Priya in Heels (Entangled Embrace) (16 page)

“You didn’t tell me you’d be here.”

“Did you tell me?”

“Well, it’s implied. Vicki’s my best friend.”

“You don’t tell me everything you do. It’s not like you’re my girlfriend.” He planted a hand on the wall behind me and leaned in. I backed into the wall, hitting my head on the lower corner of a painting. “Unless you want to be,” he continued. “Did I mention how delicious you look?”

“Ty, you can’t.”

He groaned. “I miss the taste of you.”

My breathing escalated, my throat dried. “Don’t do this here.”

“Want to move to a bedroom and show me how to take this off you?”

“If someone sees us, they’ll chop your hands off.”

“Do you even know how sexy you are or how much you turn me on?”

“Ty.” A futile warning.

Ty grinned but then turned serious, determined. He swirled a lock of my hair and slid his fingers down the length where it ended beneath my breasts. “I can imagine doing so many things to you: tangling my fingers in your sexy-as-hell hair and pulling your head back to suck on those lips. You better hope I never get you alone again.”

Against better judgment, I asked, “Why?”

“I went easy on you the first time.” He leaned his forehead against mine, my eyes locked on his lips. “Next time, I promise I’ll have you screaming my name.”

I sucked in a breath.

He released me and walked off.

I shuddered and scoped out the empty hallway before proceeding to the bathroom. I closed the door and leaned against it to catch my breath. From my reflection in the mirror, I could see that my cheeks were flushed and my eyes dilated. Damn Ty and his inappropriate but sizzling behavior.

After gathering my wits, I returned to the party. The last thing I wanted was to have to deal with possible future in-laws, but here they were. They stopped me and half-smiled. Manuk’s parents were old school, stern, and always looked as if they were mad about something. They spoke that way, too. Which was funny because Manuk and his siblings were very friendly and had personality skills to be envious of. His parents…not so much.

“So nice to see you,” Madhu said. “Such a beauty you are. We will be happy to sit at your engagement soon, huh?”

“Yes.”

“How is residency?”

“It’s great. A lot of learning takes up so much time. Work, work, work, you know? It was a hassle to get time off just to come up today, but worth it.”

“Just like my
beta’s
residency. We never saw him, but he stayed at home like a good boy. Why don’t you return to Austin, huh? Your mummie would like that.”

I kept from rolling my eyes. “She’s fine with me being in Houston. She blessed the move,” I added, unable to help myself.

“It’s so dangerous, no? A woman should be with her parents or her husband.”

I relaxed my hands when I realized they were clenched into fists. Good thing they didn’t know about the run-in with the muggers.

“Ah, Ma,” Manuk intervened, “Priyanka’s safe in Houston. She lives with Vicki, remember?”

“And Vicki is getting married soon. What then?”

“I’m sure the wedding won’t be next week. Women these days are allowed to have more freedom than women in your day.”

“Nonsense,” Deepak said. “Women have their place.”

“Well—” I began but Manuk interjected, “No, Papa, let’s not get into that here. Times are different. Don’t tell Priyanka she has to be shielded by a man her entire life. She’s a successful, independent woman. I wouldn’t want to marry a girl who does nothing but cooks and cleans and obeys everything that comes out of my mouth.”

His mother huffed but kept her mouth shut. She was that woman. She was the girl who had married at seventeen and had been expected to cook and clean for her family before cooking and cleaning for her husband. I knew that Manuk’s eldest sister-in-law was quiet and traditional, but the second one was a firecracker. They had to know women had changed since their day.

“It was nice seeing you. Excuse me while I say good-bye to my parents. They’re driving back to Austin,” I said.

“And you’re staying here, alone?” Madhu raised her brows in a pompous way that made me seriously question if I could deal with her as a mother-in-law.

“I came with Vicki and am staying with her. Is that okay with you?”

Manuk placed a hand on my back to usher me away. Whatever he said to them faded as Vicki sauntered toward me, rosy and blissful.

“How are your soon-to-be parents-in-law?” I inquired.

“Wonderful! You’ve met them, right?”

“Briefly.”

“They call me
beti
and his mom hugs me,” she said dreamily.

“Congratulations! A man you love and a sincere mother-in-law. Kudos, lucky beast.”

“My parents are going to stay up with them and some fam. Raj and I want to go out. Are you coming with?”

“Wouldn’t be an after-party without her,” Manuk said from behind us. “Are you guys ready to go?”

“Yeah. We’ll meet you at Raj’s car. We can go together,” Vicki said to him.

“I’m going to run home and change. Meet you at the club?”

“Sure.”

“Great! Raj, my man!” Manuk walked with Raj to the front porch.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Priya

I unwound my sari in Vicki’s room and slipped into jeans and a glittering sequin blouse.

“You invited him?”

“Not really. Our moms were together when I told them we’d head out soon, and my mom, who knows about Manuk’s potential suitor status, invited him to go. Sorry,
yaar
, but thank goodness she told me she’d invited him before I invited Tyler.”

“Probably wouldn’t have gone over well.”

“Duh. You better tell one of them about the other. Tyler would snap if he were going with us. He’d purposely piss him off by getting all over you.”

We held up the corners of the sari and folded both mine and Vicki’s. “Ty knows about him, but yeah, it sounds like something he’d do. Where are we going?”

“Club Red for drinks,” she whispered.

“Interesting.”

“What?”

“Gonna get hammered after a staid ceremony?”

“Hell, yeah. We deserve it after sitting through that thing and dealing with so many people. Yours won’t be as long.”

“How do you figure?”

“Christians don’t have engagement ceremonies or three-hour-long weddings.”

“And which Christian am I converting for? No, wait, I already know who you’re talking about.”

“I can see the future, and your future is full of Mr. O’Connor.
Hmm
. Priya O’Connor? Doesn’t sound right, but he’s modern and you’re a doctor, so you can keep your last name.”

“Problem number three with that theory: a man will never lead me to convert religions.”

“What are problems one and two?”

“Let’s see. One: my parents won’t approve a relationship with him, and I’ll never marry a man my family doesn’t love. Two: he’s white, American, different culture, language, mind frame, everything. How would he effectively communicate with my family and our friends? How would he be at weddings and
mandir
and all that stuff? Anyway, he doesn’t even believe in marriage, and he certainly doesn’t approve of our quote unquote restrictive old-school philosophies, or any religion for that matter. So there, add problems four and five to the mix.”

Vicki rolled her eyes and replied with indignation, “So just screw him and throw him out? Even Tulsi doesn’t do that.”

“She sleeps with a lot of guys.”

“She sleeps with guys who don’t want anything but sex. You’re sleeping with a man who’s in love with you. How are you living with yourself?”

I pushed down the urge to vomit. Vicki was right. I was a horrible person, but I thought of things logically when not in bed with Ty. “You know I’m right. Ty’s sexy and he makes me want to do bad things, but that’s not something to base a lifelong commitment on. A dirty little fling? Yes. A future together? No. You know this is true. While we’re at it, please don’t go inviting him to stuff like this to get us together.”

“He’s my friend, too.”

“If someone had caught us earlier…”

“Doing what?”

“Nothing. We weren’t doing anything, but he was standing close to me, touching my hair. Had someone seen us, all hell would’ve broken loose. Rumors would be flying. Manuk’s mother would’ve called me a whore right in front of everyone and made sure we’d never get married. You know how it is.”

Vicki didn’t say another word on the matter because she knew my reasoning was sound. We slipped on shoes and met Raj in the driveway. He’d changed into jeans and a T-shirt and ushered us into his sleek black car.

“Congratulations again, Raj. You guys are perfect together,” I said from the backseat.

“Thanks, Priya! I’m glad you made it.”

“I would’ve called in sick and gotten written up if I had to.”

“Don’t go ruining your career. Glad Tyler made it, too. That’s a long drive. I can’t believe he drove all the way up here and back in one day just for a dinner. Or maybe more?” He caught my eye from the reflection in the rearview mirror.

“Now don’t you start with me. I just reprimanded your lovely fiancée.”

He rubbed Vicki’s knee and cooed, “Poor baby.”

“You should talk some sense into her.” I crossed my arms and looked out the window.

“Are you sure Vicki’s the one who needs a sense talk?”

“You’ve got the love bug. There’s no point in talking to you about Vicki.”

He laughed. “Tyler is a good man, Priya.”

“Should I list the first five problems or go ahead and deny an engagement to the man we’re meeting at the club for a wasted future with Ty?”

“You’re right. I’m joking. Marrying Manuk is the right decision.”

“Raj!” Vicki complained.

“No, Vic, she’s right. If I were an American who had nothing in common with you, from a different religion and culture, would you seriously have the guts to defy your parents to be with me?”

“Assuming Raj was into serious commitments in the first place, because remember, Ty doesn’t believe in marriage,” I added.

Vicki groaned. “Whatever.”

“No more talk about Ty, please. Let’s have some fun.”

“Yes, let’s try to make you fall in love with your future fiancé,” Vicki replied in a snotty tone. Raj rubbed her knee again and she perked up. “
Hmm
, feels good.”

“Oh, brother,” I muttered.

…

Club Red was a hip bar that had pool tables, a dance floor with live music, and a dizzying, hypnotic atmosphere. Music pulsated through the air in a dim room with colored lights.

“Cherry vodka, right?” Manuk placed the red liquor-filled glass in front of me. Jeans and a T-shirt worked as well on Manuk as traditional garb. Like Ty, he wore everything well.

“How’d you know?” I sloshed around the liquid.

He leaned back and gave me a knowing look. “Do you dance?”

“Oh God, no!”

“Yeah, don’t ask her to,
please
,” Vicki said. “It’s embarrassing to watch.”

He took my hand, anyway. “Come on, I can teach you. It’s easy.”

“Uh, no.” I retracted my hand and placed it on my lap. “I’m a train wreck. You might not survive.”

He laughed.

“Come on, lover, let’s dance.” Raj pulled Vicki up and led her away. She glanced back, meeting my infuriated eyes, and shrugged as if to apologize. I couldn’t blame her. This was her engagement after-party, not wallow-in-Priya’s-self-destructive-misery party.

Since half the time I couldn’t hear Manuk over the music, we sat quietly, watching others, and keeping an eye on the gyrating, newly engaged couple. Manuk stole glances at me every now and then. We probably thought the same thing—the way Vicki was grinding against Raj—that she had hit that or wanted to hit that shortly.

I cleared my throat and looked away. I silently thanked the gods when Jeeta and Tulsi showed up. Of course, Tulsi had changed out of her sari and into a short dress. Men offered her drinks before she even sat down. A few sips and she was out on the dance floor.

Being personable, Manuk struck up a strained conversation with Jeeta. She blushed a few times. Jeeta was uncomfortable speaking to men outside of her family and profession. Social interaction with an American guy was out of the question, so she’d shied away from Ty at the engagement party. Jeeta and Manuk looked like they might make a nice couple, though.

I swallowed the rest of my drink and shoved that thought away. What was I thinking? Manuk would be my intended, and Jeeta wanted it that way.

Manuk touched my shoulder as he leaned in. “I’ll be back. Want another drink or something to eat?”

“No, thanks.”

When he disappeared into the crowd, Jeeta scrambled to sit next to me. “Having fun?” she asked.

“Not entirely comfortable with him.”

“I saw that American guy at Vicki’s house.”

“Tyler?”

“Yes. Does he know about him? I mean, does he still like you?”

“Yes. I mean, he knows about him, but not that I’ll probably marry Manuk.”

“So why didn’t you tell him?”

That was a good question.

“Be careful, Priya,” she said, repeating Mummie’s words.

“Of what?”

Jeeta tilted her head.

“I know! I’m such an idiot!”

Jeeta rubbed my arm. “You have a big crush. That’s all. It’s hard to get over, just give it time. Just don’t do anything…bad.”

“Bad?” It was too late for that. We watched Tulsi, who sauntered toward the table.

She fell into the chair on the other side of Jeeta. “Drink up, sexy bitches.”

Jeeta hissed like a rabid animal. She hated curse words.

“Oh, clamp it.”

“Tulsi, you better watch your attitude. No more drinks for you,” I warned.

She rolled her eyes. “What’s up with that hot dude? The white guy. Tyler, right?”

“Nothing’s up with him. He’s good friends with Raj.”

“I’d like to be good friends with him. I gave him my number.”

I clenched my jaw, but Jeeta snapped, “Is that the piece of paper he tossed into the trash as soon as you left?”

“Shut up. I was joking.”

“Yeah, he’s so into you. After five seconds with you, he was tugging on Raj’s arm to get out of there.”

“Oh, well, can’t get them all. He must be after someone else.” Tulsi wagged her brows at me.

“Don’t talk about him,” I growled as Manuk returned with his own drink.

He greeted Tulsi, and she sobered up in the company of someone who didn’t know about, and might not approve of, her wild ways. The last thing she wanted was a reputable man blabbing about her nightlife to her family.

Distracted by Tulsi, I didn’t have time to ward off Manuk when he took my wrist and led me to the dance floor. He took me to the edge of the crowd where the music wasn’t so loud. A slow jam played, something that required less rhythm and practically no individual groove. On the other hand, it required physical contact.

I didn’t protest, just shook my head as he placed my hands around his shoulders while his went to my waist. A couple of slow dances were fine as long as he maintained a bit of distance between us.

When he closed the small gap to say, “I’ve been waiting all night to tell you that you look beautiful, really amazing.” My discomfort level went back up.

Letting my guard down for a few songs backfired. Manuk wasn’t creepy or encroaching in any way, but the thought of Ty’s angry eyes caused a barrier to shoot up between me and my intended.

“Thanks. You look nice, too.”

“May I ask you something?” He stepped closer.

“Sure.”

“Do you mind if I visit Houston to see you?”

“I suppose that would be okay.”

“I’m not a traditional fanatic like my parents.”

“Thank God!”

He laughed. “I want to see you whenever you want to see me. We don’t need chaperones and consents.”

I nodded.

“Maybe I can stay at your place?”

“No.”

“The couch?”

“No.”

“Ah, so you’re hugging that border between traditional and modern?” he asked.

“So are you, otherwise you’d find your own wife.”

“I did. I like you.”

“You wouldn’t have gone through our parents. You seek approval.”

“Well, my second oldest brother, Taj, married Shetal, whom he met in college. It was a scandal. The only thing she had going for her was education, even though it’s a master’s in history.”

“A laughable degree to our people?” Although I respected anyone who went after their passion, and I didn’t judge people based on their education. “Your parents weren’t pissed?”

“They’re still pissed, but Taj was the wild one. I expected him to bring home a blonde because he’d dated a lot of those. Guess he came halfway to his senses. They’re in love. Shetal’s awesome. My parents still don’t like her. Had Taj just went through our parents, things would probably be better.”

I bit my tongue, wanting to point out that his parents had control issues. “When she pops out a baby, they’ll forget all about it.”

He grimaced. “Taj and Shetal are all about freedom and fun. They don’t want kids and have already put their foot down.”

“Parents even more mad at her?”

“Oh yeah. A woman without kids isn’t really a woman, you know the saying.”

“Sheesh.”

“I hope I’m not scaring you off. To be honest, I’m not traditional by most means. I just let my parents have this one by letting them think they’re making the decision for me.”

“Perpetuating the lie?”

“Keeping the peace. You?”

“My parents are amazing. They know me well and wouldn’t lead me to a man they didn’t believe held the highest standard. Perfect on paper.”

He grinned. “I’m perfect, huh?”

“Anyway, I trust them and they’re okay if I turn down a guy. I’ve done it before,” I warned.

“I better be on my best behavior?”

“Yes.”

He squeezed my waist. “Is this good behavior?”

I slid his hands away, but they returned. “No.”

“More traditional than I expected. I like a challenge.”

“Tell me the truth. Have you had girlfriends?”

“Yes.”

“How many?”

“I can’t even keep count.”

Disgusting. “You’ve slept with them?”

“Some of them.”

I swallowed.

He stroked my cheek. “Priya. They were nothing, sowing my wild oats, getting the wildness out of me so I could get here, to this place, ready to settle down and be with one woman, with you. College life in America, all this freedom, men have sex, a lot, but when we get married, we get serious. I’ll never cheat on you. I’ve never cheated before and never will. I haven’t even looked at another woman since I decided you were the one.”

He chuckled and went on, “You must’ve had boyfriends before.”

“I was too busy studying and spending time with my family.”

“You can’t honestly think Indians aren’t having sex.”

“I know they do. I just thought the man Mummie chose would’ve been more traditional.”

“If I were more traditional, I’d also want a subservient wife. You don’t want that part of traditional.”

“I expected the right parts of traditional.”

He sighed. “Does this affect how you feel about me?”

“I don’t know yet.” I was glad he didn’t ask if I were a virgin.

“There’s something else that’s been bothering me.”

“What?” I swallowed, hoping the situation with Ty wasn’t obvious.