Chapter 29 - Part Un

It had taken them an hour to reach their hotel, 'The George V'......Khushi had insisted on staying at this particular hotel as she loved walking to the nearby Parisian Fashion street, Champs-Elysées....being in the fashion business had made her fall in love with the various boutiques that lined the street...from the oldest local brands which still made hand stitched dresses to the newer, haut-couture brands both French and international.

They stepped out of the Bentley that Arnav had hired during their stay in Paris and walked hand in hand inside the hotel....they handed over their passports for the hotel staff to verify while the porters loaded their baggages onto the luggage trolleys... “There you go Monsieur Raizada, suite 306 for you and for your Mademoiselle, suite 308..” the lady at the reception said with a very bright smile in Arnav's direction, making khushi look at her with a scowl.

She snatched their key cards from the lady's hand and pulled arnav along with her “Whoa! What's going on....why the hurry?” Arnav asked khushi teasingly when he knew the reason for her annoyance...he had seen the death glare Khushi had given the poor women making him feel all giddy inside... “No hurry...i'm just tired...thought i'll catch a few winks before our lunch meeting with D'Blanc” Khushi said quickly as they stepped into the glass elevator

“Khushi...I saw the way you looked at the poor woman” he said pulling her closer to him, only for Khushi to push him away “I did not look at her in any particular way....she was very fake...showing off her perfect 32 teeth! I bet they aren't even real...who has such white teeth....definitely not the French with the amount of smoking they do” she said as Arnav chuckled as they got out of the elevator and walked towards their room

“Anyways...I was hoping we could share a suite...” he said pulling her leg and was glad to see her face go crimson “Arnav....I...I know that...” she said to which Arnav caught her wrist and pulled her towards him “Relax...i'm just joking...plus i know it won't be appropriate with this being a business trip...” he said as Khushi nodded her head and went up on her tip toes to kiss him lightly on his stubbly cheek

“I'll see you at 11 ok...go and get some rest, you look really tired” she said as he slid his hands around her waist and hugged her close “How can I sleep when you are next door to me” he said hoarsely as khushi smiled shyly while he placed a soft kiss on her forehead... “But you, need to sleep...so i'll come and get you around 11 ok?” he said as khushi smiled and stepped out of their embrace to walk to her room right next to his...she wondered if they had a connecting door.

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Damn! Why did they not have a connecting door...Khushi thought for the second time since morning as she got ready in her skirt suit...she looked forlornly at the beautiful room, designed very artfully in the french baroque style, the high ceilinged room had beautiful rich tapestry and dark wood furnishings making it look like a room in a palace, the huge four poster bed in the centre had a beautiful lace canopy over it with a cushioned high backed headboard to rest upon...even the bathroom had a rare claw footed bathtub and tastefully toiletries.

She was just stepping into her heels when she heard a knock on her door....she quickly picked up her briefcase that held her laptop and purse and went to open the door... “Hi...ready to go?” Arnav asked her as she smiled at him...he looked handsome in his blue striped suit and gelled back hair...though she loved it when his hair was gel free...the feel of it was so wonderful against her fingers

“Yes, lets...” she said as she checked her room one last time and closed the door behind her before walking out...she was surprised when he pushed her to the wall between their rooms and took her lips in a passionate kiss, the longing in it taking her by a storm and making her react equally if not more wantonly towards him....she held him by his shoulders and deepened the kiss as he let out a groan making Khushi smile

“That is what I have been thinking of doing since the past four hours that you left me...that and lot more!” he said with a pout as they pulled back from the kiss making khushi laugh “Great! Your laughing now....” he said as she stepped forward and ran her thumb over his lips “You have my lipstick smudged all over your lips...” she said as he grinned “And you don't have any on yours!” he said as she rolled her eyes “I'll apply some on the way...now come on! Lets go!” she said as they rushed into the elevator

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“The preliminary plans look great Arnav...I can't wait to see your presentation to my board tomorrow!” Mr D'Blanc said as they sipped on their white wine while enjoying beautiful light french meal at an upper scale bistro near the D'Blanc head quarters...they had finished showing the samples and prototype patterns for the fabric D'Blanc wanted GR to work on for them earlier in the office and were now enjoying a refreshing meal with the dynamic Mr D'Blanc at his favorite lunch venue

Arnav was happy that things were going according to plan and what made him happier was that Mr D'Blanc had not been overtly friendly with Khushi...maybe it was because they had walked in holding hands earlier, giving a very clear signal to the old man...but whatever the reason he was glad that D'Blanc had kept his distance

“So Khushi, did I say how beautiful you are looking today? Your skin is just glowing under the Parisian sun...I must insist on gifting you a dress from my personal collection that I think will go beautifully with your flawless skin and exquisite color” he said in his annoying accent as Khushi blushed and smiled at him...the entire business atmosphere from a few minutes ago getting personal all of a sudden

Just when everything was going great!...Arnav thought with a grimace as he saw khushi laugh at the older man's stupid jokes “Thank you Monsieur D'Blanc...thats very kind of you...but its really not necessary, your lovely words are more than enough” she said tactfully which made the older man smile more widely

“Arnav...you better not let this one go away...otherwise you'll be a bigger fool than me for not asking her out sooner!” he guffawed loudly as he finished the last sip of his coffee smirking as he saw arnav and khushi look at him with a stunned look “Oh come on you two...I'm French! I know when some romance is brewing around...and with you two...” he said wiggling his eyebrows as Khushi blushed harder and arnav smiled awkwardly

“So, I will see you both tomorrow for the presentation with my board...come prepared with the best...” he said as both Arnav and Khushi smiled and said their goodbyes, they stood watching the older man walk leisurely back to his office building “I can't believe he said that!” Khushi said as Arnav wound an arm around her waist “Well i'm glad he knows.....at least he won't flirt with you now...God! He's old enough to be your grandfather!” he said as khushi smacked him on his arm as they made their way to their waiting car.

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“Arnav....I think, we should get rid of this slide....or let me just keep it hidden" Khushi said as she leaned over the table where Arnav sat with his laptop working on the final version of their presentation “Yes, you are right...we don't want to show them our weaknesses...and this one surely does!” Arnav said as he hid the slide and went to the next one “God Khushi...why can't I get this right!...its just so frustrating...” he said as khushi went to stand behind him

“You always have someone make these presentations for you Arnav, but right now its just the two of us....you should have involved me earlier...you saw right how many things were missing from this presentation right?...I should have worked on this over the last three days if it weren't' for you putting me under house arrest!” she said in an annoyed voice as she ran her finger slowly over his ruffled hair...she slowly started massaging his scalp and pressed some pressure points on the back of his neck

“Oh...thats feels good...” Arnav said as he dropped his head and sighed in pleasure as khushi continued her massage....her hands kneaded his tired neck and shoulder muscles giving making him close his eyes in relief “Arnav! Are you even listening to what i'm saying?” Khushi asked him as he nodded “Hmm...yeah....but i'm still glad that u did not step out of your house...and please lets not go there again Khushi” he said as she pinched him on his shoulder making him yelp

“Fine! Get lost” she said as she turned to leave, only for Arnav to scape back his chair and pull her into his lap “Come on babe...you know why i did , what i did....and i'm glad you are here with me....you are right, I am pathetic at making presentations!” he said as khushi chuckled and threw her arms around his neck...she snuggled closer into him and felt his lips on her neck

“Umm...can we skip everything and concentrate on something else...It feels like years since i've had a taste of you...” he said nibbling his way up to her jaw making her arch away to give him more access...he groaned as she shifted over his lap...her delectable bottom settled very cosily against his quickly arousing member...he pulled her t-shirt sleeve over one shoulder as he continued to leave open mouthed kisses over her soft buttery skin

Khushi felt heat surge through her as his tongue swept over the entire length of her neck to her shoulder...she slowly tugged his face away to look directly into his desire filled eyes reflecting hers and bent down to kiss him....she slowly sucked on his lower lip before teasing his lips open under her sweet soft tongue...she could feel his body shudder and come alive as she delved her tongue deep inside his mouth, his own coming up to fight for dominance...something that they both enjoyed in their kisses

Arnav clutched her waist harder and shifted her properly over his legs, making her straddle him on the chair...his hands went under her t-shirt, making her shiver in anticipation as his cool hands touched the heated skin of her belly....she moaned as his hands crept up higher cupping her lace covered breasts as he continued to ravage her mouth

Khushi's hands went to arnav's buttons as she started undoing them one by one...her hands desperate to touch his muscled chest, but the shrill ringing of Arnav's phone made them pull apart...the haze of desire still hovering above them as khushi quickly pulled back and got up from arnav's lap and handed over his phone to him...Arnav quickly attended the call and ran a hand through his hair “I'm sorry khushi...I should have bloody switched my phone off!” he said with an irritated look as khushi giggled

“Arnav....stop blaming the phone...we can hardly stay away from each other...but right now this presentation is our priority...i think you should go and sleep....you look too damn tired....let me finish this up and touch up on the finer points ok!” Khushi said as arnav shook his head “No Arnav...we have been at it since we got back from Lunch...you've didn't even eat anything from the food we ordered...please..just go to sleep...let me work on this....this is my work anyways” khushi said as arnav sighed and got up

He came and held khushi by her waist “Fine...I won't argue with you...i anyways think, all my inputs have been added...but please don't stay up very late ok...” he said as she leaned in and kissed his cheek “I won't...now please....sleep!” she said as she pulled his hand and led him to the adjoining bedroom “And I don't mean in your room...I'll join you once i'm done with everything” she said as arnav nodded and got into her bed

“Arnav...don't you want to change?” Khushi asked as she realized after a few seconds that he was still dressed in his shirt and pants......she went towards the bed to ask him again when he did not respond, but was surprised to see him dozing away....wow! That was quick...she thought as she stroked his hair and adjusted the blanket properly over him...she smiled warmly at him before tiptoeing back to the living room to work on the remaining presentation.

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“What the...you are up already? And dressed?” Arnav asked Khushi as she buzzed around the room buttoning up her shirt with one hand while blow drying her hair with the other...she looked over at a deshelved Arnav and gave him a bright smile “Good morning...” she said as she switched off the dryer and went to pour him a cup of coffee from the in-room coffee maker

“Here...drink this...” she said as arnav sat up eagerly at the sight of freshly brewed french coffee “Hmm...this smells wonderful” he said as he sat cross legged on the huge bed sipping the hot brew “Why didn't you wake me up?” he asked her as he stretched his legs and leaned back in bed...he checked his phone to see that it was very early in the morning...they still had more than an hour to leave

“Oh...I'm an early riser...plus I still have some more changes to make that i thought off while i dozed off last night” she said as arnav glanced at the bed noticing that it looked slept in from him side only...he quickly got up and went to stand behind her...his arms went around her waist as he buried his head in her fragrant freshly washed hair “Umm...did you sleep on the couch?” he asked her as she turned around in his arms

“Yes I did....but only because I did not realize when i fell asleep....” she said as she went on her tip toes and kissed him on his nose “Now get ready Mr Raizada...i need to go over everything with you before we leave” she said as arnav groaned and let her go...she pushed him towards the door so that he could go and get ready in his room “Here don't forget your keycard” she said as he nodded lazily and left, making her shake her head at him.

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“Fantastic guys! This is just what we want...I don't think we need to see anything more” The American VP, Sales of D'Blanc said enthusiastically as Arnav and Khushi finished presenting their proposal...everyone around the room including the board members nodded in agreement “Our legal team will draw up the contract based on your points and maybe we can sign it next 2 weeks in Mumbai” he said as Arnav smiled and shook hands with him

“That will be great...We'll have our people check out your terms as well...and if all goes well, we can sign the contract right away” Arnav said as Mr D'Blanc go up to congratulate them “I always knew your company was the best choice...even though you guys are young, the experience that comes from seeing your earlier generations work hard to take your individual company's to such height, gives you the right spirit to work on this project with us” he said as the conference door opened and a woman wheeled in some champagne and flutes

“So, to celebrate this new alliance, lets open some champagne” he said as he gave the bottle to Khushi who smiled radiantly before popping the bottle...as the frothy brew cascaded down the dark green bottle, Khushi felt arnav;s eyes on her...a satisfied intense look in his eyes that spoke of gratitude and mutual understanding...and maybe something more that khushi did not want to think of right now.

Once the celebrations were done, everyone proceeded to the very elite Parisian restaurant Crom'Exquis at the Rue d'Astorg...one of the finest that the french had to offer, owned by the renowned Michelin star chef Pierre Meneau...the beautiful food and great conversation set the day for everyone as they all parted on happy thoughts leaving arnav and khushi to themselves

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“So what do you want to do now?” Arnav asked Khushi who strolled hand in hand with him at the Jardin des Champs-Elysées, eating gelatos in the cool evening breeze...after they had returned to the hotel, Khushi had insisted on going for a short walk before exploring some of the shops that lined the vibrant street....the dull setting sun reflecting over the Arc D' Triomph that was visible from the higher ground that they stood on

“I don't know...I just bought a gorgeous dress from Cristian Lacroix...and sexy new louboutins...so....” she said as he pulled her closer to him “Which, you did not show me, might I remind you!” he said as she giggled and hit him slightly on his arm 

“Have some patience, it's a surprise...and I'll wear it tonight if you take me out to dinner” she said winking at him as he gave her a lopsided grin... “That sound like a plan...all right, we'll go out for dinner...but somewhere I choose” he said as she nodded and kissed him on his cheek...both lost in the blissful feeling of being with each other.

PS: Part Deux will be up in a few hours...:)