Page 24 of Twisted Deceit
“Stay here.”
She rolled her eyes, wondering what else he expected her to do but stay behind the door. Follow him and seduce him? She could drive him away by doing so, but with the effect he had on her, it might lead her down a dangerous path. One she couldn’t return from.
She hugged the cold door further when he returned like she wasn’t plastered to it already. She took the white t-shirt he handed her, grateful Meenabai didn’t pull the same stunt on him. “Thank you!”
Aadhya pulled the t-shirt over her head; glad she had something on. It didn’t matter that it was thin material that didn’t stand a chance against her perked nipples or that the hem of his t-shirt barely covered her bottom. She was good as long as her panty didn’t show as she ran to the safety of the sheets on the bed.
“What is it with your missing clothes?” He asked from the other side of the closet door.
She let out a sigh. “Let’s just say there is a lot of determination by a specific person to get us to consummate the marriage.”
“And you had no idea?” He challenged.
“No. I did not. Believe me when I say that.” He didn’t prolong the conversation, so she removed the bangles and other jewelry she could and placed them on the shelf. She could not take off a few alone and decided to leave them on for the night.
Relief swept over her when she realized he was still in the bathroom when she stepped out of the closet. She made a beeline to the bed that was yet again set up with flowers and slid under the sheets. She was starving and looking forward to the specials that Meenabai discussed but didn’t want to be spotted in what she had on.
“So, you weren’t generous enough to donate all your bangles?” He dropped the single bangle she had placed on the tray to sign him up for the fight on the bed in front of her.
She slowly reached for it and slipped it over her wrist without looking at him. Thankfully, he had changed into a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. “You have to believe me. It was my first time attending a Kanwar carnival, and I didn’t know the rules.”
His eyes held suspicion. “I didn’t see you stop the fight.” He took a step closer.
“I-I didn’t know what was happening. The outfit with the veil, the jewelry, it was a lot for me to process, and before I realized it, you were in the ring to start the fight.” The last thing she had expected him to do.Fight and Win!
“Do you think you can drive me away by scaring me with a fight?” He looked pissed, and rightfully so, given the circumstances.
She held her chin up as he held his glare, even as she was intimidated by his proximity and her lack of proper clothing under the sheets. “You must believe me when I say I didn’t—”
“I don’t,” he snapped, adding, “Now that you know your silly stunts won’t affect me, don’t sweat it, darling wife.”
She nodded, realizing it was best not to prolong the conversation. She didn’t want to push him to the point where he would consider taking her away from the Kanwar mansion.
“And what’s with touching my feet every time?” She could hear the growl in his voice.
“It’s a tradition.” It annoyed him, and she got cheap thrills. “Nani told me I have to do it, especially after events and in public ceremonies.”
He nodded and ran his eyes over her face as if to get a read on her, and she inadvertently lowered her eyes, pulling the sheets around her a bit closer. “You made everyone proud by winning the fight.” It was the truth that she wasn’t happy about, but shared it in hopes of mellowing him down.
“Really?” She was relieved when he walked over to where the food and drinks were set up. “What did you think?”
Taken aback by his question, she let out a chuckle. “I’m still in shock. I-I didn’t know you knew how to fight with a spear. It is a Kanwar—”
“It’s part of the Singoor traditions; that’s how I know it,” he interjected.
“How-how did you learn how to fight like that in America?” She was genuinely curious.
“It was part of the plan. We trained from birth to take over the region, train in every clan’s fighting skill, drill oil, and ruin the region.” He almost spat the last few words, and she gasped. It was more a reaction to the anger in his tone than the actual words. “Isn’t that what you think?”
“No. That’s not why I asked. It’s not common for Thakvars to know spear fight so well, and I was…” her voice trailed off when she caught the look on his face. “Not trying to probe, just curious.”
He nodded and walked over to the table where the food was set up. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“No, I’m not hungry. Good night.” She slid flat under the sheets, and just like she had the night before, she placed a pillow in the middle of the bed and closed her eyes. After angering him with the spear fight, she was glad she didn’t need to convince him to stay in the Kanwar mansion and not move to the Thakvar mansion.
Another small win!
Chapter 11
