Page 174 of Carnal Games

A squeal escapes my mouth as an arm goes under my knees and another behind my back and I’m airborne like a doll. A nanosecond later, my back meets a hard chest and I’m hit with a rich, male, and chocolaty scent.

Kian’s fingertips trail down my arm, and his breath gusts over my ear. “Told you, little rainbow.”

I shiver, leaning comfortably against him as his long legs surround me in a Kian-shaped cocoon. Kissing my shoulder, his arm bands around my waist.

“What are we watching?”

“Top Gun: Maverick.”

“Action flick?”

“Yep.”

“Your favorite genre?”

I shift. “Mhmm.”

“You don’t sound convincing,” he states, attuned to me. “Did you choose this movie so I’d enjoy it?”

“Maybe.”

Sweeping my hair off one shoulder in a teasing caress, soft lips press against my pulse as he rasps, “I wanna watch what you like.”

“I don’t think you can handle it.”

He stills, then gently tugs my head back, ensnaring me with the playful light in his pupils. “Are you challenging me, Miss Mannan?”

“Just stating a fact, Mr. Singhania.”

“Nah. Sounds like a dare.”

I laugh, cupping his wrist on my stomach. “I’m not.”

“Then what?”

I stare at our hands as I admit, “I usually watch it alone because it’s…”

“Is it porn?”

“Kian!” I gasp loudly, feeling heat climb up to my face at lightning speed. “No.”

“No shame.” He smirks. “Are you into any kinks I should know about?”

“Oh my goodness!” I squirm out of his hold.

His grip locks tighter, not letting me go anywhere. “I’m kidding.”

I glare half-heartedly, and jibe, “I think I like you more when you’re grumpy and brooding.”

“Noted.” Facing me forward, he lightly slaps the outside of my thigh. “Stop stalling and play the movie.”

“All righty. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I pick up the remote. “Also, no judging me.”

“Never, rainbow.”

Summoning courage because he’s the first person with whom I’m sharing a guilty pleasure of mine, I look up the movie. Low-key, I also want him to lose the dare. No sooner does the name flash in bold on the screen, he sits up straight.

“I Spit on Your Grave,” he reads aloud. “Horror?”

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