Page 56 of Driven By Desire
The hours passed in a pleasant haze of good food, shared laughter and the warmth and comfort of family. When the fire finally died down to a few smoldering embers, Krish stood to put it out completely. The last of the staff had disappeared into their quarters close to an hour earlier. Chirag hauled a protesting Pooja off to bed while Adi and Max helped with clean up. Making short work of it, they swept the area clean of litter and hauled everything into the open plan kitchen. Mumbling a sleepy goodnight, Adi wandered off in the direction of the bedroom he was sharing with Chirag leaving Max and Krish to lock up for the night.
“I’ll say goodnight then?” The husky question had Krish’s fingers vising around the deadbolt.
Locking the front door carefully, he turned to look at her. “I wish you were sharing a room with me instead of Pooja.”
“I could share yours first before being a good girl and heading to my room.”
Every cell in his body sat up in attention at the whispered suggestion. Clearing his throat, he tried for sanity. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. I have to go check on Pooja before-“
“Chirag’s already settled her into bed. She’s probably fast asleep by now.” Slipping one hand around the nape of his neck, Max put her lips to his ear. “Live a little, Krish. With me.”
On a groan, he turned his head and claimed her mouth in a kiss that left them both breathless. Pulling back a little, he rested his forehead on hers and muttered, “This is crazy.”
Gripping his hair, Max peppered his face with kisses. “So let’s be crazy.”
“Max, don’t! I have to go check on Pooja and we-“
The rest of his words disappeared as she grabbed his t-shirt and fused her mouth to his in a kiss that seared his brain and left his heart reeling. Having her in his arms after a whole day of watching and not touching was heaven. Rational thought fleeing, he swung her up in his arms and made it to his bedroom in record time.
Drawing the drapes on the huge French doors that led out to the swimming pool, he turned to find Max naked in his bed. Hair tumbling down across her breasts to touch her navel, she knelt in the middle of the huge double bed and held her arms out to him with an unconditional trust that undid him completely.
Emotion clogging his throat, he turned the lights off and plunged the room into darkness before joining her in bed. Closing his eyes, he buried his face in the curve of her neck and held on tight.
“You have too many clothes on.” Her languid voice slicked over his skin and had him nuzzling her neck. Cool hands slippedunder his t-shirt and eased it up and over his head. Exploring the delicate curve of her neck, he brought one hand up to cup her breast.
Arching against his touch with a soft gasp, Max continued to stroke and explore the warm muscles of his back. Covering her body with his, Krish lowered his head to kiss and suckle the breast he’d been caressing. Fisting her hands in his hair, Max cried out. Dragging his head up, she brought his plundering mouth back to hers. Impatient fingers fumbled with the waistband of his shorts and divested him of it in a minute.
Skin slid against skin. Her legs fell apart to cradle him intimately against her. Imprisoning her hands over her head, Krish kept her trapped as he explored every inch of her with his mouth.
Writhing against him, Max managed to slip one hand out of his hold. Sliding it between them, she closed her fingers around the hard, silken length of him. His harsh intake of breath had her smiling to herself in the dark.
Reciprocating the favour, Krish explored her moist core with a skill that had soft moans escaping her. When the exquisite torture of her fingers became more than he could bear, Krish took her mouth with a kiss that branded her as his forever. He sheathed himself and slid into her with one long stroke that had her gasping against his lips.
“Krish.” The name escaped her lips on a soft sigh as she arched her hips and took him deeper. On a ragged moan, Krish started to move. Locking his eyes with hers, he let his passion slip its leash.
“I love you.” Her fierce whisper had a violent shudder racking his body. Burying his face in her hair, he moved with a desperationthat mirrored the storm of emotion in his heart. With a hoarse cry, he emptied himself inside her at the same time as she shattered beneath him. Breathing in short, harsh bursts, he slumped over her like dead weight.
Long fingers trailed down his spine in slow, lazy strokes until he found the strength to haul himself off her and to the side. Propping himself on one arm, he looked down at the delicate outline of her face. A smug, sated smile beamed back at him.
“Say it again.” The husky order had her stilling. Dipping his head, he kissed her. Gently, deeply, voluptuously. “Please.”
“I love you.” The words feathered over his lips and reached in to touch the deepest reaches of his heart. Gripping her chin so she could see what was in his eyes, he leaned in close to whisper. “I-“
That was when the screaming began.
CHAPTER 21
Blood pooled in a slowly growing circle around the small, still figure. Max’s heart iced over even as they raced to reach Pooja lying near the still screaming maidservant who had found her. Dropping to his knees by her side, Krish shouted to Chirag to call for an ambulance.
“Somebody shut that bloody woman up.”
The screaming continued unabated as Chirag fumbled for his phone. Blocking it out the best he could, Krish looked down at his baby sister. She was wearing her swimming costume and had one arm flung out at an awkward angle like she’d tried to brace herself. Blood seeped from the gash on her head, matting her hair and running in rivulets down the side of her face. Through it all, she didn’t wake.
The past merged horrifyingly with the present as memories of standing over his mother’s lifeless body flashed through his head. Pulling his mind back from the ugly vortex it was spiraling down, he refocused on the baby sister he’d sworn to protect.
“Pooja. Pooj. Baby.” Voice cracking on the last word, he stared helplessly at her unconscious form. Knowing better than to move her when she was bleeding from her head, he gently cradled one limp hand. She didn’t move. Not even a flicker of an eyelash. Desperate for some sign that she could hear him, he continued to talk. To coax. To beg.
In silent support, Max placed one hand on his shoulder but he didn’t notice. His entire attention focused on Pooja, he barely registered the faint touch.
