Chapter 5: Beauty

Summary: Gemma has been captured! Will she be able to escape? Hmmm…

Suggested music:

Paragraphs 1-23: Never Saw Blue by Hayley Westerna

I begin to panic. I knew this was a trap! Is it the Rahkshana? Has Kartik been captured too? NO! I WON'T ALLOW IT!

I slam my foot down hard on my captor's toes and elbow him in the stomach. His grip loosens slightly, but he continues to hold on tightly. I bite down on his hand. He stifles a yelp of pain and I rip myself from his grasp. I whip around and...

Kartik!

I am so relieved and overjoyed to see him that all words escape me. Kartik's eyes, on the other hand, look positively livid.

He lunges forward, grabs my wrists, and shoves me up against the wall. I feel his warm breath upon my face as he pants from pain and determination.

"I know you don't want to hear what I have to say, but too bad! I am going to make you listen whether you want to or not, no matter how much you scream! I LOVE YOU GEMMA DOYLE! And if you don't believe me, I'm just going to have to show you!

He thrusts his mouth upon mine, kissing me as though his very life depended upon it. His tongue pushes between my teeth and wrestles frantically inside my mouth. I kiss him back, wrapping my tongue around his. The feeling is amazing! The raw passion, the burning desire, the electricity that shoots to every part of my body! He continues to kiss me in a fervent passion until he is forced to take a breath. His lips, moist with our saliva, look as enticing as pieces of a succulent fruit. I stifle the deep moan that had formed in my throat. We stare at each other, chests heaving, unable to say a word.

"I care about you… more than anything else… in the world!" he pants desperately. "I know the way you laugh… the way you smile… the way you cry! I know the way your beautiful green eyes shine in the moonlight! I know every streak of gold in your vibrant red hair! I've longed to touch your milk white skin and kiss your lucious red lips for as long as I can remember! I've memorized every word you have ever said to me! I haven't slept in months because you're all I dream about! I can't even play cricket anymore because I remember how I left the beautiful bat you gave me behind at the stables! I would have protected you at all cost from the Rahkshana! I would have found a way for you to escape! And if you think for one minute… WHAT THE DEVIL ARE YOU LAUGHING AT!"

I am laughing so hard that I have begun to cry. Here I thought I was being kidnapped and all Kartik was really trying to do was convince me of his devotion. Poor Kartik, I have put him through so much… It was me who was desperately hoping to see him again… to tell him how I feel.

"Kartik. I believe you. You are my one and only. I have such desire for you I feel as though I might burst every time I look into your eyes. I love the way your beautiful curls fall upon your dark cloak and the way your mouth turns up at the corners when you smile. I love the beautiful color of your skin and the warmth of your touch. I love how your body moves when you walk and when you swing your cricket bat. I dream passionate dreams about you, so passionate that I wake up screaming your name! I could never tell if you felt for me… I thought you loved Pippa… not me. I was heartbroken. That is why I pushed you away. I was afraid of getting hurt, so I tried to end it before I could feel any pain. But Kartik, that is impossible for me to do! You are my everything! I need you! So please Kartik, don't be upset. I believe you… and I love you. I'm only sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

"Gemma…" His eyes soften with sadness. "I have never felt for Pippa the way I feel for you. I could never feel this way about anyone besides you." He releases my wrists and raises his hand up to touch my face. I close my eyes, savoring the feeling of his soft, warm hand brushing against my skin. His fingers travel over my eyes, my cheeks, and my lips. I suddenly remember the bite I had given him. I gently take his hand in mine and examine it. Luckily I had not drawn any blood, but I could tell I had given him a painful injury. I raise his hand and kiss it tenderly.

His eyes grow wide with amazement. I am clearly being bold, and I feel hot embarrassment creep into my cheeks. Then his mouth turns up into his boyish grin. "So, you really scream my name at night?"

"Kartik!" I giggle. I don't even care about propriety anymore. I am with Kartik, the only person who has truly mattered to me. I can finally be happy… I can finally find peace.

But Kartik's face darkens. "But… it is my skin that will keep us apart. We are from different worlds… we could never truly be together…"

"Oh no Kartik! I beg you not to say that! I am so sorry for what I said at Christmas! I will never be able to forgive myself for that night! I shouldn't have said that I don't think of you as an Indian. I should have told you the truth… that I love you because you are Indian! I love you for who you are! I wouldn't have you any other way! You are the strongest, bravest, and most caring person I know! So please, don't say we can't be together for something as trivial as race. I consider us equals and I love you despite what society will say!"

"But Gemma, your family will disown you! It will disgrace your name! No matter how much you love me, you cannot change the world…"

"If that is how society will treat me, then I refuse to live in it! We could go back to India! I can tell you've missed it so! I have too! We could walk together in the marketplace, eat dosa and bask in the warm sunlight, leave this cold, damp city behind… we could start over! We could live a happy life together… Please Kartik…"

Kartik looks at me lovingly. "I would be willing to give up everything for you Gemma. Just knowing that you are too gives me confidence that this will work out. Maybe we can find a way for your family to accept us. But until then…"

He wraps his strong arms around my waist and pulls me closer. He kisses me, but it is a much different kiss than before. His lips lightly touch mine and linger there for a while. Its so innocent it makes my heart melt. My hair tumbles out of my bun as he delicately removes my hairpins. He opens his eyes and smiles as he looks at me. "I've always loved it when you wear your hair down," he coos to me. "That is when you are the real Gemma, the girl who does not let society rule her, the girl who takes charge of her own life… my Gemma."

A single tear falls down my cheek. Kartik loves me; not a title, not a fortune, not a demure English rose. He loves brash, awkward, unrefined, irresponsible Gemma Doyle.

Kartik makes to wipe the tear away, but leans in and gently licks the salty trail it has left behind. Softly he kisses my eyelid, making me shudder with happiness and anticipation.

Seeing how he affects me so, Kartik grins, laces his fingers into my hair, and tenderly kisses my lips again. He guides me towards the bed. I lightly collapse onto the soft, downy mattress and he carefully climbs on top. He starts kissing me again, each kiss becoming deeper and deeper. He finally slowly slips his tongue into my mouth, giving me an intense kiss. I arch my back with pleasure, pressing my body against his. I slip my fingers into his soft curls and pull him even further into the kiss. Kartik's deep groan escapes from between our mouths. We finally break away, eyes locked, completely out of breath, craving more.

"Are your dreams anything like this?" Kartik asks mischievously. I laugh and say, "No, this is much better."

He presses his full weight on top of me and then whispers in my ear, "I completely agree." He nibbles lightly at my ear and slips his arms underneath my neck and waist. His knee slides between my legs as he kisses my neck. "Ohhh Kartik…" I moan louder than I would have liked. This feels so wonderful! His lips travel down to my collarbone. He pauses for a moment as he reaches the skin just above my chest, but then continues. Every inch of my body is screaming for more, but…

"Kartik…"

He recognizes my tone of voice. Hesitation. He sighs deeply and drops his head onto my chest. "I had a feeling you would feel this way… you want to wait?"

I am so angry with myself I could cry. I still feel apprehensive… making love is a big step, and I'm not sure if I'm emotionally ready for it. He must think I'm a foolish girl… too immature. "I'm so sorry Kartik… I'm just not ready… You're the only person I'd make love to, but… Oh you must think I'm pathetic! Maybe you shouldn't be with me… maybe…"

He raises his fingers to my lips. "Shh… Gemma, don't worry, I understand. I will wait for you as long as it takes. I will not force you to do anything. I want our first time to be special." He truly means what he says, but I can tell he is still slightly disappointed. "You know I love you Kartik… don't you?"

"Of course Gemma." He makes to climb off, but I pull him back. "Wait! You don't have to stop everything…" My face turns beat red at my candor. The truth is, I want to ease into love making, that way it will be perfect when I give myself to him.

Kartik gets a devilish grin on his face. "Why Lady Whatsit! You're not the prude I thought you were!" I burst into a fit of laughter. "I'll get you for that Lord Hoity-toity!" I grab him and we wrestle with each other on the bed, laughing joyously. I finally pin him to the covers. I lean over him, both of us breathless from laughing. He smiles serenely into my eyes and raises his hand to my face. "Don't ever leave me Gemma." I cradle his hand in mine. "Don't worry, I won't." I lower my head and claim a kiss. We continue long into the night.

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

I teleport back to my room and find Ann snoring fitfully in her sleep. I'm tempted to tell her the good news, but I would rather keep the experience all to myself until morning. I slip out of my dress and corset and throw on my nightgown. Suddenly, a wave a fatigue hits me like a ton of bricks. Hmm… Kartik can sure wear me out. I chuckle at this thought, wondering if he is thinking the same about me. I could tell he had a very difficult time controlling himself, but the fact that he did only provides more proof of his love for me. With a dazed grin on my face, I dive underneath my warm covers and as soon as my head hits my pillow, I fall into a deep sleep.

My dreams bring me face to face with an incensed Pippa. "HOW HAVE YOU REGAINED YOUR POWER!"

No longer afraid, I stare confidently into her sinister yellow eyes. "You tipped your hand Pippa. Never reveal your advantage over your enemy."

Her eyes flash with furry. "It is of no consequence. My power has already far surpassed yours. You are no threat."

I smile smugly and reply, "Then why are you so afraid?"

She bears her sharp, pointed teeth and lets loose an animal-like growl. "Mark my words Lady Hope, you have not seen the last of me. Prepare for battle."

WOAH! What a chapter huh? Now, I've never been kissed like that and I've never made love to anyone, so I don't know if I got all the details right… I tried to think of romantic mushy movies and get inspiration from them. :D If anyone has any advice on how to improve on it don't hesitate to impart your wisdom upon me! Haha! Help the poor virgin!