He had stepped out of the shower and was standing in front of the marble counter tending to his injuries on his shoulder. He didn’t let anyone in the household tend to them except her. He was keeping the attack a secret from his father for some reason.
She hadn’t asked him about it, knowing she wouldn’t get a reply from him.
I hate him!
Her heart thudded at seeing the intensity in his eyes as he looked at her when she went closer. Her heart thudded even more loudly as she recalled the passionate moments in the oasis before the attack occurred. The feel of his lips and the roughness of his fingers and palm were branded in her mind and body.
The look in his eyes made her think he was recalling the same. Her heart jerked when he suddenly cupped her jaw. And then, he lowered his head until his lips brushed against hers.
Her eyes fell shut, and her lips tingled, craving his taste. But she opened her eyes again when his lips left hers. He was watching her with a clenched jaw.
“So beautiful and so dangerous,” he murmured deeply.
“I’m not dangerous,” she whispered.
Slowly, his mouth twisted. “There is a new scar on my back for each month of our marriage, my dear wife,” he said. “And it’s only been three months. I wonder if there will be space left on my back for the months to come.”
He had four wicked-looking scars, most on his back.
Her cheeks heated at his soft taunt.
She was only responsible for the attack on their wedding night. And that too because she was told he would only be incapacitated and threatened to leave Singoor rather than be attacked with an intent to fatally injure him.
“They were Kabalis! Not my clansmen!” she repeated for what seemed to be the hundredth time.
His eyes remained darkly mocking.
She dragged her gaze away from his when her eyes began to prickle with angry, hurt tears. She pulled out the first-aid kit and began to tend to his injuries.
It infuriated her that she was feeling hurt by the man who was a ruthless businessman pretending to be the heir of a powerful clan.
I should be searching for more clues of his lies than craving for his kisses and touch!
Her thoughts were interrupted when someone called her name. She turned to see a maid.
“Madam, sir has requested your presence.”
“Which sir?” she asked.
“Shivay sir.”
Shivay Thakvar was hardly the kind to request her presence. She could imagine his command to bring his wife to him right away.
She almost wanted to refuse to go to him, but she didn’t want to drag the poor maid into the marital scuffle.
I hate him!
He treated her coldly but expected her to be an obedient wife who did his bidding.
Putting on a small smile, she followed the maid into the mansion. The maid led her to the private living room that remained unused most of the time. She had spent some time there looking at the portraits of the Thakvar ancestors. Curious as to why her devil husband was spending time there, she hurried her steps.
Masculine laughter could be heard from inside which surprised her. It didn’t sound like Mihir Thakvar’s laughter. The person laughing sounded younger. It was definitely not Shivay Thakvar. It couldn’t be! The man could only have a mocking smile on his face and not full-blown laughter. Intrigued and angry that she was strongly attracted and drawn to a man like Shivay Thakvar, she stepped into the family suite.
She saw her devil husband first. He was with Mihir Thakvar and another man. The other man seemed slightly familiar, and Mihir Thakvar was smiling and hugging him. She was surprised when she saw her father-in-law surreptitiously wiping his tears.
“Ishani!” her father-in-law greeted her with a smile.
“Good morning, Papa.”