Page 106 of One Hellish Passion

“Wine, ma'am?” the chauffeur offered. Maya politely declined as Ranveer eagerly accepted a glass and downed it swiftly.

“Just what I needed, Zafar. Thanks.”

“My pleasure, sir.”

As they drove from the airport, Ranveer noted Maya's uncharacteristic silence.

“You have been amusingly quiet throughout the journey,” he muttered. “Why?”

Maya met his eyes.

“This is the first time I am away from home, not for professional but personal reasons,” she replied. “Not to mention, to enact something which I am not.”

Ranveer stiffened suddenly. He had no reply or assurance for that. They reached the resort, and Ranveer returned with the room key.

“Where is my room key?” she asked.

“This,” he waved the single key at her.

“And yours?”

“The same,” he murmured.

Unbelievable! She should have spoken to him about having two separate rooms before coming here.

“Ranveer, even though I am enacting to be your girlfriend, I still need my privacy.”

Ranveer sighed in disappointment.

“You are too much, Maya. What are you scared of? That I will cross the lines? Or you?”

Maya bristled, but he cut her off.

“It's non-negotiable,” he stated firmly, taking her hand as they entered the elevator.

“What do you mean by nonnegotiable? How do you get to decide that? And who bothers if we sleep in one room or not? There is no one here to check upon us.”

The elevator arrived, and they got inside.

“There is,” he replied. “My grandmother, Subhadra Malhotra,” he added.

Grandmother? He had a grandmother? Why didn’t she know that before? Does she stay here?

“This hotel belongs to her,” he informed, raising all of Maya’s qualms even more.

Chapter 33

Jaipur

The hotel suite resembled more of a lavish three-bedroom apartment.

“Suit yourself,” he said, drawing the thick curtains apart, and Maya saw the vast spread of the desert from the windows. The hotel was very much at the center of the desert, yet it had its very own indoor garden and pool to keep the guests entertained.

“You never told me you have a grandmother,” Maya interrupted. Ranveer turned around.

“You never asked,” his reply was more of a taunt. If he could get all information about her, why couldn't she?

“Would you tell me about your family had I asked?” she questioned back. Ranveer took off his T-shirt and took predatory steps towards her. She didn’t move.

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