My Little Spitfire

Puru’s arm was like an iron band across her back crushing her to his body. His magnetic grey eyes were now black with suppressed rage. The rakish smile that girls swooned over was nowhere in evidence. The sensuous music to which they were swaying was a bizarre accompaniment to the torture.
The chandeliers of the Leela Palace Bangalore’s Grand Ballroom shone down on Sanjana’s terrified face. She had sold herself in order to keep her job. She could not complain now.
He hates me, she thought. He would break me in two if he could.
Several girls watched them with envy, wondering why he had chosen this five-foot wisp of a girl, who was wearing a dress bought off the rack. Tottering on stilettos in an attempt to add a few miserable inches to her height. Why not one of their own clan ― tall, slender, porcelain beauties who would have killed to be his date? This girl was clearly not worth their time ― or his.
Puru saw Sanjana look up and stumble as she saw his expression. He raked his eyes over her classic features. The lovely brown eyes fringed by impossibly long lashes. Flawless golden skin. A slim body curved in all the right places. His eyes lifted to the rosebud mouth that he longed to kiss.
My God, he thought. I am a glutton for punishment. After all that she said about me this morning.
It was his first visit to the regional office of Puru Airlines, headquartered in New York. His normal haunts were Rome, London and Beverly Hills, where he often had a ditzy blonde on his arm. Lindsay, Paris, Britney – his taste seemed to run to Page 3 favourites.
When he arrived, Sanjana had been busy checking the arrangements for his speech in the conference hall on the penthouse level of Puru Towers. As PR executive, it was her responsibility to ensure that everything went smoothly. After this meeting, they would all head to the Leela Palace for the press conference, dance and dinner.
Her boss Amrita had made it clear that Sanjana’s head would roll if there was even the slightest goof-up. “Zero tolerance for errors” was Amrita’s First Rule of Management.
Riya, Sanjana’s friend and colleague, bustled in now. Amrita had sent her to double check that everything was as it should be. But Riya was more interested in regaling Sanjana with a colourful account of the Big Man’s arrival fifteen minutes ago.
“Puru’s a dreamboat,” said Riya. “A six-foot hunk with a smile to die for. A body like Hugh Jackman’s, but in an Armani suit. Wolverine in gabardine. Even Amrita’s drooling over him like a schoolgirl.”
The thought of her prim manager drooling over anyone made Sanjana laugh.
“And he said he needs a date for the dinner this evening.” Riya was ecstatic. “Wouldn’t you think he would bring a blonde along for the occasion? Or one of his sexy air hostesses?”
Sanjana curled her lip in disdain.
“What if he were to choose me, or you?” Riya continued, caught up in her own dreams.
“Not me. No way,” said Sanjana. “I hate his type. Smug, rich, pretty boy. What’s he done except spend his father’s millions? With dumb blondes who love him for his money.”
Riya gasped. Sanjana turned to see why she was looking so scared. A handsome devil loomed in the doorway, his eyes blazing hell-fire. Must be the famous Puru. And with him ― oh God ― her boss Amrita.
Did they hear what I said? Of course they did. Sanjana was shell-shocked. Are they going to throw me out on my ear? No, please no. I need the fat cheque to pay for Dad’s treatment.
Her conscience piled on the guilt. Then you should have watched your mouth. Or made sure your boss wasn’t listening.
Wild thoughts swirled through Sanjana’s mind. Riya had slipped quietly out of the room. Would an apology help? No, Amrita was advancing threateningly towards her.
“You’re fired Sanjana. Clear out your desk right away.” As no-nonsense as ever.
Even as Sanjana reeled under the blow, Puru’s smooth voice intervened. “May I have an opportunity to change your opinion about me Sanjana? Will you be my date this evening?”
His voice was velvety but his eyes scorched her skin.
What should I say? Do I really have a choice? Sanjana wondered. Is this how he’s going to get his revenge?
She nodded and then sat through his speech in a daze. He was saying all the right things, congratulating them on their excellent performance in a recessionary year.
The employees lapped up the praise.
While he went smoothly through his speech, Puru’s mind was busy grappling with some niggling questions. He had his own doubts about the girls he dated. Maybe they were chasing him only for his money. Would they spare him a glance if his father were to disinherit him?
It was just this doubt that had made him leave his girlfriend Mara behind when he came to India. She seemed to be showing a lot more interest in his credit card than in him.
But who was this little nobody to call him a spoiled brat? He would show her what he was made of. And then watch while Amrita threw her out.
Puru looked down at Sanjana as he twirled her around the dance floor. Her body in the clingy silver sheath tantalised him and made his heart skip a beat. She saw his gaze devouring her body as if he was mentally undressing her. A blush turned her smooth skin to a delicate pink.
You devil! she thought. And trod heavily on his expensive shoes with her stiletto.
His eyes flashed to her hot face and widened in amusement.
They had both been busy with their own thoughts to talk much on the limousine ride to the Leela Palace. She recalled with guilty pleasure the look in his eyes when he had seen her in that evening dress.
As their limousine swept in regally, Sanjana saw the breathtaking facade of the Palace with its gold leaf domes and grand arches. A barrage of flash lights greeted them as the paparazzi went berserk. Pretty hostesses welcomed their jet-setting guest.
The press conference was a great success. Puru had them eating out of his hand with his presentation. Soft-footed waiters topped up their favourite tipple ― cognacs, wines and of course Daiquiris. A lavish spread of cuisine from around the world was laid out for their delectation.
Sanjana saw from his presentation that the company numbers had doubled after he had taken over. Just three short years ago. She had been way out of line in calling him a useless rich brat.
Puru tightened his arms around her as though he was not used to dancing with a distracted partner. She looked up with a start. He bent down to touch her upturned lips with his own. The gentle peck deepened into a searing kiss. A roaring filled her ears and she knew that life would never be the same again.
The blinding flash of uncountable cameras interrupted her idyll. Everyone was staring at them. Cell phone cameras were clicking away.
What had she done? Just what she had scoffed about that morning. She was a fool, the latest in his list of conquests. Feted for a day in the gossip sheets.
She hated herself. She twisted out of his arms and stumbled out of the room. Passing blindly through several doors and corridors, she came out on a balcony. She slipped out of her stupid high heels, drew in huge gulps of the cold night air and stared out at the placid waters of the azure lagoon.
Why had he chosen her as his date? Just to show her that she was not impervious to his charm? Gossip magazines said that he’d left a trail of broken hearts. But didn’t the girls chase him relentlessly too?
“I didn’t realise how tiny you are, my little spitfire,” said his voice from the door.
She turned quickly around. Yes, he really was here. And not a mirage conjured up by her traitorous heart.
He moved swiftly to her side and spoke softly in her ear.
“I hated what you said about me and wanted to crush you underfoot. But then I realised that this was what was missing in my life. Someone to love me and speak the truth whatever the cost. Who would care for me and not for my money.”
Sanjana looked up into his face, trying to quieten her runaway imagination.
“Will you come with me to New York? I want to see the city again through your eyes. Then whisk you off to London, Venice and the cobbled pathways of Prague.”
As he drank in the beauty of her face, his heart told him that she was the right one for him.
Dad will love you, he thought. You’re just the person he would have chosen for me.
“Don’t be afraid that I will pester you with unwanted kisses,” he smiled. “I promise to keep away till you want them too.”
Liar, she thought. You will be making love to me as soon as you have me to yourself. And I wouldn’t turn you away either.
He saw the answer flaming in her eyes and bent down again to capture her lips in a passionate kiss. His arms lifted her slim form off the floor to hold her tight to his chest. Her heart soared skywards.
The stars twinkled. The moon smiled down on them. Love was in the air and all was well with the world. In the distance, the night flight from Bangkok began its smooth descent into Bengaluru International Airport.