The words barely leave my mouth when I feel the shift in the air. I look up and freeze.
Kavya struts in first, tipsy, flushed, and her curls bouncing with every step. She’s in a deep emerald green dress—fitted, sleeveless, with a slit that shows just enough thigh to make Reyansh twitch beside me.
But I don’t look at him. Not when the hairs on the back of my neck rise as Nisha stumbles in behind Kavya, her arm slung lazily around her sister’s shoulder.
She’s in a wine-red, off-shoulder dress that hugs every inch of her curve and dips dangerously low, making my pulse spike. Delicate tassels trim the hem, swaying with each step she takes. Her hair is half-pinned, a few loose tendrils framing her face, and her eyes are glassy but glowing.
Heads turn in their direction. Not just one or two, but every damn man in that pub turns to look at them. Some subtle. Others not so much. One guy even elbows his friend, nodding towards them like they’re some goddamn dessert.
My jaw ticks, and I feel the heat rise in my chest. This isnotwhat my wife was wearing when she left home earlier. She’d walked out in a simple pair of jeans and a button-down shirt. But I know her too damn well. She loves to rile me up. I’d bet anything she had this outfit tucked away in her bag and changed the moment she was out of my sight.
Right behind them, trailing a few cautious steps back, is Karan, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else but here. His eyes meet mine across the room.
I don’t say a word, just shoot him a glare that screams,How the hell did you let them drink that much?
He just gives me a helpless shrug.
I say nothing, just give a dismissive nod, because I know this wasn’t something he could’ve stopped. Not when it involves my stubborn-as-hell wife.
Karan nods once and bolts away like his shoes just caught fire.
Beside me, Reyansh mutters a curse under his breath and is up in an instant, moving with that controlled rage only he can pull off. I’m right behind him.
“Tell me you didn’t let your wife wear that,” he growls.
“You think I would?” I shoot back, my eyes narrowing as some drunk bastard at a nearby table gives Nisha a full-body glance.
Before he can blink, my hand lands on the man’s shoulder, hard enough to make him jolt. I lean in, my voice low and sharp. “Look again, and I’ll break your jaw.”
He blanches, his hands lifting in surrender. “Didn’t mean anything, man—”
But I’m already past him. I don’t have time to deal with idiots tonight.
By the time we reach the girls, Reyansh is already at Kavya’s side, his arm slipping around her waist as he mutters something in her ear that makes her roll her eyes and laugh even harder. I do the same, closing the distance and wrapping my arms around Nisha. She looks up at me, her eyes lighting up as if she just spotted Santa Claus.
“You’re hereeeee,” she slurs happily, throwing her arms around my neck.
“You’re drunk,” I murmur against her hair, catching the sharp scent of vodka on her breath.
She hums, swaying against me. “And you’re handsome.”
My lips curl into a lazy smile as I pull her closer. “Damn right I’m. Now let’s get you out of here before I put someone through the wall for checking you out.” And it’s not an empty threat. One more glance, and this pub’s going to need new furniture, maybe even a full makeover.
“I love you, my possessive husband,” she giggles, resting her head against my chest.
“I’m taking my wife home,” Reyansh says as he lifts Kavya into his arms and starts towards the exit.
I give him a nod and tighten my grip on Nisha. “Time to go, sweetheart.”
She pouts up at me. “I can’t walk.”
I sigh. “Alright, princess.”
Without missing a beat, I scoop her into my arms, ignoring the stunned stares from the people around us. She giggles into my neck, snuggling closer as I carry her through the pub, out the door, and straight to my car.
I open the passenger side, set her down gently, and buckle her in. She watches me the whole time, her eyes gleaming. I lean in, press a kiss to her forehead and am just about to close the door, when her fingers clutch the front of my shirt, pulling me to her.
I glance at her to see a slow, sexy smile playing on her lips.
