all her heart? Fresh tears lined her cheeks. Luckily for her, no one guessed the reason for them.

  Raj and Tanuja hugged both Akshay and Sunita spontaneously. While Akshay was taking leave of Dadaji, Tanuja took Sunita aside.

  “You’re on the threshold of a new life, my darling. Be happy! Wish you the very best.” She kissed Sunita with so much love that the latter was touched. She hugged her mother-in-law and whispered, “Yes, Aunty.”

  Akshay passed her a tissue as they settled in the car. “Are you so bothered about going away with me?” he asked, no teasing note in his voice.

  She answered seriously enough, “Sorry about that.”

  He rubbed his knuckles against her cheek, not able to bring himself to kiss her as the contract hung like the sword of Damocles over their heads.

  They checked into the hotel. The bell-boy led them to the lift that whisked them up to the 24th floor to a Grand Luxury Suite that had a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. Not that either of them was in a mental state to appreciate it.

  Akshay automatically played the role of host. “Would you like to have a drink?” he asked, checking out the contents of the refrigerator. He had pre-ordered a jug of fresh lime juice as he knew it was Sunita’s favourite. Without waiting for her answer, he poured chilled lemonade in a glass and gave it to her.

  She watched in surprise as he opened a bottle of Smirnoff and poured a generous measure of the vodka into a glass before adding fresh lime juice to it. Wasn’t it too early in the evening? “Cheers!” he raised his glass in toast, his expression mocking. He gulped the drink down in a couple of swallows as she sipped hers slowly, forcing it down her throat that was choking with emotion.

  He was restless as he went around the suite in the pretext of checking out the amenities. She watched him from her seat on the luxurious sofa, her eyes pained. Where was the camaraderie they shared over the past few weeks? Now that he was her husband, had she lost her boyfriend? Sunita felt bereft.

  He returned to the sitting area with his laptop bag. He made another drink for himself before setting it up on the glass-topped dining table. As it booted, he spoke to Sunita without looking at her, “You must be tired. Why don’t you rest till dinner? I need to finish something.” It was a clear dismissal. She got up immediately and went into the bedroom, leaving her unfinished lemonade behind.

  Akshay raised his head to look in the direction she had gone in, a deep frown on his forehead. Where had he gone wrong? They were getting along so well. Shaking his head to rid himself of gloomy thoughts, he called room service to order a pack of cigarettes.

  Sunita pulled the curtain away from the bedroom window to stare outside. She could barely perceive the dark ocean in the deepening twilight while myriad electric lights had come on with the advent of darkness.

  She wasn’t sure quite what she had expected on her wedding night, but definitely not this feeling of alienation. There were a couple of times she had wondered if they would consummate their marriage but had shied away from the thought. She loved his kisses and felt so wonderful in his arms. A tear threatened to spill out of her eye. She rubbed it angrily away as she squared her shoulders. She had come this far to claim her freedom. She knew that he was attracted to her if not in love. She wasn’t going to slink out of Akshay’s life just because of some stupid contract.

  Sunita changed into a pair of stretch pants and t-shirt and did 12 surya namaskars. Once she was done, she squatted on the floor, her legs crossed. Her hands in a special mudra to beat stress, she closed her eyes to breathe deeply in and out, counting till 500. She was extremely calm by the time she completed the routine and had come to a decision by now.

  She got up with a purpose, running water into the bath and adding the exquisite bath-salts provided by the hotel. It had to be tonight or never.

  AKSHAY RAISED HIS HEAD WITH A FROWN. Was he hallucinating? Half a bottle of vodka and some cigarettes couldn’t drive a man to seeing visions, could they? The woman who went into the bedroom a couple of hours ago had looked beaten, her shoulders drooped.

  The one who stepped out couldn’t have been more different. He stared, his bloodshot eyes wide in surprise, a smoke haze surrounding him. Did she really have such long legs? Sunita barely reached up to his shoulder. When had she bought those red stilettos? He didn’t remember her trying them on. His eyes slowly travelled up her slender legs, widening more than ever. He shut his dropping jaw in a hurry as he caught sight of her shapely knees. Why had she hid her gorgeous body in those salwar kameezes?

  The breath he had been holding left in a whoosh when his eyes moved up to mid-thigh and saw the hem of her dress. It was the same sexy shade as her shoes. What was with this woman and red? Her skin glowed all the more. The flared skirt rose up a few inches as she twirled around to give him a 360-degree view. Akshay’s body tightened in arousal as he saw the dress dipping low over her back, giving him a tantalising glimpse of red lace. What the hell!

  Her arms were up like a ballet dancer’s as she turned around to face him. Her eyes were made up dramatically with red-gold eye-shadow and black liner, her pouting lips glistening in a nude gloss.

  Akshay made a move to get up just as he realised that he didn’t want to shock his young wife with the state of his arousal that was obvious. She may be dressed like a siren, but he knew how innocent she was.

  Sunita walked to him and took his hand in hers, her eyes inviting. It wasn’t difficult once she put her heart into it.

  He stared at her gorgeous breasts encased in red and recalled the last time he buried his face in them. A deep sigh left him before he could stop it. Why was life so complicated?

  She did not let on the shock she felt when she saw her husband sitting there amidst the cigarette smoke, the vodka bottle more than half empty. She didn’t know he smoked but decided not to let it faze her. She needed to reach out to him for her own sanity more than anything else.

  She managed a slow pirouette despite her shaking limbs. It got easier when she caught the hungry expression in his eyes. A seductive smile invited him to take a closer look.

  Unable to resist, Akshay pulled her into his arms. “What the hell are you doing?” he growled in her ear as his left hand stroked her back. His right hand went south as he caressed the back of her thigh. Her skin felt so silky, driving him insane with desire.

  Sunita shivered at the sensations he aroused in her. A tremor passed through her as she felt the bulge in his jeans. He was obviously not immune to her.

  She turned to press her open lips against his rough cheek, her tongue peeping out to get a taste of him. Akshay groaned as he turned his head to catch her marauding lips, kissing her hard. He pressed her closer to his arousal, his hand splayed on her soft bottom. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth and plundered it in a hungry kiss.

  Her hands pulled out his shirt from the waistband of his jeans impatiently. She wanted to touch his skin. She mewled in protest when Akshay removed his hands from her body, bringing a smile to his face. “Just a se
cond, sweetheart,” he said, before removing his shirt in a hurry. She looked at his bare chest hungrily as she touched him in wonder. The black whorls of hair felt crisp to her soft hands as she explored unfamiliar territory. Akshay turned her around to press her almost bare back against his body, his arms going around her. His large hands cupped her breasts, squeezing their softness, his lips at her neck. “Sunita.”

  She pressed closer to him, revelling in his touch, her nipples perking in response. She groaned as he nipped at the pulse in her neck. Her hands were restless on his arms, wanting more. She felt the earth tilt when he lifted her in his arms. Her hands automatically went around his neck and she buried her face in his chest as Akshay walked to the bedroom. He had to make her his—contract or no.

  He placed her gently on the bed and removed his jeans. While shy colour ran up her cheeks, Sunita refused to look away. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw his muscular legs revealed to her gaze in the muted light. She couldn’t miss his arousal straining against his briefs. He went on his knees beside the bed and removed the red shoes that tantalised him. His hands felt warm as he touched her feet. Ticklish, Sunita wriggled her toes, almost jerking away in shock when he pressed his lips to her instep, his tongue leaving a wet trail. His hands and lips explored every inch of her legs as he moved up. Sunita sat there dazed, not knowing what hit her. Her whole body was on fire. Akshay was on the bed beside her, his hands pushing the shoestring straps of her dress down her shoulders. She went on her knees to press her body against him, her arms going around his back. It felt so smooth to her touch, quite different from his chest. His muscles rippled under her hands, reacting to her caress. Sunita kissed him wherever her lips could reach as he pulled the sexy red dress off her. Her breasts were exposed to his smouldering gaze. Sunita automatically crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes looking at his warily.

  His gaze turned gentle as he watched his shy wife, the siren nowhere in sight. Akshay gently tugged at her arms, “Let me look at your beautiful body Sunita,” he whispered.

  She allowed him to pull her arms away, her eyelids coming down of their own volition. She missed the love and desire flare up in the brown eyes in front of her as Akshay cupped her breasts, fondling them gently. As he heard her soft sigh of pleasure, he bent down to put his lips to her left breast as he fingered the nipple of her right. Sunita shuddered with the passion that hit her in a powerful wave as she felt him sucking at her breast. Her hands went around his head to pull him closer to her body as they both fell on the bed in mounting desire.

  Akshay revered her breasts as Sunita thrilled to his hands and lips on them. She pressed her lips to his shoulders and neck, her hands rifling through his silky hair. Growing bold, she nipped his shoulder, swiping her tongue over the bite as she heard him groan.

  “Keep that up and it’ll be over before we start,” he said, a teasing smile in his eyes as he raised his head to look at her.

  Her hair was splayed on the pillows, her lips red from his kisses. A small frown of concentration brought her brows together as she asked, “You don’t like it? I—”

  He laughed at that, the soft sound strumming her heart strings. He rolled on the bed, pulling her on top of him, pressing her feminine mound against his arousal. “My sweetheart, I like it too much. But there’s only so much my fragile body can take against your onslaught,” he teased her, the grin on his face bringing an answering smile to her face. Bolder, she bent to press her lips to his male nipple, opening her mouth to rub a wet tongue on it. A long groan broke out from him in response as he pulled the scrap of lace that covered her femininity. She nipped him hard, loving the sensation.

  “You li’l wild cat,” he swore, rolling her over again below him. He kicked away his briefs and taking her hand in his, guided it to his throbbing masculinity. Her eyes widened in shock as she caressed his hardness. He was so huge. Would—?

  Her thoughts flew out of her head when she felt Akshay’s hand exploring her feminine core. His lips at her breasts, he gently coaxed her willing flesh to wetness, getting it ready to accept him.

  “I’ll be careful,” he promised before entering her in one stroke. A gasp escaped Sunita as she felt pain. He waited, gritting his teeth as his body wanted him to push for more. He saw the hurt leave her face as wonder replaced it. He thrust himself within her in rhythmic strokes, his tongue exploring her mouth. In a moment, Sunita caught the tempo and responded enthusiastically, her hands on his shoulders, revelling in the coupling. Stars exploded behind her closed eyes as the climax tore through her body, Akshay following faithfully behind.

  She savoured the weight of his relaxed body on hers, refusing to let go when he tried to move away. He felt so good in her arms. Drawing deep breaths, he turned on his side and pulled her close, his arm around her waist.

  Three days they spent at the hotel, in bed most of the time. Sunita was happy to notice that the half full cigarette packet had been trashed while his laptop was locked away. And not once did the subject of the contract crop up.

  “Akshay.” Sunita hugged her boyfriend from behind as he was locking the suitcase, all packed to leave. She had completely lost her shyness under his expert tutelage. She learned how to please him and she couldn’t have asked for a better lover. The rocky beginning to their married life had settled to an even flow. But it still wasn’t how it used to be before signing the contract. And she didn’t even know what it said.

  “Hmm.” Akshay stopped what he was doing to hold her in his arms. He enjoyed the way she responded to his lovemaking, completely enthusiastic. His tongue flicked at her ear, arousing her immediately. The next minute, both were in bed naked and hungry for each other. This is exactly what kept her hopes up.

  Akshay slapped her bottom playfully and said, “You’ve to get dressed now unless you want to miss the flight.” They were leaving on a 10-day trip to Paris and Rome.

  She recalled what she wanted to tell him before they jumped into bed. “Akshay,” she caressed his cheek.

  He took her hand to kiss the palm. “Do you know what you’re doing to me? I’ve become your slave,” he said playfully, his eyes searching hers. She didn’t know that he meant what he said.

  “And I yours,” she breathed, holding him tight. “I’ve a confession to make.” It was now or never. These three days had been fun but she needed to be sure that she had a future with him before taking off to Europe. She’d packed her clothes separately. She was ready to miss the flight if need be.

  She got up and dressed in a hurry, looking elegant in the rich cream trouser-suit that she chose to travel in. She didn’t want to look at him, scared of what she would see in his expression.

  “I don’t know what’s there in that contract of yours,” her voice was low. Sensing the importance of what she was saying, Akshay moved closer, buttoning his shirt. He sat on her side of the bed to pull on his socks. “I don’t care.” She twisted her hands in anguish. “I’m in love with you Akshay.”

  She turned in a hurry to reassure him. “I’m not saying we remain married permanently. I know you want your freedom. Only I don’t think I can live with you for three years and walk out after that.” She moved away, unable to stand close to him. She was scared that she might insist on being a real wife to him. What if he rejected her? “These three days were heaven. They’re enough to take me through life. I think its best we don’t make the trip to Europe together. I’m sure you understand.” There! She had said it. Just a little more time she needed to pretend that her heart was not smashing to smithereens. Sunita squared her shoulders. But she wasn’t a defeatist. She had a future to plan—one without Akshay.

  “You signed a contract for three years. You can’t just up and walk away in three days.” Akshay’s voice shook with emotion. She loved him. He shook his head in disbelief as he got up and walked to his wife.

  She turned on him, fire in her eyes. Her freedom was threatened and she wouldn’t put up with it. “Akshay, I don’t—”

  He laughed in
elation as he pulled her into his arms. “You idiot! Can’t you tell that I love you more than my life?” He crushed her close and kissed her thoroughly. Sunita was dazed. Did she hear him right?

  “But Akshay, you made me sign that contract,” she accused.

  “Sweetheart, it was you who agreed to a contract wedding. I fell in love with you the minute I set eyes on you—yeah, outside the computer class. I realised it when I met you. You didn’t want to get married and that’s why—”

  “—you dangled the contract like a carrot in front of me,” she finished. “But I thought we’re getting along so well after that. Why did you’ve to bring it to me the day before the wedding?” Her voice reflected her remembered pain.

  “I’d forgotten all about it. But the lawyer had it delivered that day. I’d made you a promise and I didn’t want you to lose faith in me. Why the hell did you sign it?” He had been terribly hurt that night too.

  “I didn’t know I had a choice. I thought I found the man of my life and was so looking forward to our life together. And there you were, asking me to sign the stupid contract, just hours before our wedding.” She tried to pull out of his arms. But he refused to let go. “Anyway,” she rallied triumphantly, “I tore it to pieces and threw it in a dustbin the moment you left.”

  He burst out laughing. “My sweetheart!” he kissed her. “My copy must be buried in the sea by now after I flushed it down the toilet.” Some contract!

  They rushed as both were keen to catch the flight that was taking them to their European honeymoon.

  He nuzzled her ear in the car, ignoring Kamat. “You know that little red number you flaunted in front of me—that was my saving grace. I was going insane until then. I couldn’t believe that my shy little wife was a siren. I adore you my sweetheart,” he declared passionately. He wasn’t too bothered by his wife’s lack of response as she was too conscious of the driver’s presence.