Page 69 of One Hellish Desire

Vikram stiffens, having no clue what I’m about to say next.

“Marry me,” I say clearly. Vikram takes a long minute to process it, staring at me bewildered.

“What’s so shocking in that?” I gasp. “You proposed the same last night. Here’s my answer. I’m ready to marry you.”

His mouth curves into a slow, wicked smile. “You don’t mean a contract marriage, do you, Cub?”

“I thought of that option,” I admit, “but considering Daadi will be involved, I negated it. If we marry, it will be a real marriage, without an expiry date.”

VIKRAM

Now I’m intrigued. Maahi wants to accept my marriage proposal, and I'm relieved she's not thinking about any contract. I would never marry Maahi with an expiry date. If she’s getting into this, I want her in it forever.

“You were right,” she says. “You’re the only one who can help me out of this mess.”

My mind drifts, imagining us in my US penthouse, waking up kissing each other. Those days aren't far off. Pushing those desires aside for now, I focus back on her.

“If we marry, your father will automatically hand over the papers he has stolen as his purpose would be fulfilled. According to them, you and I will be co-owning Devki Estate.”

I listen, but my subconscious conjures another image of Maahi in her signature salwars with dori at the back, me chasing her around the penthouse. I manage to catch her and flop onto the couch with her on my lap.

“Are you listening?”

Maahi’s voice breaks my reverie, and I clear my throat, nodding. “Go on.”

“But he will have no idea that despite the marriage, his son will have no legal right to it,” she continues, intriguing me further. “You will have to give me in writing that you or your company will never sell or lease Devki Estate. It will solely be used for building an old age home and running small-scale businesses to aid women, widowers, and the elderly.”

Damn! She’s a genius. But since this is Daadi’s dream, I’ll let her fulfill it.

“And one more thing. This marriage...” she pauses, looking away. “It will be real, but I might need time to...”

I step closer and whisper, “You need time for what, Maahi?”

She flinches at our closeness and steps back. “I will take my own sweet time to accept you as my husband. I mean, before others we will be a couple, but inside our room, we have to keep our distance.”

Nope. That’s not happening.

“Hmm,” I ponder, circling her. She waits for my reply. “I don’t think that’s acceptable.”

“Excuse me? Which part of it is unacceptable to you?”

“The second part,” I snap. “Look, Cub, I have never faked emotions and I always stick to that. If we marry, you will have to give me every right of a husband, and I will give you every right of a wife. That goes from the moment we sign the legal marriage papers. Now you decide, what is more important to you? Devki Estate and fulfilling Daadi’s dream, or your own hesitations about submitting to your husband?”

Her cheeks burn. I can see she wants to curse me for not giving in to both her demands. But I want to play it fair. If I accept one of her conditions, she has to accept one of mine.

“What if I don’t agree?” she asks.

“Then we are not marrying,” I shrug effortlessly. I’m not trying to manipulate her. I’m asking for my right. If I marry a woman, I want every right to her mind, body, and soul. I’m not asking much, am I?

She thinks hard and then walks to the bar counter, opening a bottle of vodka. What the hell is she doing? She pours it and gulps the shot down. Damn! She drinks? She shuts her eyes to swallow the vodka and then looks at me, as if she has made a decision.

“You drink?” I query.

“Not very often, and definitely not before Daadi, though she knows I’ve tried a few pegs before.”

I’m amused by this information. I still have so much to learn about her.

“I’m ready,” she says, stretching her arm toward me. “Let’s get married.”

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