Secret Passions Read Online Free PDF Page A

now, you’re safe.
     
    She looked across the room and knew she was safe. She’d only truly felt safe in the presence of two men before: Ethan and Mitchell.
     
    Once she was up in his guest room, she remembered staying there for a few nights five years ago. Someone had redecorated it since her last visit. Probably the ex he’d mentioned, Suzanne. She looked through the drawers and wondered what kind of woman had let Mitch slip through her fingers.
     
    That was one thing she just couldn’t put her finger on in this country. If she had found a man like Mitch and was lucky enough to be with him, there was nothing she would do to lose him. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe this Suzanne hadn’t wanted the relationship. She couldn’t imagine Mitch cheating on a woman he was seeing. She didn’t know or have a lot of experience with men, but she’d watched enough television since arriving to know how to read a man’s character.
     
    She found a small pair of gym shorts and a t-shirt that could easily flow to her knees and took them into the bathroom attached to her room. Turning on the shower, she turned the water to the right temperature and slowly peeled off her own clothes. It felt like she’d hiked across Manhattan in them, and she realized she felt dusty and sweaty. Stepping into the warm water, she was thankful to see a bottle of shampoo and conditioner on the small shelf.
     
    Taking her time, she slowly let the dirt from the day wash off her while her mind ran over her options. She knew she couldn’t hide out at his place for long. After all, if they had found her, they already knew about the connection with Mitchell. She did feel like she was safe for the night, but thought it best that she move on tomorrow. She still hadn’t thought through exactly where she was going to go.
     
    After her shower, she crawled into the large bed and tried to shut down her mind for the night, but the past found its way into her dreams.
     
    “Pitā, Pitā!” The little girl ran through the large gardens as if floating. Her long brown hair was neatly tied up with silk scarf which covered most of her head. Brightly colored silk flowed around most of her little body. She cried for her father as she ran through the large glassed doors, down the shiny tile hallway, and straight into her father’s waiting arms. When she looked up at her father, he smiled with kind eyes.
     
    “What is it, bēṭī? Why are you crying so, my little pālatū?”
     
    She loved being called “pet.” It made her feel special that her father had chosen such an endearment for her. She looked up at him through watery eyes.
     
    His face was always something of comfort to her. His dark skin showed signs of his age around his eyes and mouth. His hair was thick and dark, and she loved running her fingers through it when he comforted her.
     
    “Pitā, why do I have to get married?” she used her best pout and looked into his dark eyes as a tear slipped down her chubby cheek.
     
    “Now, pālatū, we’ve talked about this. You are not getting married, today.”
     
    “Yes, I know, but why do I have to pretend to get married?”
     
    “Sannidhi, this is a great honor. The Mahabir family has chosen you for their son, Ishat. Besides, you will like him. He loves art like you do.”
     
    Her little face pouted up more. She didn’t like the idea of fake marrying anyone. Especially a boy. She wasn’t around boys often. In fact, her father was the only man she’d ever been around. She looked around the room and realized for the first time that it was filled with men. They were guests for the special event, all dressed in brightly colored dhotis, each a beautiful shade of red, much like her own clothing.
     
    Just then her father looked up and smiled. “Go with your māṁ. There is little time left before the ceremony.”
     
    She held onto her father’s neck for just another second, then let go as he set her back on the ground. She left the room and