Page 49 of Trapped By the Maharaja
CHAPTER 24
Sanjana’s brows furrowed slightly as consciousness pulled her from sleep. The scent that hit her next was clean and maddeningly familiar. Citrusy musk with a hint of sandalwood.
Her eyes fluttered open and her heart stuttered.
Her head was once again resting against Ram’s bare chest.
She wasn’t shocked anymore. She carefully shifted, rolling to her side.
She glanced sideways, expecting Ram to be awake as usual and watching her.
But much to her surprise, he was still asleep.
Even in sleep, he looked powerful, regal and entirely too damn handsome.
Her fingers curled into her palm as she felt a strong impulse to touch him.
I hate him.
She reminded herself that Ram was ruthless and had trapped her into a contract marriage. She hated him. But she couldn’t look away.
Giving into the strong impulse, she reached out.
Just one finger. And just to trace the line of his high cheekbone.
Her fingertip ghosted across his skin, not touching him. She traced the angle of his strong jaw, which was always clenched around her. But now, it was relaxed.
Something inside her chest twisted.
Years ago, she had done this same thing when they were younger, when she’d watch him sleep after long nights of heartfelt conversations, study sessions, and stifled desire.
She reached for the tip of his regal nose, her finger hovering over the bold arch of it, when suddenly strong fingers closed around her wrist.
She gasped, and before she could react, the world flipped.
She found herself under Ram, with her wrists pinned above her head, and his body pressing her down with an unyielding force that stole her breath.
His were dark and glittering.
Flustered, heat rushing to her cheeks, she tried to pull her wrists back, but his grip didn’t ease.
“Something flew on your face,” she said. “So, I just…” Her voice drifted at the lie.
He didn’t say anything.
The heat of his bare chest seared through the thin fabric of her gown. The press of his body against hers was overwhelming, her senses flooding with the nearness she had sworn to hate.
His one hand, strong and unyielding, held her wrists firmly above her head, while the other began tracing the line of her jaw, sending tingles through her body.
Her breath came out in ragged gasps. “Let me go, Ram,” she managed, her voice a mix of shock and desire. But he didn't budge, his gaze never leaving hers.
His hand moved lower and he cupped her breast possessively, his thumb brushing against her erect nipple. The sensation shot through her like a bolt of lightning. Her skin was on fire, and she could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks as she stared up at him, torn between shock and a traitorous arousal that she had no control over.
“You can't do this,” she protested, trying to keep her voice steady.
He leaned in, his breath hot on her skin. “I can, and I will,” he said, and then he bit her neck, hard enough to make her gasp. The sensation was unexpected and overwhelming, a mix of painand pleasure. He licked the spot, his tongue a warm caress that seemed to brand her. Her body betrayed her, arching into his touch despite her mind's fierce protests.
“Let me go, Ram,” she gasped.
