Earlier, when I teased him, I expected him to acknowledge the attraction simmering between us. I anticipated dates and flowers, even, aligning those with the gentle giant who had protected me after my kidnapping. But this? This was pure sensation. I’d woken up a beast, and now it threatened to consume me.
Dear God! He weaved magic using his tongue, his stroke directly tugging at my womb. And lower. All these years, I waited for this. For him. And I’m so glad I did. Nothing could ever come close to Barun’s touch. His scorching kiss. Somehow, I knew that without a doubt.
When he gentled, coaxing my tongue to mate with his, I whimpered in need, a desperate ache taking over my body. My hands reached for him, eager to touch him, explore his musclesand his warmth. I nearly succeeded but for a car door slamming and breaking us apart.
Inhaling a shuddering breath, I watched Barun move away with a muffled curse. I put a hand on my heart, feeling it gallop. Closing my eyes, I leaned back against the seat, trying to catch my breath and failing. My lips were swollen, and my nipples ached for his touch. It was as though he’d drugged me with his kiss.
“This is…shit! I…we… let’s get out of here first.” He declared, his voice hoarse.
From the corner of my eyes, I noticed him adjusting his pants against his straining length. I felt my face heat in response, desire overtaking every other emotion. I didn’t realize I was staring at his crotch, nor did I realize I was licking my lips in anticipation. Not until I heard him groan softly.
“Princess, eyes up here.”
Shocked, I averted my eyes from that part of him, embarrassed to meet his eyes. I felt his finger tipping my chin up, forcing me to look at him. “I’m hanging on by a very thin thread, baby. Don’t look at me with those sexy eyes. I can’t protect you if you distract me.”
Nodding, I looked away, staring out the window and seeing nothing. He was here to protect me… against what? Or rather, who? That one question instantly sobered me, dissipating some of the tension.
Clearing my throat, I nodded again, getting back to being his charge. At least for the moment.
???
Over the next few weeks, too many things happened. Izzy was shot, and bizarrely, that resulted in Gio declaring his love for her. So much so that they got married in a whirlwind ceremony. The only person who was missing was Barun.
After our kiss and a sexually charged ride home, Barun was greeted with an emergency work call from one of his partners. He flew back at once, making the whole incident oddly anticlimactic. My only solace was the fact that he sought me out before he flew out.
“Princess, I have to leave immediately since one of my partners has been shot. This is an emergency, and that’s the only reason I’m leaving your side. Two of my men will be here within the next three hours. I want you to promise me you’ll keep yourself safe. No running outside and certainly no shopping,” he growled, making me smile.
He cupped my cheek, brushing my skin absently. “Promise?”
Swallowing the acute ache in my chest, I nodded. “I will only if you promise to come back soon.”
“I will.” His words sounded more like a vow, making me exhale a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. I wish I could hug him… or something, but after that kiss, I wasn’t sure where we were.
Before I could overthink, Barun pulled me into his arms, kissing me softly on my lips, as if he couldn’t help it anymore than I did. “Stay safe for me, Princess, please.” He placed another kiss on the side of my neck, inhaling once, before getting out of my room.
I stood rooted in the same spot for a good ten minutes, grinning like an idiot. It was pure heaven to experience this new Barun, who was a perfect mix of the best friend who’d checked on me regularly and this new, sexy man who kissed me senseless.
Over the month, I channeled all the pent-up energy into my project, building a site that I was developing for long-distance therapy and counseling. I still hadn’t discussed this with my brothers, but I was sure they would be nothing but proud of this venture. For the last two years, I had a very successful blog and community space where I helped women come out of difficult situations. Even if I couldn’t help them myself, I directed them to organizations and people who could. All under the guise of a virtual profile with no face and no address.
Apart from work, there was Izzy, who I spent most of my time with. I nursed her back to health, particularly when Gio had to step away. Security had tightened around the house, and only men who had worked for this family for a decade or more were allowed inside. Noah and Rhett seemed tense, although they were frustratingly tight-lipped about the whole thing.
Barun checked on me regularly, making me miss him more than I could admit. His impersonal texts did nothing to soothe my heart. One taste of his kiss, his arms around me, and I was addicted. I felt his absence acutely and wanted him back.
Watching my brothers and Gio fall in love, get married, stirred something in me so deeply. A craving to have my man, my own family. And the only man who could give me that was my knight. Sighing, I wandered through the hallway, unconsciously moving toward the study when I heard my name being spoken.
“What happened? Why the fuck are you all grim?”
I gasped. That was Barun’s voice. When did he come in? Why didn’t he come to me first? Was he planning to leave again?
“It’s Katy,” Rhett answered.
“What about her? Is she okay?” I could hear the panic in Barun’s voice, frowning at how serious they all sounded. Was this only because of Izzy getting shot? Or was there something else? To my frustration, the conversation turned muffled. I paused for a second before pushing the door open.
“I think this is the right time to send her to Tinselford as we’d planned earlier,” I heard Rhett declare.
What!?“No!” I shook my head, tears pooling in my eyes. “I don’t want to leave you both. Please,” I whispered, unconsciously looking at Barun, hoping he’d make it better. But he seemed etched in stone, choosing to observe rather than act.
Noah got up and pulled me in for a hug. “We’ll visit you, honey. You need to be safe. We can’t have history repeat itself.” He pleaded, the pain on his face illuminating his dark fears.
