Chapter Eighteen

Waking up next to a sleeping Arnav is probably one of the most beautiful sights in the world. With the way he was softly smiling in his sleep and holding onto me, it was all too cute. It was only natural of me to reach out and to caress his cheek.

I mean come on, wouldn't you? Actually, don't answer that. He's my husband, not yours, go get your own.

Feeling his stubble under my hand tickled, yet it felt good. And his hair - gosh his hair - its so soft.

Arnav stirred and sighed, and I froze. His eyes fluttered opened and once he registered his surroundings, he smiled softly. "Good morning."

Oh my... his voice.... it's so raspy and sexy!

"Good morning," I whispered.

What happened next, happened in a snap. I heard him groan from his throat - which totally confused me - and the next thing I know, I'm flat on my back, kissing Arnav back.

I couldn't hold back my moan this time, and Arnav responded with one of his own. My arms made their way around his neck, my fingers diving into his hair to be entangled in. Arnav groaned and wrapped his hand around my leg, then wrapped it around his waist.

Oh my gosh, are we really going to do it now? Right after we've just woken up? With my bed hair and just-woke-up face? There is no way I look attractive right now!

The sudden sound of the alarm beeping broke us from our reverie and we glared at it. But it also brought us back to reality, and we tried to calm our crazy hearts. Arnav looked down at me as I looked up at him. We tugged on the air between us and even though the alarm clock was going crazy, we still didn't get up. But I knew better, and I didn't want anyone downstairs getting the wrong idea.

Well, maybe not entirely wrong.

"You should go get ready," I said softly.

Arnav nodded and rested his forehead on mine. "I'm sorry about that."

What? "About what ?"

"For jumping on you like that," he said softly.

There was that little hint of blush on his face again. He's so sweet! "It's okay."

Arnav pulled back slightly and looked at me.

"I liked it."

He smiled softly and placed a kiss on my forehead. "Me too."

With that, he got up, leaving me with a smile plastered on my face. It just couldn't be helped! I was happy and most importantly, I was in love!

*~*

Amma and Buaji had told me how important it was for a girl on her first morning at her in laws. I had to make breakfast, and to tell you the truth, I was scared out of my mind! I really don't cook like that, but I am knowledgeable of it. I mean I know how to crack an egg, duh. I'm just not one of those who can eyeball a third of a cup in a coffee mug.

Like how the heck do you do that?!

Remembering my lessons with Amma and Buaji, I did my best and prepared breakfast, making a few phone calls now and then to them. Di, Mami, and Nani offered to help but I denied, even the workers who had asked.

Once breakfast was complete, I set the table, with the help of the workers. The family came in, everyone sitting at the table. I felt him before I saw him - thanks to my crazy heart - and watched Arnav as he sat down. With everyone at the table, Nani was the first to taste everything. In my mind I silently prayed, a little part of me rocking back and forth as it prayed. When Nani told me it was perfect, I was finally able to breathe.

With everyone's approval, and of course my husband's, I was finally able to relax and sat down beside him. He gave me a small smile and so did I. Everyone was animated in conversation, more guests coming today to see me, the new Raizada bahu. I was paying attention to Nani's, Di's, and Mami's conversation about the party, when my ears picked up NK's words.

"So you guys didn't do it?"

What on earth?!

"Shut up NK," I heard my husband say.

"Dude, how can you not? I mean that's the point of a suhag raat, dude."

What?!

"Dude, what a mess up. Only you would do a suhag raat wrong Mr. Angry CEO."

"Shut up dude."

Dude? Did my husband just say dude? Did I just call my husband my husband again? Oh, I did it again!

"Oh come on Nanav."

"Shut up NK. I'm not just going to sleep with her."

He's not?

"You're not?"

"No. Only a creep would pounce onto a woman like that. "

Oh?

"Oh yeah?"

"Last night was supposed to be like an ice breaker - get to know each other better. I don't want to make her uncomfortable."

Arnav....

"Just because she's my wife, doesn't mean I can get my way with her. I want her to be comfortable with me first, and then we can take it from there."

Aww... my husband is so sweet.

"Wow Nanav, who knew there was a softy under that mega CEO."

Arnav scowled at him. "Don't push your luck."

NK gulped. "Yes sir."

Arnav resumed eating his breakfast and I couldn't help the small smile on my face.

He truly is such a sweet man. How lucky am I to have a man like him? I guess that explains the little awkward vibe last night - he was more focused on trying to get to know me and not try to make it seem like he was trying to get in my pants- er, skirt- er- whatever.

Nani looked at me. "Khushi betiyan, you should head upstairs to get ready. I'll send up your sari soon."

"Yes Naniji."

The family slowly dispersed to get ready, and I headed upstairs to our room. Arnav was staying home today but he was busy with NK and Akash because I think the two said something to annoy him. Why else would he have them by their ears?

Arnav truly is something. With his family, he's this strong leader, who has a soft side for his siblings. At work, he was was a total boss with a bad temper. And then with me....

Sigh.... He's so sweet.

Nani came in with my sari and I quickly got ready. I did my makeup and my hair, but I only had one problem - my blouse. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't tie the strings of my blouse on the back. But what good would it be anyways, it's not like the blouse had much of a back!

Stupid backless blouses!

Arnav entered the bedroom and I caught his reflection in the mirror. His eyes darted from me to my exposed back, and stayed there.

I take it back, backless blouses are the best!!!

If he had laser vision, my back would've had holes by now. Arnav slowly stepped forward, but his eyes remained on my back.

Thank you Nani!

Arnav stood behind me and looked at my reflection. "Ready?"

Ugh, his raspy voice is so sexy! "No," I responded, shaking my head. "I can't tie the strings of my blouse."

He looked at my back again.

"C-could you help me?"

Ugh, why did I stutter? Woman up, woman!

"Sure."

Reaching up, he took hold of the two strings. His fingers brushed on my back several times as he tied it. I forced myself not to moan and kept my eyes on him, not wanting to ruin the moment.

When he finished tying it, he dropped his hands. "There you go."

I pursed my lips to cover my smile. He was still looking at my back. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said to my back.

Oh Arnav. As noble as you are, not to mention sweet, I guess certain male instincts just cannot be stopped.

I wonder....

Taking my hair up in my hands, I decided to put it up in a bun.

Arnav looked at my reflection incredulously. "What are you doing?"

I pretended not to notice. "Putting my hair up."

"Why?"

"Why not? It's hot and-"

"So? It looks better with your hair down."

Is that so? "Oh? But I've had my hair to the side, how would you know?"

"I know. Just leave it down, and not to the side, but in the back."

Really? This is quite humoring. "And why is that?"

"No reason," he grumbled.

Oh Arnav! "It doesn't have anything to do with my blouse..."

His eyes met mine in the mirror.

"...does it?" It so totally does!

"No."

I cocked my eyebrow at him.

"Okay fine, yes."

I had to force myself from grinning.

"That blouse is too revealing."

"Its the latest in fashion and you know it."

Arnav frowned. "I know. But still.... it's too revealing and no one needs to see your back. They don't have the right too."

Is that so? "They don't have the right too?"

"No."

I cocked my eyebrow at him and he did the same. "Then who does?"

"I do."

This time, I couldn't stop my gasp. Arnav spun me around and crashed his lips onto mine, eliciting a moan from my mouth. The insides my body clenched and I moaned again when he leaned me up against the mirror. His warm hands gripped onto my exposed flesh and my insides clenched once more.

I swear, I wanted him to take me then and there, I really truly absolutely positively didn't care.

I really didn't.

Pulling back for air, I felt his lips trail along my jaw and to my neck. He kissed and sucked on my flesh and my fingers made its way to his hair. When he teethed it, I couldn't help but to grip his hair tightly. His body vibrated when he groaned, turning mine into a mass of nerves.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. "Chote, Khushi!"

Crap, it was Di!

A squeal nearly escaped my mouth, had Arnav not sealed it with his lips.

"Come down soon, okay? The guests are starting to arrive."

Arnav let go of my lips. "We're coming," he called out.

"Okay," and we heard her walk away.

Why does this keep happening to us? Every freaking time, we get interrupted! Why? Can we both get a moment? I mean come on, we're newly weds for crying out loud!

Geez Louise!

Arnav looked down at me and I looked up at him. For a moment we said nothing and then erupted into laughter. It just couldn't be helped!

Arnav rested his forehead against mine. "Some luck we have."

I smiled softly. "Some luck," I agreed.

He pulled back and tucked a tendril of hair behind my ear. "Could you please leave your hair down," he asked.

Oh Arnav. "With those puppy eyes, how could I say no," I smiled.

Seriously, he had the puppy eyes thing going.

Arnav smiled and kissed my forehead. "Thank you Khushi."

"You're welcome Arnav." I pulled back slightly. "You don't mind me calling you by your name right? Without the proper ish?"

His expression clearly displayed his humor. "What else would you call me?"

"Arnavji."

"Please, no, don't."

Oh thank goodness! "Okay."

"That's too tacky," he chuckled.

"Ditto."

Arnav smiled. "Shall we head down?"

He let go of me and offered his arm.

Such a gentleman.

Linking my arm to his, we both headed down to entertain the guests, to show them the new Mr. & Mrs. Raizada.