Page 26 of Twisted Deceit
“No. No. The food tonight is supposed to be spicy and I wasn’t sure if you were okay with it.” How she was coming up with the lies, she had no idea.
Her stomach growled loudly, and she knew eating and returning to sleep was best. As if the universe was watching out for her, he looked away when his phone started to ring. She slipped off the bed when he excused himself to take the phone call.
She took a plate, loaded up everything she wanted in a small heap and returned to bed. She sat back on the bed, her body securely covered with the sheets as she downed the yummy food. She was starving and knew she might make another trip to fill her plate if Nakul wasn’t around and she wasn’t sporting his t-shirt with a lace panty underneath it.
Shortly after, Aadhya was halfway through her dessert serving of food when she heard him step back into the bedroom from the balcony. She looked at him, somewhat grateful for his phone call so she could move around the bedroom and use the restroom before attacking the sweets. The sugar seemed to help, and she felt a bit relaxed.
“Are you going to keep doing that?” She eyed his phone. “You should run your business from where it’s the easiest. It’s hard to get cellular and internet coverage here.”
Maybe he’ll have an epiphany and leave Singoor, and she can go with him? Getting away from him at that point, she can figure it out.
“I have everything I need here, including a wife,” his tone was taunting as he added, “Why would I want to be anywhere else?”
“Fake wife,” she said in a lowered voice, adding, “But the Kanwar responsibilities are not easy. As the heir’s husband, you have to care for the people of our clan, not just your business.” She hoped something would want him to leave the region.
He looked at her for a long moment. “My father gave up a life with his loving wife and children for this region. What makes you think I won’t be able to care for them?”
A small gasp escaped her in response to the intensity in his voice. He had to be a good actor either to have made his words so truthful, or he truly cared for the people of the region.
Mihir Thakvar had done great work for the region, and her aunt greatly respected the family. No wonder her aunt was so happy when she found out she married a Thakvar. She looked away from him, unable to respond to his question.
“Tomorrow night, we have to go out of the country. We will be away for a few days.” He wasn’t asking her, and that annoyed her.
“Out of the country? I’m too tired to go anywhere. And my classes are starting soon. You go.” Her mind was racing with ideas. Maybe she could get away from Singoor and stay with one of her friend’s cousins or another friend until he stopped looking for her.
She would tell her aunt that she had to attend her first session, go to the city, and stay there. It seemed like the only way to escape the unwanted man and the marriage.
Nakul Thakvar was resourceful and knew he would find her.
“No.” His response, accompanied by the smirk, rubbed her the wrong way.
“What do you mean no?” Her large eyes followed him as he got close to her, too close.
He held her gaze for a long moment, and her breathing became shallow. “Let me remind you that the contract you drafted had the clause thatyou, my wife, will accompany me on any travel.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Required. The statement says only for required travel. I’m not going.” She folded her arms in front of her.
“Sure, but I’d like you to explain to your aunt why ahoneymoonwith your new husband is not required.” He stood tall, hands on his hips, a sly smile on his wickedly handsome face. “I’d be entertained.”
“Fine. I’ll go.” She let out a low yet frustrated growl and sunk under the sheets, having mixed emotions about the travel with him. It was what she had dreamed of doing, which was why she had added the clause, but she didn’t hold the excitement she had before. The treacherous fake husband ruined it all with his stupid charade.
“Good night.” He turned away from her.
Her heated glare followed him as he walked to the other side of the bed to land his body on the mattress and, within minutes, fall asleep like nothing in the world bothered him. She looked at him as he slept, turned away from her, his chest bare as he slept in just the shorts he had on.
Her eyes took in the dips and peaks of his muscles on his back and looked away, unable to control her raging curiosity. She wanted to know what those muscles felt like. She looked up at the ceiling like praying to the heavens for strength.
How could she feel such a pull toward him after what he had done and what he was putting her through?
Chapter 12
“How is the Kanwar heiress doing?” Shivay asked while Nakul was on the phone the following day. “I hope she is feeling better now.”
“She’s doing good.” He let out a low laugh. She was having fun torturing him, for sure. And the worst part, he couldn’t tell if she intended to get him worked up with every interaction. He was going to watch her closely. She would go to any new lengths to get out of the marriage.
Just like she convinced a stranger to get into a marriage contract with her.
“Hope the Kanwar clan is welcoming.” Shivay maintained a calm demeanor.
