Author's note: We didn't get 85 votes on the last chapter :( 

No worries! Hopefully in this chapter? 85 votes 

The next two chapters will contain mature content. If you are uncomfortable or don't like to read it, please feel free to skip.

Adarsh Khanna

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine feeling pity for the Agnihotri princess. But as I watched her shrink under the weight of her father's cruel words, a fierce anger ignited within me. Despite her flaws - her impetuousness, stubbornness, and self-destructive nature - she possessed a rare talent for art, something I couldn't help but admire. My stomach churned with disgust as I saw her own father tear down her achievements.

But amidst my empathy for her, I couldn't let this golden opportunity slip away. It was the first time I had been invited into Anirudh Agnihotri's inner circle and I refused to let my emotions hinder me. Determinedly pushing aside any feelings of compassion, I turned to the man beside me and initiated a conversation.

The dinner service began soon. Each dish presented was adorned with pretentious names and exotic ingredients. However,I found myself unable to take even a single bite. Irrational thoughts consumed me, like they had been for the past few days. No matter how hard I tried to resist, they seemed to only intensify.

The event dragged on and I tried to purposely avoid Aahana, laser-focused on schmoozing with as many influential people as possible. It wasn't too difficult because she stayed silent most of the evening, only responding when spoken directly to.

As the dinner drew to a close, I finally glanced in her direction. Most of our table was empty, including her parents. Everyone was moving to the dance floor. To my utter surprise, she was staring right at me, her eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. Those full lips of hers, painted a deep shade of crimson, curved into a fake smile as she raised her glass of wine to her mouth. She took a long, slow sip, never breaking eye contact with me as if she was trying to figure out my secrets.

An unbridled image of those lips of hers wrapped around my cock, teasing and tormenting me with their softness plundered my mind. My breath hitched as I imagined her tongue darting out to lick the head of my shaft while gazing up at me with her deep, sultry eyes. A shiver ran down my spine as I envisioned the sensation of her wet heat engulfing my length, relentlessly licking and sucking until I couldn't take it anymore. Damn it. I shouldn't have had the second glass of scotch on an almost empty stomach.

"Good evening, Aahana," the son of the retiring CFO said with a charming smile as he approached our table. He was the only family member in attendance at the company gala, and it was clear that he was being groomed to take over his father's position. His hand outstretched towards Aahana. "Can I have the pleasure of a dance?"

Aahana's eyes flickered from his hand to his face, then to me, and back to his face. She studied him intently for a few seconds before giving a curt nod. Downing her drink and setting the glass down on the table with a loud clink, she stood up gracefully. Without acknowledging his hand, she walked confidently towards the dance floor, not once looking back at me.

Despite my better judgment, I found myself drawn to the bar that overlooked the dance floor. My eyes immediately landed on Aahana and her partner, moving to the slow beat of the music.

The most infuriating thing about Aahana Agnihotri was how breathtakingly beautiful she was, and I loathed myself for noticing it. Always.

Her black gown clung to her silhouette in the most delicious way that it almost seemed illegal. The neckline was both bold and graceful, revealing just enough cleavage to make my mouth water. The thin straps left her shoulders bare, showcasing the elegant line of her collarbones and the outline of her butterfly tattoo.

​​A delicate golden chain played hide-and-seek through the strategic cutouts near her waist, drawing the eye to her hourglass figure. My fingers itched with the forbidden desire to trace its meandering path. In my mind's eye, I saw myself following that glinting trail down to her navel, feeling the subtle ridges of her abs as my hand dipped lower and lower, venturing into dangerous territory.

Her long dark hair although clipped on one end tumbled past her shoulders down to her waist in loose curls. I couldn't help but imagine how it would feel to run my fingers through her silken strands and inhale the intoxicating scent of her peach shampoo. I wanted to bury my face in her hair and breathe her in, to feel her warmth against my skin as I kissed and nibbled her neck.

The dress hugged every curve, accentuating the swell of her hips and the length of her legs. A daring slit ran up one side, offering tantalizing glimpses of her toned thigh with each step. Her feet were encased in stilettos that made her legs seem endless, the red soles a flash of color against the monochrome of her outfit.

"Can I get you anything?" the bartender asked.

"A bottle of water," I managed, my voice rougher than I intended. My eyes were still glued to Aahana. The bartender handed me a chilled bottle. I nodded my thanks, cracking open the seal and taking a long swig. The cool liquid did little to quench the heat rising within me. Especially when she looked in my direction. She knew she had my attention, and I wondered if she knew the carnal desires that raged inside of me.

A flash of red blurred my vision as the wanna be CFO pulled Aahana closer to him on the dance floor. I tried to control the surge of jealousy and possessiveness that washed over me. It was absurd to feel this way about someone who was not mine. But seeing another man touching her left a bitter taste in my mouth nevertheless. My jaw clenched as he leaned in to whisper something in her ear, and she responded with a whispered reply before walking away from him.

My heart raced as I followed her with unwavering determination. Every step she took towards our rooms, my desire for her burned hotter and hotter. She was aware of my presence, but she refused to acknowledge it until we reached the elevator.

"Why are you following me?" she finally spoke, casting a sideways glance over her shoulder.

I clenched my hand tightly in my pocket, trying to contain the overwhelming need that consumed me. "Don't flatter yourself. I was simply heading back to my room."

Her eyes narrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line. "Right. And you just happened to leave the party at the same time as me."

The elevator dinged and I stepped inside with her, refusing to let her escape my grasp. "You two make quite the couple," I said through gritted teeth. "Especially since you managed to be in his company for more than 10 minutes without tearing his head off."

She scoffed and crossed her arms, emphasizing her curves in all the right places. My eyes couldn't help but trail over her body before I quickly looked away. "For your sake, I hope you have noise-canceling headphones because you'll need them all night," she retorted. "Sahil is coming to my room later and I can promise he has a way with words and actions."

I chuckled. "For his sake, I hope he can handle hearing another man's name on your lips while he gives you a taste of his finesse."

Confusion crossed her features as she raised an eyebrow. Before she could respond, I closed the distance between us and trapped her against the elevator wall. My hand brushed against her cheek as I tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, reveling in the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips. Her breath hitched but she didn't move away. "What?"

"His name is Sagar," I whispered huskily near her ear.

She swallowed harshly, her chest rising and falling against mine. Her cheeks turned a light shade of red as she avoided my gaze. "It doesn't matter," she finally grumbled. "All that matters is how he makes me feel."

Without thinking, my hand slipped down to her waist, pulling her closer to me until our chests were pressed tightly together. "I want to test a hypothesis," I murmured, my breath hot against her ear. The elevator dinged open, but neither of us made any movement. As the elevator door closed again, I hit the emergency button.

"Which is?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes flickered to my lips, then back up to meet my gaze.

"That I can give you more than just the simple satisfaction you are seeking from Sagar," I replied, my thumb tracing small circles on the contour of her waist.

Aahana's tongue darted out, wetting her lips. The action was unconscious, but it sent a wave of heat through my body. "You are wasting your time."

"I can make you come until you beg for mercy. And when you're aching and spent, I'll still be there, waiting and ready to do it all over again," I murmured, our lips a hair breadth away.

Her breath hitched again as she unconsciously pushed her breast against my chest. "You're so full of yourself," she breathed, her hands clutching the lapels of my jacket.

"Maybe," I admitted, hooking my finger under her gold chain and tracing it gently. "But I know what you want. I can see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice, feel it in the way you gasp anytime I touch you. I'll give you exactly what you want."

She let out a soft moan as my fingers brushed against the slit of her dress, teasing the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. Her eyes fluttered close. She spread her legs slightly to give me more access, but I kept my fingers away from where she wanted them. "What if I don't want that from you?" she asked, her voice strained.

"Then you can go to your room and wait for your Sagar," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "But if you let him touch you tonight, then you'll never find out what it's like between us. I promise you."

As she opened her eyes, our gazes collided, and I couldn't resist the temptation any longer. I crashed my lips onto hers with an intensity that took her breath away. Her mouth parted in surprise, and I took full advantage, exploring every inch of it with my tongue. Our kiss deepened, becoming more passionate and urgent by the second.

Her body responded instantly, arching into mine as she moaned loudly. I could feel the heat radiating off of her, and it only fueled my desire. My hands roamed over her body, grabbing and squeezing her curves with desperation. I wanted this woman so badly. Our tongues danced together, tasting and teasing each other. I sucked on her bottom lip, and she let out a gasp of pleasure. I loved the sound of her moans, and it only made me want to hear more. I bit down gently, and she responded by grinding her hips against mine.

I broke the kiss, and she let out a whine of protest. "You know where to find me," I said through labored breaths, before hitting the button to open the elevator.

I shut the door to my room and sagged against it. My heart was pounding in my chest as the gravity of my actions hit me like a ton of bricks. What the actual fuck did I just do? How could I be so reckless, so selfish? All those years of hard work could come crashing down because of one impulsive decision. Panic grips me, but strangely, it's not regret or fear that floods my mind, all I felt was an overwhelming surge of lust and need. My mind was consumed with the thought of Aahana, and I couldn't shake the desire to see if she would actually come to me. I heard the door of her room open and shut.

With a frustrated tug, I pulled off my bow tie and chucked it carelessly onto the polished table. My ears strained to listen for any sign of movement from Aaahan's room next door. Each second felt like an eternity until finally, a soft knock echoed through my room. Then, finally, there was a soft knock on my door. With a sense of relief flooding through me, I quickly moved to open it.

Aahana's face contorted with rage as she glared at me, her eyes blazing with a fiery intensity. She looked like she was about to pounce on me either to tear off my clothes or my head. In Aahana's case it could be both of them simultaneously.

"I have some rules," she announced, pushing past me into the room. "You use a condom." She thrust a strip of condoms in my hand. That's why she had gone into her room. "You'll follow my instructions perfectly. If you disappoint me or can't make me climax before yourself, I'll tell everyone about your inadequate performance in bed. I'll even warn your poor future wife." She smirked, crossing her arms. "This is a one-time thing and I still hate you. Don't think for a second that I'm actually attracted to you. This is purely physical. Do we have an agreement or should I go wait for Sagar?"

My smile faltered. Most of her rules were amusing in their attempt to assert dominance, but the last one rubbed me the wrong way. I unbuttoned my cuffs and tossed them aside, folding my sleeves as I moved towards her. She walked backwards but there was no fear in her eyes, only a hunger that mirrored my own.

"Never Ever mention another man in front of me." I growled lowly, closing the gap between us until we were inches apart.

"Even if he's better than you in making me com–"

I roughly pressed my lips against hers, silencing her. Fuck her taunts. There was going to be no one else in the room but us. The intensity of our connection consumed me, driving out any rational thoughts. I knew this was a fleeting opportunity and I intended to make the most of it.