Page 59 of The Unwanted Husband
“The first one tomorrow night. You’ll be taken to the sacred lagoon at sunset by the elder women of the island. It’s beautiful, but also... intense. You’ll be alone with them for hours.”
“Who else will be there with me? I take it you are not going.”
He nodded. “My sisters will be there and Aravinda will lead it. As my elder sister, and the rising Chieftain, it’s her responsibility to determine if the waters accept you.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “Nothing you can’t handle.”
The weight of it settled over her like the humidity in the night air. It wasn’t just about convincing Aravinda but she wanted to perform the ceremony with genuine interest and attention. “I’ll do my best.”
Time passed without either of them saying anything, the sound of waves crashing on the shore at a distance.
“It’s so beautiful here. I’m sure Sami and you missed being away from here.” She knew the pain of not being with family.
He didn’t say anything but only looked out into the ocean. The silence killed her and felt guilty about saying what she said.
She approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Sorry, I–”
“Kiss me,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a note of playful conspiracy. “I suspect Aravinda has eyes on us right now.” He moved his face closer to hers, his breath warm on her cheek. “She’s been watching us all day, analyzing every glance, every gesture. I think she’s trying to figure out if what we have is real.”
If it was the attraction, it was definitely real!
She went up on her toes, the thin material of her robe catching the breeze from the ocean. “And a kiss would convince her?” she asked, though her body was so close to him, drawn by the warmth in his eyes.
“Yes,” he murmured, his hands finding her waist and pulling her closer until there was no space between them. “She needs to see that we can’t help ourselves around each other.”
Their lips met somewhat, gentle at first, then deepening as the moment of bliss overwhelmed them both. His hands tangled in her hair, while hers pressed against his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing unsteadily, he rested his forehead against hers. “There,” he said with a soft laugh, “as long as she wasn’t listening to us. That should convince her that we’re not pretending.”
“And if she was listening?” she whispered, her lips still tingling.
His smile was visible even in the shadows. “Then we’ll find out tomorrow.”
She thought of the sacred lagoon and the rituals and ceremonies she was about to perform the next day. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
He nodded. “I’ll come tomorrow before you leave.” Good night.”
“Why is Aravinda so suspicious?” Isha still could not understand the woman’s reason for suspicion. “Especially since everyone else seems to be convinced.”
Ashok only smiled. “Aravinda knows me best so she is not buying the part where we connected and separated for practical reasons.”
She found it odd that Aravinda would not believe it. “Why? How different would it have been if what we made up was real and we chose to go our own ways?”
Ashok let out a chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” She scrunched her nose.
He only shook his head but did not respond.
Curious about his responses or the lack of, she stepped in front of him to get a good look at him. “Are you going to tell me?”
Ashok held her gaze for a long moment, something mysterious flickering in his dark eyes. “If you and I connected the way we said we did when Ravi and Sami got married…my sister knows that I would have never let you get away. She knows I would have fought for it and been close to you no matter what it took.”
Her mouth went dry when she heard his words, felt her heart thunder in response to the raw emotion in his voice. There was something primal in the way he said it, a possessive edge that made her chest tight with an emotion she wasn’t ready to name. The intensity of his stare made her feel exposed, like he could read her emotions.
As if she lost all control of her actions, she raised her hand to his cheek, her fingers trembling against the rough stubble. The simple contact sent warmth spreading through her chest . And it wasn’t the electric heat of desire this time, but something deeper, more terrifying. Something that felt dangerous.
She rose up on her toes, her lips barely grazing his cheek as she whispered, “Good night,” her breath ghosting across his skin.
And as she started to pull away, the full weight of his words hit her.
