Page 53 of One Hellish Desire

Maahi nods. “Yes, he left for Muscat with his family.”

“That's right. Shalini is Dhanush's mother.”

The conversation grows more animated, and soon Dhanush himself joins us. He's... fine. Smart enough, I suppose. As they chat, Daadi begins extolling Maahi's virtues, praising her success with the boutique. My eyes narrow as I watch Daadi, suddenly aware of what she's doing. She meets my gaze with a cold stare, undeterred.

I hate this. With every word, Dhanush and his family grow more enamored with Maahi, and I can barely contain my frustration. This is exactly why I despise these events - they're breeding grounds for matchmaking.

“Dhanush, why don't you introduce Maahi to your old friends?” Shalini aunty suggests, and I have to resist the urge to physically remove Maahi from this situation.

“Sure, Mom. Come on, Maahi. They'll be glad to see you again.”

Maahi walks away with Dhanush, leaving me seething. When we're alone, I round on Daadi.

“Don't look at me like that,” she snaps. “I was just introducing them to Maahi's talent.”

“You were practically arranging her marriage to Dhanush,” I growl. “With me standing right here!”

“So?” Daadi shrugs. “It's not like Maahi has agreed to marry you. She doesn't even know you're interested. What do you expect me to do? Wait until you decide to change for her and propose?”

“Change?” I laugh bitterly. “No one can change me, Daadi. And what needs to change? I'm good enough to be her husband.”

“Let her decide that,” Daadi mutters, turning to greet another guest.

I've had enough. I make a beeline for the bar, fully aware of Daadi's disapproving gaze. If she can hurt me, I know how to numb the pain. I order a drink and down it in one go.

The engagement ceremony passes in a blur. For the next hour, my eyes never leave Maahi. She's radiant, basking in compliments - especially from men. Every smile she gives them feels like a knife twisting in my gut. I want to smash the faces of anyone who dares to stand too close to her.

As people crowd the dance floor, a possessive fury rises within me. I won't let anyone else dance with my Cub. I set down my drink and stride purposefully towards her, cutting through her conversation group without a second thought.

“Let's dance,” I demand, grabbing her wrist. The horror in her eyes doesn't deter me. I drag her onto the dance floor, pulling her into my arms. She's all I want, all I need.

“What the hell was that?” she hisses. “I was talking to them. And you're drunk?”

“You know I drink,” I snap back.

“I do, but we're here with Daadi. You have to be careful not to hurt her feelings.”

“And what about her?” My voice rises. “She can hurt me, but I can't?”

“She hurt you?” Maahi's tone drips with sarcasm. “She would never. You're mistaken.”

“Am I?” I pull her closer, until every inch of our bodies touch. I know she can feel my desire for her. Her throat works as she swallows hard. Not wanting to scare her, I allow her to put some distance between us, but I don't let go.

As we sway to the music, I'm drowning in her. My eyes never leave her face, committing every detail to memory. My fingers graze her bare back, mere inches from the strings of her choli. In that moment, the realization hits me like a tidal wave: I yearn for this woman in a way I've never wanted anyone before. I want her in ways she can't even imagine, in ways she'd never offer herself to me unless she falls for me completely.

I want Maahi Awasthi in every dark, passionate way possible... and more.

MAAHI

I'm trembling with conflicting emotions as Vikram and I sway on the dance floor. We've been dancing for minutes that feel like eternities, and I've never experienced such a disconnect between my mind and body. It's as if they're engaged in a fierce tug-of-war, leaving me dizzy and disoriented.

My rational self screams at me to flee, to put as much distance between us as possible. But my traitorous body yearns to stay, to melt into his embrace. It's utterly bewildering. I can feel Vikram's fingers ghosting along my bare back, and to my shock, I'm giving in to him. I've never felt this submissive with any man before. Why him? Why now?

An unfamiliar ache blossoms within me, raw and intense. I can see something smoldering in Vikram's eyes as we move together, something that both thrills and terrifies me. He twirls me suddenly, then pulls me back against him with the music. His fingers brush my waist chain, the one he chose, and I hear his sharp intake of breath as he grips it between his fingers.

I'm reaching my limit. My body is in full rebellion against my mind. As the lights dim, so does my resolve to keep fighting this... whatever it is between us. The way Vikram looks at me unravels something deep inside, and I'm no longer sure if he's the intoxicated one or if I am.

One hand still firmly on my waist, he uses the other to cup my nape, tilting my face towards his. This is it. I need to run. Now. But even as my mind screams its warning, my hands betray me, clutching at his shirt. My eyes flutter closed, my entire being trembling in anticipation of what's to come.

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