Three years later…

 

“God! This place badly needs updated plumbing.”

Nina was ready to take a quick bath in the inadequate shower of the forest cabin.

Gaurav was about to head to the lake for his bath. “No, it doesn’t. It’s perfect the way it is,” he replied.

“Hahh!! That’s because you want me to take a bath in the lake with you each time we visit this place.”

Gaurav grinned. “So? What’s wrong with that? In fact you should join me now, too.”

“Nothing wrong. Except that when we are expecting guests within an hour. I doubt if our guests want to catch their hosts frolicking naked near the lake or going at it like two horny rabbits.”

“Oh, come on. A quick dip, and we’ll be back in time for you to fuss over the table settings and meals.”

Nina supposed they had enough time for a quick dip. Besides, she hated showering with the metallic smelling water. “Okay, let’s hurry up, then,” she said, grabbing a towel and soap.

 

FORTY-FIVE MINUTES later, she ran into the cabin. “Oh my God! We are late. So, so, late.”

“Relax. There’s plenty of time. In fact…” Nina heard the husky tone and saw the familiar heated look on Gaurav’s face as he watched her towel-clad body.

She laughed, placing a hand on his chest. “Easy there, tiger. We spent the last thirty minutes doing what we have been doing in past two days. Waiting until we reach home later tonight, won’t kill us.”

“But it’s the last day of our honeymoon!”

“Babymoon,” she corrected, placing her hand on her still flat stomach. “Our honeymoon was a year ago when we got married.”

 “Yeah. Whatever the term it might be. I should be making love to my wife. Not entertain her ex-husband.”

Nina laughed.

Gaurav and Suraj had become quite close over the past three years. And when Gaurav and Suraj got together, they talked a lot. And they teased Nina a lot, too.

It hadn’t been an easy path for any of them.

The public had been so invested in Suraj and Nina’s marriage that they deemed them as a golden couple. After the truth about Raghuveer was exposed, Suraj had to publicly announce that he wanted to dedicate his life serving people. And that although, he still respected and loved his wife, he did not want any family ties that would stop him from better serving the people.

Suraj and Nina divorced quietly.

A lot of people thought Suraj Bhupati was divorcing his wife because she couldn’t give him children. The sympathy Nina received as an abandoned wife worked in her favor when she married Gaurav after two years.

The fact that Suraj took on the role of a father, during the wedding ceremony and gave Nina away to Gaurav became a huge sensation. Suraj’s image in the eyes of the public rose even more as a man who sacrificed a lot to serve them.

And in public’s eyes, Radha was a loyal man who stood through thick or thin next to their favorite leader.

Nina was surprised by how well Gaurav handled the long wait of two years until she was free to marry him.

Gaurav and she couldn’t meet for long periods of time, especially when the public eye was focused on Nina just after her divorce. And although meeting in secret, added to the thrill of their reunions, each time Nina had to leave Gaurav’s side, she could sense his restlessness. Nina had felt the same longing when she had to sleep in an empty bed rather than in his arms.

Gaurav loved his job. She saw it in his eyes each time he spoke about it. And he was brilliant at what he did. She didn’t just think that because she loved him or he looked amazing in his uniform. The medals and appreciation he received spoke volumes about his capability.

Nina was fortunate to continue doing what she loved as well. Suraj gave her the control to run the charities and organizations she began. She also continued to volunteer for the causes that were close to her heart.

Her duties didn’t change much even after she became the wife of a busy police officer.

Although, lately her father-in-law, Ganesh Verma was trying to persuade her to take up the reins of the Verma investments and finances.

“Gaurav!” Nina laughed, and batted Gaurav’s hands away when he tried to loosen the knot on the towel she wore around her. She shook her head at him. “And stop complaining about Suraj and Radha coming over. You were the one who recommended our cabin for their vacation,” she reminded. “The best place on earth,” Nina mimicked Gaurav’s deep voice.

Gaurav pulled her close, and kissed her softly on the lips. “It is the best place on earth. This is where I held you captive, and where I fell in love with you, and where we most likely made our baby.” He knelt down and kissed her stomach.

She looked down at him as he continued to kiss her stomach over the towel. She ran her fingers through his hair. “Small correction,” she said with a smile. “This is where we fell in love with each other.”

She loosened the knot on her towel, letting it drop, baring her body, along with her heart.

His eyes flared, and he ran his hands over her, eliciting shivers and goosebumps on her skin. “I thought you said we couldn’t because they’ll be here soon,” he said in his deep husky voice that increased her anticipation.

She smiled. “They can explore the forest and lake. I badly want to seduce my captor, so he continues to be captivated by me.”

He carried her to the bed and kissed her stomach. “Always, my love,” he said softly. “I’ll always love and cherish my captive.”

 

The End