Page 29 of Obsession

Nia came running toward them, arm floats on, her face expectant. Anna’s face split into a wide smile. She lifted the girl into her arms, kissing her cheek.

“Hi, my sweet baby,” Anna cooed. “You ready to swim?”

“Ready to jump,” Nia said. She leaned towards Mihir, holding out her arms. Smiling, Mihir took her from Anna.

Nia looked at the scar on his face, then back at Anna and whispered, “Anna, see… he’s the prince from your story.”

Mihir blinked. “She calls you Anna?”

“Both the kids do.”

His lips curled. Anna was not his. She didn’t belong to him. Therefore, it shouldn’t matter what her nephew and niece called her. Yet, he didn’t like it. Not one bit. Fuck, he was being ridiculous.

Nia stretched his lips with her fingers, distracting him from his thoughts.

“Anna, see,” Nia said brightly. “Now he has a sunshine smile. Just like that prince.”

Mihir looked at Anna. “What stories are you filling her head with?”

“None of your business,” she replied.

“You are telling Nia stories about a scarred prince who looks like me? Seems like obsession to me, Anna.”

“Seems like you think no end of yourself. It’s just a story, and it’s not about you.” She put a hand on Nia’s back. “Come on, baby. Let’s go swim.”

Nia dropped her head on Mihir’s shoulder. “He’s going to make me jump into the pool.”

Anna gave the little girl a soft smile before her eyes fell on him. His heart leapt. At one time, he’d dreamt of just this—of Anna and him with a little baby girl of their own. He breathed out slowly. That dream was shattered a long time ago. Resentment filled him. His anger with Anna returned in full force. Without another word, he turned around and left, taking Nia with him.

He sat Nia on a lounger and began to unbutton his shirt, feeling restless. This thing with Anna wasn’t supposed to affect him. It was a means to an end. It was to see his brothers happy, and for him to get out of that accursed marriage with her.

Then why did his heart feel like he had run a marathon? Why were his eyes still seeking her out? Why did he know that she was still standing where he had left her? That she hadn’t moved an inch and was still staring at him.

Enough, he scolded himself. Nothing good would come from getting entangled with Anna again. He wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of his past ever again.Shewas his past. For the future of his brothers, he had to close that door on his past once and for all.

Hence, right now, in the present, he would put up with her, but he’d make it absolutely clear that she would not be coming close to him or touching him again.

Yes, some more rules definitely had to be put in place, the second they were alone.

But first, he had to keep his promise to the excited little girl waiting for him.

8

Ananya watched Mihir unbutton his shirt. She had to lift her jaw from the floor when he chucked the shirt aside and stretched his arms over his head.

Holy mother of God in heaven. He was… He was divine. His broad, muscular chest tapered into a narrow waist, lined with rows of sharply defined abs, ending with a vee that disappeared into his red shorts. His toned arms looked powerful and sculpted. The muscles in his legs rippled as he moved. Her mouth watered.Fuck. This was no longer the boy she had fallen in love with. Mihir Oshnov was all man, and he was hot.Damn.

Her eyes returned to his chest. She squinted. There was a tattoo on the left side of his chest. It looked like an arrow. No… it was an anchor.

So many questions played in her head. When had he got that tattoo? Why an anchor? Why on his chest? Knowing him, he’d have a valid reason for everything.

A hand touched her shoulder and turned her around. Her sisters glared at her.

“Care to explain why you’re staring at Mihir?” Navya asked.

“How come you’re here?” Reina asked. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy you’re here, and I’m even happier that Mihir didn’t push you in the pool because you’re here, and that you didn’t fight.”

“And you kissed his cheek,” Navya said. “Sheena was busy with the kids, so she didn’t see the kiss. But the rest of us saw it.”

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