Chapter 9

The night was still young the fire between them was unstoppable now.

Aaradhya lay beneath Vijayendra, her breath coming in soft, uneven gasps as he hovered over her, his dark, intense eyes drinking her in.

She should have pushed him away. She should have fought him.

But her body refused to obey.

His lips traced the edge of her jaw, slow and deliberate, before moving to her throat. His warm breath sent shivers down her spine, and when he bit down lightly, a gasp escaped her lips.

“You don’t want me to stop,” he whispered against her skin, his voice thick with desire.

Aaradhya’s fingers curled into the bedsheet, her body betraying her once again.

Vijayendra smirked, his hands roaming over her waist, fingers tracing slow, teasing patterns over her bare skin.

His lips trailed lower, kissing her collarbone, then down the curve of her shoulder, before he found his way back to her stomach.

Her breath hitched when his lips pressed against the soft skin just above her navel.

His fingers played with the delicate golden chain wrapped around her waist, tugging at it, letting it snap against her skin.

A soft whimper escaped her lips, her back arching slightly at the sensation.

Vijayendra groaned low in his throat. “I love this sound,” he murmured, his fingers sliding lower, gripping her waist firmly.

Aaradhya clenched her jaw, fighting the overwhelming heat coursing through her body.

“Vijayendra, stop,” she breathed, though her voice lacked conviction.

His smirk deepened. “Tell me you don’t want this, buwi sa,” he whispered, his lips brushing over her stomach once more. “Say it, and I’ll stop.”

Aaradhya shut her eyes, her heart pounding.

But she couldn’t say it.

Because it would be a lie.

Vijayendra chuckled darkly, knowing he had won.

His mouth traveled lower, pressing lingering kisses down her stomach, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin before biting it lightly.

'Ohh..umm"

A moan slipped past her lips before she could stop it.

Her face burned in humiliation.

Vijayendra groaned, gripping her hips tighter. “You have no idea how much I want you right now,” he growled, his voice rough with desire.

Aaradhya gasped as his lips trailed back up, capturing hers in a deep, possessive kiss.

Her fingers found their way into his hair, gripping tightly as he pulled her closer, his body pressing against hers.

The heat between them was unbearable, intoxicating.

And when his lips found her throat once more, when his hands gripped her waist possessively—

Aaradhya stopped thinking altogether.

She was drowning in him.

And she didn’t want to be saved.

.

.

The early morning light spilled through the windows, casting a golden hue over the room. The air was thick with the remnants of last night’s passion, and Aaradhya could still feel the lingering warmth of Vijayendra’s touch on her skin.

She sat before the mirror, her hair cascading down her back in soft waves as she fastened her earrings. The heavy lehenga skirt sat low on her waist revealing her mouth wattering waist, which had a thin gold chain shining, the blouse hugging her curves, leaving her back bare as she reached for her dupatta.

But before she could drape it over herself, she felt it—

A presence behind her.

Warm fingers traced her bare spine, slow and deliberate.

She shivered.

Her gaze flickered up to the mirror, and she met his eyes. Dark. Hooded. Filled with something raw and dangerous.

Vijayendra stood behind her, shirtless, his muscular frame taut with restraint. His morning stubble made him look even more rugged, more sinful.

He had been watching her.

“You should wear this quickly, Biwi sa,” he murmured, his fingers sliding down to the soft curve of her waist, pressing it in both hand.

Aaradhya stiffened, but the traitorous flutter in her stomach betrayed her.

“I—I was about to,” she stammered, but her voice faltered when he tugged her closer, pressing himself against her bare back.

“You should,” he whispered against her ear, his lips brushing her skin. “Before I lose control.”

Her breath hitched.

His fingers found the delicate chain still resting on her waist from last night, tugging at it teasingly, making her stomach tighten.

“Vijayendra…” she started, but the moment she tried to move away, he spun her around in one swift motion.

A gasp left her lips as she found herself trapped against the dresser, her bare back pressed to the cool wood, his body caging hers in.

The heat in his eyes burned through her.

“You think I didn’t see you,” he murmured, his fingers tilting her chin up. “Sitting here, looking like this… tempting me first thing in the morning.”

Aaradhya’s breath came in shallow pants as he leaned down, his lips barely an inch from hers.

“You were tempting yourself,” she countered, trying to sound firm, but her voice was nothing more than a whisper.

Vijayendra chuckled darkly, his lips grazing her cheek, then her jaw.

“Maybe I was,” he admitted, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses down her neck.

A helpless whimper escaped her lips, and she hated how easily he unravelled her.

His hands slid down her back, gripping her waist as he pulled her flush against him. The hard planes of his body pressed into her softness, making her dizzy with heat.

“Vijayendra, stop,” she whispered, but her hands betrayed her, sliding up his bare chest.

He growled low, taking her wrists and pinning them behind her, his lips capturing her mouth in a slow, consuming kiss.

Aaradhya melted against him, her knees weakening as his mouth dominated hers, his tongue teasing and demanding entrance at the same time which she denied making him groan the suddenly she gasped when his hands moved lower, gripping her by the waist chain, pulling her even closer.

“This,” he murmured, letting the cool metal snap against her skin, “drives me insane.”

Her entire body shuddered.

Before she could react, he lifted her effortlessly onto the dresser, his hands spreading over her bare waist as he kissed her even deeper, devouring her completely.

Aaradhya’s fingers tangled in his hair as she gave in, letting the morning sun witness her downfall.

She should have stopped him.

But she didn’t want to.

Not when he kissed her like this.

Not when his touch burned her skin.

Not when her heart betrayed her, beating wildly for a man she was supposed to hate.

The morning sun turned into golden streaks across the room, illuminating the couple wrapped in an undeniable pull of desire.

Aaradhya’s breath hitched as she remained perched on the dresser, Vijayendra’s firm grip on her waist, keeping her locked against him. The heat of his hands, the way his fingertips traced slow, deliberate patterns on her bare skin—it was driving her insane.

His dark, hooded eyes roamed over her, lingering at the delicate curve of her waist, the soft rise and fall of her chest.

“You look sinful like this,” he murmured, his voice rough with need. “Like you were made for me.”

Aaradhya’s heart pounded.

Because of the way he was looking at her—like she was his obsession, his addiction—made her body burn with an unfamiliar, undeniable ache.

His hands moved to her waist chain, fingers toying with the cool metal resting against her warm skin. He tugged at it, letting it snap lightly against her stomach, making her shudder.

“This little thing,” he murmured, his lips ghosting over her bare shoulder, “is a cruel distraction.”

Aaradhya sucked in a breath as his mouth trailed lower, pressing open-mouthed kisses down her collarbone, his tongue teasing her heated skin.

Her fingers curled into his shoulders, desperate to hold onto something as her senses spiraled.

“Vijayendra…” she whispered, her voice betraying her weakness.

He groaned at the way his name fell from her lips, his control slipping further.

His mouth trailed lower, lower—his hands spreading over her stomach, splaying against her soft skin as he kissed just above her navel, suckin* it hardly.

She gasped, her thighs clenching involuntarily around his waist.

His smirk was dangerous, his hands pushing up her blouse just slightly, his lips teasing her exposed stomach. He nipped at the sensitive skin, making her whimper.

Her head fell back against the mirror, eyes squeezing shut as the pleasure coiled tight inside her.

“You’re trembling,” he whispered against her navel, his tongue tracing slow, burning patterns along her waist. “Should I stop?”

Aaradhya’s nails dug into his shoulders. “No,” she breathed before she could stop herself.

Vijayendra let out a low growl, gripping her waist tighter as his lips claimed her navel again, sucking , kissing , biting , licking and devouring her in a way that left no doubt—

She was his.

Every gasp, every moan, every desperate shudder—she belonged to him in this moment.

Aaradhya didn’t know when her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. She didn’t know when her body arched into his, begging for more.

All she knew was that the morning sun had never felt this intoxicating.

And neither had he.

Aaradhya’s breath came in uneven gasps, her fingers gripping the edge of the dresser for support. Her body was trapped between Vijayendra’s firm hold and the cold wood behind her. His lips trailed scorching kisses along her stomach, his hands teasing the delicate curve of her waist as if he had all the time in the world.

She knew where this was heading.

And from the way his body pressed against hers, the heat in his eyes, the possessiveness in his touch—he was going to claim her. Completely.

Her heart pounded, her mind dizzy with a mix of resistance and undeniable want.

"Vijayendra…" she whispered, trying to regain some semblance of control, but he only smirked against her skin, his hands sliding to her back toward the string of her blouse, pulling her even closer.

“You say my name like that,” he murmured, his tongue licking over her navel before moving around, “and expect me to stop?”

A shiver ran down her spine.

She had never seen him like this. So completely lost in her.

Just as his fingers trailed lower, as his mouth pressed dangerously close to the sensitive skin of her cleavage—

A loud knock echoed through the room.

Aaradhya’s eyes flew open.

Vijayendra let out a sharp curse, his grip tightening on her as if refusing to let her go.

The door creaked open slightly.

“Thakurain-sa," a hesitant voice spoke from outside. "Badi Thakurain has asked for you downstairs.”

Aaradhya stiffened.

His mother.

Vijayendra’s jaw clenched. His hands remained on her waist, his breathing still uneven.

For a moment, silence stretched between them.

Then, after what felt like forever, he exhaled sharply and stepped back, though his fingers still lingered on her skin.

Aaradhya pushed at his chest lightly, taking the opportunity to slip away.

She turned to the mirror, her cheeks burning as she hastily tried to fix her disheveled state.

But Vijayendra was far from done.

Before she could even grab her dupatta, his arms snaked around her from behind, pulling her flush against his chest.

“Vijayendra, stop—” she protested, her voice breathless.

But he only chuckled, his lips grazing the shell of her ear.

“I let you go once,” he whispered, his hands trailing dangerously slow over her stomach. “Do you really think I’ll let you escape so easily?”

Aaradhya’s pulse raced.

She tried to step forward, but his grip tightened, his fingers playing with the knot of her lehenga.

“Vijayendra!” she gasped, turning her head to glare at him.

He smirked, his eyes filled with wicked amusement. “I love seeing you flustered, Biwi.”

Aaradhya shoved him away, hurriedly wrapping her dupatta around her. She grabbed her jewelry with shaking hands, fumbling with the delicate bangles.

Vijayendra leaned against the dresser, watching her struggle with pure male satisfaction.

“I should just tell Maa that her bahu is too busy with her husband,” he teased.

Aaradhya shot him a glare, her hands still trembling as she secured her necklace.

But before she could step away, he reached forward, his fingers grazing her waist once more.

“I’ll continue this later,” he murmured, his thumb pressing into her skin just above her waistband.

Aaradhya’s breath caught.

And then, before she could retaliate, he stepped back with a smirk, leaving her flustered, burning, and completely undone.

Aaradhya took a deep breath, steadying herself before stepping into the grand hall where Badi Thakurain sat on the large, intricately carved wooden chair. The moment her eyes met her mother-in-law’s, a sharp gaze swept over her, taking in every detail.

She knew she was late. And she knew she was in trouble.

Badi Thakurain’s lips pressed into a thin line. “It’s almost noon, Aaradhya,” she said in a cold, clipped tone. “A newlywed bahu sleeping this late? Is this what your mother taught you?”

Aaradhya lowered her gaze, pressing her lips together to contain the irritation bubbling inside her. Of course, her delay wasn’t entirely her fault. But how could she possibly explain that her husband had kept her trapped in his arms, making it nearly impossible for her to even get ready, let alone come downstairs on time?

Before she could respond, Vijayendra’s deep voice interrupted.

“Maa, you can’t blame my wife,” he drawled lazily, stepping into the room with that same smirk still playing on his lips. “She’s not used to sleeping so late. But, well… I kept her occupied.”

Aaradhya’s head snapped up, eyes widening in disbelief.

What was this man doing?!

Badi Thakurain’s sharp eyes narrowed, her frown deepening. “Vijayendra!” she scolded, shaking her head. “I did not raise you to let your wife neglect her responsibilities for your… distractions.”

Aaradhya flushed a deep shade of red, her hands curling into fists at her sides.

She would kill him.

She would actually kill him.

Vijayendra, completely unaffected, leaned casually against one of the pillars, his dark gaze fixed on her. There was amusement, mischief, and something far more dangerous lurking in his eyes.

Aaradhya forced herself to breathe, gripping the ends of her dupatta. “It won’t happen again, Maasa,” she said softly, trying to end the topic.

But he wasn’t done.

“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure,” Vijayendra murmured, just loud enough for her to hear. His voice carried a wicked promise, sending a shiver down her spine.

She shot him a glare, silently warning him to shut up.

He grinned.

Badi Thakurain sighed, rubbing her temple. “Now that you’re awake, you should start behaving like the Thakurain of this haveli. The women of this house wake up early, take care of their duties, and maintain the discipline of this family. If you keep sleeping until noon, what example will you set?”

Aaradhya swallowed her frustration. “Ji, Maasa.”

“Good. Now go to the temple and light the diya. Then, help with the kitchen work. No more delays.”

Aaradhya nodded and turned to leave, eager to escape before Vijayendra could make things worse.

But the moment she stepped past him, he reached out and lightly tugged the end of her dupatta.

Aaradhya froze.

Heat rushed to her cheeks as she realized what he had done.

She turned her head slightly, glaring at him from the corner of her eyes.

Vijayendra, the devil that he was, gave her a slow, infuriatingly arrogant smirk before letting go.

Aaradhya bit the inside of her cheek, forcing herself to keep walking before she did something reckless—like stomp on his foot in front of the entire family.

As she disappeared down the hallway, she could still feel his gaze following her.

She knew this was far from over.

This was just the beginning.

Lots of love to you all

Love you all

Itsyourblackrose