Page 91 of Sumanika

“And you could have made it so I don’t exist anymore. But here I am, in your chamber, on your couch, watching you have your dinner and seeing you taste something I didn’t know existed in my body.”

His gaze lowered, and he bit his lip.“You know you’re making me crave my sweetness again.” His lips were captivatingly wet and sweet in that moment. The teeth pressing against them flooded me with butterflies in my stomach, and his words made me blush.

I quickly averted my gaze, realizing what my thoughts focused on.

He was enslaving me. I fisted my hands on my skirt. His absence had always made me feel tempted to him even more. After waiting for him madly and insanely for days, it felt like having your favorite thing.

“Your absence hurts me,” I managed to say, and he briefly closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to go either,” he muttered slowly, tearing off a bite of food.

“Then why are you leaving so often if it’s not that bad? I didn’t even know you would leave after that... between us,” I tried to say, and he looked at me with a weak smile.

“I just wanted to see you before I left. I’m really sorry if it seemed like I used you for my pain or something else. I didn’t come to you for that; I just… wanted to be with you. Like, lock your image in my heart,” he stammered slowly, his words fumbling as I watched his clenched hands resting on his thighs. My brows furrowed with concern at his altered expressions.

I reached out to hold his hand. It felt cold—a strange contrast after we had just warmed up by the fire.

“What’s wrong?” I managed to ask, and he looked at me with worried eyes. There was a slight pause before he muttered,“Everything.”

I lowered my gaze, recalling our first conversation after our unfinished wedding.

"Elaborate," I asked, and he smiled all of a sudden.

“I’m dying to kiss you. That’s the biggest problem. Then I wonder what it would feel like to be fed by you. The most complicated issue is figuring out how I’ll maintain my boundaries while being intimate with you.” His words made me roll my eyes and sigh deeply.

He could never be serious.

But, above all, I could make him feel what it would be like to be fed by me.

I smiled, turned to him, and scooted closer, bringing the plate nearer to me.

Tearing the bite, I reached out my hands to him, causing him to pull his face back slightly. My brows furrowed in confusion.

"Chakhke batao, jehar hua to?"“Taste it first; what if it’s poisoned?”

I gritted my teeth, took that bite, and shook my head."Nahi hai jehar, laadle kunwarsa, aap kha sakte hai,"“Not poisoned, darling Kunwarsa, you can have it,” I said, and he chuckled softly before taking the next bite.

“You are so sweet through and through,” his words suddenly created a knot in my stomach. My breath caught for a moment. How could he be both dirty and innocent at the same time? Mostly cute.

I offered another bite, but he shook his head.“Recheck the poison,” and I shook my head this time.“This won’t work again. I’m full,” I attempted to say, and he took the bite this time and cupped my cheek with his other hand.

"You know I am not the sweet husband type who would always obey you. I know how to force," He said, gently pushing the bite into my mouth. I hadn’t realized that I felt hurt by the word‘Force.’It brought back memories of my dead husband, and he immediately closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“I am so sorry, Suman. I didn’t mean that. I am so sorry,” he said, wrapping his arm around me. I shook my head, smiling weakly, and rested my head on his shoulder.

"Just don’t say that again," I managed to say slowly, and he nodded.

"I’m sorry. I’ll keep that in mind," he said, and I looked.

"And don’t ever force yourself on me," I added slowly, and he shook his head.

"Never. I don’t need to force you; I can look into your eyes, and you’ll give in easily." His lips curved into a smile as I slapped his thighs, hiding my face in his neck for a moment. I began feeding him again, and I could feel just how hungry he was.

"You look so hungry," I said, and he nodded.

"Yes, the last time I ate was before I saw you. I didn’t get a chance to eat anything," he said, and I looked at him with suspicion.

"What do you mean?" I asked, and he immediately looked at me, shaking his head slightly.

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