Page 134 of Carnal Games

Clutching the phone with the emergency number on speed dial, I tiptoe down the hall and peek around the corner.

“Who are you?” I cross into the open dining area, staring at a woman fussing around in the kitchen.

With a yelp, she turns around, pressing a hand to her chest. “Oh gosh! I didn’t know anyone was home.”

Wearing what looks like a pale yellow uniform with a name tag and her hair in a tight bun, I realize she must be from housekeeping. How come I am meeting her only today? The frown lines around her eyes make her appear to be in her late fifties. As I study her closely, she looks pretty and young despite her age.

“I’m sorry!” I apologize, softly laughing. “I thought there was a burglar in the apartment or something.”

“Oh no!” She chuckles. “I come thrice a week to clean the apartment. I was on sick leave due to a cold. I know the passcode to be able to come and go without disturbing anyone. I usually come when Mr. Singhania isn’t home. Had I known you were here, I would’ve knocked. Are you a friend of his?”

Her tone is keen with interest, like she’s perplexed at my presence.

I ponder how to answer her. Saying I’m either his brother’s fiancée or his assistant doesn’t look appealing or leave a good impression. How does Kian introduce the women he brings home? I definitely don’t want to put myself in the same category as them.

I’m the girl he’s going to fall in love with… sounds so tempting to announce.

“I am close to him, yes,” I vaguely reply. Then I quickly add, “How long have you been working for him?”

“A year.” She bends and picks up the supplies to clean the place.

Seeing an opportunity to unearth the mystery around Kian, I approach her and sit on a stool against the island. “You must run into his guests or…datesall the time.”

“Never, actually,” she hums, dusting around, “I barely see Mr. Singhania. That’s why I jumped after hearing you from behind.”

Butterflies do a tug-of-war in my stomach as I listen to the information.

Could it be possible Kian lied to me about having his one-night stands over?

My lips tug into a full-blown smile as my heart begins to race faster and faster. I quickly hide it when the lady turns around. I catch her name on the tag over the right side of her shirt. “Does the company always send you, Sonya?”

“Yes. Usually, they’ll send someone if I’m unavailable. But Mr. Singhania is very private and prefers sticking to me or no one at all.”

“He must like you then,” I tease.

She stills before her lips tug on one side. “I guess he does.”

“Well, I’ll get out of your way unless you need any help.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh, no! I’m good. If you could give me a grocery list for this week, that would be great. Since I stock the kitchen. I’m assuming you’ll be here the next time I come.”

“That would be awesome. I’ll write it down on paper and leave it here.”

“Thanks.”

Sliding down the stool, I go to Kian’s home office to find a pen and paper.

A week of living with him, he has moved more than half of my belongings into his apartment, which my obsessed little heart adores. The very next day, after I complained of boredom, both the televisions in my bedroom and the living room had Netflix and Prime Video for me to binge-watch shows.

What I love the most is the blatant desire he no longer conceals.

Ever since he confessed—almost threateningly—wanting to kiss me, there’s an undercurrent of carnal tension between us every time we’ve been in the same room this week. Every time we accidentally touch, a pulse throbs in my clit.

We’re stuck in a dance around each other. Every step is pouring gasoline over us. It’s only a matter of time before there’s an explosion.

Taking the stairs to the first floor, I turn left. My body shivers against the gust of cool wind brushing over me. I glance toward the rooftop pool and stare in awe. The dark blue water ripples and crashes against the far wall, giving the illusion of a waterfall with an endless sky on the horizon. A glass wall fountain separates it from the inside.

It’s my favorite part of the penthouse. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it.