by M. V. Kasi
Pooja would not only be shocked, her friend would also think she was insane.
“Have you applied for passports and visa?” Pooja asked, thankfully changing the topic.
“Yes. I’ve initiated the process for getting my mother’s and my passports.”
“Oh good. My brother is going to send the sponsorship papers for your visa.”
They discussed the details during which Naina was grateful for having a friend like Pooja.
Much later, waving goodbye to her friend, Naina went towards the waiting car in the parking lot. She smiled at the four bodyguards before sliding into the car.
But while she headed back to the penthouse, thoughts of the man she married intruded into her mind as usual. She realized that she had been thinking all day about him, especially the part where she had attempted to sleep with him, only for him to turn the tables around and reject her.
No, not exactly reject her, since he had told her in the most graphic way of how he would take her and what she would feel then. His dirty talk got to her, and instead of dreading having sex and wanting to be done with it, she became desperate with need.
She had barely slept the whole night, fidgeting on the bed next to him, wanting and needing his touch. Even during the day, especially during the classes, she was reminded of him and his touch.
Why was he playing with her by dragging it out? It was just sex. Why couldn’t he take her like she had asked him and be done with it?
He must be deliberately doing it to make her go crazy with need and be willing to do anything for him.
No. I won’t let him do that to me. I’m going to seduce the devil.
CHAPTER 3 8
Shiv stood near the balcony door, watching Naina enjoy yet another dessert he had shipped for her. She must have returned from her classes and discovered the box sitting on the living room table.
He smiled at the thought of her not being able to resist the treat.
But soon his smile disappeared, and he groaned when he saw her licking the chocolate off the strawberry before eating the fruit in small bites. Some of the juice dripped on to her chin.
His body reacted painfully to the sensual sight. He knew she didn’t do it deliberately, at least not right then because she didn’t know yet that he had returned home.
Gathering control, he pushed the balcony door open and stepped into the warm, humid air.
He smiled, seeing her freeze midway of licking another strawberry before her eyes flew to him.
“Do you like them?” he asked, leaning down and biting the entire strawberry in her hand in one go. “Pure Belgian chocolate. One of the best in the world.”
She watched him chew the fruit with fascination, making him groan inside once again. He was reminded of how close to giving in to him she was in every way.
She shook her head as though warding off the spell he had on her. “About tonight’s party,” she began. “Can we not just… stay in?”
He caught the deliberate suggestive tone in her voice. “Why?” he asked, playing with her.
She fidgeted slightly. “No reason. I just wanted to spend a quiet evening, that’s all.”
“As tempting as it sounds… no. We need to attend tonight’s party.”
Her eyes flashed in frustration when she thought her attempt at seduction failed. If only she knew how close she was to being swept into his arms and not surfacing from the bedroom suite for at least a week.
“Get ready. We are going to be late.” His voice sounded gruff to his own ears.
***
Naina stepped into the shower and turned on the taps.
She was frustrated and angry. Why did he look at her with hungry eyes and yet turn her down? What was he achieving by it?
The man was a mystery. One moment he looked at her with hot eyes, and the next, he taunted and teased her and kept her hanging.
Ugh! He really is the devil.
He was driving her crazy! She knew she had to do something drastic. And soon.
She let out a sigh and turned off the taps. Then opening the shower door, she took the fluffy white towel and dried herself before wrapping it around her body and stepping outside.
She began slathering cream on her arms while her mind wandered to the arrangements she still needed to make to obtain the passports for her mother and her. She had to contact Sameera Vasisht, the trustworthy policewoman whom she had spoken to a few times over the last year.
It was the policewoman who had suggested they wait until the last moment before applying for passports. The policewoman thought it was risky to apply before in case her father found out and stopped her escape.
But now, she didn’t think she had to wait any longer. She doubted her father would care anymore whether or not she made her escape along with her mother. He already got the mileage he wanted by marrying her off to his political advantage.
With a deep sigh, she lifted her leg and placed it on the soft leather bench continuing to apply cream. Suddenly, her heart began to beat faster, and she felt a prickling at the back on her neck.
She whipped her head up and saw the devil leaning against the doorway of the walk-in closet watching her lazily. And although his posture was lazy, his eyes were hot and watchful.
She was just about to lower her leg because it exposed a lot of her naked skin, but she stopped.
An idea began to form inside her head. Slowly, she resumed applying the cream. She continued to run her palms at the back of her legs.
With her heart thudding so hard that she could hear the drowning noises in her ears, she straightened slightly. Then squeezing some more cream into her hand, she untied the knot on her towel, and let it drop to her hips, baring her breasts completely. Then keeping her eyes lowered, and with trembling hands, she began to smooth the cream on her stomach and on her breasts.
She kept her eyes lowered. Despite the bold move, she didn’t dare to look up.
Even though she couldn’t see, she felt him coming towards her. She almost passed out with nervousness when she felt the heat of his body right behind her.
She felt him wrapping her hair around his hand and closing it in a fist before giving it a sharp tug until her head bent back. She felt his hot breath fell on her ear. “Do you know what happens to girls who tease the devil?” his deep voice rasped into her ear.
She didn’t answer. Couldn’t answer. Slowly, she opened her eyes. When she saw him in the mirror, her legs almost collapsed under her. The raw hunger blazing in his eyes felt primal as his eyes swept her bare chest and then her face.
Her heart continued to thud hard, and she expected him to sweep her into his arms and carry her to their bed to do what his eyes promised as a threat.
“Don’t push me,” he warned before letting go of her hair and slowly straightening. “We are leaving in thirty minutes.”
With that order, he went into the bathroom.
With trembling hands, she pulled her towel up and knotted it back hurriedly under her arms. And with shaky legs, she went towards the bed and collapsed on it.
Oh God. What am I doing?
A part of her was horrified by what she was doing to gain the devil’s attention. But another part of her wanted her to push the devil’s limits, so he would behave exactly like she predicted.
CHAPTER 39
“Mrs. Jaipal, it’s so nice to see you again. What a breathtakingly lovely necklace. Who designed it?”
Naina smiled at the hostess. “I’m not sure because my husband got it. There are several more. He likes to collect things and keep them locked away even though he doesn’t use them in any way.”
The arm around her waist tightened slightly in warning.
The hostess looked uncomfortable. “Well… I… uh… ”
“It takes time to get used to my wife’s sense of humor, Mrs. Patil,” Shiv Jaipal drawled. “But once you do, she can be really amusing.”
The hostess relaxed and laughed. “I see. Well, do enjoy the party, Mr. and Mrs. Jaipal. T
here’s live music with dancing.”
Nodding at the hostess, the devil began to lead Naina inside to the party. “Sweetheart,” he whispered darkly, leaning close to her. “Are you frustrated? Maybe I should have gotten you off at home. Should we take a break and find a bedroom here? I can get you off within a few minutes. Hand or mouth, your choice.”
Hot and steamy visuals filled her mind of them sneaking away to a bedroom upstairs, and of him pushing her on a bed, and then relieving her with his mouth and thick, calloused fingers.
She gritted her teeth as need filled her again. She hated that he could do this to her with just a whisper. And more than that, she hated that he could control himself despite his need.
She wanted to push his control and break him, but he was breaking her slowly.
She needed to get away to think. His presence overwhelmed her. She tried to step away, but the arm around her waist tightened.
“I need a drink,” she said.
“I’ll take you.”
She gritted her teeth. “I think everyone knows we are married, and that you now have access to my father’s political power. There is no need to be joined at the hip all the time.”
He didn’t say anything. He simply dragged her along to the bar area. Just as they got there, he was stopped by a woman.
“Shiv darling. How are you?”
Naina hated the dark annoyance she felt when she heard the other woman’s greeting. The woman looked friendly, and yet the familiarity between the devil and the woman made her feel strangely annoyed.
Naina gritted her teeth, refusing to feel annoyed. She had sworn she would never get jealous over a man, and she refused to feel jealous now.
“Who is this?” the woman asked. “I don’t believe I have seen her before.”
Naina opened her mouth to introduce herself, but the devil answered for her. “My wife.”
There was obvious shock on the woman’s face. “Oh my God! Are you serious?” The woman stared at Naina as though she had multiple heads.
“Yes. Excuse us, my wife wants a drink,” he said.
He led them to the bar counter. The live music turned upbeat and more couples joined on the dance floor clearing the bar area.
“Who is she?” Naina asked.
“An acquaintance.”
Naina knew the woman was more than a mere acquaintance. And that fact caused a burning feeling in her stomach.
“What would you like to drink?” he asked.
She didn’t really want a drink. She just wanted to get away from him for a while. But since there was no escaping his presence, she thought of dulling the effect of him with alcohol.
She tried to pick up the readymade cocktails that were being served, but he pulled it away from her hand and placed it back on the tray.
“Make her a fresh one,” he told the bartender.
His behavior annoyed her. Why was he so paranoid? Did he think she would be poisoned or drugged? Maybe he’s just a controlling devil! She took the freshly mixed drink but didn’t sip it. She wasn’t in the mood to drink anymore. She felt angry and keyed up.
“Mrs. Jaipal,” a man’s voice interrupted. She turned to see a man who appeared somewhat familiar. “Would you like to dance?”
“No.” At the devil’s rude reply, the man looked taken aback.
Naina was furious. He had lovers all over the city, possibly all over the damn world. Some of them were even greeting and meeting her. But as his wife, she wasn’t even being allowed to dance with another man?
“Actually, I would love to dance,” she said, wrenching herself out of the devil’s embrace to stand next to the man.
The man looked hesitant, so she smiled at him. “My favorite song,” she said even though she had no clue what song it was.
The man fidgeted awkwardly, but he eventually led her to the dance area where a few other couples were dancing. He tried to hold her, but his arm froze. He dropped his arm and just began to move awkwardly in front of her.
“I don’t think your husband likes us dancing together, Mrs. Jaipal.”
Frowning, she turned towards the devil. He was talking to two men, but his eyes were trained on her and the man dancing with her. Her heart thumped at the look in his eyes.
He looked furious.
Angry satisfaction filled her along with a building excitement.
Slowly, she turned back and smiled at the man, trying to put him at ease. “Please call me Naina,” she said. “I enjoy dancing, but my husband doesn’t. He’s just being silly by acting jealous.”
Keeping her eyes on the man in front of her, she continued to dance. But her body thrummed in awareness at the burning look she felt on her back.
She had barely danced to a song when she heard a deep voice cutting in. “Excuse us.” The devil didn’t wait for the man to step aside. He simply pulled her into his arms and moved to the music.
“That was rude!” she whispered out in a hiss. “The song didn’t even finish!”
The devil’s jaw was clenched. “Too bad,” he growled, sounding angry and jealous.
Her heart continued to thud with a strange excitement.
“What’s the matter?” she taunted softly. “Were you worried I would enjoy the man’s company more?”
The grip of his hand tightened. “Careful, sweetheart,” he warned. “Don’t push me.”
“Why?” she goaded. “Are you are worried I would think of him when you touch me or kiss me or—” she broke off in a gasp when he jerked her closer.
He then dragged her out of the dancing area. “Get the car,” he bit out on the phone, continuing to drag her out.
He was walking so fast that she had to run to catch up. “Wait—”
They came across the hostess on the way. “Mr. Jaipal. If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to you for a moment about—”
“Excuse us, Mrs. Patil. My wife isn’t feeling well all of a sudden. So, we are leaving.”
The woman looked at Naina. “Oh dear, you do look rather flushed. Do take good care of her, Mr. Jaipal.”
“I intend to.”
Naina’s face heated even more. Before she could thank the hostess or respond, she was dragged out, and they came to a stop in front of the house where their car was waiting. The door to the car was kept open, and he more or less pushed her inside before getting in. “Home,” he bit out.
Thick tension filled the car choking it in silence.
Naina’s stomach trembled in nervousness and angry anticipation. It was probably only a few minutes, but the ride felt like hours as the time stood still.
Her heart thudded faster when she saw the familiar tall building. The car drove underground into the private parking lot.
As soon as the car stopped, he pulled her out and dragged her to the elevator. The elevator doors barely opened when he pulled her out and punched the code to the penthouse.
Then pushing the door open, he dragged her inside before shutting the door.
She was alone with the angry devil in a darkened penthouse.
She gasped when he pushed her against a wall and locked her between his arms. “You win,” he bit out with a dark undertone. “I’m not going to wait anymore. I’m claiming you tonight.”
With that, he crashed his mouth on top of hers.
***
Naina’s heart beat out of her chest at the dark passion of his kiss. She moaned at the aggressive tangle of his tongue against hers.
She felt his hands gripping her hips and lifting her. Her arms went around his neck, and she held on to him as he carried her somewhere without breaking the kiss.
Their kiss broke, and she gasped when she fell on her back on the soft mattress.
“Dress. Off,” he commanded while yanking off his tie and wrenching apart his suit jacket.
Her heart thudded harder. Despite the need coursing through her, she felt nervous. She had deliberately goaded him that night, and now that she broke his control, she wasn’t entirely sure if it had been a
wise decision.
With trembling hands, she did as he commanded. She pulled her dress up and threw it away. There was no bra since the dress was padded within. Her body burned with heat at the look in his eyes. He looked as though he was going to devour her.
With a dark, predatory look in his eyes as he watched her, he ripped his shirt off and threw the ruined material aside. He then attacked the belt on his trousers before pulling it off and throwing it away.
Her stomach trembled, and she kept her eyes on his face, not daring to look lower. But when she heard the soft sound of the trousers zipper being lowered, her eyes dropped lower automatically.
He was looked beautiful and scary at the same time. His body was stunning with well-defined muscles, and even though he hadn’t removed his underwear, his arousal looked big and intimidating.
Biting her lips in nervous anticipation, she waited.
He began to stalk towards hers. She gasped out loud when he suddenly grabbed her legs and dragged her to the edge of the bed. A loud ripping noise filled the air, and she felt cool air on her bottom when he tore off her panties. Holding the back of her thighs, he placed her legs on his wide shoulders before bending his head and feasting.
“Oh God!” she moaned.
Wild cravings rushed through her as she arched her back and grabbed his hair. Her need blasted through her, and she felt as though a part of her soul was stolen with every hot, wet swipe of his tongue.
Within barely a few seconds, she exploded with ecstasy. She screamed his name and grabbed onto his strong shoulders to hold on while the world around her shook and spun crazily.
She was gasping and trying to catch her breath when she felt him gripping her hips and pushing her up on the bed before settling his weight on top of her.
“I can’t anymore,” he rasped hoarsely. “I’ve been fighting myself for one and a half damn years. I can’t wait. I want you. Now.”
His words resonated deep inside her. She had been waiting for him too. She had dreamt of him and craved him for so long. And even when she had found out the truth, she still wanted him. She needed him too.
