It hadn't even been half an hour in the gym when I felt her Yes-her. I don't need to open my eyes to know when Nandini walks into a room.

I can feel her.

I continued doing push-ups, bare-chested, pretending not to notice...but I knew.

Her gaze was on me-curious, flustered, lingering.

I was affecting her mind and body. She won't admit it, not yet. But that's okay, I'm patient. One day, she'll stop hiding that look in her eyes. Until then... I'll enjoy her silent adoration.

I finally looked up our eyes met and just as expected she froze. Got all conscious and nervous.

God, she looked adorable in that soft nightdress I'd picked out for her...exactly how I had imagined.

Yes-I shop, not for myself ,not for anyone else.

Only for her.

Back in London, it used to be my quiet obsession. Hours spent imagining Nandinii in every outfit, every accessory. I bought it all, and sent it all here but looking at her now... It's clear none of those ever reached her.

Doesn't matter now that I'm here I'll pamper her myself to the fullest. Spoil her with everything she deserves and was denied

I tore my gaze away, just to give her space and let her make the move and she did.

She called out "Sir..." I ignored it at first let her come closer and when she did I grabbed her pulled her beneath me held her close watched her nervous little flinch as our bodies aligned.

I could feel it, the tension, the hesitation... the flutter of emotions she tried to suppress and I loved every second of it.

I told her to speak from there to say what she needed to say... in that very position.

How could I let her go so easily?

She told me about Riya and begged me to let her go to Delhi, and it was a lottery for me. So I made her a deal a day with me just us.

One demand two wins riya goes and Nandini stays... with me.

And the best part? She agreed willingly. I didn't force a thing destiny played my hand this time.

I've already freshened up and breakfast is waiting. Even though I told her to cook, I didn't really mean it.

She's been through enough and behind her back, I had asked to hire a chef to prepare everything.

Sensing her presence near me, I quickly grabbed my laptop and pretended to be deeply engrossed in work.

Moments later, she entered stomping her feet like an angry little storm.

I didn't look up, but I could feel her.

Those flushed cheeks, that sharp glare burning into the side of my face.

"Why did you ask me to make breakfast when you already had a chef make everything?" she snapped.

Finally glancing at her, I shrugged coolly.

"I was hungry. You were taking too long."

"I wasn't even gone for half an hour!"

"That's still a long time."

"Fine," she muttered, turning to walk away.

But I stopped her "Where do you think you're going? Forgotten our deal already?"

"I haven't forgotten anything. You asked for breakfast...it's right there." She pointed at the table. "Now I've got other things to do."

"Oh no, sweetheart. You don't have any other work today except what I assign you."

I leaned back with a smirk "So let's start simple. Come here and feed me."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "What? No!"

I raised a brow. "Is that a 'no' to the deal?"

She hesitated. "I mean... you have hands. You can feed yourself."

"And you didn't cook. That's your punishment." I closed my laptop slowly, locking eyes with her. "Stop arguing, I'm starving. Come here."

With an exaggerated sigh, she walked toward me and made an attempt to sit on the other sofa.

But I had other plans. In one swift move, I caught her wrist and pulled her straight into my lap.

She gasped, squirming. "Let me go! What are you doing?!"

I hushed her softly, "Shhh. I'm working on something very important."

I placed the fruit platter onto her lap. "Now feed me."

"But.."

"Shhh," I interrupted again, smirking at her flustered face.

She looked at the table helplessly. "Let me grab a fork..."

"No need," I cut in again. "Use your hands. Might as well put them to some good use."

I kept my eyes trained on the laptop screen, fingers dancing over the keys pretending to be absorbed, even though every part of me was tuned into her.

She shifted on my lap, hesitant, then finally reached for a piece of cut fruit from the platter.

Slowly, almost nervously, she lifted it to my mouth.

I parted my lips still pretending to focus on the screen but the second her fingers brushed against my lips,

I moved.

I didn't just take the fruit. I took her fingers along with it my tongue tracing the tips in one slow, deliberate lick.

She froze.

Her entire body stiffened on my lap.

I could feel her breath hitching, eyes wide with shock, and cheeks instantly blooming a furious, innocent red.

Hell, not just her cheeks, her entire body flushed under my touch. She looked like a rose caught in fire.

I had specifically asked the maid to cut the fruits into the tiniest cubes possible not for convenience, but for this.

For this exact moment.

To tease her.

To feel her.

And now, with her trembling slightly in my lap and her fingers lingering near my mouth,

I couldn't help the wicked smirk pulling at my lips.

I wanted to devour her, not just the fruit her. But for now, I'd savor the slow burn.

Being fed by her this close, this intimate

wasn't just indulgence. It was torture I craved.

And I wasn't stopping anytime soon.

She's the only person in my life who's ever loved me at my worst without conditions, without expectations.

Just me.

Yes, I have a family. But no one... truly calls me their own. No one, except her.

Dadi used to love me at least that's what it looked like. She pampered me, spoiled me beyond reason, and maybe I mistook it for affection. But now I see it for what it was in control wrapped in sugar.

She gave me everything I asked for... even her. I was just eleven when I said I wanted the girl, Nandini. The quiet little light that had somehow warmed my frozen heart.

Dadi didn't hesitate. She said yes like it was a business deal. Like owning a person was something money could justify.

She wanted to show me that nothing was out of reach not even a human being.

Power. Control. Possession.

Even back then, I knew it was wrong.

Even as a child, I could feel the weight of the sin I was agreeing to.

But for the first time...I wanted to commit that crime. Because it meant keeping her close.

Dadi never loved me selflessly. Her love came with an agenda.

To her, I'm not a grandson, I'm the heir.

The crown prince expected to carry this empire higher, to turn success into something untouchable.

But Nandini? She never wanted anything from me. She just... stayed.

She saw me, and she loved what she saw.

I kept doing it again and again. Each time my tongue grazed her fingers, her breath would hitch, her cheeks would flush deeper a shade of red so intoxicating,

I almost forgot what self-control meant.

She was melting right there in my lap,

and God, I was loving every second of it.

By the time the plate was empty,

she jolted up, trying to make her escape.

But I wasn't done.

I caught her wrist mid-motion and pulled her right back onto my lap. She let out an irritated huff. "What now? I fed you. You said that was the deal. Let me go."

I chuckled, low and amused. "My little bird... it's not over yet." I gestured toward the other plate resting on the table.

Her eyes followed my hand, confused until they landed on the second plate,

filled with fruits, nuts, and dried berries.

"You're seriously going to eat all that too?"

"No," I said simply "You are."

Before she could protest, I picked up the plate and grabbed a bite-sized piece, holding it to her lips.

"Now, hush. You've talked enough."

I fed her gently, just as she did for me with my fingers, with care, with restraint I didn't know I had.

She tried to turn her face away at first,

but I didn't let her. I knew she was getting annoyed. I could feel the stiffness in her spine, the way she squirmed slightly in my lap.

But I also knew she wouldn't have eaten otherwise and I couldn't let her skip a meal. Not under my watch.

Each time my fingertips brushed her lips,

I had to bite back the hunger rising in me

the urge to replace my fingers with my mouth, to taste her fully, to feel those soft lips part for something more than food.

But she wasn't ready.

Not yet. She was still learning me.

Still adjusting to my presence, my intensity, i need to care for her in the only way I know how.....completely.

So for now...I fed her.

Gently. Quietly.

Savoring every stolen touch like a man starving for more.