Page 55 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

He turned away from the door to look at me and asked,“Did you get your back massaged?” Stepping forward, he towered over me, and I distractedly took my steps back.

“No,” I mumbled, shaking my head.

“Why?” He arched his brow, taking another step closer, and I stumbled back further. He moved even closer when suddenly my back hit the open shelves.

I made an effort to look into his eyes and muttered,“I was afraid that the attendants might start tattling about us.”

He moved his gaze off me, skimming the almirah behind,“Why so?” he asked.

I gulped, looking at the water dripping down his neck, and tried to form an answer,“They might think that I hurt my back and my body was in pain because I slept with you last night.”

He took a dark red shawl from the almirah and looked back at me.“But you did sleep with me,” he said.

I nodded.“Yes, but it was our wed… our first night together after our marriage. So, they might get things wrong. And I didn't want them to gossip about us,” He nodded, unfolding the shawl, and draped it around me.

“I eat anything that's made, I sleep on the floor, I drink the milk that I get from the cows, I wash my clothes, I stay here and my life is... simple,” he said, and I blinked nervously, lowering my gaze.

“I should stay here with you,”

Taking a small glass bottle out of the almirah, he replied,“You don't have to,” he said in a deep, authoritative tone.“Turn around,” he demanded. After removing the wooden cork from the bottle, he poured a small amount of oil into the palm of his hand. I looked at him in a muddle as he rubbed his oiled palms and beckoned again,“Turn around, Nandani.”

I couldn't help but notice how enticing his husky and low voice was. The way my name smoothly tripped off his tongue sounded so pleasing. I gaped at his sturdy expression and turned towards the shelves in a daze.

“Lower the shawl.” I removed the shawl from my body when he added,“Pull down your dupatta, too.” I pulled the dupatta off my head and placed my heavy, damp braid on my shoulder to give him access to my back.“Untie,” He emphasised, and inhaling a sharp breath, I undid the knots of my blouse, loosening it for him. He inched closer and inquired,“Where exactly is it hurting?” I pointed my finger at the lower back and middle back, where I usually tied my skirt and the knot of my blouse.

“Here,” I felt him slowly lather the oil over my back with smooth strokes. He first made slow circular motions in the middle of my back, gliding his hands up with light friction, and softly brought his hands down to my hips. Repeating the same technique a few times, he helped ease the stiffness of my muscles, and Iclosed my eyes in relaxation.

Applying gentle pressure with his fingertips, he kneaded my back in circular motions. He pressed both thumbs against my back to alleviate tension and continued massaging in the same manner for a few minutes, providing great relief. He was so careful that, for once, I didn’t feel uncomfortable with his touch.

As he moved away, he took a cotton cloth from the shelf and wiped his hands clean.

“Tie it back. You will get relief in some time,” I turned to look at him, clutching my blouse from behind to tie the strings. However, the interlaced pattern of the strings left me struggling to tighten the blouse on my own.

Seeing me striving, he turned me again towards the shelf and held the strings. I felt his fingers touching mine, keeping the blouse in place, as he started tying it.

“Tighter,” I muttered, and he yanked it too hard, making me gasp for air in suffocation.“Ahh…. A little loose,” I exclaimed, and he loosened it too much.“No, a little tighter,”

He secured it slowly and asked,“Is it right now?” I nodded as he fastened the knot. Adjusting my clothes, I pulled the dupatta over my head again and wrapped it around myself with the shawl.

“Thank you for the massage.” I had to thank him because it indeed helped me with the pain.

“And you will sleep on the bed tonight,” he asserted, looking at me.

Shaking my head, I insisted,“I'll sleep where you'll sleep. Be it on the bed or the floor,”

Glaring at me in frustration, he grumbled,“What if I do not show up tonight? How will you sleep alone on the floor?” I looked at him with hurt and held his hand to stop him from leaving.

“I'll wait for you, Rudra,” I said,“There is no one I know here. Remember, I came here with you, for you,” I left his hand, and he held his gaze with mine in a silent contact.

“You should go back to the chamber. The attendants must be waiting for you,” I nodded, heading toward the door, but then paused midway and turned around.

“There must be something you like,” I inquired. Taking unhurried steps in my direction, he looked into my eyes and muttered,

“There was someone I liked,” I felt a pang in my heart when hereferred to me as 'was'.

“Looks like someone is no more,” I said. And he pushed me against the door and grabbed me by my waist, closer to him.“Don't you dare,” his squeezing hold on my waist told me how angry he was.

“Until when are you going to be angry with me? And how long am I supposed to be angry with you?” I questioned, my tone filled with despair.

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