Chapter 20
The next evening, she stepped outside her room for her first-ever date with Akash, her nerves buzzing. She exited her house and stopped short. Akash was casually leaning against his Aston Martin, looking down at something on his phone.
God. He looked so sexy that for a second, she forgot how to breathe.
Dark trousers sat low on his hips, paired with a dark green shirt rolled up to his elbows, exposing strong forearms. His hair was swept back, careless in a way that looked intentional, and he hadn’t shaved.
The faint stubble along his jaw made him look sinful, dangerously so.
Her fingers itched with the urge to trace his skin, to feel that roughness scrape against her palm.
She exhaled a slow breath, trying to calm her pulsing nerves.
God. She was already feeling too much for him, and far too soon.
Last night, she’d returned from Keya’s place restless and on edge, sleep refusing to come.
She couldn’t help but ponder how everything between Akash and her was changing, and that too so fast. Her heart wanted her to lean into it, to enjoy this new dynamic between them.
Her mind, however, warned her not to forget how easily she’d once given him too much of herself, and how badly that had hurt in the end.
She’d fallen asleep with her heart and mind locked in battle, only to dream about him.
His hands on her bare skin. His mouth on hers. Her fingers tracing his body, learning him all over again.
She’d woken flushed and breathless, the memory clinging stubbornly to her thoughts all day. And now he was here, and her heart was leaping, excitement fizzing through her veins.
She moved ahead, and Akash looked up. He pushed off the car and came toward her. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek, his mouth lingering for a second too long. Her breath hitched.
He took his time taking her in, making her pulse flutter.
“You’re always beautiful, Shauna,” he said. Then his eyes darkened, his mouth curving. “But tonight, you look hot.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. She had taken extra care tonight.
The black strappy dress hugged her perfectly, skimming her curves before falling to her knees in soft waves.
A thick gold chain rested against her collarbone, paired with small gold studs at her ears, while high gold heels added just the right edge.
Her makeup was bold and deliberate. Defined eyes, sculpted cheeks, and lips painted a striking red. And judging by the way Akash was looking at her, she knew she’d made the right choice.
“You look good too,” she murmured.
His brows lifted, amusement flickering across his face. “A compliment? Finally?”
“I only say it like it is.”
His thumb brushed the corner of her mouth without hesitation, his touch slow and deliberate. “I want to wipe that red lipstick from your lips… with mine.”
A tremor ran through her at his words. This situation between them was turning volatile by the second.
Too fast. It was all happening too fast. She felt like she was losing her mind.
She placed a hand on his chest, needing to slow the rush of heat and emotion surging through her.
To slow whatever was suddenly exploding between them.
“You promised me a date, mister,” she said, trying for lightness. “Let’s get to that first.”
He chuckled and stepped back to open the car door for her. She slid into the seat and inhaled deeply. His scent lingered inside the car. It was warm, familiar, and unmistakably him. She’d always liked it.
Akash got in beside her, and soon they were on their way.
“So,” she asked, glancing at him, “where are we going?”
He named a popular Asian restaurant.
“Nice,” she said approvingly. Then she frowned slightly as the road curved the wrong way. “But aren’t you driving in the opposite direction?”
“I want to take you to see the house first,” he replied, watching her closely. “If that’s alright with you.”
“I’d like that.”
They talked easily as he drove. He told her about his day, and she, in return, told him about hers. The minutes slipped by in simple, mundane conversation, and it surprised her how natural it all felt.
Soon, Akash turned onto a narrow, tree-lined street.
A moment later, the road opened up, and a large mansion rose into view ahead.
Akash slowed to a stop before the gates, and the security guard immediately moved to open them, waving the car through as the iron doors swung wide.
He stopped the car in front of the house, and Shauna stepped outside, her jaw dropping open at the sheer magnitude of grandeur she was seeing.
Two stories high and set back from the road, the house rose majestically behind a wide lawn that seemed to curve around to the back as well.
The old stone structure stood solid and proud, its history intact, while modern additions of arched windows, black railings along the balconies, and thick panes of glass blended seamlessly into the design.
Quiet elegance met timeless luxury in perfect balance.
It was clear that Akash had preserved the soul of the house even as he breathed new life into it.
“What do you think?” Akash asked her. “You like the house?”
She blinked, turning to face him. “Calling this just a house is unfair. This looks like a palace.”
Akash chuckled. “It’s a home. It’s going to be our home.”
Our home. The words landed with unexpected force, making the situation between them feel more real than ever. This was where she would be starting a life with him. She gulped, her heart leaping in her chest.
She followed him as he keyed in a code at the entrance and opened the door.
He tapped a button on the wall, and the foyer bloomed instantly beneath a large chandelier, its warm glow lighting up the space.
Her gaze instantly fell to the polished granite floor streaked with gold and black veins that caught the light with every step.
At the center of the foyer stood a large round table.
A striking silver urn was placed atop it.
She could already picture it filled with fresh flowers in soft whites or deep reds. It would be stunning.
Akash led her deeper into the house, turning on more lights in the living room.
The large space was wide and airy, anchored by tall windows.
The sofas were beige, with a mix of colored accent cushions.
The side tables and accent tables were all wood, all bare for now.
But once filled with accessories and photo frames, it would all come together beautifully. She liked it all immediately.
Standing where she was, she could see straight into the dining area, where a long white marble table waited beneath a statement light fixture, with twelve chairs surrounding it. At the far end was a set of glass double doors, that seemed to lead to the lawns. It was all lovely.
Akash turned to face her. “As you can see, I haven’t picked the curtains yet.
There are a lot of things I still haven’t selected.
Work’s been… a lot, and between that and getting the house ready, I haven’t had much time.
” He paused, then added, “Aaliya’s been great.
I’ve mostly deferred to her judgment. But if you don’t mind, would you take this part over? ”
She stopped short. “You want me to make the selections?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, I mean, the curtains, bedspreads, accessories, anything else you need, just tell her. Whatever you want is fine with me.”
She eyed him warily. “And what if I choose something absolutely ghastly?”
He laughed. “That’s impossible. I’ve seen the way you dress over the years. Your taste is impeccable.”
For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond. It felt like he’d been paying attention to her all along. And if he had been watching, then why had he never said so? Why had he stayed away for so long?
Yes, she’d been difficult with him. Sharp.
Defensive. Maybe even cruel at times. But he hadn’t exactly made it easy either.
He’d been distant, guarded, infuriatingly composed, giving back as good as he got from her.
And now that they’d decided to get married, it felt as though he’d flipped a switch.
He’d gone from being cold, arrogant, and rude to warm, open, and caring.
Before she could reply, Akash was already moving.
She followed him as he showed her the remaining rooms on the ground floor.
A state-of-the-art kitchen with sleek marble countertops and brushed steel fixtures.
A quiet study with a wide desk and floor-to-ceiling shelves lined with books.
A cozy TV room sunk slightly below floor level.
And a spacious guest bedroom that looked straight out onto the garden.
Everything was spectacular. The colors were muted—soft grays, warm beiges, hints of deep blue and forest green blending effortlessly into one another.
Nothing was loud or excessive. It was all tastefully done, understated yet luxurious.
The lighting was warm and carefully placed, casting a gentle glow that made every corner feel inviting.
Finally, he led her to the corner of the house. She entered the large space and froze. Glass walls rose on three sides, moonlight spilling across pale stone floors. Beyond the glass, the outline of a pool cut clean and sharp into the ground. Past it, the lawn stretched out, lush and green.
She walked to the center, spinning in a slow circle. “This is just… something else.”
“You like it?”
“I love it.” She studied him. “This house is fantastic. You’ve really put a lot of heart into it.”