Silently Falling in Love: Race (THE EDITED VERSION)

Chapter 13 - Sophomore Year

Anjali – September 1990

Just as Arjun promised, he was waiting for me as soon as I exited the gate. He wore a white t-shirt that clung to him, faded blue jeans, and simple Nike shoes. His arms crossed across his chest as he chewed gum.

He gave me his sexy smile and I couldn't help but smile back at him. "Hi."

"That's all I get is a Hi?"

Unsure what to do and determined not to kiss him first twice I stared back at him.

His dark brown eyes bore into me, waiting for me to do something.

Momentarily confused, I spoke, "We should get my stuff from baggage claim."

I walked away from the gate.

Arjun walked backwards to face me as we walked. I slowed my pace.

His smile turned into a smirk and I knew he was up to something. He ducked and grabbed me from the waist and threw me over his shoulder.

"What are you doing? Put me down!"

Arjun laughed, "That's your punishment for seeing me after almost three months and just giving me a hi!"

"Come on, Arjun. Please put me down. People are staring at us."

Arjun laughed more and kept walking towards baggage claim as if he wasn't doing anything abnormal.

I tried to slide down, but he had a strong grip on me. "Arjun, if you don't put me down, I'm going to..." I threatened as I gently tapped my leg down the middle of his body with my foot landing at a vulnerable spot.

Immediately he stopped and dropped me.

"Thank you."

He pulled me in and hugged me and whispered, "You're welcome, but I was hoping hello would be something like our goodbye."

He held me tight as I tried to pull away. "You just got here. Why are you trying to run away?"

I stopped pulling away and relaxed in his arms.

"I'm not running away."

"Good," he said as he kissed the side of my head.

Someone walking by coughed, signaling for us to take our reunion somewhere else.

I smiled and looked up at Arjun.

"Hi," he breathed before lifting my chin and kissing me on the lips.

My heart hammered inside my chest. At least my end of school year kiss however chaste meant something to him.

"Come on," he said as he grabbed my handbag and threw it over his shoulder and slipped his free hand into mine.

We walked in silence to baggage claim, which was a first because we always talked.

We stood in front of the carousel as we waited for my luggage to be unloaded.

"Did you bring the same bags back?" Arjun asked.

"Yeah," I muttered. He looked to his left where the suitcases were being unloaded.

As he watched for my luggage, I couldn't help but look at him. He was gorgeous; like the whole package, tall, dark and handsome. His t-shirt barely covered the top of his jeans and if he reached up, I'd be able to see him. I'd be able to see where that v shaped area started on men.

Katherine had talked me into going to a male strip club just in case something happened between us I wouldn't be a total novice. I wondered if he looked like the male strippers we'd seen.