chapter 9

Chapter 9Kiss the iceSlowly she slipped into the rhythm of the evening and started to enjoy herself as the cake was cut and champagne served in tall flute glasses. A DJ played romantic tunes and everybody danced, until there was an announcement hushing all the chatter around her.“All you lovely couples come on to the dance floor please. We have an enjoyable game for all of you that will help make this Valentine’s Day a truly memorable one. Every couple will be given a rectangular piece of ice. You have to hold it between your mouths, not letting the ice fall to the floor while you keep dancing to the music. Whichever couple holds the ice the longest, wins the game. Very simple…any questions?” A girl raised her hand. “Yes?” the compere asked her. The girl asked, laughing slyly, “What if the ice lands up somewhere else?” The compere spoke again, amidst loud rowdy laughter, “I am sure the boys would want that to happen!” She smiled mischievously. “Well, the rule is, the ice should not drop to the floor and you can’t touch or hold it. Say, how romantic and naughty does that sound?” Everybody cheered loudly and some, the very eager ones, were already up on their feet, advancing towards the dance floor. “No one can sit this out! Every couple has to play. So please come and, of course, we begin with our host and hostess. Get ready to sizzle to the grooviest music while you play the most romantic game of your life!” Ishiqa got up swiftly and tried to escape unnoticed but a hand on her waist surprised her. Ved came up behind her, pulling her close to his chest, and whispered, “Where do you think you are going, pretty lady? The dance floor is this way.” He caught her wrist and drew her towards the floor in the opposite direction. “Please Ved, leave my hand.” But his fingers were firm around her wrist. “You must be crazy if you think I am going to play this silly game with you!” she hissed angrily. “Crazy it is darling, but we are going to play even if I have to hold you by force, and I am sure you wouldn’t want to create a scene! Anyways, where are your acting skills now, dear? Come on, this is performance time.” She felt like slapping that smug smile off his face.A waiter came up to him and offered him the piece of ice.  Ishiqa looked at it and swallowed hard.  The piece was small, and it was inevitable that any couple holding this piece would have to touch their lips to each others. If they wanted to win the game and keep the piece from slipping to the floor, they would practically be kissing each other. Before she could think of running again, the call went, “So ready, get set and go.” The lights dimmed and the candlelight threw fluttering shadows all around the dance floor.There was silence with only music in the background as the couples focused on holding their piece of ice in place. There were some cries of disappointment as some cubes of ice slipped to the floor.Ishiqa watched helplessly as Ved, with naked desire welling up in his eyes, traced the line of her luscious lips with his thumb and whispered softly, “Open your mouth, sweetheart, the game has started.” He balanced the cube between his teeth and she caught the other end in her white pearly ones. Slowly dancing to ‘My heart will go on’ by Celine Dion, he placed her arms around his neck and gathered her close to his body. Chest crushing her breasts, hip to hip, they moved around, trying to keep the ice in its place.  The ice was freezing, but their bodies were on fire. They sizzled within and they could feel a million firecrackers burst within their body, as their lips touched. Slowly his hands crept up and started to move over her body, starting from her trim waist and then going up and down her back, caressing the sides of her breasts, and triggering off a teasing tingling sensation through her whole body. Her fingers, of their own accord, grabbed his hair. They felt the ice piece melt and Ved managed to catch it midway when it slipped from their mouth. Deliberately he pushed her towards the wall and held her tightly there. He caught hold of her arms, twisted them behind her back and slowly started to trace a path down the milky white column of her neck, with the ice which he still had between his lips, making her moan deeply. Ishiqa closed her eyes in ecstasy.She felt the ice melting and trickling down her neck, into her cleavage, wetting the front of her dress. The cold water down her front shook her out of her stupor;  she came back to her senses and tried to break free. The music went off and the bright lights glared at them. A loud shout from somewhere shattered the moment.Â