SS - IT WAS THAT STRANGER

PART 2

6 MONTHS LATER

The winter fog surrounded the house, the lights were dim. She could be reading or painting, Something she loved to do. Does she still paint.? His eyes scanned around the place for a while after he parked himself in the dark corner and longed for a glimpse of her. How would she be.? A part of his mind assured him that she would still remember him but he was doubtful. He puffed in the cigarette again, his eyes never leaving the house as the smoke filled him. Restlessness found its way to him, every second he spend sitting in the car was only making him eager, more eager to see her. To hold her. It had been 6 months he had left the place to not come back, but he did. She had never left his thoughts even though he had left the place. His heart knew she had become more than a stranger to him now, even without being with him for the months, she was with him all along. It was that need for her which never left him. His hand reached to the door handle only to stop when he saw a car pulling up in the alley.

Light morning rays touched his eyes pulling him out of the light sleep the cold had managed to put him to. He briskly sat up from his slumber looking towards the house. The bile in his throat rose once again, the car was still there. The man who had walked into her house was still there. He hated it, but it pinched him. Was it anger, was it hatred.. it was overriding his emotions. He looked away in disgust. Women, his mind taunted him. Why had he come for her.? Who was she to him anyway.? He knew the answer, it was his need for her which brought him here. It was selfish of him, he knew it. She hadn't promised him to wait for him nor had he expected any promises from her. Then why was it hurting him.? The mere thought of her belonging to someone else angered him. His thoughts were broken when he saw a tall man walking out of the house. The next second the car drove away. The vulnerable part of him ordered him to drive away from her, before her presence touched the vulnerable side of him but it was not why he was here. He had to see her.

There she stood with her back to him working over the kitchen counter. Clad in a robe, her hair tied up in a bun and soft music filling the kitchen. She had become weaker he noticed, amazed him how he could make out every curve of her body. Ofcourse you do, all you did was sleep with her the last time you were here. His mind shot back. It took him back to the time he had spent with her, kissing her..feeling every inch of her. Inside out. He wanted to feel her yet again, did he care about the sight he saw a few minutes ago? No he told himself.

Squaring his shoulders, he slowly walked towards her. Pushing all his thoughts aside, he wound his arms around her pulling her closer to himself. Her back collided into his chest and he felt her persona changing instantly. She didn't react but just stood there. He was starting to gauge her reaction when she spoke up,

I knew you would come back.

She whispered running her hands on his and holding them in place. It had taken her aback for a few seconds until her back hit his chest. she knew, that touch could only be him. It was him. She didn't know what happened to her at the moment, but it felt perfect. The only arms she wanted to be in were around her. He had come back and he was right there.

He misunderstood the happiness in her voice. She couldn't be expecting him, but she was expecting someone. It bothered him. More than he wished it would. His arms tightened around her and he briskly turned her around. Her face was inches from his, her scent filling him. Her almond eyes looking at him in surprise. She was dazed, he was still as amazing as he was six months back, The same deep orbs, the same firm jaw, the same hunger in his eyes. It was as intense as it had been the first day.

You're here.

She breathed. Her meek voice brought him back to his senses.

Yes, its me. Unfortunately not the man you slept with last night.

He spit out. The words hit her but so did the hurt in them. It wasn't an accusation, it was the pain in his voice which gauged her reaction. She couldn't miss the authority, the possessive tone of his words as they left his mouth and his arms around her waist tightened. He was taken aback when she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer.

I don't sleep with men. They don't want me.

She said breathing on him, her voice layered with nothing but pain. It stung him, how could anyone not want her.? The mere thought sounded absurd to him. Here he was, every part of him wanting nothing but her.

But I want you.

I want you more.

She said caressing his lower lip with her thumb. He felt himself hardening. She felt herself being scooped up into his arms as he lifted her by her waist and his lips rammed onto hers. They were urgent, so were hers. It was the pent up need which poured out into the kiss as their lips fused in unison. She felt him sink into the chair taking her along. His one hand was at her back playing with the strap of her bra over the cloth of her robe while the other held her onto him.

He was ravishing her lips, she let him. Both of them could taste the blood, but neither stopped the assault. It was pleasure to them. He reluctantly pulled away when he felt himself running out of breath. His hand was still at the back of her head holding it in place, his lips touching hers.

Who was he.?

She heard him say. Her heart beat a notch faster. The one part of her life which he dreaded. Yet she wasn't ashamed of it, so she didnt feel the need to hide it.

My husband.

She answered still feeling his lips on hers. The moment the words left her mouth, she felt him freeze. She opened her eyes only to stare into his dark ones, blank ones.