Page 160 of One Hellish Desire

“You don't need to work so hard to impress me,” she teases, unwrapping it. “I'm already smitten.”

“Where's my bite then?” I grin.

She brings the chocolate to my lips, then playfully pulls it away. “I never share my chocolates. You should know that by now.”

I circle the car and settle into the driver's seat, starting the engine.

“In that case, Cub, you enjoy the chocolate. I'll enjoy you later,” I wink, accelerating.

Her jaw drops at my suggestive comment.

By the time we reach Ratna Mahal, she's finished her treat. We greet Daadi in the living room before Maahi heads to the bedroom to change. She glances back, perhaps expecting me to follow, but I don't. The thought that she might want me there as she changes is thrilling, but I resist, choosing instead to join Daadi for evening tea.

MAAHI

Is this a tit-for-tat? I enter our bedroom, slightly disappointed that Vikram chose to stay downstairs with Daadi instead of following me. My eyes widen as I spot a gift box on the bed with a note. Excitement builds. I eagerly read the note placed with the box:

“I want to see you wearing this, Cub.”

Unwrapping the box reveals a stunning red designer saree. Another note inside sends a thrill through me:

“Wear this Saree when you're ready to give me rights on ALL OF YOU…”

I gasp for breath and place it back in the box. He wants to take a step forward with me, the final one this time. He has sacrificed so much for me that I didn't have to give another thought to this pleasant request. But just like he did these special things to surprise me, I want to do a few things to surprise him too. And I know exactly when I’ve to do that.

I put the saree in the closet and change into my regular home-wearing salwar with the dori behind. When I come downstairs, Vikram's eyes are glued to mine, as if he wants to know my reactions to his surprise gift. I pretend to be normal. We talk, but nothing related to the gift he gave me.

Daadi decides she cannot travel to Preet's wedding with us to Udaipur as she has other plans. She promises to attend the reception though, which Preet's family are hosting in Delhi a week after the wedding. So, Vikram calls Ajay and books only two tickets from Delhi to Udaipur. We plan to fly two days prior to the wedding date and return the day after the wedding. This means Vikram and I wouldn't be here at Ratna Mahal for 4 days. It bothers me, as Daadi will be alone. But she assures us that she has her friends coming along to stay here in Ratna Mahal and spend some time together. That eases my tension.

After dinner, Vikram presents homemade gulab jamuns.

“He made them. Didn't even let me touch a vessel,” Daadi informs.

Did he?

I feed Vikram and he feeds me back as Daadi heads back into the kitchen.

“They are … yum,” I say, licking my lips and then his fingers. Vikram freezes.

He pulls my chair closer. “Don't ever do that again,” he warns.

“Licking your fingers?” I ask innocently. “Why?”

“You know why,” he murmurs. “So, don't do that again unless you want me to take you then and there!”

He grins but that tone gives enough reasons for goosebumps to erupt all over my body. Vikram feeds me some more, his eyes never leaving mine. It’s sensual to be fed like that when you know that your man wants to do a lot more beyond just feeding you food.

As he feeds me more, he asks, “Liked my gift?”

“It's beautiful.”

“And..?”

“I liked the color.”

“And?”

“I liked the design too. It's fancy.”

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