Chapter Sixty Three.
As Devraj drove, Ira was lost in her own mind, the images of the day,playing on a loop.
"Are you okay, Meri Jaan?"
Devraj's voice was laced with genuine concern, snapped her of her thoughts. Ira turned her head to find him watching her, his brow slightly furrowed as if he could feel her internal turmoil.
Meera's words played back in her mind... Be the master here, not him..
Ira forced herself to nod, though her heart was still pounding.
"I'm fine. Just... tired.." she murmured, turning her gaze back to the window. As she looked out, she realized the familiar landmarks of the city had vanished.
They were moving through a route she didn't recognize, a slight winding road flanked by towering trees.
"Devraj... where are we going?" she asked, her voice sharpening with a sudden spike of adrenaline. "Where is this place?"
She looked at him, catching the faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Relax.." he said, "I'm not kidnapping you. As much as I have been tempted to do exactly that every single day." He let out a low chuckle, but Ira didn't join him. She leveled a stern, cold glare at him, a sense of deja vu washing over her.
"I am serious, Devraj. Where are we?"
Devraj's smile didn't fade, but it softened into something more intimate. "I'm taking you to my private villa. It's away from the city, away from the noise... away from everyone."
Ira blinked, her mind racing. "Why are you taking me there?"
"Because you are mine, aren't you?" he said, his tone impossibly possessive. "you are my woman, you need to see everything I own. Starting with the places I go to be alone."
Ira didn't argue. Instead, she watched him out of the corner of her eye, Meera's words echoing again.
She began to wonder: Will he really do anything I say? I know he's obsessed, but is he crazy enough to let me hold the leash?
Suddenly, they approached a massive gate that slid open via remote as they neared. The moment the car crossed the threshold, the gates hissed shut behind them, sealing the world away.
Ira gasped as the villa came into view. It was a masterpiece of modern architecture, a structure of charcoal black and floor-to-ceiling glass that glowed from within like a dark diamond. It stood at the edge of a dense, whispering forest, looking both beautiful and terrifyingly isolated.
She stepped out of the car, as she took in the silence of the woods. But before she could take another step, she felt a sudden warmth envelop her.
A pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her back against a hard, broad chest. Ira froze, her breath hitching in her throat as the scent of his expensive cologne and the heat of his body overwhelmed her senses.
"I've always wanted to bring you here, Ira... away from everyone.." Devraj whispered against her ear. He leaned in, inhaling the scent of her neck.
Ira shivered, Devraj's smirk widened as he caught her hand, his fingers interlacing with hers as he pulled her toward the entrance.
Ira's face was flushed a deep crimson, her heart beating fast against her ribs as she followed him, gulping back her nerves.
When they reached the massive, imposing black door, Devraj stepped back slightly.
"Put your palm on the scanner.." he instructed, his eyes fixed on her.
Ira looked at him, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Why? It's your house."
"Just do it, Meri Jaan.." he said...
Hesitantly, she lifted her hand and pressed her palm against the glass panel set into the doorframe. A thin green light swept over her skin, tracing the lines of her hand with clinical precision.
"Welcome... Ms. Ira Verma." a smooth, synthesized voice announced. With a heavy, satisfying click, the locks disengaged, and the door swung open.
Ira stood frozen, her hand still hovering near the scanner.
"What? How did it-Devraj, how does this place know my name?"
Devraj rubbed the back of his neck, a rare flash of sheepishness crossing his face.
"You don't want to know how.." he muttered, sounding uncharacteristically nervous. "Trust me... the details would probably freak you out."
Ira narrowed her eyes, a sigh of disbelief escaping her
She knew better than to ask, in his world, privacy was a myth he had long ago dismantled. She stepped inside and was instantly breathless.
The interior was a masterpiece of minimalist luxury, the lighting was warm and recessed, and the décor was understated yet spoke of immense wealth. Every piece of furniture felt classic, timeless, and devastatingly expensive.
"You know, Ira..." Devraj started, He closed the door behind them, the sound echoing in the high-ceilinged room. "I didn't like how you were looking at Varun back there."
Ira turned to face him, her eyes widening. He looked agitated, his jaw tight with a jealousy.
"I... I wasn't looking at him like that.." she defended, her voice rising slightly. "I just felt his gaze on me. I looked up and saw him staring. That was it."
Devraj didn't look convinced. He simply gave a sharp, stiff nod, his eyes burning with an unspoken possessiveness. Ira shook her head in disbelief at his pettiness..
how could a man so powerful be so bothered by a single look?
Determined to ignore his brooding, she walked deeper into the living area and sank into one of the plush, cream-colored silk sofas. The fabric was so soft it felt like a cloud, but it did nothing to soothe the tension still crackling between them.
"Be right back. You can get yourself some water in the kitchen, okay?" Devraj said, his voice softening.
Ira nodded absently, watching as he disappeared down the long, dim hallway.
She made her way toward the kitchen, which was separated from the main lounge by a massive floor-to-ceiling glass door that slid open silently as she approached.
The moment she stepped onto the polished marble floor, the silence was shattered.
"Hello, Ms. Ira. Do you require any assistance?"
The synthesized voice from earlier filled the room, and Ira nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Gosh, that is so creepy.." she breathed, clutching her chest. "Um... hi? No, thank you. I just need some water." She felt ridiculous talking to the air, but to her shock, the house answered back.
"My apologies if I startled you, Ms. Ira. As for your water, you will find it in the refrigerator to your right. The chilled bottles are on the lower shelf, while the extra-cold ones are stored above."
Ira blinked, staring at the integrated appliances. "Um... thank you. But please, don't talk again. I'm honestly a little freaked out."
"I understand. If you require anything else, simply call. I will enter sleep mode now."
The kitchen went silent again, and Ira let out a shaky sigh. She grabbed a bottle of water, the cold plastic stinging her palms, and headed back out.
"Are you okay?"
Devraj's voice came from the living area just as Ira stepped out of the kitchen. She turned to answer him, but the words died in her throat. She let out a gasp and slammed her eyes shut, turning her head away.
"Devraj! Go wear something!" she yelled, her face heating up.
Devraj blinked, looking down at himself. He had discarded his shirt and shoes, standing there in nothing but low-slung, dark grey sweatpants that hung precariously on his hips.
He took in Ira's flustered state, the way her hands were trembling and her face was flushed a deep pink, and a wicked smirk spread across his face.
"Why should I?" he asked. "I'm in my own house, aren't I?"
He started to move toward her, his bare feet silent on the floor.
Ira panicked, her heart thumping against her ribs, and she scrambled away from him, practically running back to the safety of the cream sofa .
Devraj's smirk widened into something predatory and playful.
"This should be fun..." he mumbled to himself.
He followed her into the living room and sat down, not just near her, but so close that she could feel the radiating heat from his bare skin. Ira gulped, her eyes fixed strictly on the wall opposite her.
"What's wrong, Meri Jaan? Are you uncomfortable?" he whispered, leaning in until his breath fanned her cheek. "It isn't as if I'm nake-"
"Go wear something. Please." Ira interrupted, her voice cracking as she fought the urge to look at the hard lines of his chest and abs..
"No, I don't want to." he said, his brow furrowing as he watched her. For a second, the arrogance vanished, replaced by a strange, almost desperate hunger for her approval.
"Do you not like what you see, Ira? Do I look... unfit to you?"
Ira slowly turned her head to look at him. She forced herself to see him not as the patient she had once cared for, or the man who had cornered her life, but as he was right now.
Without the silk shirts and his suits, he was a raw power, etched muscle and bronzed skin, hard lines of abs and broad shoulders that looked tensed..
Her heart did a traitorous little jump in her chest, and the flush on her cheeks deepened.
"Y...you look good, Devraj.." she admitted, "You look handsome, actually. It's just that I-never mind."
A triumphant chuckle vibrated in Devraj's chest. He looked like a man who had just won a war. Ira glared at him, her face burning with embarrassment, but she didn't look away.
"By the way, Ira..." Devraj's tone shifted, becoming more businesslike but no less intense.
"You didn't accept the position at my company.
Why? I sent that offer so you could have the career you wanted.
Though, personally, I don't see the need for you to work at all.
." he mumbled the last part under his breath.
Ira sat up straighter, her eyes flashing.
"Firstly, I don't remember ever interviewing for your company, Devraj.
And secondly, I want to earn my place! I want to know I achieved something on my own merit, not because I'm associated with someone powerful.
That's unfair to everyone else working their hearts out for a chance. "
Devraj simply nodded, his expression unreadable. "But you aren't actually planning to work for that other company, right??"
"What? Of course I am.." she said softly, trying to maintain her composure. "I went to the interview. I earned that position."
The air in the room suddenly turned ice-cold. Devraj's back stiffened, his muscles locking into place as his possessive nature surged to the surface.
"I can't let you out of my sight, Ira.." he rasped, his eyes darkening, "I want you closer. Somewhere I can reach you. Please... just take the offer I gave you."
"No, Devraj.." she firmly said.
Devraj swallowed hard, his jaw working as he fought to keep his emotions at bay.
"And what if you catch another man's eye?" he mumbled darkly. "What if he decides he wants you for himself?"
Ira's breath hitched. The raw insecurity in his voice was terrifying. "What? Why would you even say something like that?"
"I will give you fifty percent of my empire, Ira.." Devraj desperately said. "Please... I just can't have you out of my sight. I won't allow it."
Ira's jaw dropped, her breath hitching in her throat.
"What?! Are you insane?" Her eyes widened in genuine shock, and she instinctively tried to shift away, but the plush of the sofa offered no escape.
Devraj didn't let her go. He moved with her, his large, powerful frame shadowing hers as he leaned over.
Ira found herself leaning further and further back until she was flush against the cushions, trapped beneath the weight of his gaze. His eyes were no longer amber, they were a bottomless, burning with a hunger that made her skin tingle.
"Devraj..." she whispered, her voice soft and trembling.
At the sound of his name on her lips, Devraj felt his heart thud against his ribs, his emotions spiraling into a chaotic storm.
He was so close now that his breath fanned across her face. She could see the steady, heavy rise and fall of his bare chest, a silent testament to the war he was fighting within himself.
"Do you love me, Ira?" he asked, the question hanging in the air.
Ira blinked, her gaze flickering to his lips before she instinctively bit down on her own. It was a small, nervous gesture, but to Devraj, it was a spark in a room full of gasoline. His eyes locked onto her mouth, his pupils dilating.
Slowly, almost reverently, he reached out with his thumb and gently caught her lower lip, pulling it free from her teeth. His touch was searing.
"Don't do that.." he rasped, his voice vibrating with a dangerous warning. "I'm already on the edge, Jaan. If you do that again, I will go completely crazy."
Ira could only nod nervously, as she realized that Meera was right... she had a monster on a leash, but the leash was starting to fray.
"Do you love me?" he whispered again.
Ira looked into his amber eyes and saw something that stopped her heart..they weren't predatory anymore. They were wide, shimmering with a raw, naked fear of rejection. He looked like a man terrified of his own hope. She gulped, her mind racing.
Suddenly, Meera's voice echoed in her head...Give him a chance and see how much he will improve. Make sure you hold the key.
Ira let out a slow, shaky sigh. Maybe it was time to stop fighting the storm and start learning how to navigate it.
"Please.." he mumbled, his voice breaking slightly. "Even if it's just a little... tell me."
"I... I might not love you yet, Devraj.." Ira began, her voice gaining strength as she looked him in the eye. "But I do like you. I'm willing to give you a chance."
Devraj's lips broke into a wide, breathless smile, his chest heaving as a heavy weight seemed to lift from his shoulders. He looked alive, the dark shadows in his eyes replaced by joy.
"I love you so much.." he rasped, his voice thick with emotion. "I really do. I'm so happy I have you... all mine. Just mine."
Ira watched him, stunned by the sincerity in his confession. Moments ago, he had looked like a broken man, but her words had acted like a lifeline.
He was vulnerable in a way she never expected, his entire existence seemingly tethered to her approval.
A small genuine smile touched her lips.
"Can I kiss you?" he asked.
The smile on Ira's face vanished instantly.
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