A spark, for the one who set mine alight.
What!? Jewellery? Really? Enough was enough!!
Marching over to the next room, where mybodyguardwas stationed, I gave a cursory knock before opening the door with a force that was backed by my fury. Inside, the door closed behind me just as Barun walked in from the balcony. He’d unbuttoned his white shirt fully, and his denims were riding dangerously low on his hips.
Oh, my God! My treacherous heart stuttered at the sight of his naked chest. My mind shot back to the night my hands had explored his hard muscles, making my center throb inremembered pleasure. Words failed me despite my attempts to voice my displeasure. Clearing my throat, I tried again, this time glancing at the jewellery box in my hand.
Stomping my foot, I walked ahead and hit his chest with the box. “Jewellery? Really?” I glared for good measure, ignoring my pulse that skittered at his proximity. I didn’t want to talk about the note that I secretly loved and hid in my safe.
The box fell to the ground without a sound when Barun pulled me to him. I let out a gasp of surprise at the unexpected touch. I wasn’t prepared for his touch, which brought in all my longing and dormant feelings. Straining myself away from him, I stumbled back, falling on the bed.
I couldn’t scramble up fast enough; Barun was on top of me, holding my hands above my head with minimal effort. “Finally! Seeing that the jewellery’s what brought you to me, I’d take that as a win any day.”
I squirmed, glaring at his smirk. Win? As if! Turning my face away, I closed my eyes when his lips ghosted over the side of my neck. No, I couldn’t fall for him. Not now, not without him regaining my trust. Biting my lip to stop the moan, my eyelids squeezed shut. Holding myself still, it took all my self-control not to melt against him.
“Baby, I can feel your nipples poking my chest. I’ve been dying to tear this dress off of you this whole evening. I’m so fucking hard for you right now,” he murmured, brushing his thumb over my pulse and moving his hips against my core.
A gasp tore out of my mouth at the heated contact. All it would take was one movement, and I would be his again. But I didn’t want that, not without his word he wouldn’t hurt me again. Witha strength I didn’t know I possessed, I shoved Barun away before sitting up. Smoothing my hair and my dress, I jumped out of bed to run to the door.
Turning around, I looked at the sexy man in front of me, whose eyes promised sinful pleasure.
“I’m surprised you didn’t check with my brothers before touching me. Or, is that a secret, too?” I snapped, wanting to thump his head for treating me like a damsel in distress with no mind of my own.
“Princess.” He moved forward, making me glare at him.
“Don’t princess me. And don’t you dare try bribing me with jewellery!?” My mouth tightened in annoyance, wanting him to know he’d fucked up. The moron didn’t realize that was all he had to do.
#21
Barun
“How long are you going to pout?” Gio asked me lazily, sipping his beer. The Falcone brothers looked amused at Gio’s observation and my resulting glare. The four of us were having a poker night with some beer and chips.
“None of your fucking business,” I snapped, shoving some chips in my mouth.
“Translates to ‘I am still in the doghouse’,” Rhett smirked, making me wish I could punch him and get away with it.
“Ten days seems like a long time,” Noah mused, sipping his beer thoughtfully. “Knowing my sister, she is holding on for a specific reason. Hmm! What did you do? Or not?”
“Short of groveling, everything else,” I muttered, staring moodily at the board.
“Did you try apologizing?” Noah asked me dryly, seemingly exasperated with all the drama. I couldn’t blame him. The girls were all ignoring me, clearly on Katy’s side. Although Izzysneaked some ginger cookies into my room. With the clear divide, the men weren’t too happy.
“I… tried to do that with jewellery that I handpicked. I added a heartfelt note, too.”
Rhett snorted. “Really? Expensive gifts?”
“You sound like your sister. She had the same reaction to my gift.” I drowned all the remaining beer in my bottle, annoyed with the entire situation.
“Newsflash, jackass, my sister is a badass who can get her own jewellery or anything else she wants. All she wants from you is your trust. Through an apology. Ever heard of the word ‘sorry’?”
“Newsflash, asshole, I am in this position thanks to you and your brother here. I wasn’t the one who wanted to lie to her, remember?”
Noah shrugged while Rhett sniggered. “But we aren’t the ones she’s mad at, isn’t it? We both made peace with her one whole week ago.” Rhett answered in a voice that set my blood pounding.
“I’m done here.” Getting up from the table, I walked up to my room, my heart aching for one golden girl who had the power to break my heart. Coming up with a sudden plan, I messaged Izzy, hoping she’d help me.
Ten minutes later, when I was added to a group named “Project Happily Ever After”, I knew I had the blessings of the ladies. Smiling, I finally understood why men like my half-brother and the Falcones, who didn’t hesitate to kill, were putty with their women.
