Page 147 of One Hellish Desire

“Maahi, why aren’t you picking up my calls?” he barks.

“Sorry,” I apologize, hoping he won’t mind my carelessness. “Just got back home.”

He eases up. “Where were you?”

“Satsang. With Daadi.” I drop my purse on the couch and sit down.

“Isn’t this the third time this month you’re attending Satsang?”

I’m surprised. “You’re keeping count?”

“I have to. I don’t want my wife turning fully religious like Daadi someday. I’m afraid when we meet again, you won’t let me touch you or worse you won’t even remember how to make love to your husband.”

I laugh heartily at his mocking.

“You’ve taught me so well that I can’t forget it for the rest of my life,” I tease.

“Maahi…” He exhales. “I need a cold shower now.”

“Again?” I giggle, knowing he already had one as it was the start of his day in New York.

“Again, Cub. It’s been recurrent since you left.”

“Aww,” I pout. “Better change the subject, or I’ll need a shower too. So, coming to that… I need your permission.”

“For what?”

I get up and head to my bedroom. “To visit Leela Mahal.”

“Two things, Cub. One, you don’t need my permission for anything. You’re free to make your own decisions. And two, you own a platinum band for Leela Mahal, which means you can visit anytime. I made that clear last time we were there. But…”

I swallow. That last word makes me feel hot. He might give me access to his club and decision-making power, but he’s still possessive of me, and that ‘but’ will soon clarify his rules.

“But what?” I ask.

“You’re mine. And though I trust my wife completely, I don’t trust the men who are members of that club. If you go there, my eyes will be on you until you exit and reach Ratna Mahal safely.”

I bite my lip.

“No arguments and no questions asked,” he adds.

“That sounds like dominance to me,” I remark.

“I said no arguments and no questions asked, Maahi,” he repeats.

“It was just a remark. I never said I didn’t like your dominance. Not always, but at times... in specific situations like this I love it,” I tease.

I hear the sound of the shower, meaning he was serious about needing one. I begin to imagine what he’s doing under the showerhead, but Vikram interrupts my thoughts.

“Now, tell me why you want to visit Leela Mahal.”

“I want to throw a bachelorette party for Preet. She’s getting married in two weeks, and since it’s a destination wedding, she’ll fly with her family to Udaipur next week for pre-wedding rituals. So, I’m planning to throw the party before she flies.”

Preet got engaged two weeks ago, and Daadi and I attended her engagement. It’s an arranged marriage, but she’s extremely happy to meet Akshay, who is soft-hearted, kind, and far too innocent compared to her.

“She’s my best friend and has partially contributed to our growing bond, hasn’t she? This is the least I could do for her,” I add.

“Hmm. This sounds good. I’ll ask Darcy to assist you with organizing the party.”

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