Appetite

Arnav barely restrained himself from dragging his feet across the floor in the same manner as the wheels of his luggage were doing right now. He was just plain exhausted. There had been a day where he thrived on this. Out of town business, catching the red eye, and still having enough zest to be in the office at eight a.m. Now all he wanted to do was go home, strip, and curl up next to the warm, inviting body of his wife in bed. How perspective could change in the face of love, he would’ve never fathomed. But as he thought of Khushi, his wife’s beautiful face appearing on the inside of his eyelids as he closed them for a moment, he was definitely glad he’d welcomed the change. As he stepped out of the arrival area, he let the cool night breeze waft across his senses, lending him some much needed invigoration for the drive home. He made his way across the parking lot, absently fishing in his pocket for his car keys. As he closed in on his vehicle, remembering where he’d parked it, he noted a vision in red leaning against the hood. He momentarily shook his head. Was he hallucinating? When he finally stopped in front of his car, he saw what looked like his wife, waiting for him with an open smile. He must’ve been even more tired than he originally thought because he was definitely seeing things. He reached out with a fingertip to see if he could caress those perfect, porcelain cheeks. He was shocked to encounter suppleness and warmth. “Khushi? Are you really here?” Still smiling brightly at him, she nodded. “What are you doing here so late?!” Now that he knew she actually stood before him, he couldn’t help but go into protective husband mode.

“I came to pick you up Arnavji. And don’t worry, Mohan ji dropped me.” Leave it to her husband to begin lecturing her at first sight. Her smile grew even wider. She hadn’t heard his scolding in days.

“He left you alone in a parking lot this late at night?! I’m gonna fire his ass!!” To say Arnav was outraged would’ve been an understatement. He would spare nothing, or no one, when it came to his Khushi.

“Arnavji no! Mohan ji refused to leave until he saw you coming out of the arrival area. He left less than a minute ago when you reached midway towards your car.” She hastily explained, trying to placate him.

He visibly relaxed. He knew Mohan was a great man. He’d been there for his family, especially Di, during one of their scariest times. He’d suffered such bad injuries after the car accident, leaving him bed ridden in the hospital for weeks, and yet he’d returned to work for them without so much as the blink of an eye. Such loyalty was hard to find. Arnav made a mental note to give Mohan another raise. Sobering up from his thoughts, his eyes landed on the reason his heart continued to beat. Khushi was looking at him so lovingly. God, yes He who Arnav Singh Raizada did not believe in, forbid something was to ever happen to her. He pulled her into his body, needing to feel her warmth and vitality in his hands.

She was startled by his abrupt embrace and couldn’t help but gasp. “Arnavji, we’re in public! Everyone can see us…” she tried to wriggle out of his hold even though it’s where she really wanted to be.

“I don’t care!” He tightened his arms even further. Burying his face in her hair, he took a deep inhale of her scent. Words couldn’t explain how much he’d missed her.

She knew resisting him was futile. Especially when she’d been craving the feel of his warmth and strength wrapped around her for days now. She slipped her arms inside his jacket, wanting to feel the heat of his skin through one less barrier. Lacing her arms around his waist, she instinctively curled her fingers into the back of his shirt as she rested her head against his chest, right under the perfect crook of his chin. Her deprived lungs breathed in the scent of her husband. God, he felt and smelled marvelous. She’d missed him so much.

“Khushi, I was supposed to arrive tomorrow…how did you know I took an earlier flight?” he asked as he rested his cheek atop her downy head, absorbing the feel of her.

She tightened her arms around him even more. “Aman ji told me” she said as she nuzzled her cheek further into his chest. Her smile widened as he held her oh so close. The warmth from his body seeped into her soul.  

“What the…?! Aman’s your best friend all of a sudden? You called him to thank him so sweetly for that purse on your birthday and now what? You have him on speed dial?” Arnav did not like that his wife was talking to some other man, albeit platonically, assistant or not.

“Arnavji…” she laughed at her husband’s overbearing nature “…I told him to let me know if you had any flight changes”.

“And he did? Just like that?! I’m gonna fire his ass!” That seemed to be the theme for tonight.

“Arnavji no!” She pulled away from his warmth for a moment to look at his face, unable to keep the worry from her tone. “You know how nervous I get when you have trips out of town that involve flying.  When you were going to London…and then the kidnapping...” she closed her eyes, resting against his chest again and squeezed him tighter. “Aman ji is not at fault. I made him swear on his unborn children to tell me if you had any changes to your flight plans.”

“Khushi, I’m here with you now. There’s no need to think about those times…. that’s all in the past.” As he tried to dispel his wife’s unease, he made another mental note to give Aman a raise as well. His right hand man had been loyal enough to sympathize for his wife’s concerns and yet managed to handle it in such a discreet manner. Slowly pulling away, he placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. “Khushi let’s go home.” As he made to walk away to the driver’s seat, he was halted by a firm grasp on his hand, effectively holding him back.

“Arnavji I was thinking…. if you aren’t too tired….. “

Arnav held his breath. His hormones were raging overtime ever since his eyes had landed on her. She knew the affect that color had on him. His eyes swept over her form and slowly drank her in. She was appropriately wearing a red sari, pallu pinned up, showing him a flash of her opalescent skin. As he turned to fully face her again, her waist had beckoned his hand to rest there. It felt like….his home. He gently stroked his thumb back and forth, absorbing her softness.

“If you aren’t too tired, I thought we could have dinner together” she proposed.

Arnav chastised himself. Here was his sweet wife trying to spend some quality time with him and all he could do was think about how scandalized she’d be if he took her right now on the hood of his car. He was so turned on, he didn’t even care they were in public. “Arnav, calm down and get a grip!” he silently admonished himself. He glanced at his watch and prepared to break it to her gently. “Khushi it’s so late, nothing will be open at this time.” He stroked her jaw with his thumb to ebb her pending disappointment, but to his surprise she countered with a bright smile.

“Arnavji, I came prepared!” She gleefully clasped her hands, already having predicted this would happen.

He watched Khushi step around the side of the car to bend and lift something. To his surprise, she produced a rather large picnic basket as she turned around. He would never cease to be amazed at his wife’s thoughtfulness.

“I’ve got it all covered!” She hoisted the basket onto the hood and wiped her hands clean before resting them on her hips and flashing him a toothy grin.  

Seeing her so happy made a smile break out onto his own face. He was completely enamored. Quickly grabbing her by the nape, he placed a loud smooch square on her mouth. He was mindful to release her before she could protest about PDA-ing with her. “Your wish is my command Mrs. Raizada!” He grabbed the basket and placed it on the backseat before coming around and buckling her in next to him. As he started the car, a second wind rushed over him. He knew exactly where to take them.  

Leave it to her husband to know the perfect spot to share a picnic and gaze at the stars at the same time. She found herself laying a blanket atop plush grass in a pretty secluded meadow. How far they were from home, she had no idea, nor did she really care. As long as she had her Arnavji by her side, she was a happy woman. Her husband sat right beside her as she laid out all the food she’d made and prepared their plates. But just as he went to touch his roti, his phone began to ring. Her nimble fingers promptly confiscated the phone out of his grasp. “Ye sabb choriye!” (“Leave all this!”)  Shutting off the phone, she prepared a bite for him to eat and brought it near his mouth, her eyes meeting his, silently daring him to question her. But she received no protest. Instead she was gifted with the sight of his boyish grin. Contagious as it was, she broke out into a smile of her own.

Would all his cards be laid out on the table if he admitted to like being doted on by his feisty wife? Giving her a thorough once over, he decided to keep that little tid-bid to himself for now. As she touched the morsel of food to his mouth, he reached up to grasp her wrist. Locking eyes with her, he leaned forward and closed his lips over her fingers, darting his tongue out to receive the food and lick at her fingertips. He watched as her eyes widened ever so slightly, and heard her breath hitch as he gently scraped his teeth along her digits, before letting her withdraw her hand from his mouth. He grinned triumphantly as he began to chew, satisfied by the rosy tint staining her cheeks, visible even in the dark of night. She shyly averted his gaze as she prepared another bite for him. Before she could bring it to his mouth, he took it out of her hands and placed it against her lips. Her eyes found his as she slowly opened to accept the food.

Had she been less distracted and less mesmerized by her husband, she would’ve reciprocated fully and teased right back. But all her astonished, and aroused, mouth could do was helplessly open up. 

To his delight, they’d continued to feed each other, making their way through one plate, and then the next. But on the inside, his libido had been silently begging for some relief. He could only watch her mouth for so long before straying towards more lascivious thoughts. He counted the minutes until he could get her home and began to tell her about his trip to bide some more time. Work seemed to be a neutral enough topic.

Khushi heard every word her husband said, but she wasn’t really listening per se, too busy with her own thoughts. How lucky was she to have him? He was so caring. And unbeknownst to everyone but her, he could also be extremely romantic at times. He knew her affinity for stars gazing and regardless of the fact that he was bone tired, he’d went along with her impromptu plan and brought her here. She was utterly, and yes blissfully, lost in him. And how could one man have the right to be so handsome? Her eyes traced over his every nuance.  From the sharp angle of his nose to those dark amber eyes that saw right through her. The same eyes that darkened into a stormy whirlwind whilst staring deeply into hers when they made love. She took in the 5 o’clock shadow and accompanying stubble that covered his chiseled cheekbones. Her palms tingled just thinking about the delicious feel of it. How it prickled and abraded all her most sensitive spots. Her gaze then touched upon that perfect Cupid’s bow above his upper lip. And his lips. Those perfect, pouty lips. Hai Devi Maiya, the things he did to her with that mouth of his. The immense pleasure they brought her…..

“Khushi please stop looking at me like that.”

“Hmm? Like what?” She was caught red handed perusing his perfection.

“Like you’re still starving and I’m your next meal. I won’t be able to control myself.”

Staring at his lips again, she unconsciously licked her own, her breathing having picked up pace. “Maybe… maybe I don’t want you to control yourself Arnavji.”  

If she was trying to get him to react, it had worked. He bolted up to stand, pulling her right along with him. He began to hurriedly collect everything, throwing the blanket and all the other items into the basket. "Khushi let's go. I need to get you home asap!" He all but dragged her back to the car, uncaring that his movements were erratic. Once seated, he gripped the steering wheel for a semblance of control. 

"Arnavji?" She tentatively covered one of his white-knuckled hands with her own.

He felt like an animal ready to pounce and really needed to calm down. He didn’t want to scare her. Taking in a few calming breaths, he met her questioning expression. He looked at the delicate hand lying on his and brought it to his mouth, placing a kiss over her engagement ring. "Khushi, I really missed you. And I can't hide the fact that I'm dying to be inside you right now but I want you where you’ll be relaxed and comfortable. So I'm taking you home." As he went to turn the key in the ignition, she stopped him.

"Arnavji I….." she hesitated, trying to calm her nerves.

Not fully deciphering her expression, he began to worry. "Sweetheart what is it? Something happen at home?"

"No no, nothing like that Arnavji. It's just....if we go home….Di, Nani, Nanhe ji, and Akaash Jeeju will all want to talk to you about your trip as soon as we get there….." she trailed off, losing her voice. She finally managed to look up after taking a breath of courage to renew her resolve. He was her husband after all, she could do this. "Arnavji if we go home, we wont get the chance to……right away like we want...." she again averted his attentive gaze and glanced nervously at her lap. "I don’t think I can wait that long to have you inside me" she admitted in a rushed breath.

Things did not often stun Arnav Singh Raizada. And yet his wife had somehow mastered that art. She had effectively struck him mute.

Khushi placed her hand on his thigh to get his attention when he didn't respond. "Arnavji? Are you ok?"

He was singed by her innocent touch. Even after the countless number of times they’d made love before, he still couldn’t believe what he’d just heard her say so explicitly to him. It gave him a surge of pride and made him feel even more primal than he already was. It was absurd, but he actually wanted to roar. Quickly releasing the lever of his seat, he slid back to make room while reaching for her. He swiftly dragged her over the console and onto his lap to straddle his hips.

"Arnavji!" She let out a squeal of surprise as she landed on him.

Control and patience gone out the window, he devoured her mouth like he’d been craving to do since he’d left her for his trip. He nipped and nibbled at her sensuous lips until she opened up, finally granting him access to glide his tongue along hers, letting a groan escape from his throat. He was immensely grateful at that moment for his tinted windows and for being parked where they were concealed by ample foliage. He would not want anyone laying eyes on his wife. He reclined his seat back, loving the way her slight weight fell onto him and the way the silky black curtain of her hair surrounded their faces. He was enveloped in an alluring cloud of vanilla, lavender and sandalwood. He had to taste her again. He dove into her mouth, sucking on her plump lips, making her open up wider and exploring deeper this time. His mouth conveyed actions that another part of his body wanted to desperately mirror. The windows fogged up as they equally ran out of breath. Frantically, they reached for each other, grabbing, pulling, unbuckling and unzipping everything they could get their hands on. He’d untied her dori and was unclasping her bra as she loosened his tie, not bothering to take it off, and made quick work of the buttons on his shirt.

She’d just undone the second button and let out a moan when she felt his hands cup her breasts and gently squeeze. When he stroked her nipples with his thumbs, she tore the rest of his shirt open as a spark of pleasure shot through her body, sending buttons scattering everywhere. Normally she would’ve apologized and promised to sew them back on, but she just couldn’t think beyond this haze of need taking over her.

Thankful she wore a sari, he hiked up her pleats and petticoat until the material pooled around her hips. She was stroking her hands down his chest to his abdomen as he caressed up the insides of her thighs. He froze when he encountered nothing but warm bare skin and wetness, realizing she wasn’t wearing any panties. This whole time his wife hadn’t been wearing any panties?! He locked his eyes onto her. "Khushi?"

"I told you I came prepared Arnavji.” A small smile touched her lips, delighted at the thrill she saw in his eyes.

Did this enigma of a woman really belong to him? This mysterious pixie who went commando yet still blushed and smiled shyly. Yes, she was definitely all his. He growled, taking her mouth in a deep kiss as he inserted two fingers into her. He reveled in her response as she arched against him and cried out. Her essence was already bathing his fingers, down to his knuckles, and he just couldn’t wait anymore. Lifting her up, he slid her down onto himself in a languidly slow motion. He savored the way her insides clutched him. "Khushi..." he exhaled at the exquisite pleasure. He immediately began thrusting deep into her, setting a pace that was hard and fast. His rhythm was so frenzied that all his wife could do was helplessly hold onto his shoulders. He was unfaltering with his plunges, over and over, as he chased after their mutual releases. He dug his fingers into her hips as he ground away at her most sensitive hot spots.

She felt like a live wire, exposed and raw. "Arnavji!" She cried out with each deep push. Taken aback by the suddenness of her orgasm, she clenched down harder onto him as the explosion of her release permeated through her. She let out a moan, milking him greedily until he tremored with the intensity of his own release. No longer containing the strength to hold on, her arms flopped down to her sides. She immediately dropped her forehead against his shoulder, panting.

Arnav’s breathing finally began to calm as he came back to his senses. He had released his harsh grip from her hips to rest his hands there. She was so quiet and still. He would’ve thought she had fallen asleep if it wasn’t for her subtly ragged breaths fanning his chest. He then noticed redness peeking through his fingers. When he lifted his hands, he saw the marks he’d left from gripping her so hard. As he immediately began rubbing at them gently, trying to soothe them away, he couldn’t help but be appalled at himself. He’d taken her like an animal. Had he been too rough? He needed to know. “Khushi are you ok?” He trailed his fingers up her limp arms touching the little pom poms that hung from the sleeves of her open choli. He’d never admit it out loud, but he’d secretly grown to love the silly little things. They were so innately his wife. When she still hadn’t responded, worry took over. “Khushi did I hurt you? I’m so sorry sweetheart. I just totally lost control. I didn’t mean to be so….”

Khushi covered his babbling mouth with her hand to silence him. “Arnavji, I’m fine.” She finally found the energy to pull back and look at him, her lips hovering over his as she rested her hands on his naked chest. She toyed with the fabric of his now haphazard tie, avoiding eye contact with him. “I’m more than fine….I loved it” she confessed shyly.

How could one person be so precious? He closed the short distance between their lips to shower her with the softest lingering pecks. As he nibbled away at her lush lips, he felt her insides grip him in appreciation, as his body was still joined with hers. He twitched and stirred into semi-arousal again, helpless to her tight clenching. Now that they’d abated their desire a little, he wanted take his time and lay her down on their comfy bed to love her thoroughly. “Khushi, since we just had the appetizer, lets go home for the entrée and dessert.” He waggled his brows suggestively, eliciting the sweet sound of her laughter. He leaned forward to kiss her teasingly.

“Arnavji, you know that’s the way to my heart. I just love food” she responded with mischief glinting in her eyes.

He tucked her hair behind her ears before helping her slip back into her choli. “And I love you Mrs. Raizada.” He tugged her close, eyeing her lips before meeting her gaze. “I promise to satisfy your every craving.” They re-adjusted their clothes and began their journey home to satiate their appetites.