Sameer Maheshwari was newly married and sometimes felt like a fish floundering out of water. He had known Naina since so many years and yet kept feeling that he didn’t know everything about her. Well… her hair was still strange and he was not getting used to seeing that hairstyle on his Naina, but he had stopped talking about it since it wasn’t her fault and he didn’t want to hurt her anymore. Then there was her annoying habit of still shying away from romance. He didn’t want to tell her, but he had always had all his hopes pinned on her shaadi ke baad, but not it seemed he was getting nowhere even after the wedding.
Ever since they had come for their honeymoon he had been trying constantly and very hard to get his wife to open up to him, to feel comfortable enough. He had succeeded to an extent, she now hugged him freely, even accepted kisses on her cheek, but still… he was not rewarded with what his heart wanted. A full-on French kiss.
He had explained to her in not so many words about French kiss, but she had not approved of it. He could understand that… well… she had no idea of the concept or how it felt so it was natural of her to feel shy and maybe even disgusted. It was not that he had any idea of how it would feel, but he had seen enough in movies to know that he wanted to do it. And the thought of kissing Naina, of feeling her lips against his own, was driving him crazy.
That is why this morning he had tried that stunt… To be honest he hadn’t intended to come out of bathroom in just a towel. After the wedding, at home, he had taken special care to get ready inside the bathroom knowing that Naina might not be comfortable seeing him like that so soon. But this morning while planning his next move on how to get his lovely wife agree to a kiss, he had absentmindedly strode out wrapped in just a towel just like he usually did. He had frozen on the spot on seeing Naina looking at him in shock, and then when she had turned away he had also started to go back inside the bathroom. But then, he had paused and thought back to her expressions, she had been shocked, but not revolted at the sight of him. She hadn’t even uttered her trademark ‘cheee.’ So, that meant she was just shy…. And he had decided to use it to his full advantage.
Trying to mask his own hesitation and apprehension, he had moved forward towards her, his suspicion confirmed when he had finally observed Naina sneaking glances at him through the mirror. He had barely controlled his grin on realizing that his wife was trying to stare at him, or rather was not able to resist looking at him. Ah the joy he had felt… because that meant that his wife wanted him, just like he wanted her. He hadn’t initiated any steps towards physical intimacy apart from kissing because he had not known how to do it, and also he had no idea on how she would reach. Truth to be told, on their wedding night when Munna and Pandit had expressed confidence in his abilities he had for a moment been proud but also scared, and had thought to confide in his friends seeking some guidance on how to proceed or rather how to talk to Naina. But then he hadn’t done anything like that because he had felt that these moments should be private, and not something that would be discussed or dissected with friends no matter how close they are.
He had thought that he could literally feel the shivers coursing down her spine when he had approached her. Not wanting to miss even a second of expressions in her mesmerizing eyes he had kept his own gaze glued to her face. Taking care not to touch her, he had inched as close as he could and then leaned forward to pick up his comb. He had almost exclaimed ‘ahan!’ when she had shyly turned away her gaze. It was an amazing sensation to witness the effect he had on his wife. Feeling more hopeful and courageous, he had picked up his cologne and moved in-front of her, trying not to feel foolish, but instead trying to appear confident and seductive as he sprayed the mist on his wet chest. For a minute he had thought that it was a no-go, but then because he had been staring at her constantly he had noticed the quick fluttering of her eyes as she looked at him and then again looked down… A fleeting glance and then another, and he had been convinced that his strategy was working.
Just then she had tried to escape, he hadn’t even paused to think of his own actions, and had grabbed her hand to stop her. Using the same hold to pull her to him, he had been attempting to make her look at him, to express, but his own plan and senses both had gone haywire when his tug had resulted in her almost crashing to him. Oh dear God. He would never be able to forget the way his heart had thumped, his blood had felt hot, and the area on his chest where her dainty palm had landed seemed to be burning. He had even thought to look and check in case the water on his body was sizzling or evaporating, because that how hot he had felt.
He had tried to calm his mind, think about the next steps, but her hand sliding over his skin had almost made him feel shaky. The sensations exploding inside him had been too new for him. If he had not had her in his arms at that moment he might have slid to the floor in a boneless puddle. But God, he had his wife in his arms, her hand hot on his flesh, and he couldn’t afford to be distracted from this… this was what he had wanted… well… not exactly, he had never planned to come shirtless in-front of her, but he wasn’t a fool to let go off such a precious opportunity.
Acting on instinct, he had tightened his grip on her waist and pulled her to her toes, plastering her body flush to his own. He had nearly groaned aloud at the sensation, but controlled at the nick of time, not wanting to break the spell that had surrounded them. Mentally screaming at his success, he had dipped his head to her, almost feeling sure that today he would be able to steal at least a soft kiss from her. He had felt elated on seeing her eyes almost flutter close, and her lips quiver… Impulse, hot and white, had surged through him at the sight, urging him to swoop in and capture those soft pink inviting lips. But at the last moment he had refrained from doing so, the rational and responsible part of his brain winning over the part clouded with need.
He had softened his approach, inched closer yet not kissing her, because he had wanted her to be in her complete senses and give in to him willingly… But in that position, he had been able to see that she was lost, she wasn’t sure how to react. There had been desire in her half-closed eyes, but had known that she was yet unknown to what she wanted. His theory or understanding was proven right when she had suddenly recovered and tried to pull back. Trying not to feel disappointed, he had let her go this time, watching her flee inside the bathroom as if needing a safe haven.
Combing his fingers through his wet hair, he now turned back to the mirror, feeling frustrated. But soon a smile curved his lips as he recalled that she had reacted to him… almost… He was almost there. Maybe by the end of their trip she would be ready both mentally and physically for the kiss… Just a kiss for now… He knew there was more, but at the same time he also knew it would take time. Maybe he should make it a daily habit to come in-front of her in his towel. Chuckling at his own thoughts he started to pull on his clothes.
He was combing his hair and wondering till how long Naina was going to hide inside, or if he should knock on the door and ask her to come out. But just then he heard a click, and she stepped out, biting her lip in apprehension as if she was not sure what she would find. His blood boiled again on seeing her innocently biting her own lower lip, the same one that he so badly wanted to taste. Damn, this woman would be his undoing.
If her lip biting heightened his desires, the apprehension in her eyes made him calm down. He smiled gently at her, and asked, “tum taiyar ho toh chale?”
For a moment she looked confused and he understood that she was wondering about the shift in his mood. He held himself at the spot where he was standing, even though he wanted to go over to her, hug her and assure her that he understood. After a minute she softly replied, “bas ek minute chahiye aur.”
He nodded and moved to the bed to gather his camera and whatever they would need for the day. When she was ready, he held out his hand, and almost sighed in relief when she slid her palm onto his outstretched one without any hesitation. Yes, he wanted to progress physically with her, but not at the cost of losing the comfort level they had achieved. He realized that he would have to be careful, push her limits sometimes, but not so much that she would be scared of being with him. Physical intimacy between any couple was a delicate and beautiful thing, and he didn’t want to risk spoiling their first foray into it by pushing too soon or too hard. His impulsive nature could make him commit mistakes, and that is why needed to be doubly careful, because Naina was too precious to him.
While going down the elevator, when he was sure that she was completely relaxed, he knelt and whispered in her ear, “kab tak bhagogi Naina?”
She shivered, but soon smiled up at him and hit him gently on his arm. He grinned down at her happy that she was okay. While stuffing himself with alu-paratha at breakfast, he tried to plan his next move for obtaining the first kiss, completely oblivious to the adoring stare of his wife sitting opposite him lost in her own thoughts about how she could convey her agreement for the kiss.
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Amazing update