Chapter 9
9
O ne hour later, Rehana Haddad was her client. Navya stared after her as the woman and her entourage left her office. She pressed a hand to her mouth and sat down. Having Rehana as her client was a game changer. All the big brands would be lining up on her doorstep just so that Rehana Haddad could wear their outfits, shoes, and jewellery. Everything, henceforth, would be next level.
“See, I told you to have faith in yourself,” Armaan said from her side.
She stared at him, dazed. He hadn’t said a word while she’d discussed business with Rehana, only silently observed.
“You’re good, Navya,” he added. “You need to believe it.”
Lavina stepped into the conference room, waving her phone in the air. “Rehana just tweeted that she’s looking forward to working with you. She’s tagged you as well.”
“What?” Navya screeched. “She literally just walked out the door.”
Lavina’s cell phone rang. The office line rang at the same time and so did Navya’s cell phone, as well as the landline on her desk. Lavina looked as awestruck as Navya felt.
“You’re going to be busy now and very much in demand,” Armaan remarked.
Navya stood, moving to her cabin. Both Armaan and Lavina followed her, the phone rings echoing from all directions.
“May I offer some advice?” Armaan asked.
“Sure, you’ve gotten me this far.”
Armaan folded his hands on his chest. “Is that your way of saying thank you?”
“Thank you.”
It was because of him that she was standing at the threshold of new opportunities. The multiple phones ringing in her office were proof of that.
He gave her a warm smile. “You’re welcome. Now, for my two cents. Don’t get too excited by all the big names who will now want to work with you. Posture a little. Make them sweat. Make them feel you have arrived, and then decide who you want to work with. And work on your terms, always. You are good; it is time you believed in it with your whole heart.”
“Okay, that sounds good,” Navya conceded. She disconnected her landline and put her phone on silent.
“I’m disconnecting all the lines outside as well,” Lavina said, exiting the room. She shut the door behind her, leaving Navya alone with Armaan.
Navya stared at him. “Were you the one who got that photo of us deleted from everywhere?”
“You saw that?” At her nod, he stepped forward and leaned against her desk. “I didn’t like the caption below it and hence I got it removed.”
“Then I ought to thank you for that as well. If anyone in my family had seen that picture, shit would’ve hit the roof.”
“You do say the funniest of things.”
“That’s the main aim of my life—to keep you entertained,” she deadpanned.
He laughed. That rich sound, as usual, did something stupid to her insides.
She ignored it. She had to, so she asked instead, “Why did Rehana agree to meet me? It can’t be just because you asked.”
“Actually, it is because I asked.”
“Yeah, right,” she scoffed. “The last time we were together, she was giving me the death stare because I was sitting next to you.”
“Correction. She was giving you the death stare because she suspected I was interested in you. Now, she knows it.”
Navya frowned. “And yet she agreed to meet me?”
“What can I say? She likes me, and I suppose my interest in you roused her curiosity about you. Which made her agree to the meeting.”
“I’ve seen how she looks at you, you know. It’s not me she’s curious about…” Navya ran a slow gaze down him. “More like she’s curious about what’s underneath all the clothes you’re wearing.”
He barked out a laugh. “Well, I don’t know about her, but you definitely seem to be more interested in what’s under my clothes.” He began unbuttoning his shirt.
Was he…? Good God. Shock made her go still, and then her heart began to gallop. Lust zinged through her as more of his perfectly tanned chest became visible. Would the rest of him be as gorgeous? Her mouth watered as more and more of his skin was exposed. The urge to close the distance between them and touch him, to put her mouth on him, sang through her blood. She shook herself to clear her fuzzy brain before she actually did something stupid and put her lascivious thoughts into action.
She grabbed his hand, holding it tight. “What the hell are you doing? Stop stripping in my office.”
“Okay.”
She gulped. He was standing in front of her, four buttons of his shirt open, giving her a tantalizing peek of his glorious chest. Testing the very limits of her resistance.
She cleared her throat. “Can you, like, button yourself up?”
“Actually, I like myself fine this way.” He smirked and settled himself even more comfortably on her desk. “If you have a problem, then you can button me up.”
She blinked. What was she to say to that now? He was challenging her like he always did, waiting to see what she would do and how she would react to him. Alright. She could do this. Exhaling, she moved closer. He leaned back further, forcing her to move closer and stand between the vee of his thighs. This close, she could see swirling flecks of honey-gold in his eyes. She could breathe in his luscious scent. She gulped. He was watching her, waiting to see what she would do next. She pressed her fingers to the lowest button on his shirt.
He tugged her lower lip out from her teeth. God, she hadn’t even realized she’d been biting her lip so hard. His fingers remained on her mouth, caressing it softly, causing her pulse to dance.
“So…” he began, “I helped you twice today, and you gracefully thanked me for that. Maybe you are beginning to like me.”
“No.” She didn’t sound convincing enough even to her own ears.
His eyes danced with amusement. “Not even a little?”
She shook her head, freeing her mouth from his touch. “Not even a tiny bit.”
“Then why are your fingers trembling? Why are your cheeks flushed, and why haven’t you fastened a single button on my shirt?”
He tugged her hand. She fell against his chest. His arms wrapped around her, and he pulled her tight against him. The heat from his body seared into her skin, heating her up. The lust that was always simmering in her when he was near, raised its head and demanded attention. She looked up and found his gaze on her. A shudder glided down her spine. His hot gaze fell on her mouth, causing goosebumps on her skin. Everything around her was slowing down. Even the air around her electrified and thickened with tension.
“I think that you are beginning to like me,” Armaan rasped. “You’re just too afraid to say it out loud.”
“No, I h… hate you.”
He caressed her cheek. “No, you don’t. Stop lying to yourself, moya milaya .”
“What does it mean… moya milaya ?”
His eyes warmed. “ Moya milaya means my darling.”
Her heart sped. A far corner of her mind was telling her to move back and let him go. That she shouldn’t start something with him that she didn’t want to finish. She blocked out all that noise. It didn’t matter at the moment. What mattered was how good she felt when she was with him. How alive bantering with him made her feel. She moved closer and inhaled his delicious scent. Her eyes latched onto his mouth.
Armaan smirked. “Baby, if you want me to kiss you, then you will have to ask.”
That single tiny cell in her brain that was still working made her ask, “Why me, Armaan?”
“When I know the answer to that, I will tell you. Now, are you going to ask me to kiss you or not?”
The words to reject him wouldn’t even form in her mouth.
“Fuck, I’m going to hell already, anyway. So, kiss me, and make it good.”
His smiling mouth fell on hers, and she was lost. He pressed tiny kisses on her lips, making her yearn for more. She moaned, and his tongue slipped past her lips. That’s it. That’s what she wanted. His tongue met hers, sweeping and sliding. Damn, he tasted divine. He tasted of sinful nights and bad decisions. And she wanted to be bad with him. So very bad.
She ruffled his hair and held his neck tighter. She wanted more; her body demanded more, and she pushed closer to him. She wanted to sink into him, to be one with him. He apparently felt the same because the pressure of his tongue became more urgent, more demanding… God, her knees were going weak. Her body began to throb.
As if understanding her need, Armaan swivelled and set her down on top of her desk. He moved in between her legs and began to unbutton her shirt, and at the same time, she pulled his shirt out of his trousers. She tugged, and his last button tore. She stared at his chest and finally did what she’d been imagining. Unabashed, she put her hands and mouth on his chest.
Armaan growled. His hand caught her head as her mouth roamed down his chest, then up and then down and then to the side, and then to the base of his neck. God, she wanted to taste every inch of his skin. He lifted her head and freed her hair from the scrunchie holding them. Her long hair fell in waves around her. He lifted a soft strand and caressed it between his fingers. Her heart clenched.
Heat flickered in his gaze as he kept staring at her. “Baby, you’re stunning.”
Liquid pressure coiled under her skin, making her whole body vibrate with longing. He laid her down and then claimed her lips again, leaning on top of her. His bare chest met her bra covered one, and a jolt went through her core. She was melting against him. He pressed his hardness into the vee of her denim-clad legs, and she moaned. God. She burned. Oh, how she burned. She felt too much, and desired even more. She rocked against his arousal, needing the friction. Every stroke of him against her core made her melt even more. His mouth covered hers again, as if he was unable to stop kissing her. Her arms tightened around his neck. There was no going back from this. There was only going forward. And she wanted to go there with him.
“WHAT. THE. FUCK.” Ananya’s loud scream jolted her out of her lust-filled haze. She tried to get up, but Armaan held on to her, continuing to kiss her, uncaring that her sister was watching them.
She lifted his face. “Armaan, let me go.”
“I don’t want to.” He kissed her lips again.
“You have to.”
“Why?”
“Because shit just hit the roof.”
He was laughing as he released her.
“Get dressed, both of you,” Ananya ordered, covering her eyes with her hands.
Navya quickly adjusted her clothing. Beside her, once again, Armaan was back to looking his suave and sophisticated self. Only his reddened lips and messy hair were proof of what they’d been doing. She had no mirror to look at, but she was certain she fared worse. Armaan patted her hair, straightening a few strands, and wiped the corner of her lips. She couldn’t and wouldn’t process that warm gesture. Armaan turned to face Ananya, who was now watching him like she wanted to claw his eyes out.
Navya took a step forward. “Hi. How come you’re here?”
Ananya gave her an angry look. “My team emailed me that damn pic of you with him .”
Navya addressed Armaan. “I thought you got it removed from everywhere.”
“He did,” Ananya answered. “But you forget I work in the media, and I have someone who keeps a tab on any article published about our family.” She threw Armaan a death glare before she faced Navya. “After seeing that picture, everything we spoke of last night suddenly made sense. I tried calling you, then Lavina, and then both your landlines. There was no response from anywhere. Your location sharing showed that you were at work, so I came here immediately.” She gave Navya an angry glare. “I will never be able to unsee what I just saw happening here. How could you?”
“It’s actually all about sexual chemistry,” Armaan drawled. “She and I, and our bodies…”
Navya elbowed him. “Be quiet.”
“I want you gone.” Ananya pointed a finger at him. “Now. Before I call for security.”
“I’ll leave if your sister asks me to leave and not because you want me to,” Armaan said calmly.
Navya touched his shoulder. “You need to go.”
“Only if you promise to meet me tomorrow. Allow me to woo you some more.”
“Not happening, fucker,” Ananya said.
“Not talking to you, lady,” Armaan retorted.
He arched a brow at Navya.
Something happened to her when she was with him and she could no longer deny that. Nor could she suppress the feelings and emotions that exploded out of her when their lips touched.
“I don’t know. I have to think about this,” Navya said honestly.
“Again, what the fuck?” Ananya cursed.
“I’ll text you the location,” Armaan said, ignoring Ananya. “You better come, or I’ll come and get you myself. And that is not a threat. It’s a promise.”
He lifted Navya’s hand and kissed the top of it. “ Dasvidaniya , moya milaya .”
As soon as the door closed behind him, Ananya turned to her. “Wipe that silly smile off your face and explain what the fuck is going on.”
Lavina peeked in from the door. “I want to listen too. Wait for me. I’m getting wine.”
Her assistant was truly incorrigible.
“You and him? How?” Ananya flopped down on the small sofa in Navya’s office. “I cannot believe this.”
“God!” Navya put her hands on her face. “I don’t even know where to begin.”
Lavina entered, juggling a bottle of wine in hand and three fluted glasses in the other. Navya grabbed the wine and a glass from her, poured a measure and took a long gulp.
“That bad, huh?” Lavina perched next to Ananya.
Navya began pacing as she told them about the bargain she’d made with Armaan on the night of Rajiv’s fight four years ago, how he’d left her alone because Rajiv had demanded it, and then meeting him again at New Year’s Eve and at the fashion show last night, and finally about today.
“So, he’s into you?” Ananya surmised.
“Yes.”
“And from what I saw, you’re into him too.”
“Tamest words ever spoken,” Lavina said. “They’re hot for each other, that’s what. You should’ve seen them earlier. There are flames even when they look at one another.”
Navya glared at her. “Will you stop romanticising him and me?”
“I say it as it is,” Lavina chirped.
“Stop encouraging her,” Ananya scolded. “She’s clearly not thinking straight, otherwise she would’ve run away from him the first opportunity she got instead of kissing him that first time.”
“I know, and you’re right,” Navya accepted. “I ought to hate him. Till some time ago, I thought I did. But now, I’m not so sure anymore.”
Ananya studied her. “You have to stay the fuck away from him.”
Navya dropped into the single seater sofa. “That’s just it. I don’t think I can. He… He… He’s freaking hot and so bloody gorgeous. Damn, his body is perfect. It hurts my eyes to even look at him. And the chemistry between us is next level. Scorching hot.”
“The fuck, Navya!” Ananya shouted. “Are you mad? Have you totally lost it?”
Lavina stood. “I think I’ll go finish my wine outside and let you two talk.”
“See, you scared her away,” Navya commented drily. “You can be so intimidating, you know.”
Ananya glared at her. “Don’t you dare deflect. I’m still mad that you didn’t tell me about the deal you made with him all those years ago,” Ananya said. “Does Reina know?”
“Nope, though she did see us kissing at his party in London. She thinks it was a one off, and the only reason I kissed him was to run away from him. We didn’t tell you anything because of Mihir and the feelings you still harbor for him.”
Ananya’s lips tightened. “My feelings about Mihir became irrelevant a long time ago. And this is not about me; it’s about his brother and you .”
No matter how hard Ananya denied it, Navya knew she still felt something for Mihir Oshnov. Proof of that was the lack of makeup on her face, the ill-fitting dress hanging off her thin body, and the fact that she had rarely stepped out for four years—since that night when she’d run away from his yacht. Her sister was lovesick, and that was plainly visible.
“Can I ask you something?” Navya said. At her sister’s nod, she said, “I need you to answer me honestly.”
Ananya’s brows knitted. “What?”
“Armaan told me that the only reason they held Sheena and me hostage on their yacht that night was because Mihir wanted you, and you knew that. And yet, you ran away. Hence, Rajiv had to come negotiate our release with them.” When Ananya’s face fell, Navya held her arm. “Hey, I’m not judging, okay. I just want to understand whether he was telling the truth.”
Ananya looked sad. “That night, I learned how much Mihir had changed and how much he hated me. He told me that I had walked into his den, and he would let me go only when he was done extracting his revenge from me. That if I agreed to stay, he’d let Sheena and you go. But that look in his eyes…” Ananya’s fingers shook. “I was scared. When we got an opportunity to escape, all three of us ran. It was unfortunate that only I managed to get out,” she exhaled. “Yes, you could argue that I could’ve returned and allowed Sheena and you to go scot-free. But I knew he wouldn’t hurt you because he didn’t want both of you; he wanted me—to punish me for how he thinks I’ve erred with him.”
“And have you erred?”
Till date, Navya and her family knew very little of Ananya’s ill-fated relationship with Mihir. They only knew that Ananya had met Mihir while studying in college in London. She had fallen in love with him, but then he had died in an unfortunate accident. It was only some years later that Ananya had learned, via a news article, that Mihir was alive and that he was the adopted son of Alexander Oshnov. That day, her world had crashed again. Post that, Ananya categorically refused to talk about him. And now, after the yacht incident, she had clammed up even more when it came to him.
The hard look painted on her face right now was proof enough of that.
“This isn’t about me,” Ananya said. “It’s about you, and it’s not just some random guy, but Armaan fucking Oshnov. What were you even thinking getting involved with him?”
“Clearly, my brain fries when he’s around,” Navya murmured.
“He’s wrong for you in so many ways. He’s a playboy, a charmer, a bad boy, and so bloody handsome. To add to that, he’s a billionaire. He’s ruthless, reckless, and he’s dangerous—all traits you never wanted in a man. I thought you’d never be able to trust a man like that. So, now what’s changed?”
“I know all his red flags. I’m attracted to him, Ananya; I’m not marrying him.”
Ananya stared at her wide-eyed. “Which means what, exactly? That you want to fuck him?”
“Yes… no… maybe. Hell. I don’t know. Don’t expect me to answer sanely when his touch and taste are still lingering on me.”
Ananya’s eyes popped. She gulped her wine in a single sip. “I’m calling Reina. She needs to be in on this conversation.”
Reina answered immediately. It was early in London and hence their youngest sister was at her apartment and, from the looks of it, just about waking up. Before Reina could even say hello, Ananya filled her in on what was going on.
“Okay, first, hi, both of you,” Reina said. “And second, what the fuck, Navya?”
“That was exactly how I reacted,” Ananya responded.
“Why didn’t you tell me all this while you were here in London?” Reina scowled at Navya. At Navya’s silence, she asked, “So, you’re attracted to the bad boy?! How very naughty of you.”
It was all sorts of naughty and thrilling. Even now, thinking of Armaan’s mouth on hers, his body moving over hers, shot a dart of pleasure down her skin.
“Stop smiling, Navya,” Ananya fumed.
“You’ve got it bad for him!” Reina laughed. “What are you going to do about it?”
“I don’t know. It’s not like I’ve had time to internally process what just happened with him. I surely hadn’t planned it. But fuck, he’s so hot. And so damn good looking. And when touches me… I cannot even explain what takes over my mind and body.”
“It’s called lust, dear sister!” Reina giggled. “You’re in lust with him.”
Ananya crossed her arms on her chest. “I hope it’s just that, and you’re not foolishly thinking it’s love.”
Navya rolled her eyes. “God, no. I hardly know him.”
“Good,” Ananya said. “Because love is overrated. Trust me, I know.”
“I think you should just fuck him and get him out of your system…” Reina giggled again. “You’ve never lusted after any man before him. So just do him and then get him out of your life.”
“What?” Navya gulped. She couldn’t believe her baby sister was so casually advising her to sleep with Armaan.
“Are you mad?” Ananya yelled. “Am I the only one here who remembers that the Oshnovs are dangerous?”
“They are dangerous,” Reina agreed. “Su Min, my friend whose boyfriend invited us to their party, said that whoever pisses them off simply disappears and is never seen again. Apparently, they’re bad to their enemies, but they’re not bad people in general.”
“Fuck. That statement is so bloody wrong,” Ananya said. “Mihir has become this cold, heartless monster, one I don’t recognize anymore. And I cannot and will not allow my own sister to get involved with his brother. His brother, Navya. Have you not learned anything from me? Armaan is already border-line obsessed with you, and he’s the most notorious in that trio. God only knows what will happen once you sleep with him. What if you want to end it and he doesn’t? What if you fall in love with him?”
“I will not, under any condition, fall in love with him,” Navya declared. “You know I don’t believe in love. Thanks to Mr. Gautam Singh, my birth father, I lost faith in that years ago. And then there’s you.”
“I’m an exception…” Ananya gentled her tone. “A one-off case of unrequited love. That doesn’t mean Reina and you won’t find someone to love. Besides, our parents are a true example of love, and now, we have Rajiv and Sheena, too, who are so crazy in love. I don’t want you both to be disillusioned because of a few wrong examples. Having said that, Armaan Oshnov is not the guy you fall in love with, and that’s why you’re going to end whatever it is that is going on with him.”
When Navya remained silent, Ananya dug the point in. “Rajiv will blow a fuse if he finds out you’re even considering having an affair with Armaan. And Mom and Dad… Oh my God, Navya, what are you thinking?”
“Whoa!” Navya held her hands up. “No one is telling Rajiv or Mom and Dad anything, okay?”
Her parents would be so disappointed in her. And Rajiv would definitely blow a fuse. She didn’t want any of them involved. Rajiv was enjoying a happy vacation with his wife and kids in Mumbai, and her adopted parents were happy enjoying their time in Mumbai as well. None of them deserved to be dragged into her life choices, whatever they may be. Knowing Rajiv, he’d leave everything and come running back to Dubai if he learned of her interest in Armaan.
Ananya lifted her chin. “If you continue on this path, then I will tell Rajiv. Break it up with Armaan, Navya. If you were thinking rationally without lust clouding your brain, you’d agree that I am right.” She stood. “Tell me you will.”
Navya was saved from replying when Reina said, “Chill, Ananya. Let her have some fun.”
“I’m serious, both of you,” Ananya said, her tone seething with fury. “This is not happening; I won’t let it happen. Don’t even think of crossing me on this.”
She gave Navya a last look before she stormed out of her office.
“Has she left?” Reina asked. At Navya’s nod, she added, “I can’t believe she gave you an ultimatum. It’s so unlike her.”
Navya sighed. “I’ve never seen her this mad.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“Honestly, I don’t quite know.”
“Well, sister, I have to report to work soon, so whatever you do, please ensure you’re safe and that your heart isn’t involved.”
With that message, Reina hung up. Navya looked through the window of her office, thinking. The more she met Armaan, the more of a temptation he was becoming. Either she had to tell him to leave her alone in no uncertain terms, or she’d have to rebel against her sister and have an affair with him. The latter option was so bloody tempting.
Lavina popped her head in, informing her that her next client was waiting for her. The rest of the day went by in meetings, attending calls, making schedules, planning wardrobes, and responding to emails. Only once she was home and in bed was she able to ponder over the enormous decision she had to make. She tossed and turned, feeling restless.
She checked her phone and found an unread message from Armaan. He’d sent her a location pin with a text.
See you at 7:30 am. Get the gloves and dress in gym wear.
Her breath caught. Again, he’d managed to surprise her. Most men would have tried to woo with dinner at a fancy restaurant, a night out partying, or a movie plan for their first date. But Armaan, instead, wanted to teach her self-defence!
As always, he didn’t follow any rules and did what was least expected. She liked that he kept her guessing. Ananya’s warning flashed in her mind, and her entire mood soured. She hadn’t realized how much she enjoyed bantering with him and how alive he made her feel, until this moment when she’d have to tell him to leave her alone.
That was the right thing to do. Chest clenching, she typed a message and then deleted it and then typed and deleted it again. God, she was fumbling.
Her phone pinged with a text. It was him .
What’s on your mind, moya tigritsa?
Her breath caught. How did he read her mind every single time? She wrote her reply.
Ananya’s asked me to end things with you.
And what do you want to do?
I think she’s right.
That’s not what I asked. What I asked was what do you want to do?
She ran both her hands through her hair. She had to end this. She couldn’t go against her sister. Tonight, Ananya had given her a speaking look at the dinner table as well. She was right. Armaan Oshnov was wrong for her.
She had to do this. One message, and he’d be out of her life forever. Simple. Then why was her heart protesting? Why did it feel like something poked at her ribs?
Her fingers felt stiff as she typed.
Armaan, I need you to leave me alone. I never want to see you again and I want nothing to do with you.
She waited hours for his reply, but it never came. He’d clearly listened to her like he’d promised he would.
Well, she’d done what was best for her, right?