Hired To Be Mine

Chapter 16

Breath got knocked out of Nicole when Salim's strong arms enveloped her. All thoughts vaporized as his lips sought hers in a searing hungry kiss. Her hands wandered to his broad shoulders and locked behind his neck in delight and desperation. Desperation to be close to him, to be held in his arms and to be devoured by the man who owned her heart.

"Salim", she whimpered as his lips left hers only to assault her jaw and cheeks. Her eyelids fluttered, battling the desire to close them in delight and the need to keep them open to look at the man of her dreams, ravishing her, In front of your friends. Her subconscious reminded her and with the strength unknown to her, she pushed him on his chest.

He stumbled back, confused, and regained his composure, not before giving her an hurtful pout. She looked away from his tempting stormy eyes, which looked full of lust and adoration.

"baby I...", before he could leer her into the sin of lust, she quickly turned around to look at her two friends who looked like they would pass out any moment.

Kelly was fanning her face, looking everywhere but not at her, while Ana's face blushed a deep red. She couldn't help the snarky remark bubbling within her towards her blind friend, "Oh come on! it's not like you could have seen what happened", she whined at Ana who blushed again containing her naughty grin,

"Huh", Ana sighed dramatically, "One of the curses of being blind sweetheart, heightened hearing. I could hear all the throaty sounds you two were making right in front of us. So, gah!", she shuddered,

"Shut up", Nicole couldn't help the coloring of her cheeks as she slowly turned around to face Salim. He had a naughty grin plastered on his swollen lips, which reminded her of their little 'scene'. Her heart immediately raced with wild, hungry, passionate thoughts. And among those thoughts, suddenly from nowhere, the thought of Salim and Anya locked in an embrace flashed in her eyes.

She cleared her throat and taking a deep breath, "Yes? What can I do for you?" Her voice cold, devoid of the emotional turmoil she was feeling.

"Huh", he exhaled quickly and locked his gaze with hers. His eyes filled with determination and promise, "We need to talk".

"Yes", she probed crossing her arms against her chest, not at all inviting any kind of privacy to have that 'talk'. If he wanted to talk, he could do it right here. In front of her friends.

Salim cast a glance to Kelly who immediately caught the meaning of his gaze and nudged Ana. She grasped the message and both the women quietly made an exit towards Nicole's bedroom. Nicole inwardly cursed at her friends.

She wanted to stay mad at Salim. But for what? For hugging Anya. But they were friends! More than friends actually. But still, they shared a past and whats the harm? its just a hug? Lot of things start with just a hug. But why are you mad? Because he hugged another woman while he's still Mine.

The battle with her subconscious made her realize a very important thing. She loved him. How? Since when, she had no idea, but in the course of their journey in the past few months, she fell in love with him.

"Nicole", his alarmed voice bought her back to the matter in attention. Salim crossed the distance, while she had a tete' e' tete' with her subconscious. He was standing right in front of her, a breath away. She could hear the frantic beat of his heart, and his ragged breathing fanning her cheeks. "I..", his fingers reached her cheek and traced a lone strand of her hair, behind her ears, trailing the finger back to her cheeks.

"How's Anya?" she whispered, looking at his chest. His breath caught in his throat and she heard the sharp intake of air clearly. It hurt her, physically to see him like this, to have such conversation about a third person who once played an important role in his life.

"She's good. I called a cab for her. She is on her way home, as we speak" she looked up to meet his eyes, which were frantically searching her face, for.... what?

"Come to the auction with me?" he asked. His voice held the fear of rejection, which gripped her heart painfully.

"Only if you talk to me, later" she added, before she got lost in the valley of emotions. She loved him. As exciting and fluttering the feeling was, it also scared her. If she loved him, that means he held great power over her heart. He could easily break her heart, without even realizing it and she had her kids to think about, before making any kind of decision.

"Deal", his lips tilted up in a slight smile, before descending onto hers.

****

The need to be close to her was so consuming, that Salim didn't know how he survived so long without taking her. Without claiming her as his.

When he walked towards the auditorium, in search of Kelly earlier today, the argument between Kelly and Anya was already in full heat. Once best friends now couldn't even talk to each other as acquaintances. He had to blame Anya for that. As much as her leaving had affected her, it also affected Kelly a lot. They were such good friends, back then.

As Kelly stormed away, Salim caught the distraught look on Anya's face. He knew that hearing such hateful words from her former best friend was something she never could have dreamt. Her teared eyes awoke a protectiveness in him which let him envelope her in a comforting hug.

After all, that was what it was. A comforting hug and nothing else. She didn't mean any harm when she expressed her opinions to Kelly, and definitely didn't intend to hurt her. Anya has always been like that, firm on her opinion, no matter what. And the hurt she witnessed in Kelly's eyes bought her grief. And when Salim called out for her, she ran into his arms, for comfort.

He didn't mind providing the shoulder to cry on for Anya. Neither he minded to help her out with the problem she was facing right now. He was happy to help. But, he couldn't afford to lose Nicole in the process.

The moment he saw Nicole's shocked and hurt face, he knew, that he was a goner. His chest ached, literally and he wanted to sprint after her in a run to catch her before leaving. But Anya's arms around his torso, stopped him.

The entire time, he was with Anya as she explained how his husband got arrested under the accusation of terrorist activities, he couldn't help but drift back to the moment when Nicole walked out of their. As much as he sympathized with Anya and her husband, he still couldn't stop his beating heart to constrict in pain.

He wanted to see her. He needed to see her smile. He needed to reassure her that he was all hers and she was his. He wanted to tell her that he loved her.

Yes, he did. The moment he caught the hurt in her eyes, he knew, that he loved her. More than he ever did Anya. Because he was sure, that is Nicole didn't want to, then he wouldn't provide any help to Anya. No matter how innocent he was, if Nicole didn't like him meddling in this situation, then he would back away. He knew that was wrong, immoral on many levels. But, he would do anything for his Nicole.

He groaned at the possessive feeling he felt, which earned a throaty moan from Nicole as she clutched at his biceps in a claw. His groin twitched in want and need to be buried deep inside her.

"Okay", Ana's loud voice interrupted him from taking her right then and there. Nicole broke away from him and took a step back. He immediately felt cold and the loss of the warmth of her body.

"There are kids around here and they are waking up from their untimely nap", she stood in front of them, placing her hands on her hips.

"Are they decent?" came Kelly's voice from somewhere inside and Nicole sighed,

"Yes Kel, you can come out now", she said and Kelly walked out with her hand covering her eyes. She peeked a glance from the gap between her fingers and dropped her hands with a relieved sigh.

"So", he cleared his throat, "I presume you ladies need time to get ready for the auction", he placed his hands inside his pant pockets. His hands twitching to reach forward and grab Nicole for another kiss.

"Yup", Ana said gleefully. Kelly didn't look as enthusiastic as Ana, but gave him a half hearted smile,

"Kelly? Are you okay?" Salim asked, and Kelly flashed him a huge smile in reassurance. Though it didn't reach her eyes, it felt reassuring enough. He knew Kelly too well, she was strong than she seemed.

"Ana, your brothers are coming to pick you up, right?" Ana flinched immediately,

"Your brothers are coming?" Kelly and Nicole asked in unison.

"Yeah", Ana muttered half heartedly,

"Wow, I never met them", Nicole said "I heard Sim tell me that the Foster brothers came in for some coffee, once. But then I didn't knew who they were and was very busy with some accounts. I regret not meeting them", Salim didn't like the dreamy tone with which she was referring to the Foster brothers. They managed the Foster estate back in Town of Hempstead and very rarely engaged themselves in social gatherings.

"Oh, you should", Kelly gushed, her voice full of enthusiasm, "They are so hot. All three of them. They are tall, muscular, and in simple words, complete package of hotness"

"Anyhow", Salim's insistant voice made them drop the subject of Foster brothers immedately, "I was saying that, I will pick you up at 7 sharp and Kelly," he trailed casting her a long glance. He thought of doing what he was going to do, a long time ago, but didn't get a chance. But now, he was just determined to do it, "Richard will come pick you at 7 at your place. Okay?" He turned around without waiting for a reply and headed for the door,

"Wait", came Kelly's hesitant voice. He turned around slowly and raised an eye brow at her, any problem? "Does he have to pick me up? I mean, I don't need an escort and moreover he always accompanies you to these gatherings",

"Kelly", Nicole intervened, "We both are going as a date and I don't think we would require a chaperon", she added a suggestive tone in the end. Salim grinned at her and she winked back. It was a real amazement at how well she understood him so easily.

"Oh, yeah", Kelly agreed looking at her feet. She bit her lip hesitantly as if that was the last thing she ever wished for.

Salim was genuinely curious why Kelly was the way she is. Her personality has always been a huge puzzle to him, and most probably to Richard too. She found joy in working as his office secretary, where her work included of filing documents, typing letters, making calls for appointments and reservations and other such measly works. She never applied for a hike or a promotion. She would be all bubbly one day and gloomy at the end of it. She would blush easily whenever she encountered with Richard but would immediately turn cold when an opportunity like this approached, for them. If Salim didn't knew better, he would say she was the most bipolar person he ever met.

"Laters ladies", he said throwing a charming smile at them and walked out.

*****

"No Mumma, don't go", Zion wailed at Nicole. She crouched beside him, on the ground where he lay in protest. Taking a wet napkin she wiped his tear stricken face and cooed all along, promising to be back home soon.

"Ray", she called out for the eldest who was sitting in front of the blocks with a frown etched on his brows. As if trying to solve a major crisis. "Ray", she called again, in a sterner voice to get his attention. He turned his face to his mom and gave her a look, what? She rolled her eyes at his antics, "Come and take care of Zion".

As soon as he heard his name being uttered, Zion broke into another fit of wails. This little attention seeker has always been a major problem, she mused. She desperately waited for the door bell to ring as she glanced at the clock, 6:40. And as if her prayers were answered, the door bell rang and she immediately ran to answer it.

"Marco", she sighed in relief at the sight of Marco, her chef and Agatha his wife standing at the entrance.

"Oh hush now", Agatha hurried inside without waiting for pleasantries and rushed towards the kids. Nicole let out a chuckle as Agatha picked up a crying Zion and started cooing into his ears. She walked towards Ryan, who was also gloomy and looked like he's about to cry and picked him up too.

"That woman, would be the death of me", huffed Marco drawing Nicole's attention, who just then noticed the two brown carry bags he was holding. Nicole took one from his hands and gestured for him to come in, "She drives like a maniac. Almost killed me twice, tonight", his, Italian accent very prominent due to his annoyance,

"Oh hush now Bello", Agatha scolded and turned her attention back to the boys in her arms.

"I tell you, this woman...", Marco shook his head, but the loving glint in his eyes wasn't amiss by Nicole. She knew what an adorable sweet couple they both are. They would always fight, but they never fell out of love.

"Your looking lovely Amore", Agatha said to Nicole with adore. Nicole wore a baby pink cocktail dress that was off shoulder and had a clit that ran up to her thigh. She paired the dress with silver silhouettes and silver ear studs. Her left sleeve ran up to her fingers where as the other arm was bare. She bought the dress online, for this very occasion and was glad that Agatha found it beautiful. She was running low on confidence tonight.

"What are you still doing here, Bambina? Where's your date? That hot Bello of yours?" Agatha asked with mischievous eyes. Zion fell silent in her arms and Nicole assumed he fell asleep, tired of all the crying he did.

"I thought I was Bello", Marco asked his wife, raising an eyebrow to which she just chuckled, "You are my Bello and I am asking about her Bello", she said raising an eyebrow towards Nicole.

Nicole blushed at the older pair. Before she could answer the door bell rang again and this time it was Salim.

Dressed in an all black suit and silver cuff-links, he looked like a runway model himself. He stood at the entrance with his famous smile, as his eyes raked over her body shamelessly. Instead of feeling uncomfortable, Nicole returned the favor by drinking in his handsome glory herself. His strong legs, muscular thighs, and without looking at that most tempting parts she quickly averted her gaze towards his broad chest and biceps which the suit hugged snugly, like it was sewed on him directly.

He smirked at her knowingly and she immediately looked away, blushing. She suddenly remembered the guests she had over and turned to them, only to find Agatha all red and gushing where as Marco narrowed his eyes at Salim as if accessing him.

"Salim, this is Marco and Agatha, very good friends of mine. They will be watching the kids for tonight", she said feeling hot and breathless suddenly.

"Its good to meet you", Salim shook hands with Marco and kissed the back of Agatha's hand as a greeting, with a charming smile.

"Dio mio", Agatha whispered, feeling a blush of her own.

"Okay", Marco clapped his hands, "We will take care of the kids. You two, behave", he said wagging his finger at Nicole and she just grinned. She kissed her boys goodnight on their foreheads and made promises to be back quick.

"Lets go?" Salim offered her a hand with a grin, as she stepped up beside him

"Sure", she tucked her hand into his. As they both walked out towards the waiting limo, Salim pulled her flush across his chest and smacked his lips to hers.

She didn't wait long before opening up to him and Salim thrust his tongue inside, enjoying the invitation. The kiss was fast, yet leisure. And as they came up for a quick breather, Salim rest his forehead against hers and muttered, "Spend the night with me".

Nicole's breath hitched in her throat. Many thoughts flashed at once, the promised talk, Anya, her kids, office, work and many more, but she knew the answer even before she processed all of these thoughts.

"Yes", she whispered back, closing her eyes in delight as his lips found hers again.