Page 163 of One Hellish Passion

Ranveer stripped off his shirt seductively before turning around, watching as Maya's jaw dropped at the sight of his bare, muscular physique. She tried looking away when he noticed, fiddling with the sharp razor she held. He approached her with a predatory glint, standing just a foot away as he waited for her to begin helping him shave. He patted the marble counter by the large bathroom mirror, gesturing for her to sit there to get a good angle for shaving him. Maya nodded hesitantly before wondering how to climb up. But Ranveer gripped her waist and effortlessly lifted her onto the counter. She gasped as he stood between her legs, waiting expectantly.

“I think it's a bad idea to let me shave you,” she tried explaining nervously. “Why do you even want to shave? You look really handsome with just a bit of stubble.”

“You like my stubble?” he asked, curbing the urge to kiss her right then.

Maya bit her lip, caught revealing her appreciation of his rugged, stubbled look. It suited him, gave him that bold, commanding air.

Ranveer took the razor from her hand, replacing it with an electric trimmer. “Then I'll keep the stubble for you. Just help me trim it a bit.”

“I'm confused,” she shrugged anxiously. “What if you get hurt? My hands are shaking.”

Her innocent concern for him was endearing. He held her trembling hand holding the trimmer and brought it to his cheek. “You could never hurt me. Just focus, okay?”

Deciding to ease her obvious nervousness, he then shut his eyes. That gave Maya more confidence to make her first tentative strokes.

It was hard not to gaze at his face. Though his eyes were closed, she could feel his intense stare, as if he was reading her mind - her fear, her rising awareness of him. She had never observed him so closely before. She'd hated him once, seen him as a threat. Even as that changed over time, she'd never had a chance to truly study his face, his eyes, his feelings for her like now.

Her shaking fingers steadied as she moved the trimmer smoothly along his hardened jaw. He was so unbelievably handsome. Normal girls would find resisting him difficult. Should she feel proud of that, or jealous now as his wife? She bit her lip, pushing aside those thoughts. Her fingers worked the trimmer carefully over his skin.

Ranveer opened his eyes to her flushed face. “My cheeks should be that pink, not yours,” he teased lightly.

Maya rubbed her cheeks, trying to rid herself of the blush. But he gripped her wrist, pulling her hand away.

“Why do you always hide your feelings? It's okay to be attracted,” he murmured.

She avoided his knowing gaze. “I’m nervous, not attracted. You make me nervous...doing things I'm not used to.”

She wouldn't admit it easily. “You think I'm used to women doing this to me?”

“Maybe, who knows?” she shrugged.

That stung slightly. “I've never been like this with anyone but you,” he said seriously, pulling her close. “I need you to know that, believe that. Will you?”

His husky tone made her stomach muscles clench deliciously. She nodded, hoping he'd release her now. But he didn't.

“You should check if it's done right,” she said, trying to divert him.

He gave a teasing smile. “There's only one way I can know.”

Before she could react, he leaned in, deliberately rubbing his scratchy cheek along hers. Goosebumps erupted on her skin as she clutched his shoulders tight, the prickly sensation mixing with her body's response to his touch.

Ranveer's scratchy cheek against hers sent Maya's senses reeling. As she gripped his shoulders tighter, he began trailing delicate kisses along her jaw, her cheek, taking it slow. She didn’t want to stop him and a soft moan escaped her lips that very moment.

That was all the encouragement Ranveer needed to lose control. His mouth found hers, kissing her hungrily, desperately. Maya responded with equal fervor, kissing him back with a passion that shocked them both. Their tongues danced in a frantic tango, pent up desire spilling over.

He cradled her face as the kiss deepened. Maya's fingers flexed against his bare back, nails digging in lightly. Slowly his hands drifted lower, palms grazing her cotton clad breasts. Maya stiffened at the first contact but when she realized he paused his actions too thinking she was not comfortable, she arched into his touch wanting more. Ranveer continued to knead them gently at first, then with increasing pressure as her soft mounds filled his hands perfectly.

“Ranveer,” she gasped against his lips, the sensations overwhelming.

He swallowed her cries, kissing her again and again until they were both breathless and clinging to each other. Finally resting his forehead against hers, Ranveer tried to rein in his raging need for the woman in his arms. The woman who was now his wife.

“Maya,” he murmured, still catching his breath. “If we don't stop now, I won't be able to.”

She knew he was right. As much as her body ached for more of his passionate onslaught, she wasn't ready to fully give into him yet. They had planned to take it slow after all.

Maya slowly pulled back from him. He helped her down from the counter, hands lingering possessively on her waist. Meeting her eyes, he made a silent promise to himself - soon she would come to him willingly for more, welcoming his desire. And he would worship her body and soul thoroughly on that night.

They both heard Daadi’s voice calling for Maya.

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