The song ended. We swapped partners.

Now Vedansh and I were dancing.

His hand gripped my waist possessively, fingers pressing into the silk of my gown. He pulled me closer than necessary, our bodies almost flush, his thigh brushing mine with every slow step.

He bent down, his lips grazing the shell of my ear.

He : Did you like dancing with him?

Me : I couldn't refuse him. He is our most important client.

He turned me. Now my back was pressed against his chest, his arm locked around my waist like a brand, his breath hot against my neck.

He : But you were dancing so close to him. Whispering things. Smiling at him.

A shiver ran down my spine. He turned me again to face him.

I placed my hand on his shoulder, lifted myself up a little, bringing our faces inches apart.

Me : I could say the same. When you were dancing with that lady.

The music stopped. The dance was over.

But I couldn't forget what I felt.

I had seen him getting shy at my littlest touch. But right now, I felt something else entirely. A burning possessiveness. A hunger that had nothing to do with innocence. It wasn't naive. It was dangerous.

As soon as the guests started to leave, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the car. The drive back was dead silent. I didn't dare look at him, didn't know what to do or say. The air inside the car was heavy, charged with everything that had happened on the dance floor.

When we reached my home, I got out and walked inside. He stayed in the car, the engine still humming.

I pushed my door open and was about to close it when the car door slammed shut. Footsteps rushed up the path.

He pushed through the doorway, pinned me against the corridor wall, and his hand wrapped around my neck, tilting my face up to his. Then he kissed me.

I was shocked, stiff for a heartbeat. Then I kissed him back.

After a few seconds, he deepened the kiss, hungry and relentless, consuming me completely. I tried to take control, pushing back against his chest, but it was no use. He was stronger, fiercer, everywhere.

Before he pulled away, he bit my lower lip. Sharp. A warning.

We were both breathless.

He : "Keep that in mind, Aahana. You are mine. You cannot look at any man the way you looked at him. You cannot flirt with any man other than me."