Page 24 of Driven By Desire
“Maasi’s house?” Chirag asked, hopefully.
“Twice in less than a month.” Wincing, Krish finished taking his shirt off and tossing it into the laundry hamper. “We’ll never hear the end of that.”
“It will be worth it.” Plopping down on the bed, Chirag added dreamily, ‘Booze, music, women.” The last word came out on a dreamy sigh that had Krish laughing.
“Fine. I’ll ask Maasi.” Pulling his mobile out of his pocket, he started to dial when Chirag grabbed it from him.
“You go have a shower and get ready. I’ll talk to her and handle the flak and the lecture. It’s about time someone took a turn from you. I’ll wake Adi as well.”
Frowning over the last bit, Krish asked, “Why is he sleeping at this time? Is he sick?”
“No. Just lazy.” Making shooing motions towards the bathroom with one hand, Chirag dialed with the other.
Grateful for the reprieve, Krish headed for the shower. Checking to see that the spray was steaming hot, just the way he liked it, he shed the rest of his clothes and stepped under it with a sigh. Bliss. Bending his head forward, he let the water stream down his back. His mind emptying of the stresses of the day, he found himself looking forward to the night out with his brothers.
Unbidden, imagined pictures of Max on her night out reeled through his head. He wondered if she wore her cargo pants when she went out on a date as well. Cargo pants with scandalously sexy underwear underneath. He found himself hardening as animage of Max in siren red lace underwear and nothing else sprang to mind. Groaning, he rested his head against the cool tiles and desperately tried to think of something else. He’d managed to block her out for most of the day but she’d popped up at regular intervals just to remind him that some things in life stayed constantly out of his reach.
Maybe he should run through Pooja’s exam timetable. That was something that could cool anyone’s ardor. When even that didn’t work, he gave up and swung the shower handle from hot to cold. Grimly making sure the icy water rained down on the most recalcitrant part of his body, he waited for it to behave. He was in the bathroom a long, long time.
He’d pulled on jeans and was shrugging into a pale blue collared t-shirt when Chirag walked back in.
“We are irresponsible, immature and incapable of any form of morals and family values.” Pausing, he pretended to try and remember before adding, “Oh! Also, selfish and inconsiderate.”
“We’re still going out right?” Grinning at Chirag’s chuckle, Krish quickly tucked his shirt in and ran a brush through his hair.
“I’m ready.” Adi bounded through the door with his usual burst of excessive energy.
“And I’m blind.” Chirag managed, dryly, as he took in the neon green shirt, tight black jeans and gelled, spiked hair.
“It’s called style.” Doing a snazzy turn in the middle of the room, Adi shot a pointed look at Chirag’s sedate grey and white checked shirt tucked into light blue jeans. “Something you obviously don’t know much about.”
“Really? I had no idea the parrot look was in style.”
“It’s a heck of a lot better than blending into the wallpaper.”
“Whatever else you’ll do tonight, it won’t be blend.”
“Leave him alone, Chirag.”
Enjoying his older brother’s support, Adi shot Chirag a triumphant look before saying “Thanks Bhai. I knew you would understand.”
“Of course I do.” He turned the lights and air conditioner off before leading them out of the room. “Blink twice if you need to be rescued from the fashion police. I’ll be there in an instant to post bail.”
The loud laughter and good natured bickering continued all the way to the car and through the drive to their aunt’s house and had even Pooja forgetting her earlier bad mood and joining in with a smile. Pulling up in front of the house, he looked over to see his aunt’s plump figure framed in the door of the house. Waiting to lecture them a bit more no doubt. Refusing to let anything ruin his mood, he got out of the car and took Pooja’s hand.
When he felt the tiny hand squeeze his own, he looked down.
“I’ll go on my own.”
Gratefully accepting the out she was offering him, he went down on one knee next to her. “Thanks. I owe you.”
“You’re welcome.” Throwing her arms around him in a brief hug, she whispered, “If you let me pierce my ears, I’ll consider us even.”
“We’ll negotiate.” She was going to make a terrific businesswoman one day. Grinning, he ruffled her hair andstood. Waiting in the driveway for her to safely reach the front door, he eyed the militant stance of his aunt. Hands on her hips,saree pallutucked into her waist, she glared at him over the tiny figure approaching her.
“Pooj?”
Halting close to the front door, Pooja turned back and called, “Ya?”
