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“I will try,” she replied.
As they swayed together, she couldn't resist needling him again.
“But trust me, I never heard of something like this in my whole life. Group of exes? Together? Partying? Have you ever wondered what they talk about in their little club? Will they invite me to join after we 'break up'?” She grinned impishly.
Ranveer's jaw clenched. “Maya, enough,” he warned sharply.
“Scared I’ll give away your secrets to them?” she continued to tease.
Ranveer yanked her closer, his eyes burning. “Don't push me too far,” he growled.
“I think I will join them. I would love to.”
Maya gasped as Ranveer suddenly jerked her flush against him, his eyes blazing. Before she could react, his mouth descended on hers in a savage, punishing kiss.
Maya stiffened, shocked by the raw hunger in his kiss. His lips moved fiercely over hers, possessive and demanding. When she tried to turn her head away, Ranveer grasped her chin, holding her in place as his tongue plunged past her lips.
Her weak protests died in her throat, replaced by an unwilling moan. This was the first kiss of her life and that too a punishing one. Maya clutched at his shoulders, dizzy with the intensity of his kiss as he deepened the kiss further, his tongue tangling hotly with hers. Before Maya could stop him, Ranveer bit down sharply on her lower lip. She cried out at the sting, tasting blood. Ranveer lifted his head, his chest heaving and eyes wild.
“I warned you,” he rasped. Maya trembled, raising a hand to her swollen, throbbing lip. She had pushed him too far, unleashing this raw, dominant side of him. But this wasn’t what she expected or even deserved.
Ranveer's heated gaze devoured her, his desire barely leashed now. “No more games, Maya. You're playing with fire.”
Chapter 19
Maya seethed in silence, still fuming over that punishing kiss. She itched to slap Ranveer, to vent her rage and humiliation.
Before she could act, he spun her abruptly, her back colliding with his chest.
“Save your temper for later,” he murmured in her ear. “We have an audience.”
Maya's eyes darted around, taking in the curious gazes and camera flashes pointed their way. Heat flooded her cheeks as she realized they had witnessed that intimate moment.
She instinctively tried to pull away, but Ranveer held her firmly against him. Mortified, Maya wished she could flee this party and Ranveer's arms forever.
But escape was impossible with his iron grip on her. She was trapped here with him, forced to continue this charade under the scrutiny of his judgmental social circle.
Maya had never felt so powerless and resentful. Ranveer had crossed a line, robbing her of control and dignity with that punishing kiss. Later, when they were alone, she would make him pay for such public humiliation. For now, she had no choice but to play the dutiful girlfriend under the watchful eyes surrounding them.
Ranveer’s phone vibrated in his pocket, and he left her in an attempt to check the call. The moment his grip on her loosened, Maya walked off from there. He picked up the call while his gaze followed her movements.
In the restroom, Maya inspected her reflection. Ranveer's bruising kiss had left her lips swollen and reddened. She splashed cool water on her face, scrubbing as if to wash away his claim on her. A voice behind her made Maya whirl around. A tall woman named Aisha introduced herself as sent by “the boss” to check on her. One of Ranveer's minions, no doubt.
Maya dismissed her curtly and headed back out, spotting a missed call from her mother. She needed privacy to call her back. With Aisha shadowing her persistently, Maya's frustration mounted.
“Why are you following me?” she demanded.
“Boss's orders,” Aisha replied impassively. “I won't interrupt your business though.”
Maya seethed as understanding struck. Ranveer had sicced a bodyguard on her, either to monitor her, or perversely, protect her from himself. Only if Aisha could also shield her from the man who had just forcefully staked his claim on her before an audience.
The kiss had been a vulgar display of dominance by Ranveer. Now he was trying to control her movements too. Maya bristled at this latest insult refusing to be leashed like a pet.
Ranveer would regret underestimating her; she would make certain of it. For now, she had no option but to tolerate her stoic shadow. When Maya returned to the party, she deliberately avoided Ranveer, still simmering with anger. Dhruv's cheerful company was a welcome distraction. Unlike his brother and father, he seemed genuinely kind. But Maya reserved judgment - it was too soon to fully trust any of the Malhotra or Maliks.
After an hour, Ranveer rejoined them, finished with his business dealings. “We should leave,” he informed Maya. “Dhruv, we'll drop you home.”
“Are you sure, Bro? I don’t want to intrude on your privacy.”
