Page 73 of Twisted Alliance

“S-Shivay…” she began.

His eyes flashed, hearing her call his name.

“Go and freshen up,” he said.

She watched as he went to a corner of the tent and began lighting the lamps. Biting her lip, she went to the small changing room and attached bathroom. She removed the rest of her clothes that were dusted with sand. Using the stored cool water, she washed off the fine sand from her body. Due to her veil, her hair escaped the worst of the sand, but she still gave it a quick wash.

She used one of the long cotton cloths to dry her hair and body, but she hesitated when she had to put her clothes back on. She didn’t want to put on clothes that were dusted with sand.

But that would mean being half naked in front of Shivay Thakvar.

He is my husband.

He had kissed and touched her. And she had seen him changing in front of her as well.There is nothing to be ashamed of.

With her heart thumping loudly, she wrapped the long cloth around her body and stepped out.

The sunlight was fading outside, and the tent was lit up with the soft lighting of the lamps. Keeping her eyes lowered, she went to the seating and dining area of the tent.

When she felt the burn of his eyes on her, she looked up. Her heart jerked when his eyes flared intensely while he took in her body wrapped in a thin cotton cloth and her long hair left loose.

Goose bumps peppered her skin, and she could feel the tips of her breasts harden underneath the thin cotton cloth. Fighting the need to cross her arms over her chest, she returned his gaze. Moments passed, and she felt the air crackle between them. The wind was howling outside, but the sound of it was drowned out with the drumming of her heart.

He watched her for a long moment before turning away and disappearing into the changing area and then the bathroom.

Her heart heaved, and she felt oddly disappointed.

‘You are mad,’a voice inside her whispered.‘How can you desire his touch when he clearly hates you and expects you to betray him again?’

But she did crave him and his touch.

Even when she thought he was a fraud and planned to seduce him to win his trust, she was strongly drawn to him. And now that she discovered the truth about him, the desire she felt turned into an intense need.

Sucking in a deep breath, she tried to distract herself. She went to the table where there was dried food under covered dishes. She could see dates, nuts, and other dried fruits. She wasn’t hungry and couldn’t think of food due to her fluttering stomach. So she poured a glass of the liquid that was kept in a container.

The first sip made her cough as it was strong. It tasted like herbal tea, only much stronger. She almost reached for the water jug, but she didn’t. The fermented herbal drink left a trail of warmth in her fluttering stomach, relaxing her. She slowly took more sips of the strong herbal drink.

By the time she finished the glass, she felt much better. She even had some dried dates and figs with some walnuts.

The tent had no windows, but she could still hear the howling wind outside while the sandstorm continued. Her eyes fell on the lamps, and she hoped there was enough oil or wax to keep them burning until morning.

The bed behind the thick carpet partition looked the same as on their wedding night. But she didn’t want to lie down on it. Despite the long day, she wasn’t tired at all. Her body buzzed with restless energy. She went to the small dining area, wondering if she should have another glass of the sweet yet strong herbal drink. She picked up the empty glass.

Just when she stood by the table contemplating, she felt heat prickling her back. She turned, only to let out a soft gasp when her eyes met with a familiar dark gaze. She hadn’t heard him return.

His body and hair were wet, indicating he must have taken a bath as well. Like her, he was only wearing a long cotton cloth wrapped around his hips, leaving his entire upper body bare. His muscled chest and arms glistened in the soft lighting from the lamps.

“I-I was having a drink. It’s delicious. You should try some too. There are also dried fruits and nuts that are good. You should have them…” Her words trailed off when she realized she was talking too fast due to her nervousness.

His eyes fell on the empty glass she held in her hands. When his gaze met hers again, there was an unreadable expression on his face. That’s when she realized she was offering him a drink, and he must be thinking it was drugged like the last time.

Oh God.

Her heart began thudding when he came closer to her. Her stomach once again began quivering, and she held her breath when he stood in front of her.

She had to raise her head to meet his eyes. She expected dark anger inside them, but her heart jerked when she saw something else. Desire.

He didn’t touch her even as they stood with their eyes locked only a few inches from each other. She could feel the raw heat from him, and her eyes fell on a drop of water that dripped from his hair, traveled down his muscled chest, and disappeared into the cloth at his waist. Her heart drummed faster when her eyes swept over his powerful legs and the big bulge. There was no mistaking his potent desire barely concealed by the cloth.

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