Chapter 144

Chapter 13

I want someone,

who will look at me the same way,

I look at chocolate cake.

-Anonymus

"Goddamn it! Why is someone always at the door, whenever I try to make love to you?" The frustration was clear on his expression as he reluctantly, raised his head away from her and looked almost in physical pain, while doing so.

Shifting slightly on the bed, so not to crush her, he looked carefully at his bride. A deep red flush had marked her skin like that of a red rose, held in full bloom, while her eyes were dark and hooded.

Her thick lashes falling like a curtain against her cheeks, hiding whatever precious message those glossy eyes held.

But she could not hide every other cue, that her body was sending him - those little invitations that her body was unconsciously leaving behind - were driving him crazy.

Like the blush that enraptured her rosy cheeks, or the way she was biting onto her lower lip and clutching the bed sheets in her tight fists.

'She was aroused, alright!' He thought with a grin. 'And she wants him, as much as much as he wants her!' Well, this was the first positive sign she had shown since their marriage this morning....but it was a start, at least.

And soon....soon, there will be nothing between them anymore, no barriers! And she would be his completely - body, mind and soul.

And tonight would just be the starting of that promise.

"Tonight, my love, when I make love to you, you'll shed all your barriers and inhibitions along with those clothes and become mine! Completely and irrevocably and no more hiding!"

And with another kiss to seal that promise he finally got up to open the door, leaving behind a bereaved bride. Who could not, for the life of her, decide - if she should cry or laugh at that pronouncement.

But what Oliver had said was only a secondary problem. The first still remained - the uncontrolled passion that he had aroused within her - like an unquenchable fire that could destroy her whole world and yet promised a glorious ride, something she had never felt before.

'No! No! No! This would not do! This will simply not do!' She sat curled on the bed, clutching at the tips of her hair and pulling. Pulling, as hard as she could without tearing them apart from her skull, hoping that the physical pain might do the trick to wake her up from this haze of passion.

Noo! How the hell could she feel this way about a man, who had done everything in his power to destroy her family? Why, in the name of god, does she still want him to kiss her? even though she knows that he feels nothing for her, but is only acting to protect his family secret.

'Bu...but then, why was he acting this way, if his only goal was to protect whatever secret he is hiding? If the only reason behind this marriage was to keep her mouth shut, why was Oliver acting like he cared?'

'God! The bastard have really messed up my life! And now he's messing with my head!'

Her head ached with everything that had been done and said today, and all she wanted now, was to fall back on that bed and go to sleep and yet, it wasn't as easy as it seemed, because there was still a giant boulder like problem sitting atop her chest, that could crush her into a pulp at any moment now.

'Her parents!' She couldn't even start to imagine, how angry her mother would be when she finds out about her and Oliver's court marriage. And her brothers, they would raise a storm, no doubt. 'It would be a disaster!' She thought with a grimace, before realizing something else.....'that it's already a disaster! And they are just waiting for the shit storm to start and all hell to break loose! Which would happen as soon as her family is made aware of this sham of a marriage.'

"Mia, love com'on dinner is here!" She heard Oliver calling and although her pride told her to put her foot down and refuse his offer for dinner, her stomach was growling for food, since she had eaten nothing after breakfast.

So, despite her better judgement she got up from the bed and wandered outside. It was a bachelor's pad through and through! With dark colour combinations and modern artistry spread through out.

The large space that enclosed, the drawing room right beside the master bedroom was twice the size of Mia's whole apartment. A black leather couch lay towards one side of the slaty wall matched with a round glassy low table and a couple of comfortable looking cushioned chairs on the other side.

A giant looking brass flower vase with Egyptian monograms, attracted the eye towards the centre of the room, giving it both- a classy and modern outlook. A narrow corridor towards the left from drawing space led into a wide dinning room, which was overlooking the large kitchen space.

It consisted of deep maroon wallpapers, while a zebra crossed furry carpet lay covering the white marbled floor. Oliver was leaning against the large Mahogony dinning table standing in the centre of the room, that could seat at least a dozen of people.

"I didn't know what you like to eat so, I had ordered both mexican as well as chicken pizza. So, whatever you would like..." He spoke, looking sheepish. "I mean if you would prefer something else, I can order that too..."

"No, I mean, mexican is fine..." Mia spoke with as much grace as she could muster, under the circumstance. Though, her cheeks had turned red as soon as her eyes fell on his lips, that were pulled into a smile and Mia could not help but remember where those lips had been upon her, just a few moments ago.

After finishing the chicken quesadillas and the chilli corn carne, Mia decided it was time for her to slip away without calling anymore attention to herself, since, she did not wish to be the next dish for Oliver Ryan's unending appetite.

But, alas the man sitting in front of her wasn't ready to let her go this easily.

"Where do you think, you are going darling?" He drawled slowly, his sharp eyes, fixated upon her petite form as he sat back languorously on his seat, looking like a bored predator, who was looking for his next prey.

For a few moments, Mia considered turning away and run as fast as her legs would carry her and lock herself somewhere in this giant mausoleum of a house.

But like they say - pride is the worst kind of vice, something that makes stupid decision to stay and fight, even when your sane mind knows that it's time to cut your losses and run.

So, it was pride, that kept her feet standing exactly where she was and face the predator who could kill her with a single snap of his fingers. "Don't call me darling!" She snapped. "And I am going to bed!"

As soon as those, exact words were out of her mouth, she realized what a grave mistake this had been! Because, now her new husband's mouth was pulled into a wide rakish grin, as if his favourite dessert had been presented in front of him on a golden platter.

'Of course!' Mia wanted to bang her head on the nearest wall. 'I am going to bed, had seemed like an open ended invitation for him to join her on that bed!' Something, that she was trying to avoid at all costs.

"As much as I like that idea, sweetheart....we'll need to wait a bit for it." He grinned at her and once again Mia felt her face getting suffused with heat as the meaning of that sentence finally gripped her. "Shut....Shut up!"

But Oliver paid no attention to her warning but instead, he was lost in a world of his own, planning....planning every little detail for tonight that would make it perfect and beautiful for his wife.

"How would you like some ice cream?" He asked, while looking for his keys and Mia felt herself relaxing a bit. If ice-cream meant being away from that bed, where she would be doomed forever, she will have it! Infact, she was ready for anything if it meant being away from Oliver Ryan and his sinful body.

"Yes, I wouldn't mind something cool right now." Mia muttered but she didn't like the replying smile Oliver gave her, it was secretive and mischievous.

"Good, let's go then... Would like to walk or shall we take the car?"

"Walking is fine, I would like to see the neighbourhood too." Mia muttered and stood up, thankful for this distraction. She was sure, he would be able to try nothing funny with her if they are in a public place. She would be far safer in company of other people.

And so, they left his three storied, humongous bungalow and walked through the large garden that enclosed the compound and stepped out onto the long stretch of road that seemed mostly empty at this time of the night.

The air was warm that ruffled her hair and kissed her soft skin as they walked side by side on the footpath, silently together, in perfect harmony, under the golden street lights that marked their way upto the small market place a few minutes away.

This place was a bit more busier than the residential area from where they came, with numerous stores lining on either side of the road and a few expensive looking restaurants which were filled with late night patrons.

The ice cream parlour was just around the first street corner and Mia was about to turn towards it when Oliver's large palm caught her hand. "Not from there ....I know a better place which is further up the street." He told her and although, Mia found the whole situation a bit fishy, she didn't argue the point and followed behind him.

This time with their fingers entwined together, a warm fuzzy excitement settling inside her that had nothing to do with ice-creams.

'It was dangerous!' She thought, eyeing their entwined hands and then watching her husband's handsome features that looked mellow and soft under the street lights. 'If she fell into this trap, now she will never be able to come out of it unscathed!' And yet....yet, for the first time in her life she was tempted to destroy herself, if it help her attain the short piece of momentary heaven that this trap was promising!

"Here we are..." He smiled at her as they entered a large supermarket kind of store, full of every kind of items, from clothes, canned foods to medicines, all arranged in different aisles. Mia instantly recognized the ice-cream fridge at the front and went to have her fill, while Oliver wandered away somewhere on his own.

'Huh! Weird!' Mia thought, as she picked up her favourite chocolate and butterscotch flavours and went back to the counter to pay for them and waited a few minutes until Oliver returned with some boxes in his own hands.

"I haven't bought any money, so you will have to pay for these." Mia shifted in her position as he dumped the boxes in his hands on the counter and pulled out his wallet without any comment but it was Mia who felt completely dumbstruck as she looked at those boxes he had picked up.

' Two packets of large chocolate flavoured condoms lay on the counter!......That bastard!'