Chapter 5
5
I t was cold outside. The temperature had definitely dropped a few degrees since she’d last been out. Despite her layers, Navya shivered. The only reason she’d readily agreed to leave with him was because she needed to distance herself from him. Even now, thinking of his provocative words from earlier was making her head spin. When he’d lifted his hand to her face, the urge to move closer and allow him to touch her had slammed into her out of nowhere. Thank God, he’d moved his hand when he had.
Leaving his house also meant a way out and possibly a means of escape at some point. Besides, it had been a while since she’d been stuck indoors with him. By now, Reina would definitely be anxious about her. Navya worried that her fiery sister may even create a scene to get to her. Doing that would shift the focus from Navya to her, and that was the last thing Navya wanted.
So, she’d taken the opportunity he’d given her to return outside, and she was going to do everything in her power to escape him—and his scent, his laughter, and his provocative words. None of which she liked. They definitely didn’t impact her. Yes. Escaping from the Oshnovs’ party was going to be her mission for the rest of the night.
Armaan led her outside the house, with one of his bodyguards following them, and guided her to the elevated VIP section. The music was louder here. She spotted his brothers immediately. Both of them halted the conversation they were having on seeing them together. While Vedant had that knowing smile on his face, Mihir looked mad, like he wanted to physically remove her from Armaan’s side. Jerk! What was his problem? Couldn’t he see that Armaan wasn’t letting her go? Yet, Mihir stood there glaring at her as if it was her fault that his brother was rebelling against him. She flicked her gaze away from him. This was not her drama. In fact, she didn’t even want to be a part of this drama. Armaan, however, looked like he was enjoying it way too much. He gave his brothers a cheerful wave and took her to a seating area around a center table filled with a variety of alcohol bottles and mixers.
A cool breeze drifted over her, making her shiver again. Before she could blink, Armaan had removed his overcoat and wrapped it around her.
When she resisted, he said, “Don’t argue. That flimsy suede coat you have on is useless against the British winter. It’s only going to get chillier as the night progresses. Do you need the heater to be brought closer?”
“No… I mean, this is fine. But won’t you feel cold?”
“I’m used to Russian winters that are way harsher than this.”
She settled into the coat. It was way too big and dragged on the ground but it warmed her instantly. She inhaled, and Armaan’s scent washed over her. Oud and leather. So delicious. Shit. Stay in control, Navya, she scolded herself.
“What would you like to drink?” he checked “We have whiskey, gin, and vodka, of course.”
She scowled. He was behaving like they were on a date. They weren’t. However, she had to get this over with and quickly.
“I’ll have a Diet Coke,” she replied.
“You don’t drink?”
“I do, but right now, I fancy a Diet Coke.”
“Of course, you’d rather have your wits about you while dealing with me.” He smirked. “I get it completely.”
Damn him. How did he manage to read her so correctly every single time? Was her face that readable?
“Will you stop behaving like you have me all figured out?” she said.
He tilted his head. His eyes slowly coasted over her from top to toe, making her feel hot and flustered. But she remained still. She would prove to him that he didn’t affect her in the least. That was the only way he’d leave her alone.
“I haven’t figured out all of you yet,” he drawled, “but I wait for the day I figure out every inch of you, moya tigritsa .”
Oh God. Desire unfurled in her belly, making her skin tighten and her lips tingle. No other man drew these reactions from her. However, for some annoying reason, Armaan was the only one who managed to push all her buttons, both emotionally and physically. Just being near him and breathing his scent made her heart beat erratically. But she’d never admit that to him ever. She’d mask her reactions to him, always.
“Can you stop calling me that?” she snapped.
“Why? You are wild, catty, ferocious, and unpredictable. My nickname suits you perfectly. Moya tigritsa. My tigress.”
“Ugh, you’re so annoying.”
“Yeah, sure. That’s the main aim of my life—to keep you annoyed, and hence entertained by me .”
A smile slipped out of her. Armaan touched a corner of her mouth gently.
“There it is, that beautiful smile I’ve been waiting for.” He tilted his head, his gaze on her lips. “This is the first time I’m making you smile. Let me cherish it for a second longer.”
Her heart stuttered. Shit. She was not getting charmed by him. She so wasn’t.
His lips curved. “See, you are beginning to like me, no?”
“You wish.”
He laughed; the sound was rich and raspy, and it melted her insides.
She looked to the side, then at the railing in front and walked to it. He followed her and handed her the Diet Coke.
He held his own shot of vodka up. “ Na zdorovye . To health.”
She clinked her glass to his, taking a small sip, while he downed his shot in one go.
She leaned against the railing. From here, she had a complete view of not only the stage, but the lawns beyond it as well. And there, further behind the lawns, the castle towered majestically above everything, its regal aura giving the place a magical vibe. The whole setup was truly breath-taking.
Right below her was the dance floor. She searched through the crowd for her sister. But she couldn’t spot her anywhere. Worry washed over her. Where was Reina? Her sister would never have left without her.
“If you’re searching for your sister, she’s right there, arguing with my security.” Armaan pointed to the right side of the lawns.
Sure enough, Reina was standing beside Su Min, quarrelling with a bodyguard.
Her chest constricted. What was wrong with her? Reina ought to know better than to call attention upon herself.
“How did you even recognize her?” Navya asked Armaan, her heart pinching in worry.
He tipped his head to the security guard next to Reina. “I just got a text from one of my men that some girl was creating a ruckus while asking about you. Besides, there is something called Google, you know. And there are enough pictures and more of your family online. I have kept a tab on all of you over the years.”
Her brow furrowed. “Why are you so interested in us?”
“I was curious about you . Also, Vedant and I finally learned during that yacht incident that your sister, Ananya, was the one who had deceived Mihir all those years ago. He hadn’t shared her identity until that night. So, of course, I was curious about the woman because of whom my brother has kind of sworn off of all women.”
“Ananya didn’t deceive him,” she retorted.
“I’m sure she has her version, and he has his,” he replied. “All I know is that he hasn’t been the same since her. Nonetheless, both of us will obviously support our own siblings. Hence, let’s drop this topic.” He tipped his chin in Reina’s direction. “Shall I invite her to join us?”
Her panic rose. “No. Please. I’m right here, as you wanted. Don’t call Reina here.”
He studied her for a brief moment. “I don’t plan on hurting her.”
“No, your brothers or you would just use her for some nefarious purpose that suits you all.”
“Vedant was only trying to get a rise out of you when he was speaking about your sister. He’s the calmest one in our trio.”
“And that information doesn’t give me the slightest bit of comfort. You all need to stay away from Reina. I won’t have a repeat of what happened on the yacht.”
He sighed. “That night, the only reason we kept your sister-in-law and you back was because Mihir wanted Ananya. She knew that, and yet instead of facing him, she ran away and let your brother come into the picture. We were just too smart to not use the situation to our advantage.”
Her eyes widened. Ananya had never mentioned that.
She clucked her tongue. “Why do I find it hard to believe that your intentions were noble that night?”
“They were, whether you believe it or not.”
“Sure, and yet you accepted a nearly three hundred-million-dollar yacht from my brother and free usage of three of his ships for six months to transport your goods anywhere in the world, just to let Sheena and me go. How very noble of you.”
“Well, I suppose our intentions weren’t that noble,” he smirked. “Dealing with Rajiv Mehra was purely business for us. However, let’s not forget that you all put him in that position because you gate-crashed our party. Did you expect to get away scot-free? Everyone who knows the Oshnovs know that we don’t take lightly to anyone going against us. You paid a price for your own actions, da ? I don’t get why you’re upset with me or my brothers for the consequences of the said actions.”
His words hurt. She already felt guilty about that night, but listening to it from his point of view only made her feel worse.
She brushed those emotions away. “Then why instigate that fight with Rajiv? What about the condition you placed if you won that bet? Why do all that when you had already gotten what you wanted from him?”
“That fight was for you . To get your attention,” he said. “Fighting your brother was the only way I could get to bargain with you. You’d never have agreed to go out on a date with me had I asked the usual way. I got you to say yes to me that night.”
“As if sending me a text asking me to spend one night with you, and then pounding my brother like he was a piece of meat right in front of me, would have made me say no to you. You knew I’d say yes.”
“Your brother is a very good fighter. You needn’t have said yes. I went along with the fight, knowing you’d come and I’d get to bargain with you. So, all of that was done only to get to spend some time with you. But then you know what happened after that.”
Which was that Mihir had promised Rajiv that the Oshnov brothers would stay away from Rajiv’s sisters as long as they didn’t step in their path. And now, to her utter stupidity, she had walked right back into Armaan’s path.
His eyes sparkled. “So, even though it’s four years late, I finally have you where I want you, right in front of me, talking to me, moya tigritsa .” When she opened her mouth, he raised a hand up. “And no, tonight doesn’t count as a date or as you fulfilling the terms of our bargain.”
She observed him. Why her? What was it about her that this man had chosen to fight with her brother in a ring to get her attention? Why hadn’t he forgotten her in the four years they’d spent apart? And what was so special about him that she hadn’t been able to forget him either? He’d told her that there was something between them, and if she were being absolutely honest, then she had to accept the truth in that. She sighed.
If he were any other man, she may have considered exploring this passion between them. However, he was who he was, and she’d promised herself a long time ago to never get entangled with a rich, handsome man. She never wanted to experience the same fate her birth mother had endured, which was heartbreak, betrayal, and mental trauma at the hands of exactly such a man. All that had ultimately led to her early demise.
Despite having lived with the best examples, her brother, Rajiv and her adopted father Anvay, who were also handsome and rich, Navya was too scarred by memories of her birth father to take a chance on a man like that for herself. Men like her brother and adopted father were rare and were one of a kind.
So, no, thank you. She would resist Armaan, always and every single time. She preferred men who were far simpler, not that she’d allow herself to get close enough to a man to even trust him beyond one or two dates.
Besides, the last date she’d been on had been right before she’d left for London, and that awful experience had made her swear off men altogether. Ugh.
Armaan lifted his phone to his ear. She saw the security guard next to Reina answer his phone.
Worried, she stepped in front of Armaan. “Please don’t call her here. Please let her be.”
“I’m only calling her so you can speak to her. Don’t you want to tell her you’re safe?”
She stared at him in astonishment. Why was he being so considerate? Again, his behavior surprised her. Armaan spoke a few words in Russian and then passed his phone to her. His security guard gave Reina the phone and pointed in Navya’s direction.
Navya waved at her.
“Navya, thank God!” Reina gushed. “What happened? Are you safe? I told Vasily to find out what happened, but I haven’t heard from him yet. He told me that Armaan wouldn’t hurt you, but I needed to hear the words from you.”
“Hey, I’m fine. I’m with Armaan.”
“What does that mean? Please tell me he’s not holding you hostage again.” Reina lowered her voice. “If you want me to get you out of there…”
“No need for that.”
“Which means what? You’ll be there for how long, twenty minutes, half an?—”
“—yes, that. Why don’t you enjoy the party for now?”
“Understood. I’ll meet you at the exit in half an hour. Or else, I will get out of here, get my phone, and call Rajiv for help.”
Navya disconnected the line and handed it back to Armaan. She was thankful that she’d been able to get through to her sister. Now, she only had to ensure that she could get away from him in half an hour, before her sister called their brother. Then, all hell would break loose. And she didn’t want that. Not at all.
“All okay?” he asked.
“She was obviously worried.” Navya took a sip of her cola. “But you heard me. I told her to enjoy the evening.”
He stared at her for a long second, as if trying to discern if she was speaking the truth, but she looked into the crowd, ignoring him. All of a sudden, the music stopped, and the lights dimmed.
In the next second, hundreds of tiny red lights flashed in unison, and a cheer went through the crowd. She blinked in confusion. Everyone around her lifted their arms and she could see the red lights blinking on their wrists. Armaan lifted her hand and clasped something on her wrist too. His touch was fleeting, yet she felt that singular current shoot down her spine.
Ignoring it, she stared at the white wristband, now glowing with red dots, and then back at him.
“Trust me, it’s more fun with these on,” he informed her.
Before she could remark on that further, the deejay was welcoming on stage… Wait what…?! She couldn’t believe her eyes as all the members of her favorite band Coldplay came on stage.
Seeing the shock on her face, Armaan grinned. “I’m glad you like them.”
“Oh my God, I love Coldplay!” Despite her circumstances, excitement thrummed inside her. Reina and she would finally get to see the very same concert they’d been so eager to catch and had missed. “I cannot believe that they’re performing here. This is fantastic.”
The beginning strings of the band’s famous song Viva La Vida began playing and the red lights blinked on everyone’s wrist. Without even thinking, she started humming the opening chorus of the song.
Right now, she didn’t care where she was and who she was with. Her favorite band in the whole world was playing a fabulous song, and she was going to enjoy every second of it for the next thirty minutes before she escaped.
From next to her, Armaan chuckled as he, too, began humming along with her.
She finally took a breath only when a slower, less famous song played.
“Do you do this every year?” she exclaimed. Her mind hadn’t calmed down from the high it was in. She still couldn’t believe he’d invited Coldplay to perform in his house. How unreal was that?!
“Birthdays ought to be celebrated, da ? And since our birthdays are on New Year’s, this party makes sense.”
“Wait a minute. You said ‘our’.” Her eyes rounded. “All three of you have your birthday tomorrow? Are you triplets?”
“No.” His face turned serious. “We were born and raised at an orphanage. Mihir is the eldest, followed by me, and then Vedant. We never knew our birthdays. Our late adopted father, Alexander Oshnov, chose the first day of the year as our birth date. It was also the date he formally adopted us. Every year since, he celebrated New Year’s Eve with pomp and splendor, to bring in our birthdays.” His composure cracked as he spoke. “He passed away five years ago, and we are continuing this tradition for him. To honor the great man he was.”
A tendril of compassion curled inside her for him. He was an orphan, just like her. His life had also changed for the better after he’d been adopted, again just like hers.
Something must have shown on her face because his expression shuttered. The cold, uncaring mask was back on his face now.
“See,” he began, “I told you that you’d start liking me once you get to know me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Nope. Still don’t like you.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t you feel a little warmth towards me—the poor little orphan boy?”
Navya spread a palm out. “I think this wealth and privilege makes up for the sadness in your past, doesn’t it?”
“Does it?” He shook his head. “Sometimes even money is not enough to give you what you’re truly looking for.”
Her mind buzzed at his complicated words. She itched to ask him what he meant, but that would initiate an intimacy she definitely did not wish for with him. She was here, obliging him by chatting with him, only until she could escape from him.
The second he let her out of his sight, she’d take Reina and leave. Suddenly, a familiar tune played on the speakers. A roar went up in the crowd as the band started to sing another one of their famous songs, Yellow .
“Oh my God, I love this song!” Navya exclaimed in delight.
All their wristbands started blinking with yellow lights. A few couples around her began to slow dance. Armaan held a hand out to her.
He looked into her eyes. “Dance with me.”
Her breath stuttered.
“So far, you have proved immune to me and my charms, da . Do you think a dance will change that? Do you think you won’t be able to resist me if I take you in my arms?”
His words were a challenge, but she had to prove it to him and to herself that she was capable of resisting him. Carefully, she placed her hand in his. She had to control the tremor that ran down her when her hand touched his. Despite her gloves, she could still feel the heat of his hand.
He pulled her to his chest. Her hands fell on his shoulders. She looked anywhere but at him.
He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “It’s just a dance. I won’t eat you up. Not now, at least.”
Her eyes jumped on him, narrowing in annoyance. He grinned, looking victorious. She’d given him exactly what he wanted, her looking at him. His smile widened. Mischief danced in his eyes. Her eyes roamed over the sharp angles of his face, taking him in. God, this close, he was even more handsome, and now that she was looking at him, she couldn’t look away. She was transfixed by him. A warning bell clanged in her head, but she ignored it.
His hold on her waist tightened a fraction. Heat seared between them, scorching her skin. His eyes sparked with lust, and his expression clouded with desire. It ignited her own desire for him. This, between them, was dangerous and explosive. It was growing stronger with each second, and she was helpless to resist it, and him. If she wasn’t careful, then she’d get burned. Yet, she was unable to stop looking at him. Not when her favorite song was playing in the background, and not when his scent was all around her and on her. In this moment, she wanted to burn with him.
He leaned forward and rubbed his nose down her throat, inhaling her scent. Her heart pulsed. She let out a slow, shaky breath. The last time he had done this had been aboard his yacht, right after he’d caught her when she’d been trying to escape. Then, too, she had shuddered against him. But that night, she had been so confused by all these emotions awakening inside her that she had turned around and slapped him for taking this liberty with her.
Now also he was doing the same, but she couldn’t bring herself to stop him. All the emotions he was making her feel—need, want, desire, craving—all of it was taking over her mind, and she let it. His nose charted a path from her ear lobe down the side of her throat. She stopped breathing when he swiped his tongue at the base of her neck, over and over, going in a circle.
Lifting his head, he pulled her closer and tipped her face up with his hand. Their lips were only a hairsbreadth apart now.
Her heart rumbled. The desire that had been slowly simmering inside her boiled over. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand why she’d been resisting him for so long. He was the only man to ever make her heart beat so fast and to make her feel so damn alive. He made her desire him when she’d truly never desired another man before. He’d awakened this urge, this need inside her that was aching to be fulfilled, and God help her, she was going to fulfil it. Right here. Right now.
She closed the distance between them and pressed her lips to his. It took him less than a second to react. His hold on her tightened some more, and his lips began to move against hers with a hunger that matched hers. All her thoughts scrambled and fled. The world around her disappeared. There was only him and her, and their bodies that were straining to get closer. To become one.
His hands moved restlessly over her body, gripping, tightening, stroking. He licked her lips open, deepening the kiss, plunging inside her mouth, tasting her essence. Her arms tightened around his neck. Her tongue sought his, needing the friction, demanding his attention. And he gave it. His one hand returned to her nape, tilting her head further back, and then his tongue settled to play with hers. Desire bubbled in her blood. Need made her dizzy. She couldn’t remember if she was breathing or not. It didn’t matter. Nothing did. She was lost to everything but the delicious feel of his mouth on hers and the pleasure coursing in her veins.
He shifted his leg and pulled her closer to him. His hardness pressed into her belly. Her nipples tightened in response. Oh God. There were too many clothes separating her skin from his.
Cheers of Happy New Year resounded around her. She heard the crowd wishing the Oshnov brothers a happy birthday from somewhere far away. Reluctantly, she pulled back and stared at Armaan. He was watching her, too. A sane part of her mind told her that she ought to step away from him, but she couldn’t get herself to move from the warm circle of his arms. Standing with him felt… It felt good. His lips tipped. A loud boom rented the air. She looked up as fireworks exploded above them in a myriad of colors, filling the sky. It was beautiful.
Armaan turned his head and frowned. Navya looked at where he was staring. Both his brothers were standing arm in arm, staring at them. Mihir beckoned him with a finger. Armaan looked at her instead.
“I think your brothers are calling you,” she breathed out.
“I think my brothers can wait.” He shifted closer to her and kissed her cheek. “Happy New Year, moya tigritsa . This year has begun in the best way possible, all thanks to you. So, aren’t you going to wish me happy birthday?”
His words fired her senses back to life. Fuck. What the hell was she doing? She backed a few steps.
His brothers reached him. Mihir drew him in a hug and wished him, and then Vedant did the same. The three men stood in a tight circle, arm in arm, speaking quietly. Several people came forward to wish them.
Shit. What was she waiting for? Seeing him distracted, she quickly made her way down the stairs and rushed to the exit. Thankfully, Reina was waiting there for her.
Her sister rushed to her. “Are you okay? I saw him and you?—”
“Not now,” Navya cut her off.
“But you were kissing…”
“I said not now,” Navya retorted.
When her sister still looked doubtful, Navya took her hand and hurried her. What could she even tell Reina? There was no rational explanation to what had happened to her body when he was near. She’d known the second she was in his arms that she’d regret her actions, yet she’d allowed herself to get carried away by him.
Just before she exited, despite her instincts warning her not to, she turned. Her eyes went straight to the VIP section, where Armaan was watching her from the railing, arms crossed. He took out his phone and started to type. Afraid that he wouldn’t let her go, she spun around and rushed outside. Her phone started to ping just as she took it from the security. She knew without a doubt who was messaging her. Only when they were seated in the car and outside the boundary of his home did she check her messages. There were six messages from him.
I figured you were going to run the first opportunity you got.
That was the only reason you were so eager to return to the party.
Just remember, you managed to escape tonight only because I let you.
Also, I proved my point, moya tigritsa. You can no longer deny that you are most definitely attracted to me.
You can run all you like, but I am coming after you.
You will be mine, and soon.
She shivered, snuggling deeper into her coat. With a start, she realized it was his coat that she was still wearing. Her heart began to thunder in her ears. What was wrong with her? How could she have kissed him like that? What had she been thinking?
She pressed her fingers to her temple. The truth was that she hadn’t been thinking at all. She had wanted to kiss him, to know his taste, to know how his lips felt on hers.
She hated him, she tried reminding herself. But after that kiss, those words sounded enormously false. He was right. She definitely didn’t hate him. The truth was that she was extremely attracted to him—had been from the first time she’d met him. He sparked something inside her. Something that had been lying dormant for too long. It was pure, unadulterated need. A desire for a man so strong that she was losing her mind. Fuck. Of all the men in the world, it had to be him. It looked like fate had decided it would definitely be amusing to watch her fumble through an attraction to a man who wasn’t right for her.
She reread his messages. She had proved to him, and to herself, that she was incapable of resisting him. If he came after her with the same intensity he’d shown her tonight, then… then… THEN. Fuck. For the first time in her life, she was judging her capability to stay away from a man. And not just any man. Armaan Oshnov. The man known to the world for getting what he wanted.
God. What had she just unleashed upon herself?