Chapter 16
Katy
A blanket of familiar warmth surrounded me when I opened my eyes. The sun was barely up, bringing a faint glow into the cabin. Sighing contentedly, I tried to move, only then realizing Barun was holding me tight. Smiling, I shifted a little, wanting to see him.
My smile widened when I watched his face, softened by sleep, almost looking boyish. A lock of silky dark hair fell on his forehead, making me want to tuck it back. I took a much-needed breath, feeling radiant and euphoric.
For years, I’d wondered how he’d look in my bed, and now I knew.
Sexy and irresistible. Right on cue, he murmured, pulling me into his chest. I nearly giggled.
Who knew the tough-looking bodyguard was a secret cuddler?
Inhaling against his chest, I snaked my tongue to lick his skin. Salty and yummy!
Immediately, I felt his length poke into my stomach. Oh, wow! I looked at Barun to find his eyes closed. Knowing he wasn't fully awake yet, I let my eyes wander over his muscular body, down to his impressive length that had given me immense pleasure over the night. Several times.
Once he had me the first time, Barun couldn’t seem to stop. He reached for me again and again through the night, seducing me and taking me with an urgency that left me reeling. In the best way possible, that is. It was as if a switch had been turned inside him, a switch that made him insatiable.
Smiling, I kissed his shoulder, yelping when he rolled me to my back, pouncing on me with a playful growl. He would have gone further, only the wince I could no longer hold back stopped him.
“Princess, are you hurt? Sore?” he gently queried, immediately morphing into the concerned knight I fell in love with.
“A little,” I answered, my eyes downcast. After sharing our bodies several times, it was a little silly that I was shy talking about this. “But I want you,” I insisted, already reaching out for him.
“Sweetheart, I’m sorry if I was too rough last night.” Barun looked guilty, making me wish I hadn’t told him.
“Stop! I enjoyed it. Everything you did was wonderful, I promise. I’m safe with you. I’m always safe with you.” Smiling, I melted into him again.
After kissing me on my lips gently, he groaned, as if he was forced to tear himself off of me. Getting up from the bed, gloriously naked, he got into his sweatpants. This time, I didn’t even bother to hide my ogling. At my dreamy expression, he smirked, making me blush.
“What? You’re way too sexy, I can’t help but stare.”
Laughing softly, he bent to kiss me again before heading into the bathroom. My smile widened as I lazed around in bed for a couple more minutes, dreaming about a shared future that was just me and Barun.
Finally, I roused myself from my daydreams to freshen up while Barun went down to start breakfast. After a hot shower that soothed my sore muscles, I got into my leggings and favorite hoodie before opening my laptop to sign into my blog.
Barely a minute had passed, Barun came up with a steaming cup of coffee. Placing it on the side table, he bent to kiss my temple. Straightening up, he glanced at the screen, and that’s when I watched his face turn grim.
“What? What happened?”
“This comment.” He pointed to an abusive comment that had been posted a few minutes before.
Dark-eyed Darling, stop posting this shit. This is my last warning to you.
“Uh, I get this kind of garbage in the comments section now and then. The filter let this one through. Usually, it doesn’t even come in.” I shrugged, reaching for the coffee.
“Katy.”
I raised my eyes to his, frowning at his tone.
“This is not garbage. Do you have any more comments that have come in with the phrase Dark-eyed Darling? Check your filter to see if you’ve got anymore.”
Even before I could ask him about this, he called his partner. “Ryker, the guy is on her blog. Trace it. Quick!”
I got up, thrown off by Barun’s sharp command. Gone was the lover. The man standing before me was every inch the bodyguard whose life goal was to protect me.
“What is this about? You’re freaking me out, Barun.” I stood up, my breath shorter.
He sighed, looking defeated. “Princess, I was called in because you received a kidnapping threat. It was specific and was addressed using the same phrase.”
Shock passed through my system, making me stare at Baun mutely. My heart grew heavy, and my throat closed in panic. Kidnapping? Threat? Specifically against me?
“How long?” I whispered, placing the coffee back on the table.
Barun stepped back, watching me with a grave expression. “Two months, give or take.”
I inhaled audibly. What!? Two months… that’s why he’d been summoned. Because my brothers were worried about my safety.
“Your coming to Honey Valley has got nothing to do with Jasmine or Alia, is it?”
Even before he could answer, I saw the truth on his face.
“And you thought it was okay not to alert me about threats that I received? Even after what happened last time?”
This time, it was I who moved away. I shook my head when he stepped closer.
“Princess, please…”
“No! I asked you specifically many, many times if there was more. Yet you didn’t open up. You did not trust me with this information.”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t go against your brothers.”
Tears sprang to my eyes. “And there lies the problem, doesn’t it? It’s always my brothers first and then me. I now wonder if you slept with me last night because your control slipped. I wonder if you really chose me.”
“Katy!”
Barun’s sharp tone did nothing to curb my anger. It made me hopping mad to stay in the same room as him. Feeling a fresh bout of betrayal and anger, I turned around and ran down the stairs. Before Barun could realize what I was up to, I ran out and got into his car.