Page 109 of One Hellish Desire

Vikram watches me intently, his gaze so heated it's as if watching me devour the sandwich is turning him on.

“Should I make one more?” he offers, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“No,” I decline, though part of me is tempted. “This should suffice.”

As he puts away the ingredients, I continue to eat, suddenly realizing just how famished I'd been. As I finish the last bite, a thought occurs to me, and before I can stop myself, I'm asking about Sabrina.

“Is she staying here tonight?”

“Who?”

“Your friend Sabrina.”

He gives me a pained look. “Why would she stay here?”

“I don't know. Your Mom likes her too much. So, I thought maybe she stays here at times when you all party with her or host dinners with her in this house.”

Vikram sighs, “I know Mom likes her a lot. But that is it, Maahi. Yes, she stays over here sometimes but again... that's it. Mom likes her company and vice versa. Again, that is it. I have nothing to do in all this except a few ‘Hi’ ‘Hellos’ and sometimes share a drink.”

I press further, “You said you have a history with her.”

His expression darkens, a flash of irritation crossing his features. In an instant, he's in front of me, closing the distance between us. He stands so close that his legs nearly brush against my knees as I’m perched on the marble countertop. The sudden proximity sends a jolt through me, and I have to resist the urge to lean back.

“I know her from more than a decade. That's history. We studied in the same college. That's the history, and we also happen to hang around a lot with the rest of our friends as we belong to the same social circle. That's the history I was talking about.”

“Oh,” I say, feeling a bit foolish. “So, you both never... I mean... you and her...”

“Me and her what, Maahi?” he growls, and I quickly cover his mouth with my hand.

Panic flashes through me at the thought of his parents hearing us. But before I can pull away, I feel his lips part against my palm, as if he's kissing it. I try to withdraw my hand, but I'm not quick enough. Vikram captures my wrist, pressing another kiss to my palm. It's a simple gesture, just his lips brushing my skin, but his eyes never leave mine, making it feel far more intimate.

He doesn't stop there. His fingers still wrapped around my arm, he moves his lips to the pulse point on my wrist, placing a heated kiss that sends a shiver through me. This one feels more intense, slightly ticklish.

Words fail me as he continues placing butterfly kisses, his lips now meeting the crook of my elbow. I'm frozen in place, every nerve ending on high alert. Each kiss seems to double in intensity, and I'm losing my ability to think clearly.

Suddenly, I realize he's standing between my legs, his other hand rubbing softly against my outer thighs, soothing me while his lips now on my shoulder blade. This kiss surpasses all the others, his nose nuzzling against my skin. I'm teetering on the edge of surrender, my resolve crumbling.

This is the effect Vikram Singh Grover has on me. When he gets romantic like this, I lose all sense of reason. My defenses melt away, leaving me vulnerable and yearning for more.

“You promised,” I manage to whisper.

Vikram pulls back, his eyes intense. “About that. We need to talk. Do I really need to take your approval every single time I want to kiss you?”

When I don't respond, he continues, his tone businesslike, “Fine. So Mrs. Maahi Singh Grover, I am in a dire need to kiss you right now because I have missed you like hell ever since I have come back here. Do I have your approval?”

My hesitation seems to frustrate him further.

“I take it as No then,” he snaps. “Fair enough.”

My hesitation seems to ignite something fierce in him. Without another word, Vikram turns on his heel and strides out of the kitchen. The sudden absence of his warmth leaves me shivering, my breath caught in my throat. I'm left sitting there, my skin still tingling from his touch, my mind reeling from the abrupt shift in mood. The cool marble beneath me is a stark contrast to the heat that had been building between us just moments ago. I stare at the empty doorway as regret washes over me.

VIKRAM

I don’t think I can sleep in the same room as Maahi tonight. Not after what just happened. Everything was going fine so far. She coming here to New York made me think she wants to give ‘us’ a chance and that motivated me to go beyond the promise which I gave her once. But I was wrong. Maahi hasn't changed, and no matter how hard I try to show her I'm on her side, she just doesn't get it.

I retreat to the guest room, hoping Maahi gets the message. This whole ‘asking for approval’ before kissing her isn't going to fly anymore. I've gone too far, shown her how much I need her. And she's ignored every sign. Fine. From now on, I won't touch my wife unless she begs for it. Literally.

Despite my iron resolve, sleep doesn't come easy. Images of our kitchen encounter keep flashing through my mind. Maahi has no idea what she does to me, but I hope she figures it out soon.

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