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He didn’t let her go. “Why?” he asked.

She didn’t know what to say, while her body was thrumming with pleasure.

“Because… because we hate each other,” she replied.

He chuckled darkly, the sound sending a shiver of arousal. “Hate has nothing to do with this,” he stated. “This is desire.”

He ground his hips against hers, and she could feel his arousal pressing against her thigh. She closed her eyes, willing herself not to moan.

The room suddenly felt suffocatingly hot, the air thick with tension and desire that she couldn’t ignore, no matter how much she wished she could. The scent of him invaded her nostrils, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out as he trailed kisses down her neck. Her body was a live wire, every nerve ending alight with sensation, and she hated herself for the way she was responding to his touch.

She could feel the hardness of his chest, the crispness of his chest hair brushing against her breasts, sending little sparks of pleasure through her body. His muscles flexed with each movement, and she was all too aware of his strength.

“I hate you,” she whispered, her voice barely a breath.

His smile was dark as he leaned down, capturing her mouth in a kiss that stole the last of her breath. His teeth scraped against her bottom lip. She told herself she didn't want this, didn't want to want him. But her body had a mind of its own. She kissed him back.

Her thoughts were a mix of anger and a deep-seated desire. His hands roamed her body, igniting a firestorm of sensations.She squirmed beneath him, trying to break free from his hold and also to pull him closer.

“I’ve wanted you for so bloody long,” he growled.

His words washed through her, heating her burning body further, but also making her realize what she was allowing to happen.

She was letting him kiss her, touch her, and do things that would bind her to him in ways that would be impossible to break.

“Ram, stop,” she choked out, trying to push him away with all the strength she could muster.

Ram froze, the hand that had been tracing circles on her lower abdomen stilling for a moment. His eyes held hers. She held his gaze firmly, the resolve in her voice unshaken.

“I don’t want this,” she said. “I-I’m not ready. I need time.”

His gaze burned into her for a long moment. Then with a dark, unreadable look, he finally let her go.

She took a deep, shuddering breath as the weight lifted off her, her body feeling both relieved and strangely disappointed.

Without looking at him, she bolted from the bed, her legs wobbly with a mix of anger and the aftermath of the intense emotions that had just crashed over her. She went into the adjoining bathroom, the cool marble floor a stark contrast to the heat of the room she had just escaped. She slammed the door shut behind her.

She leaned against the cool surface, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she tried to compose herself. The mirror reflected her flushed cheeks and wild hair, and a bruise forming on her neck where Ram had bitten her. Her body was burning with unfulfilled desire.

I cannot let this happen again.

???

Sanjana had arrived at the hospital well before her shift.

She had rushed through her shower and nearly skipped breakfast, grabbing just a banana before demanding that the helicopter drop her in the city. From there, she collected her red car and drove to the hospital.

Once she arrived at the hospital, she threw herself into rounds.

She had reviewed patient charts and completed a couple of emergency consults, keeping her mind focused on her job.

At mid-morning, most of the hospital staff took a brief break.

“Dr. Shetty,” a nurse called. “Please report at the entrance.”

Sanjana nodded.

The nurse stared at Sanjana. “You look different today, Dr. Shetty.”